In Indian Army recruitment of an officer is done under two categories or we can say there are two ways an officer is commissioned in Indian Army and that is Permanent Commission and Short Service Commission.

Indian Army Types of Commission

What is Permanent Commission ?

A Permanent Commission means a career in the Army till you retire. For Permanent Commission, you have to join National Defence Academy, Pune or Indian Military Academy, Dehradun or Officers Training Academy, Gaya.

What are the Training Academies of Indian Army for Officers ?

• National Defence Academy, Pune

While you are in class XII or after passing class XII and you have an option of joining Army, Navy, Airforce and Naval Academy subject to meeting educational parameters and clearing UPSC written exam for the given choices. Clear the UPSC exam and after 5-day Services Selection Board Interview pass your medicals, and you’re in NDA subject to meeting all eligibility conditions and availability of vacancies. Three years in NDA and you will be a much improved person.

The selected candidates for the three services, viz, Army, Navy and Airforce are given preliminary training in both academic and physical for a period of 3 Years at the National Defence Academy which is an Inter-Service Institution. The training during the first two and half years is common to the cadets of three wings. The cadets on passing out will be awarded B.Sc./B.Sc.(Computer)/BA. Degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi.

• Indian Military Academy, Dehradun

At the I.M.A Army Cadets are known as Gentlemen Cadets and are given strenuous military training for a period of one year. On successful completion of training Gentlemen Cadets are granted Permanent Commission in the rank of Lieutenant subject to being medically fit in “SHAPE-I” one.

The IMA trains you to lead from the front. You are trained in all aspects of combat and tactics using technology and other modern tools and technologies. The IMA has excellent facilities for all-round development. You can go for adventure sports like river rafting, para jumping, rock climbing, trekking and mountaineering. From the IMA, you’re commissioned as a “Lieutenant” in the Indian Army, to go out into the world and live up to the IMA motto – “Valour & Wisdom”.

What are the main entries to get into IMA ?

1. Combined Defence Service Examination (CDSE): You can take the CDS Entrance Exam conducted by UPSC while you are in final year of Graduation / possess any Graduate Degree. Clear the SSB interview, be medically fit and join IMA as a Direct Entry subject to meeting all eligibility conditions and availability of vacancies.
2. University Entry Scheme: This entry is for those of you who wish to apply for Army in Pre-Final Year of Engineering. Look out for the advertisement published in leading newspapers/employment news in May every year.Selected candidates for UES Course will be detailed for training at Indian Military Academy, Dehradun according to their position in the final order of merit, discipline wise upto the number of vacancies available at that time. Duration of training is one year.
3. Technical Graduate Course Entry: Those who are studying in final year/ have completed BE/B Tech in notified streams can also join IMA through Technical Graduate Course. Look out for the advertisement published in leading newspapers/employment news in May/Jun & Nov/Dec every year. Selected candidates will be granted Short Service Commission on probation in the rank of Lieutenant from the date of commencement of the course or the date of reporting at IMA, whichever is later and will be entitled to full pay and allowances admissible to Lt during training period. Pay & allowances will be paid after successful completion of training.Duration of training is one year. Selected candidates will be detailed for training at Indian Military Academy, Dehradun according to their position in the final order of merit up to the number of vacancies available in each subject. On successful completion of training cadets will be granted Permanent Commission in the Army in the rank of Lieutenant. Officers may be granted commission in any Arms/Services and will be liable for service in any part of the world on selected appointments as decided by Army Headquarters from time to time. One year ante date seniority from the date of commission will be granted to Engineering Graduates of TGC Entry.
4. Army Education Corps AEC (Men): Candidates who have passed Post Graduate Degree MA/M.Sc in subjects as per Notification /M.Com/MCA/MBA with 1st or 2nd Division are only eligible. Final Year appearing/Result awaiting students are not eligible.  Duration of training is one year. Selected candidates will be detailed for training at Indian Military Academy, Dehradun according to their position in the final order of merit up to the number of vacancies available in each subject.
5. 10+2 (TES) Entry: You can apply after passing your 12th Exams. Minimum aggregate of 70% is mandatory in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. You will be detailed for SSB interview based on the cut off as decided by Recruiting Directorate. Look out for the advertisement published in leading newspapers/employment news in May/Oct every year.Duration of training for TES Entry is 5 years and details are as under:Basic Military Training: 1 year (Officer Training Academy Gaya).
   Technical Training: Technical Training will be conducted in two phases:
   Phase-I: Pre Commission Training for 3 Years at any of the three CTWs (Cadet Training Wings i.e. CME Pune, MCTE Mhow and MCEME Secunderabad).
   Phase-II: Post Commission Training for 1 year at CME Pune, MCTE Mhow and MCEME Secunderabad. The candidates will be awarded Engineering degree after successful completion of training.
   The candidates will be given a stipend of Rs. 21,000/- p.m. (Rs 15,600/- as pay in Pay Band plus Grade Pay of Rs. 5,400/-) as is admissible to NDA cadets on completion of 3 years training. On completion of 4 Years training they will be commissioned in the rank of Lieutenant and entitled to pay as admissible to the rank.

What is Short Service Commission ?

Under Short Service Commission you will be serving as a Commissioned Officer for 10/14 years. At the end 10 yrs you have 3 options. Either elect for a Permanent Commission or opt out or have the option of 4 years extension. They can resign at any time during this period of 4 yrs extension.

A Short Service Commission empowers you with analytical thinking, planning skills, administrative and organizational abilities. Qualities which will make you an invaluable asset for any organization that you join after the Army and there are opportunities to side step to an alternate career for which Army will also help you.

What are the types of SSC Entry ?

1. Short Service Commission (Non Technical) Men & Women: Officers Recruitment through this entry is advertised through the Employment News and all important National and Regional Newspapers / dailies in the months of Jul and Nov. Mode of Application is Online only through official website of UPSC. Selection for short service commission is through a written exam conducted by the UPSC twice every year in the month Sept. and Feb, followed by an interview by the Service Selection Board (SSB). Courses are conducted at OTA, Chennai twice every year in the Months of April and October.
2. Short Service Commission (Technical) Men & Women: Officers Recruitment through this entry is advertised through the Employment News and All important National and Regional Newspapers / dailies in the months of January and July. Mode of Application is Online only through official website of Recruitment Directorate,www.joinindianarmy.nic.in. Selection for short service commission is through the Services Selection Board (SSB) and there is no written exam for this entry as on date. The candidates are shortlisted for SSB interview based on the basis of cut off percentage applied on marks obtained by the candidates’ up to 6th Semester. Courses are conducted at OTA, Chennai twice every year in the Months of April and October.
3. Short Service Commission (NCC) Men & Women: Officers Recruitment through this entry is advertised through the Employment News and All important National and Regional Newspapers / dailies in the months of Jun and Dec. If you have done NCC Senior Division (Army) and obtained ‘C’ certificate with minimum ‘B’ grade, you can apply through your NCC Battalion from where NCC ‘C’ certificate has been issued to you.
4. Short Service Commission (JAG) Men & Women: To apply for JAG Entry, you have to be a Law Graduate with minimum 55% aggregate marks in LLB Degree (Three years professional after graduation or five years after 10+2 examination). The candidates should be eligible for registration with Bar Council of India/State. Candidate should be from a College/University recognized by Bar Council of India. Officers Recruitment through this entry is advertised through the Employment News and All important National and Regional Newspapers / dailies in the months of June and December. Mode of Application is Online only through official website of Recruitment Directorate, www.joinindianarmy.nic.in.