Indian Army offers the most honourable, luxurious and self-satisfying carrier opportunities for the young eligible candidates of India. In this article, we’ll discuss 5 Ways of Joining Indian Army as Officer into the Indian Armed Forces after completing graduation or bachelors’ degrees.
5 Ways of Joining Indian Army as Officer
1) Combined Defense Service Examination
Procedure: Written test followed by SSB for qualified candidates of Written Test.
Eligibility Criteria: Unmarried male graduates can opt for either OTA or IMA (See details about CDSE). Females for OTA only
| Training Academy | Age (at the time of course commencement) | Qualification | Cut-off | Sex |
| IMA (PC) | 19-24 year | Graduation from recognized university | No cut off | Male |
| OTA (SSC-Non Tech) | 19-25 years | Graduation from recognized university | No cut off | Male/Female |
Notification: Notified by UPSC in aegis of CDSE in March/ April and September/October.
Exam: Written Exam is held twice a year, in February/March and September/October.
2) Technical Entry
If you’re a BE or a holder of a B.Tech degree from any recognized institution or university, you can enter the Armed Forces in two distinct ways. You can either opt for the Technical Graduate Course (only for male candidates) if your age is between 20-27 years for the Permanent Commission, or you can opt for the Short Service Commission (for male and female candidates both). For the latter, the age limit for the male candidates remains the same, though for the female candidates it becomes 19-25 years.
Procedure: Directly call for SSB to the candidates who are above cut-off.
Eligibility:
| Course | Age | Qualification | Cut-off | Sex | Training Academy |
| TGC | 20-27 years | BE/B.Tech in notified Stream | Decided by the army. | Male | IMA |
| SSC-Tech | 20-27 years (men)
19-25 Years (women) |
BE/B.Tech in notified Stream | Decided by the army. | Male/Female | OTA |
Notification: Notified twice a year in Apr and Oct for TGC and SSC-Tech (Men) and Dec/Jan and June/July for SSC Tech Women.
3) Special Entries for NCC
Procedure: Direct SSB calls made to the candidates’ possessing desired qualifications after initial screening of the applications.
Eligibility
| Entry | Age | Qualification | Sex | Training Academy |
| NCC SE Men
And NCC SE Women |
19-25 Years | Graduate with LLB / LLM with 50% Aggregate marks, 2 Yrs. service in NCC Senior Div. Army with minimum ‘B’ Grade in ‘C’ Certificate Exam. | Male and Female | OTA Chennai |
Notification: Made in April and October.
4) University Entry Scheme
Only male candidates can apply for UES for a Permanent Commission in Army.
Procedure: Preliminary interviews are held in campus, thereafter selected candidates are sent for the SSB Interview.
Eligibility:
| Course | Age | Qualification | Training Academy |
| University Entry Scheme (UES) | 19 to 25 years for Final Year
18 to 24 years for Pre Final Year |
Final and Pre Final year male students of Engineering Degree Course | IMA |
Notification: Notifications are made in the month of May.
5) Judge Advocate Entry
This is an entry for men only. Law graduates can apply through this.
Procedure: SSB calls made to desired candidates after initial screening of the applications, then SSB call are made.
| Course | Age | Qualification | Training Academy |
| JAG Entry | 21-27 years | Graduate with LLB / LLM with 55% marks. Registered with Bar Council of India / State | OTA |
Notification: June/July
Sir, final year student can apply for CDS IMA?
Yes u can apply provided ur age should fall between 19-23 yrs
Sir !
I have done BCA , but 12th with Arts
So can I apply for IMA