Parachute Regiment and Parachute Regiment Special Forces hold a distinct place in the hearts of defence aspirants and the recent movies like URI gave them a glimpse of the life of a Para SF soldier. A Para SF Soldier can be identified by his uniform as it consists of Maroon Beret, has shoulder title (PARA) and Balidaan badge. Here we will discuss how to join Para and Para Special Forces and earn the Maroon Beret.

Here is the detailed procedure for how to join Para SF in Indian army. Para special force is the special operation unit of the Indian Army which is one of the best Special Forces units in the world. The Para SF belongs to Parachute Regiment which consists of an airborne infantry regiment too and the joining procedure for both is given in a detailed manner.

1. Parachute Regiment consists of PARA and PARA (SF) Battalions, which are the elite volunteer force of the Indian Army. The Regiment has the honour of being conferred the ‘Bravest of the Brave’ distinction. The Regiment has already been awarded 08 Ashok Chakras, 11 Maha Vir Chakras, 21 Kirti Chakras, 106 Shaurya Chakras, 63 Vir Chakras and 491 Sena Medals and the list continues to grow.

2. Job Profile: During operations, soldiers of PARA and PARA (SF) Regiments are assigned with the tasks, which are of special nature and demand very high standards of physical fitness and mental robustness. Upon joining the service and for carrying out the special tasks, they are required to undergo Specialization Training at the respective battalions after clearing their probation and based on their aptitude, they may undergo specialist training in any of the following:-

a. Combat Free Fall.
b. Under Water Diving.
c. Paramotor Pilot.
d. IGLA and A/Tk Missile Pilot.
e. Rock Craft and Ice Craft.

3. Elite Status: The Paratroopers by virtue of the tough selection, rigorous training and continuous deployment/ preparation are given the elite status throughout the Indian Army. Wearing the maroon beret distinguishes them from the rest and is recognition of the ELITE across all armies of the world.

4. Benefits:

a. Monetary Benefits. Over and above the standard Army allowances which are authorised depending on the sector where an individual serves, a Sepoy rank soldier in the Special Forces unit will get Rs. 17,300/- per month as Special Forces Allowance and Rs. 6000/- per month in Para Battalion as Para Pay.

b. Exposure with Foreign Armies. Being in the PARA/ PARA (SF), generally, an individual gets an exposure of serving/training with foreign Armies.

c. A Complete Soldier in PARA Regiment. Serving in the PARA/ PARA (SF), each individual can be termed as a complete soldier as he has a sound working knowledge and advanced knowledge on one or more of the following skills:-

I. Demolitions
II. First Aid & Trauma Management
III. Communication
IV. Combat Survival
V. Weapon including Sniping
VI. Unarmed Combat & PTKE (A Philippians Martial Art)
VII. Language Skills & Cultural Skills

5. Selection Process for Recruitment into PARA Regiment:

With a view to recruiting motivated and volunteer soldiers into the PARA Regt, the following process would be followed with immediate effect:-

a. Successful and eligible candidates ie. those attaining 100% marks in Physical Fitness tests and 50% marks in Written Test and are in merit will be asked to exercise an option of joining the ELITE PARA Regt by AROs just prior to their despatch. These volunteers’ candidates will be subjected to additional tests for selection for PARA Regt.

b. These candidates who have exercised the option of joining the PARA Regt will have the assurance of joining the already allotted Parent Regt if they fail to qualify in the special screening tests for PARA Regiment.

c. Volunteers will be subjected to special tests as stated below :

Test Std (Candidates have to achieve these standards to qualify)
Physical Test
1. 5 Km Run 20 Mins
2. Chin Up 14
3. Push Up 40 reps in 1 Min
4. Sit Up 80 reps in 2 Mins
5. Mtr Shuttle 17 times in 01 Min

d. The selected candidates will be dispatched to PRTC. In case the selected candidates are not able to meet required training standards at PRTC, they will be transferred to the parent Regt for further training.

e. The above-mentioned tests will be conducted by the Bd of Officers of the PRTC at the ARO location/station.

6. These are broad guidelines and will be refined once the process is set into motion.

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Jai Hind