Types of Entries to Join Indian Armed Forces

1. NATIONAL DEFENCE ACADEMY (NDA): In this a candidate can get selected in to any of the branches of Indian Armed forces -Indian Air Force, Indian Army and Indian Navy.

Eligibility Criteria for NDA

Age: 6 ½ to 19 ½ yrs as of first day of the month in which course is due to commence

Qualification: 12th Class of 10+2 System of Education/Equivalent for Army and with Physics and Maths for AF/Navy

Training Academy: NDA , Khadakwasla, Pune

Notification: Conducted twice in a year by UPSC, notification is released around May/Jun and Dec

2. 10+2 TECHNICAL ENTRY SCHEME(10+2 TES): Through this entry a candidate will be selected in Indian Army as permanent commissioned officer.

Eligibility Criteria for 10+2 TES

Age: 16 ½ to 19 ½  yrs as of first day of the month in which course is due to commence

Qualification: 12th Class of 10+2 System of Education/Equivalent with a minimum aggregate of 70% in  Physics, Chemistry & Maths(PCM)

Training Academy: OTA Gaya

Notification: It is conducted twice a year and notified by DG Rtg AG’s branch IHQ of MOD(Army) in May/Jun  & Oct/Nov

3. INDIAN MILITARY ACADEMY (IMA) DIRECT ENTRY : To get selected in IMA, a candidate need to first clear combined defence services exam CDSE conducted by UPSC.

Eligibility Criteria for IMA DE

Age: 19 and 24 yrs as of first day of month in which course is due to commence

Qualification: Graduation from Recognised University.

Training Academy: IMA Dehradun

Notification: It is conducted twice a year and notified by UPSC under the aegis of CDSE in May/Jun and Nov/Dec

4. OFFICERS TRAINING ACADEMY ( NON TECHNICAL MEN ) OTA SSC: To get selected in OTA SSC, a candidate need to first clear combined defence services exam CDSE conducted by UPSC.

Eligibility Criteria for OTA SSC

Age: 19 and 25 yrs as on 01 Jan of the yr in which course is due to commence for Apr course and 01 Jul of the yr in which course is due to commence for Oct course

Qualification: Graduation from Recognised University.

Training Academy: OTA Chennai

Notification: It is conducted twice a year and notified by UPSC under the aegis of CDSE in May/Jun and Nov/Dec

5.NCC (SPL) ENTRY MEN: Through NCC entry a candidate will be selected in Indian Army and Indian Air Force

Eligibility Criteria for NCC SPL

Age: 19 and 25 yrs as of 01 Jul of the yr in which course is due to commence for Oct course and 01 Jan of the yr in which course is due to commence for Apr course

Qualification: Final year appearing/Graduate with 50% Aggregate marks, 2 Yrs service in NCC Senior Div Army with minimum ‘B’ Grade in ‘C’ Certificate Exam.

Training Academy: OTA Chennai

Notification: It is  notified by Additional Directorate General Recruiting / AG Branch in Jun & Dec

6. JAG MEN: It is a special entry only for law graduates in Indian Army

Eligibility Criteria for JAG Entry

Age: 21 and 27 yrs as on 01 Jul of the yr in which course is due to commence for Oct course and 01 Jan of the yr in which course is due to commence for Apr course

Qualification: Graduate with LLB / LLM with 55% marks. Registered with Bar Council of India / State

Training Academy: OTA Chennai

Notification: It notified by Additional Directorate General Recruiting / AG Branch

 7. UNIVERSITY ENTRY SCHEME: Candidates will be selected directly for Indian Armed Force through this entry.

Eligibility Criteria for UES (Pre Final Yr)

Age: 19 and 25 yrs as of first day of month in which course is due to commence

Qualification: Pre Final year students of Engineering Degree Course

Training Academy: IMA Dehradun

Notification: It notified by Additional Directorate General Recruiting / AG Branch in May. Applications to be forwarded to respective Command Headquarters as per the areas indicated in the notification.

 7. TGC (ENGINEERS): Candidates will be selected directly for Indian Armed Forces through this entry.

Eligibility Criteria for TGC

Age: 20 and 27 yrs as of first day of month in which course is due to commence

Qualification: BE / B Tech final appearing & degree holders in notified streams of Engineers

Training Academy: IMA Dehradun

Notification: It is conducted twice in a year and notified by Additional Directorate General Recruiting / AG Branch in May/Jun and Nov/Dec.

8. SHORT SERVICE COMMISSION TECHNICAL MEN: Candidates will be selected for Indian Army through this entry.

Eligibility Criteria for SS (Tech)

Age: 20 and 27 yrs as of first day of month in which course is due to commence

Qualification: Engineering Degree in notified discipline

Training Academy: OTA Chennai

Notification: It is conducted twice in a year and notified by Additional Directorate General Recruiting / AG Branch in Dec/Jan and Jun / Jul

9. TGC EDUCATION (AEC): Candidates will be selected for Indian Army through this entry.

Eligibility Criteria for TGC EDUCATION (AEC)

Age: 23 to 27 years, born between – 2nd Jan to 1st Jan for Jan Course; 2nd Jul to 1st Jul for Jul Course

Qualification: MA / MSC in 1st or 2nd division in notified subjects from recognized university

Training Academy: IMA Dehradun

Notification: It is conducted twice in a year and notified by Additional Directorate General Recruiting / AG Branch in May/Jun and Nov/Dec

10. Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT): As an officer in the Indian Air Force a candidate depending on his/her qualifications, could join one of the various branches in the IAF:

• Flying Branch : Fighters, Transports and Helicopters
• Technical Branch: Mechanical and Electronics
• Ground Duty Branch: Administration, Accounts, Logistics, Education and Meteorology

Eligibility Criteria for AFCAT

AGE: 19 to 23 years

Qualification:  Graduates (Minimum three year degree course) in any discipline from a recognised University who have attained minimum 60% marks in aggregate in all papers put together and have passed Maths and Physics at 10+2 level OR BE / B Tech degree (Four year course) from a recognised University with minimum 60% marks in aggregate in all papers put together

Training Academy: Air Force Academy

Notification: It is conducted twice in a year and notified by IAF in May/June and Aug/Sep

11. Graduate Special Entry Scheme (GSES) Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala (Through UPSC) : Through this entry  candidates can get selected for Indian Navy.

Eligibility Criteria for Graduate Special Entry Scheme (GSES)

Age: 19 – 22 years

Qualification: B.Sc (Physics & Maths) or BE

Notification: Advertised by Indian Navy through leading newspapers.

12. SSC Submarine Engineering: Men of age between 19-25 with BE/B.Tech in Mechanical engineering with minimum 60 percent can apply for this entry. It is notified by Indian Navy through leading newspapers.