Career as a Army Officer

About Army Officer

Indian Army is regarded as the oldest and largest branch of Indian Armed Forces. The major responsibility of the armed forces is to train the individuals to fight on land. Indian Army consists of different divisions. Indian Army safeguards the geographical boundaries of the country and fights with the enemy territory in the event of the war. The army training comprises of both defensive and offensive training. Indian Army also plays a vital role in carrying out relief and rescue operations during natural calamities and for counterinsurgency. The opportunities available in Indian Army are enormous. No other career offers such phenomenal opportunities to upgrade your skills.

Eligibility to become Army Officer

The minimum qualification required to become an army officer is Class 12. The detailed process of becoming an army officer is elaborated below.

National Defence Academy (NDA) Eligibility:

• The candidates who have completed Class 12 can apply for National Defence Academy (NDA).
• The minimum age required to apply for NDA is 16.5 to 19.5 years.
• NDA conducts written exam for the training courses twice a year.
• Candidates who clear the written exam along with physical and medical tests will have to undergo three years of training at NDA, Khadakwasla, Pune and one year at Indian Military Academy, Dehradun.
• After the training, the candidates will receive a B.Sc or B.A degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).
• The candidates will be posted to Indian Armed Forces or Indian Army after the completion of training.

10+2 Technical Entry Scheme (TES) Eligibility:

• Candidates who have completed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics with at least 70% of marks are eligible to apply for Technical Entry Scheme.
• A written exam will be conducted in January and June every year for the TES.
• Candidates who clear the written test will have to undergo one-year training at Officers Training Academy (OTA) and four years at Cadet Training Wings.
• The minimum age required to apply for TES is 16.5 to 19.5 years.
• After the successful completion of training, the candidates will get posting along with a B.Tech degree from JNU.

The official website of Indian Army, i.e., Join Indian Army is the gateway for applying to NDA and 10+2 TES.

Types of Job Roles Army Officer

Indian Army is divided into various divisions. Candidates with necessary qualifications, skills and performance in recruitment tests will get employment in the following divisions.

Infantry: The infantry comprises of armed troops who fight the enemy on foot using equipment such as automatic rifles, self-loading rifles, machine guns, automatic rifles etc. Officers in infantry wing will be provided intensive training in arms handling.

Armoured Corps: The armoured corps comprises of battalions of tanks and other armoured vehicles. They are used to capture or fight with the enemy territory along with infantry. They also defend positions by engaging enemy tanks in battle.

Artillery: Officers in Artillery use long-range field guns, multi-barrel rocket launchers and missile for their manoeuvres. They carry out attacking and defensive operations.

Army Engineers: The major responsibility of the army engineers is to construct roads, helipads, airfields, bridges etc as early as possible so that the three sections of defence forces can advance rapidly. They also destroy enemy bases and cause obstacles for the advancement of enemy troops.

Signal Regiment Officers: Officers in the signal regiment are responsible for quick maintenance and implementation of communication links between the headquarters of Indian Army and the forward positions during the wartime. They are also responsible for electronic warfare.

Army Service Corps (ASC): ASC personnel or officers are responsible for the movement of vehicles, troops, arms & ammunitions etc. These officers are also responsible for safe storage of rations, arms and ammunition, clothing and special equipment.

Intelligence Corps: These officers are involved in the collection, analysis and interpretation of information about the enemy troops including their plans and movements.

Army Medical Corps: The army medical corps includes doctors, and their major responsibility is to provide medical care for the families of the troops and officers of the armed forces.  

Employment Opportunities for Army Officers

Indian Armed Forces are the only recruiter of Army Officers in India. There is no employment in the private sector, and the employment is permanent in the government sector. However, the candidates will have to clear the written, physical and medical tests to get employment in Indian Army. After clearing the written and other tests, the candidates will be sent to military training. After the successful completion of training, the candidates will be posted to different divisions of Indian Army.

Top Recruiting Agencies for Army Officers

The Government of India is the only recruiting authority of Indian Army.

Pay Scale/Salary of Army Officer

Indian government pays lucrative salaries to Army officers.

Apart from the salary, the army officers enjoy numerous benefits and subsidies.

Note: The above figures are an estimate and may vary from individual to individual.

Books & Study Material to Become Army Officer

Students can refer to the following books to fare well in NDA exam:

• National Defence Academy Examination Upkar Prakashan
• Pathfinder 2018 For NDA Entrance Examination
• Mathematics for NDA and NA By R S Aggarwal
• Pathfinder for NDA & NA Entrance Examination National Defence Academy/Naval Academy Conducted by UPSC by Arihant Experts
• Compendium General Knowledge 2018 with Latest Facts & Data  By Kumar Sundaram
• General Knowledge for useful for SSC NDA, IAS by Rajat Wasan

Pros of becoming a Army Officer

• Permanent jobs
• Lucrative salaries

Cons of becoming a Army Officer

• Hazardous working conditions
• Staying away from family

Paths for Being Army Officer