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Last Updated On 03 Aug, 2021
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.
The minimum qualification required to become an army officer is Class 12. The detailed process of becoming an army officer is elaborated below:
| Army Officer | National Defence Academy (NDA) Eligibility | 10+2 Technical Entry Scheme (TES) Eligibility |
| Educational Qualification | The candidate must have passed graduation from a recognized Institute. | Candidates must have completed Class 12 with at least 70% aggregate. |
| Age Limit | 18 to 42 years | 18 to 42 years |
| Eligibility Path | The candidate needs to pass their graduation in one of the following subjects namely Chemistry, Botany, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Zoology, and Statistics. | The candidate needs to pass 12th in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics subjects. |
| Selection Process | The selection will be done on the basis of the entrance test | The selection will be on the basis of a written test |
| Training Process | Candidates will be provided training courses twice a year | Candidates will be provided one year of training at Officers Training Academy (OTA) and four years at Cadet Training Wings. |
| Entrance Exam | UPSC IFS | JEE Main |
| Cutoff | Minimum 40% marks in each part of the paper separately and an overall average of 50%. | 80% to 88% |
| Where to Apply | Join Indian Army Official Website | Join Indian Army Official Website |
Indian Army is divided into various divisions. Candidates with necessary qualifications, skills and performance in recruitment tests will get employment in the following divisions.
| Name of the Post | Description |
| 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. The Infantry Officers are responsible to serve in the field, defend our country against any threats on the ground, capture, destroy, and deter enemy forces, assist in reconnaissance, etc. |
| 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. These officers are responsible for conducting armoured warfare. |
| 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. These officers are responsible for position, maintain, and fire guns, cannons, howitzers, and rockets. |
| 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. These officers are responsible for protecting the troops either by using fortifications or by designing new technology and weaponry, etc. |
| 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. These officers are responsible to lead the Signal Corps, which is responsible for the Army's entire systems of communication. |
| 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. These officers are responsible for provisioning, procurement and distribution of Supplies of food ration, fresh & dry eatable items, etc. |
| Intelligence Corps | These officers are involved in the collection, analysis and interpretation of information about the enemy troops including their plans and movements. These officers are responsible for information gathering and intelligence analysis. |
| 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. These officers are responsible for supporting and administrating the provision of medical assistance to soldiers and their families, and to civilians in emergency situations. |
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.
The Government of India is the only recruiting authority of the Indian Army.
Indian government pays lucrative salaries to Army officers.
Name of the Post | Salary Per Month |
Captain | Rs. 15,600 to 39,100 |
Major | Rs. 15,600 to 39,100 |
Lieutenant Colonel | Rs. 37,400 to Rs. 67,000 |
Colonel | Rs. 37,400 to Rs. 67,000 |
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.
Students can refer to the following books to fare well in NDA exam:
