The President of India is the supreme commander of the armed forces which comprise of army, navy and the air force.
The Indian navy is one of the largest in the world and the cavalry and the infantry form the two important branches. January 15 is celebrated every year as army day. Any youngster who wants to serve the army can join either as a soldier or an officer. Soldiers are recruited at the age of 18 years in different regiments of the army. Army also recruits musicians, skilled people like barbers, carpenters, etc.
To become an officer, one has to answer the competitive examinations conducted by the Union Public Service Commission on a regular basis. A person with 10 + 2 can appear for the National Defence Academy Examination and Naval Academy Examination.
The NDA is located at Khadakvasla in Pune. For the navy and the air force, one needs to have physics and maths at 10 + 2 level while army offers scope for any 10 + 2 student to enter its portals.
The 3 years course is followed by one year of training. A graduate can also enter the army directly by appearing for the Combined Defence Services (C.D.S) exam also conducted by the UPSC.
This is followed by an S.S.B interview institution in the country. There is also short service commission (S.S.C) in the army branch in non-technical area for graduates in different facilities. The Officers Training Academy (O.T.A) at Chennai gives training for these officers.
For women, there is a short service commission in non-combat areas. If one has N.C.C ‘C’ certificate ‘B’ Grade then one has a head start. For S.S.C, there is a 49 week training period.
Law graduates/post graduate with 55% marks with B or council Sanad can be recruited for JAG cadre. Engineering aspirants can also join with 60% marks in engineering courses. Arts and science postgraduates can also find employment in the army. Thus army holds scope for graduates in any domain to get in either permanent or short service commission.
The second wing of the armed forces is the navy which mans a 7500 km coastline. There is a permanent commission and a short service commission. The Naval Academy at Ezhimala (Kerala) INS Zamorin offers training for cadets who get through the Naval Academy Examination conducted by the UPSC twice a year. N.C.C’s certificate holders also have an advantage in these exams.
To get in to the navy, one has to take physics and maths as subjects. Professional graduates in law, CCA, MCA, B.Tech, M. Tech, BBA, BBM, BSC (IT) material management, ICWA and CA (50%) are also eligible. Short service commission is available in the navy as well.
In Air Traffic Control, both men and women are recruited with BSc (plug/malls) or electronics with minimum 60% or an M.SC with 55%. In the navy, there are various branches like hydro development, logistics department, aviator (pilot), aviator (observation), naval armament, logistics inspection, etc.
There is a university entry scheme for engineering graduates in various disciplines. In naval education branch there is both permanent as well as short service commission. There officers are employed in education branch to teach physics, engineering, history, etc.
For more information one can log onto www.nausena.bharti.nic.in for a career in the navy. Navy day is celebrated on December 4 every year.
The Indian air force is the fourth largest in the world and there are three branches namely flying branch, ground duties branch and technical. NCC certificate holders also have an advantage in IAF. Physics and math also play a very important role. Here too there is a permanent as well as short service commission. A technical graduate with 60% is welcome in the air force in various branches.
Every year IAF celebrates October 8 as foundation day. Airmen selection is also done in various vocations like musician, etc. For more details are one can log on to www.career force.nic.in or email [email protected].
