Army Officer - How to become an Army Officer

Army Officer as a career has always been a dream for the young energetic youth of the country. In fact, there has always been a shortfall of deserving candidates for this coveted career. If you have the desire to give your country more than you desire to have from it. And if you think that you are made for your country and not the country for you, If you are looking to join a passion rather than a profession, and if you think that your motherland is above all for you. Then this is the carrier for you otherwise you can look for something more lucrative to live a comfortable and cozy life with your family and friends.

By knowing these facts one may think that there will not be any taker of this passion-turned-profession. But it is not so. The country is full of young ones who are ready to die for their country. Like in any other profession competition to join the Indian Army too is cutthroat. Those who are mad to wear olive green know that they are the ones who are never going to lose in life. They know if they put a bullet in the enemy's chest they will be applauded and if they took enemies' bullets they will again be applauded for their courage and decorating. They know what they are going to do can not be done by others. They know that they are the only ones that are not known as Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims, etc. They are known as The Indian Army. And there is no dearth of such young ones.

That is the reason, The Indian Army is one of the few volunteer Armies, unlike many other so-called superpowers that have to maintain compulsory army services. The passion among the young ones made the competition all the higher. It is also a truth that the Indian Army is running short of nearly 11,000 officers but this does not show in any case that the next generation lost the charm for the services. Rather it highlights the fact that the Indian Army never compromises on quality, it may be short of quantity for some time for one reason or another but the quality is never compromised.

So one has to be the best to join. And to be the best one is required to be full of confidence, courage, determination, and grit to uphold the aspirations of the entire country. If you have these basic qualities you are most welcome to the Indian Army training institute where your qualities will be polished to lead the nation from the front.

Indian Army Officer Eligibility

To become an Indian Army Officer you can avail one of the following Opportunities.

No.1. Through National Defense Academy  Exam (NDA)

Eligibility Criteria

To join the NDA you need to fulfill the following requirements:

• Educational Qualification

To be eligible for joining NDA you should be passed/appeared 10+2 in any stream

• Age Limits

16-1/2 to 19 years 

• Nationality

Indian

• Gender

Only male candidates can join the services through NDA

• Physical Standards
  

General physical requirements are common for all candidates.

• You must be in good physical and mental health and free from any disease/ disability, which is likely to interfere with the efficient performance of duties. There should be no evidence of a weak constitution, bodily defects, or being overweight.
• The height and weight standards for men and women differ. 
• Your chest should be well developed. The minimum range of expansion after full inspiration should be 5 cm. 
• There should be no disease of the bones and joints of the body.
• You should be free of any past history of mental breakdown or fits.
• Your hearing should be normal without any evidence of present or past disease of the ear, nose, and throat. 
• There should be no sign of functional or organic disease of the heart and blood vessels. Your blood pressure should also be normal.
• The muscles of the abdomen should be well developed without any enlargement of the liver or spleen. Any evidence of disease in the internal organs of the abdomen can be a cause for rejection.
• An un-operated hernia can make you unfit for selection. If operated, this should have been done at least six months prior to the present examination and healing should be complete without any potential for recurrence.
• There should be no hydrocele, varicocele, or piles. If operated for hydromel and/or varicocele, this should have been done at least six months prior to the present examination and healing should be complete without any recurrence.
• Urine examination will be done and any abnormality, if detected, can be a cause for rejection.
• Any disease of the skin, which is likely to cause disability or disfigurement, will also be a cause for rejection.
• Vision will be tested. You must have good binocular vision. In case you have undergone or are detected to have undergone Radial Keratotomy, or any other procedure to improve the visual acuity, you will be permanently rejected.
• You should have a sufficient number of natural and sound teeth. A minimum of 14 dental points will be acceptable. When 32 teeth are present, the total dental points are 22. You should not be suffering from severe pyorrhea.

No.2. Through the Combined Defense Services Exam (CDSE)

Eligibility Criteria

To join threw CDSE you need to fulfill the following requirements:

• Educational Qualification
  

Graduation in any discipline from a recognized university or equivalent.

• Age Limits
  

19 to 24 years 

• Nationality
  

Indian

• Marital Status
  

Single

No.3. Engineering Graduates 

Eligibility Criteria

An Engineering graduate can join the Indian Military Academy directly. They only need to attend the Service Selection Board interview

• Educational Qualification

Graduation in Engineering from a recognized university and equivalent.

• Age Limits
  

20 to 27 Years 

• Nationality
  

Indian

• Marital Status
  

Single

No.4. University Entry Scheme

Eligibility Conditions

Students of Final and pre-final years of engineering degree courses can also apply to the Indian Army as an officer. They are eligible for induction into technical branches/services of the army as commissioned officers under the University Entry Scheme.

• Educational Qualification
  

Final or Pre-Final year of Engineering from a recognized university or equivalent.

• Age Limits
  

19 to 25 years and 18 to 24 Years for Final and Pre- Final year of Engineering 

• Nationality
  

Indian

• Marital Status
  

Single

How to Become an Army Officer?

To be an Army Officer one has to follow the given steps:

Step 1

Scrutiny of Applications

After scrutiny of the application for eligibility sent by you to the UPSC, you will receive a call letter with further instructions.
For seeking entry into the Army Wing of defense forces through the NDA or CDSE, your applications need to be sent to UPSC, New Delhi. It conducts a written test twice a year in April & August (NDA) and April & September (CDSE). Advertisements for the examinations are released about six months in advance. Qualifying in these exams takes you to step two.

Step 2

Testing Officer-Like Qualities

After successfully clearing Step 1, you will receive a call letter to report to any one of the Army Selection Boards located in Bhopal, Allahabad, and Bengaluru. At the Army Selection Boards, you undergo a number of psychological tests, an interview, and group activities, which are collectively called the Officer Like Qualities (OLQ) Tests. These tests are designed to gauge your potential and suitability as an officer in the Armed Forces.

Short Description of the Test

• The Psychological Tests are written tests that are conducted by a Psychologist. 
• The Group Tests are interactive indoor and outdoor tests. We expect active physical participation from you. 
• The Interview involves a personal conversation with our Interviewing Officer. 

The following is the schedule for OLQ Tests:

Schedule for Army  Branch

• Day 1 Phase I & Psychological Tests 
• Day 2 Group tests 
• Day 3 Group tests Interview 
• Day 4 Interview 
• Day 5 Conference 

Step 3

Conducting Medical Examinations

If found suitable by the Selection Board, you would be sent for a thorough medical examination.

Step 4

Preparing All India Merit List

An All India Merit List is compiled on the basis of your performance at the AFSB and is subject to being medically fit. Based on the vacancies available, Army HQ would issue joining instructions to join Army Academy for training.

Army Officers' Career Prospects

Once inducted in the Army as a Lieutenant you can move on to the following given position with the ability and experience of your services.

Army Officer Ranks

• Lieutenant
• Caption
• Major
• Lt. Colonel
• Colonel
• Brigadier
• Major General
• Lt. General
• General (Chief of the Army Staff) The topmost post in the Indian Army.

Army Officer Pay Scale/Salary