The Indian Armed Forces symbolize the ideals of service, patriotism and composite culture of the country. Recruitment to the Armed Forces is voluntary and open to all citizens of India irrespective of caste, class, religion and community, provided the laid down physical, medical and educational criteria are met.

Apart from recruitment through the UPSC, the commissioned officers are also recruited in Army through the Non-UPSC entries.

The Army offers both permanent and short service commissions. Permanent commission (PC) is granted through the Indian Military Academy (IMA) Dehradun and Short Service Commission (SSC) is granted through Officers Training Academy (OTA) Chennai. When you opt for 'PC', you are basically looking at a permanent career in the Army, a career till you retire. SSC is a wonderful option for all those of you who aspire to serve it for a few years. It gives you the option of joining the Army, and serving it as a commissioned officer for five years. Once your tenure is over, you are allowed to opt for PC. Alternatively, you can also ask for a five years extension and can choose to resign from your post any time during this period.

•  Permanent Commission (PC)
  • • NDA
    • Direct Entry
    • Engineering Graduates
    • University Entry Scheme
    • 10+2 TES Entry
    • For more information on Permanent Commission (PC)

•  Short Service Commission (SSC)
  • • Non-Tech
    • Tech (Both Men and Women)
    • NCC Special Entry (Both for Men and Women)
    • For more information on Short Service Commission (SSC)
    Details of eligibility criteria duration and venue of training and other information on joining Indian army is available through news papers or can be obtained from the website Join Indian Army.

•  Short Service Commission (Women)
  • Women are offered Short Service Commission in three streams. viz., Non-Technical Graduate, Technical, Post Graduate/Specialist for a period of ten years, extendable by additional four years purely on voluntary basis. The duration of training is 49 weeks at Officers training Academy, Chennai. For Short Service Commission (Women) (Technical) Entry, candidates who have passed or are appearing in final year/semester of B.E/B. Tech in notified streams are eligible to apply. Candidates have to appear for SSB interview followed by Medical Test.

•  Recruitment of Personnel Below Officers Rank (PBOR)
  • In the Army, there are eleven Zonal Recruiting Offices, two Gorkha Recruiting Depots, one Independent Recruiting Office and 59 Army Recruiting Offices in addition to 47 Regimental Centres which carry out recruitment through rallies in their respective areas of jurisdiction.
    All recruitment is being carried out through open rally system. Recruitment of Personnels Below Officer Rank (PBOR) is carried out through open rally system. The recruitment of PBOR commences with the preliminary screening of aspiring candidates at rally site followed by document checking, physical fitness tests, physical measurement, and medical examination. This is followed by a written examination for the candidates found eligible in all respects. Finally selected candidates are dispatched to respective Training Centres for training.

•  Life in Army
  • Indian Army offers humongous opportunities for youngsters seeking job satisfaction, security, economic stability, social status, quality of life, variety and adventure. The competition in the Army is clean and devoid of any other factor but competence. Know more on what army offers to you.

A job in the Navy offers you a chance to exploit your true potential as a professional - by learning new skills, acquiring unrivalled experience in the process of applying those skills, and making the most of Navy advancement.

In the Indian Navy, you will find there's much more to be gained than a regular salary. In fact, the experience that you gain in the Navy can help you shape your future through outstanding financial benefits, unparalleled career potential, and the lifestyle of freedom and personal growth that you've been waiting for.

Come and Join the Navy

Broad Classification of Navy Branches

•  Executive Branch

  • As an officer of the Executive Branch one can exercise command of ships, submarines and aircraft. Executive officers can specialise in any of the following:-

    • Gunnery & Missiles
    • Navigation and Direction
    • Anti-Submarine Warfare
    • Communications
    • Pilot
    • Observer
    • Submarine
    • Hydrography
    • Diving

    The other cadres that form part of the Executive Branch are - Law, Air Traffic Control, Naval Armament Inspection, Information Technology and Logistics. For more information on Executive Branch.

•  Engineering Branch

  • An Engineer Officer's career is interspersed with technical courses up to post graduation level in India/abroad. You can also join in the Naval Architecture Cadre of the Engineering Branch. For more information on Engineering Branch.

•  Electrical Branch

  • For a ship to be able to fight effectively, all the equipments must be kept working at peak efficiency. Electrical Officers have this responsibility and other challenging tasks. To sharpen their skills, the Navy offers excellent opportunities for post-graduate courses in India/abroad to deserving candidates. For more information on Electrical Branch.

•  Educational Branch

  • Education Officers are responsible for scientific and methodical instructions, including theoretical aspects of technical subjects of all branches of the navy and also for general education. An Education Officer can specialise in almost all specialisations of the Executive Branch. For more information on Educational Branch.

    Am I Eligible? - You can check your eligibility to join the Indian Navy by providing details such as your age, gender and qualification. You can also follow this website Indian Navy to find information related to career opportunities, benefits, facilities etc.

•  Life at Sea

  • Life at sea is full of challenges and immense satisfaction. While you are at sea, the Navy looks after the welfare of your family like its own.

    • Apply online for Officer entry
    • Apply online for Sailor entry

Indian Paramilitary forces have also recruit for various posts time to time. Following are the five Central Armed Police Forces which come under the preview of Ministry of Home Affairs.

Border Security Force (BSF) is a Border Guarding Force of India. It is a Union Government Agency under the administrative control of Ministry of Home Affairs. It is one of many law enforcement agencies of India. It currently stands as the world's largest border guarding force.

Get information related to recruitment in Border Security Force.

Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is a premier multi-skilled security agency which provides security cover to nuclear installations, space establishments, airports, seaports, power plants, sensitive Government buildings and ever heritage monuments.

Detailed information related to recruitment of Central Industrial Security Force.

Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is an armed Force of the Union of India, with the basic role of striking reserve to assist the State/Union Territories in Police operations to maintain law and order and contain insurgency.

You can find information about recruitment of Central Reserve Police Force.

Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) is a specialized mountain Force and most of the officers & men are professionally trained mountaineers and skiers.

Know more about career opportunities in Indo Tibetan Border Police.

Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) is a Border Guarding Force (BGF) under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs. You can find detailed information pertaining to recruitment and career opportunities in the SSB.