Types of comission

1.PERMANENT COMMISSION

A Permanent Commission means a career in the Army till you retire.  For a Permanent commission you have to join the National Defence Academy Khadakwasla or the Indian Military Academy Dehradun.

The National Defence Academy, Pune

You can take the NDA entrance exam right after class XI.  Clear the UPSC exam and a 5-day Service Selection Board interview, pass your medicals, and you're in NDA.  Three years in NDA and you will be a much improved person.  

Apart from providing graduation degrees, NDA has the finest infrastructure for professional training. You'll find phenomenal opportunities to develop your personality and cultivate new interests.  

There are 31 extra-curricular activities to choose from.  You have aero-modeling, golf, gliding, sailing, wind surfing, astronomy, photography and many more. For more details about NDA KHADAKWASLA visit websitewww.nda.nic.in  

Indian Military Academy, Dehradun

Indian Military Academy is yet another cradle of leadership.  The IMA trains you to lead from the front.  You are trained in all aspects of combat and tactics using computers and other modern tools and technologies. The IMA has excellent facilities for all-round development.  You can go for adventure sports like river rafting, para jumping, rock climbing, trekking and mountaineering. From the IMA, you're commissioned as a "Lieutenant" in the Indian Army, to go out into the world and live up to the IMA motto - "Valour & Wisdom".

There are four main entries to get into IMA:- 

Combined Defence Service Examination(CDSE)          In final year of Graduation, you need to pass the Combined Defence Services Exams being conducted by UPSC, clear the SSB interview, be medically fit and join IMA as a Direct Entry provided you come in merit. For details of exam dates/ notification visit UPSC website upsc.nic.in

The other entries are are Non UPSC entries(There is no written exam. You are directly called for SSB interview):-

10+2 Tech Entry you can apply after your 12th Exams. Minimum aggregate of 70% is mandatory in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. You will be detailed for SSB interview based on the cut off as decided by Recruiting Directorate. Look out for the advertisement published in leading newspapers/employment news in May/Dec every year. Total training is five years. (one year at OTA Gaya and four years at Cadet Training Wings).

 University Entry Scheme(Pre Final Year Students Only). This entry is for those of you who wish to apply for Army in Pre-Final Year of Engineering.  Look out for the advertisement published in leading newspapers/employment news in May every year.

Technical Graduate Course.  Those who are studying in final year/ have completed BE/B Tech in notified streams can also join IMA through Technical Graduate Course.  The duration of training is 1 year. Look out for the advertisement published in leading newspapers/employment news in May/Jun & Nov/Dec every year.

2.SHORT SERVICE COMMISSION

You also have the option of joining the Army and serving as a Commissioned Officer for 10 years and is extendable up to 14 years.  At the end of this period you have two options.  Either elect for a Permanent Commission or opt out.

Those not selected for Permanent Commission have the option of a 4 years extension.  They can resign at any time during this period.

A Short Service Commission empowers you with analytical thinking, planning skills, administrative and organizational abilities.  Qualities which will make you an invaluable asset for any organization that you join after the Army and there are opportunities to side step to an alternate career for which Army will also help you.

Officers Training Academy, Chennai

Once selected for Short Service Commission, you go to the Officers Training Academy at Chennai.  The selection process is a written exam followed by the SSB interview and medicals.  For Technical (Engineering) graduates and law graduates it is direct SSB interview and medicals.  If you have done NCC Senior Division (Army) and obtained 'C' certificate with minimum 'B' grade, you can apply through your NCC Branch HQ/Zonal HQ to Recruiting Directorate for direct SSB interview. SSB qualified candidates undergo a medical examination.  The duration of training is 49 weeks.  OTA training provides you with opportunities to broaden your perspective and widen your horizon.  Whether it's skeet-shooting, golf, riding or angling ... at OTA you can do it all.

Short Service Commission For Women (Officers)

In 1992, an important landmark in the history of Indian Army was the induction of women into the officer cadre, and the onerous task of training them was undertaken by the Officers Training Academy.

Revised Terms  and Conditions of Service of SSCOs(Women both

Technical and Non-Technical)

Prominent features of the revised policy are :-

(a)      Extension of Tenure

(i)     Tenure of Short Service Commission.  Short Service Commission (SSC), in the Regular Army will be granted for 14 years i.e. for an initial period of 10 years, extendable by 4 years.

(ii)     Duration of Training.    49 weeks.

(b)      Substantive Promotion :-   SSCOs will be eligible for substantive promotion.

(i)     To the rank of Capt - on completion of 2 years reckonable commissioned service.   

(ii)    To the rank of Maj  - on completion of 6 years reckonable  commissioned service.

(iii)   To the rank of Lt Col -  on completion of 13 years reckonable commissioned service.