Like any other entry to become an officer in India army, we have few special entries for Indian army soldiers (also known as service entries) who have the passion to step up and become officers in the organisation they are working. Indian army provides ample opportunities for its soldiers to become an army officer. These service entries are known and ACC entry, PC(SL) entry and SCO entry, let’s talk about these more in detail.
What is ACC Entry?
The Army Cadet College Wing trains soldiers from the regular army, navy and air force for commission as Officers in the [Indian Army]. The ACC feeds into the Indian Military Academy Dehradun. The nature of training at ACC and NDA is nearly identical, both run a three-year degree course in science and humanities. The added advantage that the ACC cadets bring to the Army as officers are a deep understanding of the soldier life and a consequently better appreciation of the tasking of the men.[1]
ACC has now been rebranded as the Siachen Battalion at the IMA.
The selection for admission to ACC is based on a written test and subsequent selection via Services Selection Board. ACC has been in operation for 80 years now and has graduated some notable alumni. The first course at IMA comprising 40 GCs included 15 from the erstwhile Kitchner College that became the ACC. The first Sword of Honour at IMA was Smith Dun, later COAS Burma.
Unfortunately, the entry criteria for ACC (oft changed) means that most officers would retire before ever becoming the COAS in India, due to age constraints at promotion to higher ranks, irrespective of performance. Many an exceptional officers have graduated from this highly aspirational institution.
The foundation of ACC can be traced to the Kitchener College founded in 1929 at Nowgong, Madhya Pradesh. The Kitchner College became the ACC in 1960, and in 1964 it relocated to Ghorpuri, near Pune, to take over the campus of the erstwhile OTI (merged into OTAMadras). The institute moved again in July 1977, this time to Dehra Dun, to become a wing of Indian Military Academy.
| Vacancies Per Course | 75 (Twice in a Year) |
| Tentative Month of Publication of Notification | Notified by MP Directorate / AGs Br through Units in Mar and Aug |
| Eligibility Criteria | |
|---|---|
| Age | 20 to 27 years , minimum service two years can apply |
| Qualification | 10+2 Pattern Class 12th pass or Equivalent. Should have qualified ACC written test |
| Marital Status | Unmarried / Married |
| Likely Date of SSB | Sep to Nov for Jan Course Mar to May for Jul Course |
| Training Academy | ACC Wing at IMA, Dehradun |
| Duration of Training | Four Years (Three Years in ACC Wing & One Year at IMA) |
What is PC(SL) Entry?
- Education Requirement: Higher Secondary (11th Pass)
- Training Academy: Four weeks at OTA
- Age: 32-40 Year
- Marital Status: Married or Unmarried
| Vacancies Per Course | 100 (Once in a Year) |
| Tentative Month of Publication of Notification | Notified by MP Dte / AGs Br through Units in Apr and Jul |
| Eligibility Criteria | |
|---|---|
| Age | Maximum age 40 years, 45 years for Engineers & 45 years for IOB Minimum service 10 years |
| Qualification | Matric & Above |
| Marital Status | Unmarried / Married Serving JCOs / NCOs excluding Sepoys |
| Likely Date of SSB | Sep and Oct for Jul Course |
| Training Academy | AEC Centre & College, Pachmarhi & IMA, Dehradun |
| Duration of Training | Eight Weeks at AEC Centre & College, Pachmarhi & Four Weeks at IMA |
What is SCO Entry?
SCO entry is another type of entry for soldiers, through this entry soldiers with 32 years for age can also apply. They do get chance even when they have reached the ranks of Hav and JCOs. More details on SCO entry are given below.
- Education Requirement: Class XI CBSE pattern
- Training: One year at IMA
- Age: 27-32 years
- Marital Status: Married or Unmarried
| Vacancies Per Course | 100 (Twice in a Year) |
| Tentative Month of Publication of Notification | Notified by MP Directorate / AGs Br through Units in Apr and Jul |
| Eligibility Criteria | |
|---|---|
| Age | 28 to 35 years. minimum service of five years can apply |
| Qualification | Matric with One Year Diploma or Above |
| Marital Status | Unmarried / Married |
| Likely Date of SSB | Jul/Aug for Jan Course & Nov/Dec for Jul Course |
| Training Academy | OTA, Gaya |
| Duration of Training | Eight Weeks at AEC Centre & College, Pachmarhi & One Year at OTA, Gaya |
How to Apply for SCO, ACC and PC(SL) Entries?
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