Join Indian Army 2025: The Indian Army offers various avenues to enthusiastic individuals who aspire to serve the nation as an officer. Each path has its unique set of qualifications, age requirements, and selection processes. As of 2025, here are the primary routes you can take to join the Indian Army as an officer:
One of the most popular ways to join the Indian Army as an officer is through the National Defense Academy (NDA) Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). To qualify for NDA, you must be an unmarried male or female aged 16.5-19.5 years with a 10+2 level of education. After clearing the written exam and Services Selection Board (SSB) interview, the qualified candidates undergo a rigorous 3-year training program at NDA, Khadakwasla.
Alternatively, you can also enter the Indian Army through the Combined Defense Services (CDS) Examination, which is also conducted by UPSC. For this entry, you need to be a graduate (any discipline for IMA/OTA, Engineering for Technical Entries), aged between 19 and 24 years. Women are also eligible for the OTA entry. The selection procedure involves clearing the written examination followed by an SSB interview.
Indian Army’s Technical Entry Scheme (TES) and Technical Graduate Course (TGC) are another way for engineering students or graduates to join the Indian Army. For TES, you need to have completed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, while for TGC, a degree in engineering is required. The selection process involves shortlisting based on percentage cutoff, followed by the SSB interview.
For those with a strong medical or nursing background, the Army Medical Corps and Military Nursing Service (MNS) can be viable entry routes. MBBS graduates or postgraduates can apply for Short Service Commission in the Army Medical Corps, while females with a BSc Nursing degree can join the MNS.
The University Entry Scheme (UES), applicable for pre-final year students, and the Short Service Commission (Technical) entries are other possible pathways for engineering students or graduates.
Lastly, for law graduates, the JAG (Judge Advocate General) entry could be a good fit. It is open for both men and women aged between 21-27 years, holding an LLB degree with at least 55% marks and registered with the Bar Council of India or the state.
The Indian Army also offers Special Entry Schemes such as the NCC Special Entry Scheme for NCC ‘C’ Certificate holders, which doesn’t require a written examination.
All the above pathways generally involve a two-stage selection process— clearing a written test (except in special entries), followed by an SSB interview, which tests your psychological aptitude and personality.
Preparation for joining the Indian Army should be comprehensive and focused, with adequate attention to improving your physical fitness, communication skills, and general awareness. It is advisable to follow the Indian Army’s official website to keep abreast of the latest notifications and updates about the various entries.
If you are an Indian defence aspirant and want to join the Indian army as an officer in 2023, here are the upcoming officer’s entries that you can look for. The Indian Army finds potential officer through the entries like NDA, CDS, TGC, SSC, NCC, TES, ACC and more. In this article, you can find the details on these Indian army entries and exams and how one can preparing these defence exams.
Armed Forces epitomize the ideals of service, sacrifice, 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.
Ways To Join Indian Army 2025
1. National Defence Academy Exam
The NDA exam is conducted by UPSC for the aspirants who are in 10+2 and want to join the Army, Navy and Airforce after 12th.
- NDA 1 2025 Exam: The National Defence Academy Exam is conducted twice a year. It is a national-level examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission.Â
- NDA 2 20254 Exam: UPSC conducts NDA 2025, a national-level entrance examination, twice a year to recruit qualified candidates for the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of the National Defence Academy. Candidates aspiring to take the exam should start preparing by creating a study plan and devising a strategic approach to tackle the competition.
Prepare For NDA Exam Online with SSBCrackExams
Every year about 10 lakh candidates appear for the NDA exam, out of which only 16 to 20 thousand qualify the written test. As it is conducted by Union Public Service Commission, the questions that come for the exam are usually of a higher & advanced level, making it quite a challenging exam to crack. This course constructed by SSBCrackExams is, therefore, designed according to the standard of knowledge & expertise expected from the qualifying candidate. With 2000+ video lectures & 6000+ practice sets, this course aims to deliver to the students strong content & detailed explanation on complex subjects from Maths, English, General Studies, General Sciences & Current Affairs. This all-inclusive course, therefore, prepares a student with all the necessary requirements for acing higher scores in the written test & pursue their dreams. Enroll for NDA Exam Online Coaching
2. Combined Defence Services Exam [CDS Exam]
The CDS Exam is conducted by UPSC for the aspirants who are in the final year of graduation or passed out of college. Through CDS exam, one can join, IMA, AFA, INA and OTA. Women can only join OTA Chennai through CDS Exam.
- CDS 1 2025 Exam: The exam is a national test for people who want to join the Indian Military Academy, the Officers’ Training Academy, the Indian Naval Academy, or the Indian Air Force Academy.
- CDS 2 2025 Exam: The exam is a national-level examination for the recruitment of candidates into the Indian Military Academy, the Officers’ Training Academy, the Indian Naval Academy, and the Indian Air Force Academy.
Prepare For CDS Exam Online with SSBCrackExams
Every year about 10 lakh candidates appear for the CDS exam, out of which only 16 to 20 thousand qualify the written test. As it is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission, the questions that come for the exam are usually of a higher & advanced level, making it quite a challenging exam to crack. This course constructed by SSBCrackExams is, therefore, designed according to the standard of knowledge & expertise expected from the qualifying candidate. With 1000+ video lectures & 8000+ practice sets, this course aims to deliver to the students strong content & detailed explanation on complex subjects from Maths, English, General Studies, General Sciences & Current Affairs. This all-inclusive course, therefore, prepares a student with all the necessary requirements for acing higher scores in the written test & pursue their dreams. Enroll for CDS Exam Online Coaching
3. Territorial Army
The Territorial Army is part of Regular Army and its present role is to relieve the Regular Army from static duties and assist civil administration in dealing with natural calamities and maintenance of essential services in situations where life of the communities is affected or the Security of the Country is threatened and to provide units for Regulars Army as and when required.
- TA Notification 2025 Civilian
- TA Notification 2025 Ex-Officers
Prepare For Territorial Army Exam Online with SSBCrackExams
We are the only portal that provides the online course to crack the TA exam since long we are serving the Territorial Army aspirants in their preparation needs through various content. Every year about 1 lakh candidates appear for the Territorial Army exam, out of which only 2 to 5 thousand qualify the written test. As it is conducted by the Indian Army, the questions that come for the exam are usually of a higher & advanced level, making it quite a challenging exam to crack. This course constructed by SSBCrackExams is, therefore, designed according to the standard of knowledge & expertise expected from the qualifying candidate. With 1000+ video lectures & 4000+ practice sets, this course aims to deliver to the students strong content & detailed explanation on complex subjects from Maths, English, Reasoning, General Studies & Sciences. This all-inclusive course, therefore, prepares a student with all the requirements for acing higher scores in the written test & pursue their dreams.
4. Technical Entry Scheme (TES) 10+2 :
Candidates who have qualified 10+2 CBSE/ICSE/State Board Examination with minimum aggregate of 70% marks in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics are eligible to apply for commission under the 10+2(TES). On being successful in the SSB and being declared fit by the medical board, they undergo one year basic military training at the Training Academy and thereafter undergo three years engineering degree course in respective streams before getting Permanent Commission. On being commissioned, they are further put through one year of post commissioning training for the Arm/Service into which they are commissioned. Upcoming TES Notification:
- TES 53 Notification
- TES 54 Notification
5. Technical Graduates Course (TGC)
Engineering graduates from the notified discipline of engineering, postgraduates with minimum second division aggregate marks in notified discipline for Army Education Corps and MSc in Agriculture/Dairy for Military Farm are eligible to apply for Permanent Commission through this entry. After the SSB and the Medical Board, the selected candidates are required to undergo one-year pre-commissioned training at the IMA, Dehradun, before being commissioned. Engineering Graduates through this entry are also entitled to one-year antedate seniority on commissioning. The candidates are directly shorlisted for SSB interview based on their percentage. Upcoming TGC notifications:
- TGC 142 Notification
- TGC 143 Notification
6. Short Service Commission (Technical) Entry
The Short Service Commission (Technical) Entry Scheme provides avenue for recruitment to eligible technical graduates/post graduates into Technical Arms. After SSB and Medical Board, the selected candidates are required to undergo approximately 140 49 weeks pre-commission training at OTA, Chennai. On completion of training, they are inducted as Short Service Commissioned Officers. Cadets through this entry are also entitled to one year’s ante-date seniority on commissioning. Terms and conditions of other short service commission officers are applicable. The candidates are directly shortlisted for SSB interview based on their percentage. SSC Tech upcoming notification:
- SSC Tech 64 Men
- SSC Tech 65 Men
- SSC Tech 34 Women
- SSC Tech 35 Women
7. NCC (Special Entry Scheme)
University graduates possessing NCC ‘C’ Certificate with minimum ‘B’ grade and 50% aggregate marks in graduation examination are eligible to apply for Short Service Commission through this entry. Those studying in third year are allowed to apply provided they have secured minimum 50% aggregate marks in first two years. Such candidates will need to secure overall aggregate of minimum 50 % marks if selected in interview failing which his candidature will be cancelled. Candidates must possess graduation degree at the time of joining OTA or those candidates studying in third year should be able to produce the degree within 12 weeks from date of commencement of training at OTA. Such cadets are exempted from written examination conducted by the UPSC and are directly put through the SSB interview followed by a medical board. Candidates meeting the qualitative requirements have to apply through NCC Group Headquarters at the State level. After Screening by respective Group Headquarters, Directorate General of NCC forwards the applications of eligible cadets to the Recruiting Directorate of Integrated Headquarters of Ministry of Defence (Army). Upcoming NCC Special Entry Scheme notifications:
- NCC 61 Special Entry Scheme
- NCC 62 Special Entry Scheme
- NCC 63 Special Entry Scheme
8. Judge Advocate General Entry
Law graduates with minimum 55% aggregate marks in LLB and between 21 to 27 years of age can apply for Judge Advocate General Branch. Eligible candidates are called for direct SSB interview and medical test, thereafter. It is a Short Service Commission Entry wherein suitable candidates can opt for Permanent Commission.
- JAG 35 Notification
- JAG 36 Notification
9. Short Service Commission Women
Eligible women candidates are recruited in the Army as Short Service Commission Officers. Commission is granted in Corps of Electronic and Mechanical Engineers, Corps of Engineers, Signals, Army Educational Corps, Military Intelligence Corps, Judge Advocate General’s Branch, Army Supply Corps, Army Ordnance Corps and Army Air Defence. Women are offered Short Service Commission in three streams viz. Non-Technical Graduate, Technical and Post Graduate/ Specialist for a period of ten years, extendable by additional four years purely on voluntary basis. Recently, Government of India had granted option for permanent commission for 141 officers in Army Education Corps and Judge Advocate General Branch after completion of 10 years of service. The duration of training is 49 weeks at Officers Training Academy, Chennai. For Short Service Commission Women (Technical) Entry, passed or final year/ semester students of B.E/ B.Tech in notified streams are eligible to apply. Eligible candidates appear for direct SSB interview and Medical Test, thereafter. The applicants for Non-Technical Graduate, however, would be required to apply through UPSC and after written examination would come up for SSB interview as is being done for Short Service Commissioned male officers. A total of 20% allotted seats from NonTechnical stream have been reserved for NCC ‘C’ certificate holder women candidates with minimum ‘B’ grade and 50% aggregate marks in graduation examination. The applications will be routed through NCC Directorate, Integrated Headquarters of Ministry of Defence (Army), as applicable for male officers. For Judge Advocate General Branch, applications are invited from Law Graduates with minimum 55%, for direct SSB interviews. Widows of Defence Personnel who meet the laid down eligibility criteria are granted four years age relaxation and 5% seats of each course (2.5 each in Tech and Non-Tech) are reserved for them. Short Service Commission Women (Tech), NCC entry and Judge Advocate General Branch are exempted from written examinations and would need to apply directly to Additional Directorate General of Recruiting, Integrated Headquarters of Ministry of Defence (Army). The notification would be published along with SSCW (Tech) twice a year.
10. Army Cadet College (ACC) Entry
The eligible Other Ranks (OR) in age group of 20-27 years and minimum two years of service, having 10+2 pass qualification can apply for Regular Commission. After qualifying in written examination conducted by the Military Training Directorate, the aspirants are screened by SSB and the Medical Board. Successful candidates are trained at Army Cadet College Wing, Dehradun, for three years at the end of which they get a graduation degree. This is followed by one year precommission training at IMA, Dehradun.
11. Special Commissioned Officers (SCO) Scheme
Under this entry JCOs/NCOs/OR in the age group 142 of 28-35 years, with a Senior School Certificate Pass (Class 10+2 pattern) qualification, are eligible for Permanent commission after screening by SSB and Medical Board. They have to undergo pre-commission training of one year at OTA Gaya. The rules for substantive promotion and acting promotion are the same as for regular officers. These officers are employed in units as sub unit commander/ Quarter Master and on various Extra Regimental Employment appointments up to the rank of Major. They retire at the age of 57 years after serving for period of about 20-25 years in the Army. The scheme not only improves the career prospects of the existing JCOs and OR but also helps in making up the deficiency of the support cadre officers in the Army to some extent.
12. Permanent Commission (Special List) (PC SL)
Under this entry, JCOs/ NCOs/ OR up to 42 years of age and minimum 10 years of service, with a Senior Schools Certificate Pass (Class 10+2 pattern) qualification are eligible for commission after screening by SSB and Medical Board. They are granted PC (SL) after successful completion of four weeks orientation training at the IMA.
