The Indian Armed Forces, comprising the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force, are responsible for safeguarding national security and territorial integrity. The Indian Armed Forces are among the largest and most respected in the world, and they offer excellent career opportunities for young men and women who are interested in serving their country. In this blog post, we will provide an overview of the Indian Armed Forces, their ranks and salaries, the recruitment process, and how to join them.

Overview of Indian Armed Forces

The Indian Armed Forces are the military forces of the Republic of India. The President of India serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and the Minister of Defence is responsible for the management and administration of the Armed Forces. The Indian Armed Forces consist of the Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, and Indian Coast Guard. Each branch of the Armed Forces has a specific role to play in protecting the security interests of India.

Indian Armed Forces: Ranks & Salary in Indian Army

The Indian Army is the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces and has the following ranks:

Commissioned Officers: This rank is held by officers who are appointed through the Indian Military Academy or Officer Training Academy. The rank structure of commissioned officers is as follows:

Lieutenant

Captain

Major

Lieutenant Colonel

Colonel

Brigadier

Major General

Lieutenant General

General

Non-Commissioned Officers: This rank is held by soldiers who are appointed through various recruitment procedures. The rank structure of non-commissioned officers is as follows:

Sepoy

Naik

Havildar

Naib Subedar

Subedar

Subedar Major

The salary of Indian Army personnel varies according to rank and service years. The starting salary for a Lieutenant is around Rs. 56,000 per month, while a General can earn up to Rs. 2,50,000 per month.

Recruitment in Indian Armed Forces

Recruitment in the Indian Armed Forces is done through various procedures, including:

UPSC Recruitment of Commissioned Officers: 

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts two all India Competitive Examinations to recruit Commissioned Officers for the Armed Forces.

NDA & NA:

The first is the National Defence Academy (NDA) and Naval Defence Academy (NA) entrance examination, which is held twice a year. Candidates who have completed their 10+2 examination or are in the 12th standard are eligible to compete.

Combined Defence Service Examination (CDSE):

The second examination is the Combined Defence Service Examination (CDSE), which is also conducted twice a year. University graduates or those in their final year of graduation can appear for the examination. Successful candidates can join the Indian Military Academy/Air Force Academy and Naval Academy for Permanent Commission, and Officers Training Academy (OTA) for Short Service Commission.

Short Service Commission (Technical) Entry:

Additionally, the Short Service Commission (Technical) Entry Scheme provides opportunities for eligible technical graduates/postgraduates to join Technical Arms. After clearing the SSB and Medical Board, selected candidates are required to undergo approximately 49 weeks of pre-commission training at OTA, Chennai.

Recruitment of Non-Commissioned Officers: The recruitment of non-commissioned officers is done through various procedures, including the Indian Army Rally, Army Public School Recruitment, and Territorial Army Recruitment.

Difference between Commissioned Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers

Commissioned Officers are appointed through the Indian Military Academy or Officer Training Academy and hold a higher rank than Non-Commissioned Officers. They are responsible for leading and managing troops, and their duties include planning, organizing, and executing operations. Non-Commissioned Officers, on the other hand, are appointed through various recruitment procedures and are responsible for executing orders given by their superiors.

How to Join IAF after class 12th?

National Defence Academy (NDA) Exam: The NDA examination is conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The exam is a gateway to join the IAF as an officer. To be eligible, a candidate must have completed their class 12th or equivalent examination. The selection process involves a written examination, followed by an interview by the Services Selection Board (SSB), and a medical examination. On successful completion of training at NDA, the candidates are commissioned as officers in the IAF.

Technical Entry Scheme:
Another way for male candidates to join the Indian Army after 12th is through the Technical Entry Scheme (TES). To be eligible, candidates must have cleared their class 12th with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) and have appeared for the JEE-Mains exam. Unlike other entries, candidates in the Technical Entry Scheme for the Indian Navy and Army are not required to appear for a written exam. Instead, they are directly called for SSB interviews based on their class 12th marks. The table below provides essential details regarding the technical entries for the Indian Army and Navy.

Short Service Commission (SSC): The SSC entry is another way to join the Indian Army as an officer. University graduates or those in their final year of graduation can apply for this entry. The selection process involves a written examination, followed by an SSB interview and a medical examination. Successful candidates are granted a Short Service Commission of 10 years, which can be extended up to 14 years.

How to Join IAF after Graduation?

There are several ways to join the Indian Air Force (IAF) as an officer after graduation:

Combined Defence Services Examination (CDSE): The CDSE is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) twice a year. To be eligible, candidates must have a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognized university. The selection process involves a written examination, followed by an interview by the Services Selection Board (SSB) and a medical examination. On successful completion of training, the candidates are commissioned as officers in the IAF.

Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT): The AFCAT is conducted twice a year by the IAF. To be eligible, candidates must have a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognized university. The selection process involves a written examination, followed by an interview by the SSB and a medical examination. On successful completion of training, the candidates are commissioned as officers in the IAF.

Short Service Commission (SSC): The SSC entry is another way to join the IAF as an officer. University graduates or those in their final year of graduation can apply for this entry. The selection process involves a written examination, followed by an SSB interview and a medical examination. Successful candidates are granted a Short Service Commission of 10 years, which can be extended up to 14 years.

National Cadet Corps NCC Special Entry: The NCC Special Entry is for candidates who have served in the National Cadet Corps (NCC) Air Wing. The selection process involves an SSB interview and a medical examination. On successful completion of training, the candidates are commissioned as officers in the IAF.

Candidates can visit the official website of the IAF or UPSC for more details on the eligibility criteria, selection process, and other requirements for joining the IAF after graduation.