Permanent Commission

A Permanent Commission means a career in the Indian Army till the time you retire. For Permanent Commission, one can National Defence Academy,Pune or can enter Indian Military Academy, Dehradun or the Officers Training Academy, Gaya.

Lets Start with

1. The National Defence Academy, Pune

One needs to take the NDA entrance exam while you studying in the class XII or after passing class XII and through this you have an option of joining Army, Navy, Airforce and Naval Academy subject to meeting the educational parameters and clearing the UPSC written exam for the above mentioned given choices. After Clearing the UPSC exam and after this there is a 5-day Services Selection Board Interview pass your medicals, and you’re in NDA subject to meeting all eligibility conditions and availability of vacancies. Three years in NDA and you will be a much enhanced individual.

The selected aspirants for the 3 services, that is, Army, Navy and Airforce are given prepratory training in both academic and physical for a time duration of 3 Years at the National Defence Academy which is an Inter-Service Academy. The training during the first two and half years is same for the cadets of three wings. The cadets on passing out will be awarded B.Sc./B.Sc.(Computer)/BA. Degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi.

On passing out from the National Defence Academy, Army Cadets go to the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, Navel Cadets to Indian Naval Academy Ezhimala and Air force cadets to Air Force Academy, Hyderabad.

At the I.M.A Army Cadets are known as Gentlemen Cadets and are given strenuous military training for a period of one year. On successful completion of training Gentlemen Cadets are granted Permanent Commission in the rank of Lieutenant subject to being medically fit in “SHAPE-I” one.

The Naval cadets are selected for the Executive Branch of the Navy, on passing out from the National Defence Academy and are given further training at Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala for a period of one year on successful completion of which they are promoted to the rank of Sub Lieutenants.

Air Force Cadets receive flying training for a period of 1½ years. However, at the end of 1 year of training they are given provisional Commission in the rank of Flying Officer. After successful completion of further training of six months they are absorbed as permanent commissioned officers on probation for a period of one year.

Gentlemen Cadets during the entire duration of training in Service Academies i.e. during training period at IMA shall be entitled to stipend of Rs 21,000/- p.m.

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.

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 technology 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”. The main entries to get into IMA are as under:

Combined Defence Service Examination (CDSE)

You can take the CDS Entrance Exam conducted by UPSC while you are in final year of Graduation / possess any Graduate Degree. Clear the SSB interview, be medically fit and join IMA as a Direct Entry subject to meeting all eligibility conditions and availability of vacancies. For details of exam dates / Notification visit UPSC website

Candidates finally selected will undergo Military Training for a period of 18 Months at IMA. Candidates will be enrolled under the Army Act as Gentlemen Cadets. On successful completion of training gentlemen cadets are granted permanent commission in the rank of Lt subject to being medically fit in SHAPE – I. The final allocation of Arms/Services will be made prior to passing out of Gentlemen Cadets from IMA.

The other entries are Non UPSC entries and there is no written exam for them. You are directly called for SSB interview and details are as under:

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.

Selected candidates for UES Course will be detailed for training at Indian Military Academy, Dehradun according to their position in the final order of merit, discipline wise upto the number of vacancies available at that time. Duration of training is one year. Selected candidates will be granted Short Service Commission or probation in the rank of Lieutenant (Lt.). from the date of their final selection in the case of final year students and from the date of their joining the final year class in the case of pre-final year students. The commission will be effective upto the date of completion of their pre-commission training at the Indian Military Academy.

Candidates during the period of probation will be given stipend at the rate of minimum basic pay of Lieutenant. However the entire stipend will be paid in lump sum only on reporting for training at IMA. From the date of joining IMA they will be entitled to full pay and allowances and other benefits as admissible to regular officers. Engineering graduates who possess the prescribed qualification will be granted one year ante-date for purpose of seniority, promotion and increments of pay.

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. Look out for the advertisement published in leading newspapers/employment news in May/Jun & Nov/Dec every year. Selected candidates will be granted Short Service Commission on probation in the rank of Lieutenant from the date of commencement of the course or the date of reporting at IMA, whichever is later and will be entitled to full pay and allowances admissible to Lt during training period. Pay & allowances will be paid after successful completion of training.

Duration of training is one year. Selected candidates will be detailed for training at Indian Military Academy, Dehradun according to their position in the final order of merit up to the number of vacancies available in each subject. On successful completion of training cadets will be granted Permanent Commission in the Army in the rank of Lieutenant. Officers may be granted commission in any Arms/Services and will be liable for service in any part of the world on selected appointments as decided by Army Headquarters from time to time. One year ante date seniority from the date of commission will be granted to Engineering Graduates of TGC Entry.

AEC (Men)

Candidates who have passed Post Graduate Degree MA/M.Sc in subjects as per Notification /M.Com/MCA/MBA with 1st or 2nd Division are only eligible. Final Year appearing/Result awaiting students are not eligible. For details of Notification visit Recruiting Directorate

Selected candidates will be granted Short Service Commission on probation in the rank of Lieutenant from the date of commencement of the course or the date of reporting at IMA, whichever is later and will be entitled to full pay and allowances admissible to Lieutenant during training period. Pay & allowances will be paid after successful completion of training.

On successful completion of training cadets will be granted Permanent Commission in the Army in the rank of Lieutenant. Officers may be granted commission in any arms/services and will be liable for service in any part of the world on selected appointments as decided by Army Headquarters from time to time.

Officers Training Academy, Gaya

10+2 (TES) Entry

You can apply after passing 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/Oct every year.

Duration of training for TES Entry is 5 years and details are as under:

Basic Military Training: 1 year (Officer Training Academy Gaya).
Technical Training: Technical Training will be conducted in two phases:
- Phase-I: Pre Commission Training for 3 Years at any of the three CTWs (Cadet Training Wings i.e. CME Pune, MCTE Mhow and MCEME Secunderabad).
- Phase-II: Post Commission Training for 1 year at CME Pune, MCTE Mhow and MCEME Secunderabad. The candidates will be awarded Engineering degree after successful completion of training.

The candidates will be given a stipend of Rs. 21,000/- p.m. (Rs 15,600/- as pay in Pay Band plus Grade Pay of Rs. 5,400/-) as is admissible to NDA cadets on completion of 3 years training. On completion of 4 Years training they will be commissioned in the rank of Lieutenant and entitled to pay as admissible to the rank

Types Of Commissions (Permanent Commission In Indian Army )