How Many Ways Are There To Get Into The Indian Army?

Indian Army is the backbone of the nation and is also called the lifeline of the security of the nation. The Indian Army provides several opportunities to the young aspirant to join the forces. The entries are for candidates for almost all age groups and qualifications, starting from 10+2 up to the graduation level. In 2020, there would be total 10 opportunities or ways, that the Indian Army will provide to the aspirant to join the force as an officer. These entries have certain eligibility conditions framed for the candidates. So, here is the summary of all 10 entries along with the basic details about them

1.       NDA – NDA 2020 will be the first UPSC entry for the aspirants who are appearing or have passed 12th class. The age limit for the exam will be 16 ½ – 19 ½ years. Only unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 02nd July, 2000 and not later than 1st July, 2003 are eligible. Candidates can apply for the entry on upsconline.nic.in.

2.       CDS– CDS 2020 will provide the opportunity to the Army aspirants who have passed their graduation or are in the final your of their graduation to join the Indian Army. The candidates for IMA must have their age not earlier than 2nd Jan 1996 and not later than 1st Jan 2001. For OTA, born not earlier than 2nd Jan 1995 and not later than 1st Jan, 2001. The exam forms can be filled online from 31 Oct 2018 to 26 Nov 2018 and the exam will be conducted by UPSC on 03 February 2020.

3.       Territorial Army 2020– All graduate candidates, who are gainfully employed are eligible for the entry. The candidate must have his age in the range of 18-42 years. The exam notice will be released in 2020.

Direct Entries

4.       TES (TES 41) – All candidates who have passed 10+2 with 70% marks aggregate in Physics, Chemistry and Maths and having their age in the range of 16 ½ – 19-1/2 are eligible for this entry. As per the eligibility criteria, the candidate should not be born before 01 Jan 2000 and not after 01 Jan 2003 (both days inclusive). The notification for this entry will be released in 29 Oct 2018. An official cut-off will be released which will be the base of the student to be called of the SSB.

5.       UES 2020( Possibly Discontinued)– University Entry Scheme is released only ones a year and the notification of this entry will be released in August/ September 2018. The entry calls for the engineering students studying in the pre-final year in notified streams. The candidates, who are born on or after 02 January 1994 and before 01 January 2000 are eligible. A selection panel for the Army conducts a small selections procedure at selected campus and selected candidates will be called for SSB for further testing.

6.       TGC 129 – TGC is opportunity served to the engineering graduates. The candidates, who have passed engineering in the notified stream can apply for the entry. The candidates whose age falls between 20 to 27 years as on 01 July 2020. (Candidates born between 02 July 92 and 01 July 99, both dates inclusive) are eligible for this entry and the notification of this entry is released in 30 October 2018. After form submission, an official cut-off is released. The candidates who have scored above it will be further called for SSB.

7.       SSC Tech (Men) 53 – It is another entry for the engineering students for short service commission. The notification of first entry of SSC will be released in 23 January 2019. The candidates, who have their age 20 to 27 years as on 01 October 2020(Candidates born between 02 October 92 and 01 October 99) (both dates inclusive).

8.       AEC 129 ( Discontinued) – The Army education corps was a direct entry that calls for the postgraduates. This entry was stopped in 2018.

9.       NCC 46 – Those candidates, who have aggregate 2-year service in NCC Sr. Div Army with minimum B Grade in C certificate Exam have NCC opportunity for them. Along with that, the candidate must have score minimum 50% marks in graduation. For NCC candidates (including wards of Battle Casualties) 19 to 25 years as on 01 July 2020(born not earlier than 02 July 1994 and not later than 01 July 2000, both dates inclusive) and the notification of the entry will be released in 09 January 2019.

10.   JAG 24 – The second JAG entry of 2020will be JAG 24, which will have the same educational qualification criteria. The age limit for it will be 2nd January 1993 to 1st January 1999 and the notification of this entry will be released in July – August 2018.