How to Join Indian Army: Eligibility, Exam & Prerequisties

Do you dream of serving your country with courage, discipline, and honor? Joining the Indian Army offers a fulfilling career that combines national service with personal growth, leadership development, and opportunities to contribute to humanitarian and peacekeeping missions.

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of how to join the Indian Army, covering all major entry routes, eligibility criteria, exams, and prerequisites. Whether you are a student fresh out of school, a graduate seeking an officer role, or someone aiming to join through technical or special entries, this guide will help you navigate the process accurately and efficiently.

From soldier-level positions like Agniveer General Duty to officer roles through NDA, CDS, or technical entries, this article explains the correct eligibility standards, physical requirements, selection process, and career benefits as per the latest 2025 Army notifications.

Why Join the Indian Army?

Joining the Indian Army is more than a career choice; it is a commitment to serve the nation with courage, discipline, and integrity. The Army offers a unique blend of honor, leadership, and personal development, providing opportunities to contribute not only to national defense but also to humanitarian missions and international peacekeeping efforts.

Whether you start your journey as an Agniveer or a Lieutenant, the Army provides a structured path for growth, specialized training, and the potential to rise through the ranks to positions like General. This career ensures recognition, respect, and lifelong pride for your service.

Key Roles

• Defending national borders and safeguarding sovereignty
• Maintaining internal security and supporting law enforcement
• Assisting in disaster relief and humanitarian operations

Career Benefits

• Leadership development and professional training
• Competitive pay packages with allowances and post-service benefits
• Opportunities for specialisation in technical, medical, intelligence, and administrative fields

National Pride

Serving in the Indian Army allows you to be a symbol of courage, unity, and commitment to the nation, earning respect from society and contributing to India’s security and progress.

There are two primary ways to join the Indian Army: through entrance examinations or via direct recruitment rallies and special entry schemes. Each route offers pathways for both officer-level and soldier-level positions, depending on your education, skills, and career goals.

How to Join the Indian Army After the 10th?

For students who have completed Class 10, joining the Indian Army is an early and accessible way to start a military career. This entry primarily focuses on soldier-level positions under the Agnipath scheme, which emphasizes physical fitness, basic educational qualifications, and discipline.

Candidates can apply for roles such as Agniveer General Duty (GD) or Tradesman. The selection process involves online registration, physical fitness tests, written examinations, and medical checks.

Eligibility Criteria (Agniveer GD)

• Education: 10th/Matric pass with at least 45% aggregate and 33% in each subject where applicable
• Age: 17.5 to 21 years
• Height: Minimum acceptable height is generally around 157.5 cm for men, with region- and category-based relaxations (e.g., Gorkhas, North-East, Garhwal, Kumaon)
• Vision: Vision standards vary by entry. Many soldier-level entries require corrected distant vision of 6/6 in the better eye, with permissible limits in the worse eye. Myopia, hypermetropia, and LASIK standards are defined in Army medical regulations

Selection Process

1. Common Entrance Exam (CEE) – tests general knowledge and basic subjects
2. Physical Fitness Test (PFT) – includes running, pull-ups, and other exercises
3. Medical Examination – verifies overall health and fitness
4. Document Verification – checks eligibility certificates and personal details

Successful candidates undergo training and serve as Agniveers for four years, with up to 25% of recruits eligible for permanent retention based on performance, discipline, and merit.

How to Join the Indian Army After the 12th?

Students who have completed Class 12 have the opportunity to join the Indian Army through officer-level entries, which combine higher education with rigorous military training. This route is designed for candidates with higher secondary qualifications and provides access to prestigious military academies and leadership roles.

Key Entry Schemes

1. National Defence Academy (NDA) – A premier joint services academy where cadets from the Army, Navy, and Air Force train together before specializing in their respective branches.
2. Technical Entry Scheme (TES) – A direct entry for candidates with a background in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, focusing on technical branches of the Army.

As of 2025, both NDA and TES entries are open to men and women, reflecting the Indian Army’s inclusive policies and expanding opportunities for female cadets to pursue officer-level careers.

Also Read: TES Entry in the Indian Army

How to Join the National Defence Academy (NDA)

The National Defence Academy (NDA) is India’s premier joint services academy where cadets of the Army, Navy, and Air Force train together before specializing in their respective branches. NDA provides a bachelor’s degree alongside rigorous military training, shaping cadets into future officers.

Eligibility for NDA

• Age: 16.5–19.5 years
• Marital Status: Unmarried
• Education: 10+2 pass from a recognized board
• Gender: Both men and women (as per 2025 update)

Selection Process

1. UPSC NDA Exam – Conducted twice a year
   • Mathematics: 120 questions, 2.5 hours, 300 marks
   • General Ability Test (English + GK): 150 questions, 2.5 hours, 600 marks
2. SSB Interview – 5-day personality and aptitude assessment
3. Medical Examination – Ensures fitness as per Army medical standards

Training

• Duration: 3 years at NDA, Pune + 1 year at Indian Military Academy (IMA)
• On completion, cadets are commissioned as Lieutenants in the Indian Army

Technical Entry Scheme (TES)

The Technical Entry Scheme (TES) allows candidates with a strong background in science and mathematics to join the Indian Army directly into technical branches.

Eligibility

• Age: 16.5–19.5 years
• Marital Status: Unmarried
• Education: 10+2 in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) with at least 60% aggregate
• Gender: Both men and women (as per 2025 update)

Selection Process

1. Merit-based shortlisting based on 10+2 PCM marks
2. SSB Interview – Personality and aptitude assessment
3. Medical Examination – Army medical standards

Training & Commission

• Selected candidates are enrolled in a B.E. course in a branch of their choice
• Training Duration: 4 years
• On completion, cadets are granted a Permanent Commission with the rank of Lieutenant

How to Join the Indian Army After Graduation?

Graduates have multiple entry options to join the Indian Army as officers, focusing on leadership, specialized skills, and professional development. Key pathways include the Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam, Short Service Commission (SSC) Technical, and the Territorial Army.

Combined Defence Services (CDS)

CDS is a gateway for graduates to join as officers through UPSC-conducted exams held twice a year. Candidates train at the Officers Training Academy (OTA) for SSC or the Indian Military Academy (IMA) for a Permanent Commission.

Eligibility:

• Age: 19–25 years
• Marital Status: Unmarried
• Education: Graduate from a recognized university

Exam Pattern:

• English: 2 hours, 100 marks
• General Knowledge: 2 hours, 100 marks
• Elementary Mathematics: 2 hours, 100 marks

SSC Technical Entry

The SSC Technical scheme is designed for engineering graduates seeking technical branches of the Army. Women are also eligible under SSCW (Tech).

Eligibility:

• Age: 20–27 years
• Marital Status: Unmarried
• Education: Engineering degree from a recognized university

Process:

• Online application and merit-based shortlisting
• SSB interview for selection
• Medical examination according to Army standards
• Selected candidates are commissioned as Lieutenants

How can Women Join the Indian Army?

Women have increasingly prominent roles in the Indian Army, with permanent commissions available in select branches since 2021. Various entry routes allow female aspirants to serve in combat-support, technical, legal, and administrative roles.

Key Entry Routes for Women

1. UPSC Entries (Written Exam Required)

• CDS Non-Technical / Short Service Commission (Non-Tech): For graduates aged 19–25
• Training: 49 weeks at Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai
• Selection: Based on CDS written exam, SSB interview, and medical examination

2. Technical and Other UPSC Entries

• SSCW (Tech): For engineering graduates aged 21–27, merit-based selection, 49 weeks OTA training
• B.Sc Nursing / Medical Roles: For female candidates with relevant degrees

3. Non-UPSC / Direct Entries

• NCC Special Entry: Graduation with minimum 50% and NCC ‘C’ certificate (Grade B), aged 19–25, 49 weeks OTA training
• Judge Advocate General (JAG): LLB graduates with 55% marks, aged 21–27, Bar Council membership required, 49 weeks training
• Women Military Police (WMP): 10th pass with 45%, aged 17.5–21, recruitment via Agniveer scheme

Also Read: Insight Into The Army Officer Salary In Canada

Qualifying Exams to Join the Indian Army

The most common and preferred way of joining the Indian Army is to qualify for the written examination held at the national level. These exams are conducted by different authorities and are under various names. Through some of the main written exams, we will brief you on this route to join the Indian Army. Major exams include NDA, CDS, and Territorial Army.

Major Written Exams

• NDA: For 10+2 pass candidates (Army, Navy, Air Force)
• CDS: For graduates seeking officer roles
• Territorial Army Exam: For employed civilians aged 18–42 with a graduate degree

Exam Pattern Example (Territorial Army)

• Reasoning + Math: 100 marks, 2 hours
• GK + English: 100 marks, 2 hours

Direct Entry and Recruitment Rallies

The Indian Army conducts recruitment rallies for technical and soldier-level posts without a written exam. Eligible candidates undergo:

• Physical fitness tests
• Medical examination
• Document verification

Common Direct Entry Posts:

• Soldier Technical, Soldier Tradesman, Soldier Clerks/SKT, Soldier Nursing Assistant, Store Keeper Technical

Eligibility for Soldier Posts:

• Agniveer General Duty (GD): 10th pass with 45% aggregate, 33% in each subject, age 17.5–21, minimum height ~157.5 cm (with regional relaxations)
• Technical / Ammunition Examiner: 10+2 PCM with 50% or relevant 3-year diploma
• Clerks/SKT: 10+2 with 60%, including English and Mathematics/Accounting
• Nursing Assistant / Veterinary: 10+2 PCM or B.Sc (Botany/Zoology/Bioscience) with English
• Tradesmen (All Arms): 10th/ITI in relevant trade or 8th pass for certain posts

Eligibility Criteria for Joining the Indian Army

To join the Indian Army, candidates must meet specific eligibility requirements related to nationality, age, educational qualifications, and physical fitness. These criteria vary depending on the entry scheme, such as NDA, CDS, TES, or Agniveer recruitment. Here are the eligibility criteria for joining the Indian Army:

• Nationality: Indian citizen (Nepal/Bhutan citizens allowed in some entries)
• Age Limit: Varies by entry (16.5–27 years)
• Education: 10th/12th for soldier entries, graduate for officer entries, professional/engineering for technical entries
• Physical Standards: Minimum height ~157.5 cm (regional relaxations apply), good physical fitness
• Vision Standards: Corrected distant vision of 6/6 in the better eye (worse eye limits differ, LASIK rules apply)
• Medical Fitness: Candidates must clear Army medical standards

Indian Army Training Academies in India

The following is the list of Indian Army training academies in India.

• National Defence Academy (NDA), Pune
• Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun
• Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai / Bihar
• Army Cadet College, Dehradun
• Rashtriya Military School, Karnataka
• Army School of Physical Training (ASPT), Pune
• Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School, Mizoram
• Army War College, Madhya Pradesh
• Indian National Defence University (INDU), Haryana

Career Growth in the Indian Army

The Indian Army offers steady career growth with promotions based on performance, experience, and exams. Soldiers and officers can rise through the ranks, gaining leadership roles, higher responsibilities, and opportunities in specialised fields. Here you can explore the career growth opportunities in the Indian Army: 

• Start as a Lieutenant (officer entry) or Agniveer/Sepoy (soldier entry).
• Promotions to Captain, Major, Colonel, Brigadier, Major General, Lieutenant General, and even Chief of Army Staff.
• Opportunities for specialisation in technical, medical, and intelligence branches.

Also Read: Highest Paying Government Jobs in India

Joining the Indian Army is not just about a job; it’s about a lifetime of honor, responsibility, and service to the nation. With multiple entry routes like NDA, CDS, TES, NCC, and Agniveer, candidates from different educational backgrounds can fulfil their dream of wearing the Indian Army uniform. If you are passionate, disciplined, and determined, the Indian Army offers you the chance to lead a purposeful and respected life.

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Thus, we hope that this blog has familiarised you with the varied exams that are a crucial part of the process of joining the Indian Army. If you are still confused about which career path to take, sign up for a 30-minute free counselling session with our Leverage Edu experts, and we will help you sort out your interests and skills and find the right field as well as a suitable course and university that can guide you towards a rewarding career.