How to Join the Army after Graduation: Eligibility, Exams & Age Requirement

The Indian Army is one of the most significant components of the Indian Armed Forces. It primarily aims to safeguard the nation from any danger. Joining the Indian Army is a dream come true for several aspirants who wish to dedicate their lives to the nation’s service. 

However, pursuing a career with the Indian Army is a challenging task. It takes a lot of effort and preparation to become eligible for selection.

Navigate through this article to know how to join the army after graduation, its eligibility criteria and other details.

Joining the Indian Army is a personal decision. Sometimes, you might want to join the Indian Army to continue your family legacy, other times you may want to do something for your nation. No matter the reason, here are some things you can gain by joining the Indian Army:

• Gain Skills – One of the primary reasons people wish to join the army is to gain skills to attract opportunities and community. As you go through extensive training, it helps in polishing your skills.

• Learn Discipline – Discipline is the backbone of the Indian Armed Forces. Every soldier in the troop learns it to their core. They maintain an organised lifestyle that helps them to keep their life in a pattern. Therefore, their mind and body are always active.

• Sense of Duty and Responsibility – As you become part of a disciplined life, you gain a sense of kinship. Mutual self-sacrifice to serve the nation and functioning in stressful and challenging conditions tend to form strong bonds between members of the army. 

• Fit and Healthy Body – Regular exercise, training and following a strict daily routine keep a soldier physically fit and active. Therefore, they can function during combat and missions whenever necessary.

When finding how to join the Indian Army after graduation, there are multiple decisions to be made. The following are the details about them:

1. Choose Which Army to Join

There are two types of armies you can choose to join. One is the Regular Army, and the other is the Territorial Army:

• Regular Army – Candidates willing to join this troop must undergo rigorous training to gain physical fitness. They work on a full-time basis with their battalion and receive leaves for a fixed period.

• Territorial Army – Individuals looking to serve India on a part-time basis while being employed in a civilian profile for the rest of the year, can opt for this category. It is the secondary defence force where officers must serve two to three months every year. 

2. Appear for Examination

There are examinations where you must appear if you wish to join the Indian Army after graduation. The following are the two ways to join the Indian Army after you have completed your graduation:

• Written Examinations

• Direct Entry- Candidates need not undergo a written examination.

Both these ways have the same training and career prospects. The army entrance exams after graduation include the following:

• Combined Defence Services Exam or CDSE

• National Cadet Corps or NCC Special Entry

• Short Service Commission or SSC Tech 

• Technical Graduate Course or TGC

• University Entry Scheme or UES 

• Entry Through Judge Advocate General's

• Army Education Corps 

Each carries different eligibility criteria, age requirements, educational qualifications and physical fitness standards. 

3. Go Through Rigorous Training and Learning

There are multiple stages of training starting from I to IV. Afterwards, depending on your training and evaluation you will get a posting as an army officer.

Below is the list of various examinations that you must quality if you are wondering how to get into the army after graduation:

1. Combined Defence Services Exam (CDSE)

It is a common entrance examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission twice a year, during September/October and February/March. The eligibility criteria for the same include the following:

Age Requirements

• Male candidates who opt for the Indian Military Academy (IMA) /Officers Training Academy (OTA)/AFA/INA as their training institute must be between 19 to 24 years of age. 

• Male and female candidates who choose the Officers Training Academy (OTA) as their training academy must be between 19 to 25 years of age.

Educational Qualifications

• You must complete your graduation from a UGC-recognised university or institution. 

• If you are in the last year of your graduation, you are eligible to apply.

Nationality

• Indian citizens or a subject of Bhutan / a Tibetan refugee / a subject of Nepal who came over to India before 01/01/1962 to settle in India permanently can apply. 

• Besides, an Indian-origin individual who has migrated from Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Burma, and East African countries of Kenya, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zaire, Zambia, Malawi, Uganda, and Ethiopia or Vietnam to settle in India permanently are eligible. 

• Candidates must present to the recruiting officials a valid certificate issued by the Indian government. 

• The CDS eligibility certificate is not necessary for Gorkhas subjected to Nepal.

Marital Status

• Candidates who are under the age of 25 must be unmarried. 

• Candidates will not be allowed to marry during the training period. 

• Besides, widows and divorcees who have not remarried and possess divorce documents are eligible.

Procedure for Selection

• You will have to sit for a written examination. 

• If you qualify for this test you will proceed to the SSB interview.

Physical Fitness Standards

• Candidates must have good physical and mental health and be free from disease or disability.

• Candidates must not have any history of mental breakdown or fits.

• There must not be any evidence of a weak constitution, defects in the body, or underweight problems. Additionally, candidates must not be obese or overweight.

• The minimum height for male candidates must be 157.5 cm (157 cm for the Navy and 162.5 cm for Air Force). For women candidates, the minimum height must be 152 cm. However, the minimum height for all entries is 148 cm after all waivers and dispensations.

• Male Candidates must have a well-developed chest. 

• The Body Mass Index of the candidates must be below 25.

2. National Cadet Corps (NCC) Special Entry

National Cadet Corps, or NCC, is the Indian Armed Forces' youth division, open for college and school students to join voluntarily. The notification for this examination comes around April and October. 

The eligibility to join the Indian Army after graduation through NCC includes the following:

Age Requirements

• The age limit of the candidates sitting for this examination must be between 19 to 25 years. It applies to both males and females.

Educational Qualifications

• If you are an NCC 'C' certificate holder, you must have a degree from a recognised university with at least 50% in aggregate. Candidates in their final year of graduation can also apply.

• You must have done two to three years of service in NCC's Senior Division.

• You must have a minimum 'B' Grade in the 'C' certificate exam of NCC.

• For Wards of Battle Casualties of Army Personnel graduation degree of a minimum of 50% in aggregate is a must. However, they do not need to produce an NCC 'C' certificate.

Nationality

• It is eligible for an Indian citizen or a subject of Nepal to apply.

• An Indian-origin individual who has migrated from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Burma, and East African countries such as the United Republic of Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Zaire, Zambia, Malawi, and Ethiopia or Vietnam to settle in India permanently is eligible. 

• Candidates must present to the recruiting officials a valid certificate issued by the Indian government. 

• The CDS eligibility certificate is not necessary for Gorkhas subjected to Nepal.

Marital Status

• Applicants of NCC including male and female candidates must be unmarried.

Procedure for Selection

• Candidates will be shortlisted by the Indian Army and officials will send a mail for the SSB Interview. The SSB will take place at selection centres - Allahabad (Uttar Pradesh), Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), Bangalore (Karnataka), and Kapurthala (Punjab). 

• As you clear the SSB, you must undergo a medical examination.

• According to the number of openings you will receive joining letters for training.

Physical Fitness Standards

• Male Applicants must have a height of 157.5 cm

• Female Applicants must possess a height of 152 cm.

• Both male and female candidates must weigh about 42 kg.

3. Short Service Commission or SSC Tech

It is a direct entry course for which there is no written exam. Application for the same is announced every year during June and July. Below are the eligibility criteria for the same:

Age Requirements

• The age limit is 20 to 27 years for males and 19 to 25 years for females.

•  For widows, the maximum age limit must be 35 years.

Educational Qualifications

• Candidates must have an Engineering Degree or must be in the final year of an engineering college. 

• If you are a candidate in the final year of an engineering degree, you must submit proof of passing the engineering degree examination. In addition, you must represent mark sheets of all semesters and produce the degree certificate within 12 weeks from the commencement date of training at Officers Training Academy (OTA). 

• Candidates yet to pass their graduation are eligible if they are studying in the final year of graduation.

• For induction to Pre-Commission Training Academy, you must possess a minimum educational qualification of BE/B.Tech degree in engineering course.

• Final semester or year candidates will be allowed to appear in the examination if their percentage of marks till sixth semester or third year of engineering degree, till eighth semester or fourth year of B. Architecture (B. Arch) and till second semester or first year of M.Sc. in an equivalent stream is as per the cut-off percentage in their respective streams. 

• For Widows of Indian Armed Forces Defence Personnel, the educational qualification is they must be a graduate in any discipline for SSCW (Non-Tech) (Non-UPSC) and a B.E. / B. Tech in any engineering stream for SSCW (Tech). 

Nationality

• A subject of Nepal and Indian citizens fall into the eligibility list.

• An Indian-origin individual who has migrated from East African countries such as Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Zaire, Malawi, Ethiopia and Zambia or Vietnam or Pakistan, Sri Lanka, or Burma to settle in India permanently is eligible.

Marital Status

• The applications for SSC Tech invite unmarried male and female engineering graduates.

• Widows of Defence personnel are also eligible. 

Procedure for Selection

• Applicants of Indian Army SSC Tech will be shortlisted depending on their eligibility criteria, and then officials will call them for SSB Interview.

• This interview happens in two stages. Candidates clearing Stage 1 will proceed to Stage 2. Officials will prepare a merit list based on their performance in the interview.

• Candidates shortlisted by the SSB and medically fit will receive the joining letter for training.

Physical Fitness Standards

• A candidate must not have any history of mental breakdown or fits. 

• There should be no evidence of bodily defects or obesity/underweight. The chest must be healthy.

• The minimum height and weight for a woman candidate is 152 cm and 42 kg. For male candidates, it must be 157.5 cm correlated with weight.

• For candidates belonging to the North East areas such as Nepalese, Assamese, Gorkhas, and Garhwalis, the height will relax by 5 cm and weight commensurate with reduced heights.

4. Technical Graduate Course or TGC

For TGC, there is no entrance exam. Application for Technical Graduate Course is released twice a year. However, this course is only for male engineering graduates and not for females. Here are the eligibility criteria below:

Age Requirements

• Your age limit must be 20 years to 27 years.

Educational Qualifications

• Candidates must have a BE/B.Tech degree in respective specialisation from a recognised university or institution.

• Candidates in the final year/semester of their degree examination are also eligible to apply. However, they must submit proof of passing the engineering degree examination and a mark sheet of semester/years.

Nationality

• Indian citizens or a subject of Nepal falls into the eligibility criteria.

• Migrated Indian-origin individuals from East African countries or Pakistan, Sri Lanka, or Burma who are now settled in India permanently are eligible.

• Individuals who are Gorkha subjects of Nepal do not have to provide an eligibility certificate.

Marital Status

• The application is for the unmarried male engineering graduates

Procedure for Selection

• The selection process for the designation of TGC is divided into three stages: Shortlisting candidates, SSB interview & medical examination.

• Only candidates who fit all the eligibility criteria will proceed further and receive a TGC Admit Card for the exam.

Physical Fitness Standards

• Male candidates must have a height of 157.5 cm.

5. University Entry Scheme or UES

University Entry Scheme is a permanent commission job. Only male candidates can apply for the same. There are two interview schedules for the entrance exam. It happens at the IMA Dehradun campus. Notification for this comes out in May month. Other entrance exams take place at SSB centres. 

Below are the eligibility criteria:

Age Requirements

• Your age limit must be 19 to 25 years for the final year and 18 to 24 years for the pre-final year.

Educational Qualifications

• Candidates must have a B. Tech degree from a recognised university.

• Final and Pre-Final year male students pursuing an engineering degree can also apply.

• Candidates must have a minimum of 60% marks in overall aggregate on completion of regular BE/B Tech or integrated course. 

Nationality

• An Indian citizen or a subject of Nepal is eligible to apply.

• An Indian origin from East African countries, Burma, Pakistan, or Sri Lanka who has migrated to India permanently is eligible.

• Individuals who are Gorkha subjects of Nepal are not required to provide an eligibility certificate.

Marital Status

• The application invites unmarried male engineering graduates only.

Procedure for Selection

• The eligible candidates will have to undergo the Naval Campus Selection process. The Candidates qualifying for the campus interview will proceed to the SSB interview.

• Selected candidates will be informed about their selection for the SSB interview in their email.

Physical Fitness Standards

• Male candidates must have a height of 157.5 cm.

• He/she must not wear permanent body tattoos on any part of the body. However, candidates of tribal communities/from tribal areas might have certain concessions, as declared by the Government of India. 

• For other candidates, you can only wear permanent body tattoos on the inner face of forearms i.e., from the inside of the elbow to wrist and on the reverse side of the palm/back (dorsal) side of the hand. 

6. Entry Through Judge Advocate General's

Law graduates can join the Indian Army after completing their graduation. The notification for the same comes out in June/July months. 

Below are the eligibility criteria for applying to this division:

Age Requirements

• Both males and females must be between 21-27 years of age.

Educational Qualifications

• Law graduates who have secured a minimum of 55% marks can apply.

• Candidates must register with the Bar Council of India or the State. 

• The CLAT PG scorecard of the preceding year is mandatory.

Nationality

• A subject of Nepal or a citizen of India is eligible to apply.

• Indian origin who has migrated from East African countries such as Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, etc. or Burma, Pakistan, or Sri Lanka, to settle in India permanently, is eligible.

• A certificate of eligibility is not mandatory for Gorkha subjects of Nepal.

Marital Status

• Unmarried male and unmarried female law graduates can apply.

Procedure for Selection

• The eligible candidates will proceed to the SSB interview.

• They will undergo screening, psychological tests and Group tests.

• Next, they will undergo personal interviews and conferences.

• Selected candidates will undergo a medical examination and will receive their joining letter.

Physical Fitness Standards

• Candidates must have a height of 157.5 cm.

• Candidates must be medically fit and free from any chronic illness or deformities.

7. Army Education Corps

Army Education Corps is an integral division of the Indian Army. It plays a key role in providing educational support and enhancing the personal development of soldiers and their families. Officials provide training at AEC Centre and College, Pachmarhi. 

Below are the eligibility criteria to join this post after graduation:

Age Requirements

• Male Officers should be between 23 to 27 years of age at the time of joining

• Woman Officers should be between 19 to 27 years of age at the time of joining

Educational Qualifications

• Candidates must have a master’s degree in any discipline with at least 50% marks.

• Candidates must complete graduation or post-graduation from a recognised university or institute. You must graduate with at least two of the following subjects:

  • BSc. (i) Mathematics (ii) Chemistry (iii) Physics (iv) Botany (v) Electronics (vi) Zoology (vii) Computer Science.

  • BA. (i) English Literature (ii) Urdu (iii) Hindi Literature (iv) History (v) Geography (vi) Economics (vii) Mathematics (viii) Psychology (ix) Political Science (x) Sociology

  • Group `X. MA /MSc, BA/ BSc, or BCA/MCA along with BEd from a renowned University.

• They should know Hindi or English, or both.

Nationality

• An Indian citizen or a subject of Nepal is eligible to apply.

• Besides, an Indian-origin who has migrated from East African countries such as Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, etc. or Burma, Pakistan, or Sri Lanka, to settle in India permanently is eligible.

Marital Status

• Unmarried male and unmarried female graduates can apply.

Procedure for Selection

• The eligible candidates passing the written examination will proceed to the SSB interview.

• Selected individuals will undergo a medical examination and training and function as an AEC.

Physical Fitness Standards

• Candidates must have a height of 157.5 cm.

• Candidates must be medically fit and free from chronic illness or deformities.

A B. Tech or B.E. degree holder from any University Grants Commission-affiliated university or institute can apply for the Armed Forces in two different ways. You can opt for Technical Graduate Course (TGC) or Short Service Commission (SSC-Tech). It is for both male and female candidates.

However, graduating in one of the following subjects can make it easier for you during the examination. It includes Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science, Chemistry, Botany, Geology, Mathematics, Zoology, Statistics and Physics.

After joining the Indian Army, you will receive extensive training that educates recruits about the discipline and principles of an Army's life. Additionally, it teaches you about essential survival skills and military customs 

The Infantry Training Battalion trains for 34 weeks in four phases. Below is a description of each phase:

1. Phase I

This tenure is a week-long training and happens at the beginning of your training period. This week, you will receive formal entry documentation and a medical examination. Besides, you receive your kit. During these sessions, you become familiar with the other team members.

2. Phase II

The second phase continues for about 19 weeks. Basic training comprises several physical activities, such as weapon training, marching, route marching, drilling, etc. You will have to participate in obstacle courses and compete in physical activities. In this tenure, you learn the basics of navigation, weapons assembly and tactical operations.

3. Phase III

This phase happens for about 15 weeks. It includes an advanced training plan where you must follow a strict daily routine. You will have to take part in lectures on military culture and discipline. You also have to learn to maintain equipment and handle weapons in the field. 

4. Phase IV

It is the final phase involving two weeks of Counter Insurgency Operations training. During this phase, you learn route marching, tactical drills, combat patrolling and cross-country navigation. Besides, Phase IV includes a graduation ceremony marking the completion of a basic training period.

There are several benefits and perks of joining the Indian Army. Here they are as follows:

• Perks and Facilities – As you join the Indian Army, you receive medical facilities, grocery benefits, housing, water and electricity, canteen, etc. benefits for yourself and your family. Members of the Army also benefit from free or reduced education costs and tuition fees. 

• Symbol of Honour – As you join the Indian Army, you receive a lot of honour that adds a sense of pride and respect to your life. It is never transferred but earned.

• New Experience – As you join the Indian Army, you all are set to operate in several missions and projects. It enhances your experience and teaches you ways to handle challenging situations.

• Benefits Post-Retirement – Besides getting multiple benefits during your tenure, you also receive several facilities after retirement. It includes medical facilities, travel allowances, etc.

•  Job Security – The Indian Armed Forces provide job security along with other privileges. So, you can work confidently for a long period till you retire from army service.

Hopefully, the article might have given you a brief idea of how to join the army after graduation. Remember, as a candidate, you must be determined to join the Indian Army, as the entire selection process is physically and mentally exhausting. As it promises a bright career option ahead, you must pay attention to physical fitness and other extracurricular activities.