Those persons who aspire to serve the nation, the Armed Forces is the only career. There are written test, interview, group discussions and medical examination for selection to a Permanent Commission or Short Service Commission job in the armed forces. There are also a lateral entry for Engineering Graduates.
The first entry level starts after 12th standard through National Defence Academy Examination (NDA) conducted by the Union Public Service Commission to admit cadets to various academies. The second entry level starts after graduation through Combined Defence Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission to admit cadets to Indian Military Academy (IMA), Air Force Academy and Officer’s Training Academy (OTA).
Eligibility For IMA:
Unmarried males with Bachelor’s degree in any discipline. Age: 19-24 years.
Eligibility For Air Force Academy :
Unmarried males with B.Sc. with Physics and/or Mathematics or BE. Age: 19-23 years.
Eligibility For OTA:
Married/unmarried males with Bachelor’s degree in any discipline. Age: 19-25 years.
Selection Procedure:
Selection is on the basis of a written exam followed by SSB tests and interview, intelligence and personality tests for those who qualify the written exam.
Written Examination:
The written exam is held at various centers all over the country and consists of three papers for admission to IMA and Air Force Academy. The examination for OTA consists of only the first two papers.
Paper I : English Language
Paper II : Current Events and General Science
Paper III : Numerical Ability (includes arithmetic, algebra, trigonometry, geometry, mensuration and statistics (of class X-level))
All questions are of objective-type and the papers are set only in English. Each paper is of 2 hrs duration and carries 100 marks.
