Recruitment of Commissioned Officers in the Armed Forces is mainly through the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) under Permanent Commission. For Technical Branches, Women special entry scheme and NCC special entry scheme and service, recruitment is made directly through the respective Recruiting Directorates for the Army under Short Service Commission.

The permanent commission provides opportunities for men with 10+2 /Intermediate, graduates and engineering graduates as officers. 

10+2 (Through NDA)

One has to take an entry level exam conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to join NDA (National Defence Academy). This exam is conducted twice a year in all major cities throughout India. It is restricted to boys between the ages of 16 1/2 and 19. The months of commencement of the course each year is January and July. Applications are to be sent in response to the advertisement which will be published in leading newspapers during March /April. NDA exam conducted by UPSC is based on the CBSE syllabus. Those who clear the written exam go through a five-day interview process with the State Selection Board. On completion of the NDA course, candidates are sent to the respective service academies for their pre- commission training. The IMA (Indian Military Academy) trains Gentlemen Cadets (GCs) for commission into the Army. More details of NDA exam 

Graduates (Direct Entry)

The UPSC holds an all-India competitive examination, known as the Combined Defence Services Examination (CDSE), twice a year for University graduates or equivalent. Successful candidates can join Indian Military Academy for their pre- commission training after the interview conducted by the Service Selection Board and if finally selected, depending on their merit list ranking, are sent to Indian Military Academy.  Candidate should be in the age of 19-24. The course commences each year in the month of January and July. Interested candidates can apply in response to advertisement in March /April & Oct. Nov.  To know the eligibility, selection, application and Syllabus of the CDSE exam in detail, Click here

Engineering Graduates (Direct Entry)

An Engineering graduate can join the Indian Military Academy directly. They only need to attend the Service Selection Board interview. Age at the time of joining should be between 20-27 years. The course commences every year in the month of January and July. One can apply directly to Addl. Directorate  General of Recruiting (TGC), Army HQ, West Block III, RK Puram, New Delhi -110066 in response to advertisement published in March/April & Oct./Nov.

University Entry Scheme

Students who are in final and pre-final years of engineering degree course can also apply to Indian army as an officer. They are eligible for induction into technical branches/services of the army as commissioned officers under the University Entry Scheme. Age should be between 19-25 years for final year engineering students and 18-24 for pre-final year engineering students. Month of commencement of course in each year is July. Selection is Based on campus interview and Service Selection Board (SSB) interview. Applications should be sent in response to the advertisement published in July.

10+2 PCM (Tech)

There is an another option for 10+2 PCM (Tech) candidates through which one can enter directly to Indian Military Academy. Age limit falls between 16¹/₂-19¹/₂ years.  Month of commencement of course in each year is January and July. One has to apply directly to the Recruitment Directorate in May and November. 

Other recruitments

Government has approved the creation of a 6,000 strong Support Cadre of Special Commissioned Officers. These posts will be filled up by eligible Junior Commisioned Officers (JCO) and OR. Under this entry, serving JCOS/NCOs/OR in age group of 30-35 years, with an Army Senior School Certificate Pass (Class XI CBSE Pattern) Qualification, will be eligible for commission after screening /selection through Service Selection Board and Medical Board. They will undergo a pre-commission training of one year duration. The officers so commissioned will earn promotion up to the rank of Colonel. The rules for substantive promotion and acting promotion will be the same as for regular officers. These officers will be employed in units as sub unit Cadres/ QM JOb/ERE appointment etc. up to the rank of Major. They will retire at the age of 57 years after serving about 20-25 years as officers. 

Medical graduates from the Armed Forces Medical College, Pune are directly inducted as permanent Commissioned Medical officers in the Armed Forces. For recruitment of Regular Commissioned /Short Service Commissioned Medical Officers from the graduates /Post graduates of Civil Medical Colleges, the Director General of the Armed forces Medical services conducts an all India competitive exam.