Indian army has an alternative career, called
short service commission which gives an option of joining in the Indian Army and
serving as a Commissioned officer for 5 years. The short-service
commission is for those who are not certain about committing to a permanent
position in the forces. At the end of the
period, you are allowed to opt for a permanent commission. Alternatively you
can also choose for another 5 years and also can choose to resign from your post at
any time during this period. The short-service commission is also open to
women.
Officers Training Academy
Short Service Commission facilitates recruitment of qualified technical graduates
through the SSBs, to attend the Officers training Academy (OTA), Chennai,
after medical tests, for a ten month course. Candidate should be in the age
group of 19-24. The course commences each year in the month of May and Oct/Nov.
Interested candidates should apply in response to advertisement published
in March /April and Oct. /Nov. On completion of training, the successful
candidates are inducted as Short Service Commissioned Officers in the technical
branches of the army.
Women's Special Entry Scheme
Women recruits are usually taken into the support services, with a large
number serving as medical officers and nurses. The
WSES for officers offers non-technical, technical and specialist entry for
unmarried females or issueless widow or divorcee candidates not below 19 years
and above 27 years and having B A, B Com, BCA, B Sc in physics, chemistry and
maths with a minimum aggregate of 60 per cent and above marks. Moreover, students with 50 per cent marks and holders of NCC `C'
certificates with `B' or higher grade can also apply in this category.
For Technical Entry BE, B Tech or
equivalent or a higher qualification in civil or electrical or mechanical or
electronics engineering, computer science, telecommunications engineering and
architecture is needed. Specialist entry is for those with 50 per cent marks in:
* Graduate B Sc with a minimum
one-year diploma in computer science
* Graduate with a minimum one-year diploma in communication or journalism or
public relations or psychology
* B E in remote sensing
* P G degree in earth science/ computer science/ English/ geography/ maths/
physics/ computer applications/ botany/ zoology/ biochemistry/ organic chemistry
or statistics
Month of commencement of course in
each year is March and September. Selection is based on written exam
and SSB Interview and medical examination. Candidates should apply
directly in response to advertisement in June/December. Women officers receive
training at Officers Training Academy, Chennai.
In women special entry scheme, the
initial contractual period is five years but in case any candidate is found
unfit or unsuitable within first six months, her commission can be terminated
any time before the expiry of the five year period. The scheme further provides that
all the lady Officers granted commission under this scheme would serve the
Indian Army for a period of five years from the date of grant of Commission
subject to fulfillment of other conditions. In addition, the lady officers carry
reserve liability to serve the Indian Army for a period of five years plus two
years on voluntary basis, or upto 37 years of age, whichever is earlier. It
means that after their release, the lady Officers remain on reserve for five
years and can be recalled for duty during this period in case of emergencies.
This period could be extended by two more years if the Officer so desires or
upto 37 years of age, whichever is earlier. WSES(O), however, does not have any
provision for permanent commission, although this matter is said to be under
consideration of the Government of India. Lady Officers in the two entries other
than WSES(O), like AMC, ADC, etc, however, have the provision for permanent
commission.
The advertisement for recruitment of
lady Officers under the WSES(O) appears from time to time as per requirement,
normally twice every year in most of the national and important regional
newspapers. The candidates are required to apply to the Additional Directorate
General of Recruiting (Women Entry Section), West Block-III, R.K. Puram, New
Delhi-110066. Short-listing of eligible candidates is done at the Additional
Directorate level and the short-listed candidates are then required to appear
before the Service Selection Board (SSB). The selected candidates are then
required to undergo a medical examination which is usually done by a special
Medical Board at the nearest Military Hospital. The broad indications of medical
standards are that the height and weight should not be less than 36 kgs and 142
cms respectively for women candidates. Corrected distance vision should be at
least 6/6 for better eye and 6/18 for the worse eye and Myopia of not more than
minus 5.5 D including
NCC Special Entry Scheme
Unmarried male graduates from a recognised university with a total of 50 per cent marks and above and between
19 and 25 years of age who have obtained a minimum of `B' Grade in NCC `C'
Certificate may apply for Short Service Commission. These graduates are exempted
from appearing in the CDSE conducted by the UPSC and are selected through the
Service Selection Boards in Allahabad, Bhopal and Bangalore. The course
commences in May each year. Candidate should be in 19-25 years. Apply
directly and the initial short listing of applications will be done at
Additional directorate General recruiting, Army Headquarters. Candidates short
listed will be called for SSB interview by Additional directorate General of Recruiting.
Candidates recommended by the Service Selection Board will undergo medical
examination by a board of service medical Board.
Short Service Commission Technical
Short Service commission (Technical) giving
opportunities to unmarried Male engineering graduates. Educational qualification
of the candidate should be a degree in Engineering or equivalent degree from a
recognised University in Civil /Electrical/ Mechanical/ Tele- Communication/
Electrical & Electronics/ Computer Science/ Engineering/ Technology/
Architect/ Industrial/ Production (c).
Candidates who are yet to pass the Technical Degree examination can also apply
but they will be required to submit proof of passing the Degree/Provisional
Degree certificate to Recruiting Directorate (TGC Entry), West Block-III, RK
Puram, New Delhi-110 066. Age limit is 20-27 years.
The selection process includes
initial screening and the short-listing of applicants will be done at the
Recruiting Directorate of the Army headquarters. Those short-listed will be
required to appear before the Service Selection Board (SSB) where they will have
to undergo group test, psychological test and interview. Candidates who qualify
at the SSB and are found medically fit by a Medical Board will be placed in the
order of merit. The final selection will be made in that order up to the number
of vacancies available at that time. Selected candidates for Short Service
Commission (Technical) will be sent to the Officers' Training Academy, Chennai.
The training last for 49 weeks at government expense.
Officers will be required to
serve for five years and may be considered for grant of permanent commission
thereafter as per existing rules.
