One of the aims of NCC is to provide the right environment to motivate the youth to join the armed forces. However, the training provided by NCC and imbibing virtues such as discipline, dedication and commitment would definitely help cadets to excel in other walks of life too.

There are three types of certificates NCC cadets can secure: ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’. You will be eligible for the ‘A’ certificate after you have spent 1-2 years in the Junior Division (school-level) and attended one training camp. For the ‘B’ certificate, you should have attended at least 75 per cent classes in the Senior Division (in college) and one training camp. The most coveted is the ‘C’ certificate. To be eligible for this exam, you should be a ‘B’ certificate-holder, in your third year at college and should have attended at least one outdoor camp and one national integration camp or Republic Day parade or any other outdoor activity organised by the Directorate of the NCC. The tests are held in March-April every year. A ‘C’ certificate-holder has many advantages when it comes to the selection process in the armed forces.National Cadet Corps `C’ Certificate holders will be required to compete in UPSC Examination for grant of commission in the Army through IMA and OTS. However, 32 vacancies in every regular course of IMA are reserved for National Cadet Corps `C’ Certificate holders who have passed UPSC entrance examination and have also been declared successful by the Service Selection Board. The point to note is that from amongst the National Cadet Corps Cadets who have passed UPSC Examination and the SSB, 32 cadets will be selected to undergo training at the IMA irrespective of the position in the general merit list, i.e. 64 vacancies in a year. NCC `C’ Certificate holders with minimum `B’ Grade are exempted from appearing in Written Examination conducted by UPSC for SSC (Non- Tech) Course of OTA Madras through NCC Special Entry Scheme. There are 50 vacancies reserved for one course. Total vacancies are 100 per year.
 

There are a number of ways in which one could get a commission in the Army. You can join right after school or after graduation.The Army offers both permanent and short service commissions. Permanent commission (PC) is granted through the Indian Military Academy (IMA) Dehradun and Short Service Commission (SSC) is granted through Officers Training Academy (OTA) Chennai. When you opt for ‘PC’, you are basically looking at a permanent career in the Army, a career till you retire. SSC is a wonderful option for all those of you who aspire to serve it for a few years. It gives you the option of joining the Army, and serving it as a commissioned officer for five years. Once your tenure is over, you are allowed to opt for PC. Alternatively, you can also ask for a five years extension and can choose to resign from your post any time during this period.

Vacancies Per Course:

300 (Twice a year)
Army - 195
Air Force - 66
Navy - 39

Eligibility Criteria

Vacancies Per Course: 250 (Twice a year)

Notified in Employment News and leading Daily news Paper  

Notified by UPSC under the aegis of CDSE in Mar/Apr and Sep/Oct

Eligibility Criteria

Vacancies Per Course : 85 (Twice a year)

Notified in Employment News and leading Daily news Paper.  

Apr and Sep Notified by Additional Directorate General of Recruiting.

Eligibility Criteria

Vacancies Per Course : As Notified (Twice a Year)

Notified in Employment News and leading Daily news Paper.

Notified by Additional Directorate General Recruiting / AG Branch in Apr and Oct

Eligibility Criteria

The Indian Navy has a great deal to offer to young men and women. It gives an individual the opportunity to display leadership skills and bestows one with a tremendous amount of responsibility at a very young age. The Navy provides countless opportunities ranging from being in charge of part of a ship to flying an aircraft or looking after one department on the ship/establishment independently. In addition, throughout his/her career one can actively participate in the sports and adventure activities of their choice, an option not commonly offered in other office jobs. For those who seek fulfilment in life, there is no career like the Navy. It offers an attractive pay package, perks, life time pension, medical benefits for self and family.

Executive and logistic branch entries in the Indian Navy

Joining the Air Force is about being in the middle of supersonic jets, state-of-the-art technology and best people. You are where the action is. The IAF provides you with the most modern facilities, gives you an unparalleled way of life and creates an environment, where the best in you comes out. As an officer in the Indian Air Force you will strategise, lead and manage. Depending on your qualifications, you could join one of the various branches in the IAF. Broadly the Air Force has three branches with further sub-streams

As a Graduate/ Engineer, you enter the Flying branch through the Air Force Academy. The following are the three modes of entry for Graduates/ Engineers to join the Flying branch:

CDSE (COMBINED DEFENCE SERVICES EXAMINATION) (FOR MEN ONLY)
Men can enter through this mode of entry and will get a Permanent Commission.
Eligibility criteria:
Age - 19 to 23 years (at the time of commencement of course)
Nationality – Indian
Marital Status - Single
Gender - Men only.
Educational Qualifications
Graduate (Three Year Course) in any discipline from a recognised University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) / BE / B Tech (Four Year Course). Final Year/semester students are also eligible to apply, provided they produce Degree certificate issued by the University as per the date stipulated in the advertisement. No Percentage Bar for CDSE entry.
Advertisement Schedule: Advertisements are released by UPSC in the months of June and October

NCC SPECIAL ENTRY (FOR MEN ONLY)
(Through NCC Air Squadrons / DG NCC)
As an Air Wing Senior Division ’C’ Certificate holder of the National Cadet Corps, you can apply to the Flying Branch of the Indian Air Force. Men can join the Air Force through this mode of entry and will be given a Permanent Commission.
Eligibility criteria:
Age –19 to 23 years (at the time of commencement of course)
Nationality - Indian
Marital Status - Single
Gender - Men only.
Educational Qualifications
Graduate (Three Year Course) in any discipline from a recognised University with minimum 60% marks in aggregate in all papers put together and have passed Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level
OR
BE / B Tech (Four Year Course) from a recognised University with minimum 60% marks in aggregate in all papers put together. Final Year/semester students are also eligible to apply, provided they do not have any present backlogs at the time of SSB Testing and produce Degree certificate issued by the University as per the date stipulated in the advertisement. NCC Air Wing Senior Division ’C’ certificate.
Advertisement Schedule: NCC Cadets are to apply through respective NCC Air Squadrons/DG NCC.

SSC (SHORT SERVICE COMMISSION ) ENTRY( FOR MEN AND WOMEN)
You can apply through AFCAT for Short Service Commission (SSC) in the Flying Branch. Short Service Commission in Flying branch is for 14 years with no further extension.
Eligibility criteria:
Age - 19 to 23 years (at the time of commencement of course).Upper age limit for Candidates holding valid and current Commercial Pilot Licence issued by DGCA (India) is relaxed up to 25 years(at the time of commencement of course).
Nationality - Indian
Marital Status – Single
Gender - Men and Women.
Educational Qualifications
Graduates (Three Year Course) in any discipline from a recognised University who have attained minimum 60% marks in aggregate in all papers put together and have Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level OR BE / B Tech (Four Year Course) from a recognised university with minimum 60% marks in aggregate in all papers put together. Final Year students are also eligible to apply, provided they do not have any backlog at the time of SSB Testing and produce Degree certificate issued by the University as per the date stipulated in the advertisement.
Advertisement Schedule: Advertisements for AFCAT are released by the IAF in the months of June and December.

Aeronautical Engineering Branch
As an officer in the Technical Branch, you propel and manage your team to ensure that the Indian Air Force remains airworthy. You would be incharge of some of the most sophisticated equipment in the world by joining one of the sub branches based on your qualification.
General Eligibility for Aeronautical Engineering Branch are (applicable for men and women):
Age - 18 to 28 years (at the time of commencement of course)
Nationality - Indian
Marital Status - Candidates below the age of 25 years should be unmarried
Entry into the Technical Branch is through two schemes, both via AFCAT

UNIVERSITY ENTRY SCHEME(UES)
For candidates studying in Pre-Final year of B-tech/BE degree course For men only. Grant of Permanent Commission.

Educational Qualifications:
The candidate must be currently studying in Pre-final year of BE / BTech degree course with choice of subject as mentioned above. There must be No backlog / arrears of papers of previous semesters at the time of SSB Testing. On completion of degree, minimum 60% of marks in aggregate in all papers put together are mandatory.
Advertisement Schedule: December every year (through AFCAT)

AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING COURSE
After completion of Engineering degree or while in your final year/semester of Engineering
For both Men and Women. Permanent Commission (for men) / Short Service Commission (For men and women)
Marks - Must have scored a minimum of 60% marks in aggregate in all the papers put together in any one of the qualifications listed Final year students are eligible to apply provided they do not have any present backlog at the time of SSB testing and they produce provisional/ original degree issued by the University as per the date stipulated in the advertisement.
Advertisement Schedule - Advertisements for AFCAT are released by the IAF in the months of June and December.
Educational Qualification for Aeronautical Engineering Branch –
Depending upon your stream of Engineering and subjects studied, you could join one of the sub branches of the Technical branch.
Aeronautical Engineering (Electronics)
Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical)

General Eligibility Criteria for Ground Duty Branches
Age - 20 to 23 Years for Graduates and 20 to 25 years for Post Graduates (at the time of commencement of course). Upper age limit relaxed upto 26 years for Law Graduates (3 Years Course), upto 27 years for CA / ICWA / M Ed / Ph D.
Marital Status - Candidates below the age of 25 years must be Unmarried.
Nationality - Indian
Gender - Both men and women.
As a Graduate/ Post Graduate you can join as an officer in any of the following Ground Duty Branches

ADMINISTRATION BRANCH
Permanent Commission (for Men) / Short Service Commission (for Men & Women)
Responsible for the efficient management of both human and material resources. Some of the officers of the Administration Branch are selected and trained to carry out the following duties also:
Air Traffic Controller – Involves maintaining an orderly flow of traffic and airspace management.
Fighter Controller – Involves close contact and supervision between the air and radar for effective airspace management.
Educational Qualifications
Graduation degree in any discipline with a minimum 60% marks in aggregate in all papers put together
OR
Post Graduation degree / equivalent diploma in any discipline with a minimum 50% marks in aggregate in all papers put together.

ACCOUNTS BRANCH
Permanent Commission (for Men) / Short Service Commission (for Men & Women)
Responsible for efficient financial management of funds.You will also act as internal auditor to ensure a zero-defect audit from outside agencies.
Educational Qualifications
Graduate Degree in Commerce (B Com) with a minimum 60% marks in aggregate in all papers put together
OR
Post Graduate Degree in Commerce (M Com) / CA / ICWA with a minimum 50% marks in aggregate in all papers put together.

LOGISTICS BRANCH
Permanent Commission (for Men) / Short Service Commission (for Men & Women)
Responsible for materials management of all Air Force resources. You would ensure efficient supervision of inventories, and involve in procurement processes of various ranges of equipment.
Educational Qualifications
Graduation degree in any discipline with a minimum 60% marks in aggregate in all papers put together
OR
Post Graduation Degree/ equivalent diploma in any discipline with a minimum 50% marks in aggregate in all papers put together.
As a Post Graduate you can join in the following Ground Duty Branches.

EDUCATION BRANCH
Educational Qualifications - Post Graduate Degree in any discipline with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate in all papers put together.

METEOROLOGY BRANCH
As a Meteorology Branch Officer you would be involved handling the latest satellite imagery and state-of-the-art monitoring equipment, you would render specific advice to the operators on all aspects of weather.
Educational Qualifications
Post Graduate Degree in any Science Stream / Mathematics / Statistics / Geography / Computer Applications / Environmental Science / Applied Physics / Oceanography / Agricultural Meteorlogy / Ecology & Environment / Geo- physics / Environmental Biology. All candidates should have scored a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate in all papers of Post Graduation put together and should have studied Maths & Physics in Graduation with minimum of 55% marks in both subjects.
Advertisement Schedule: Advertisements for AFCAT are released by the IAF in the months of June and December