Career Guidance: Career in Defence
Each one of us contributes to the nation in some way. Yet none plays a more important role in this than the defence forces of our nation. So, the best way is to make a career in defence, with the right career guidance from Vikings Career. Serving in defence forces not only develops oneself physically but also develops mental fortitude by instilling values like discipline, integrity, honesty, and dedication towards a purpose that one decides to dedicate himself to.
Indian armed forces have always played a proud role in the history of our nation. It consists of three professional uniformed services: the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force. The Indian Armed Forces are supported by the Indian Coast Guard and paramilitary organizations namely Assam Rifles, and Special Frontier Force and various departments of inter-service commands such as the Strategic Forces Command, the Andaman and Nicobar Command, etc. The President of India is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces. The Indian Armed Forces are managed by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) of the Government of India. With a strength of over 1.4 million active personnel, the Indian Armed Forces are the world’s second-largest military force and manage the world’s largest volunteer army. The Indian armed forces have been engaged in several major military operations, including the Indo-Pakistani wars of 1947, 1965 and 1971, the Portuguese-Indian War, the Sino-Indian War, the 1967 Chola incident, the 1987 Sino-Indian skirmish, the Kargil War, and the Siachen conflict prominent among them. to celebrate the contribution of its armed forces India celebrates Armed Forces Flag Day, on 7 December. The Department of Defence Production of the Ministry of Defence is responsible for the production of equipment used by the Indian Armed Forces. Totally it comprises 41 Indian Ordnance Factories.
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India has a long history of its armed forces the roots of the armed forces can be traced back to the medieval era around 5,000 years back. The first tidal dock is believed to have been built around 2300 BC during the Indus Valley Civilisation period. The Royal Indian Navy was first established in British India. In 1892, it became a maritime component as the Royal Indian Marine (RIM).
During World War I the Indian Army gave a significant contribution to the European, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern theatres of war. One million Indian troops served oversees. In total, 74,187 Indian soldiers died during the war. The Indian Armed Forces fought against the German Empire in German East Africa and on the Western Front, and against the Ottoman Empire in Africa. The Indian Army also participated in World War II. By the end of the war it had become the largest volunteer army in history, rising to over 2.5 million men by August 1945. During the duration of the war the armed forces fought on three continents in Africa, Europe, and Asia. After Indian Independence, British symbols were dropped and replaced with the Indian tricolor and the Lion Capital of Asoka. On 1 April 1954, Air Marshal Subroto Mukherjee became the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Air Force, and on 22 April of that year, Vice Admiral Ram Dass Katari became the first Indian Chief of Naval Staff.
The Indian Army itself divided administratively into seven tactical commands, each under the control of different Lieutenant Generals. The Indian Air Force is divided into five operational and two functional commands. Each commanded is directed by an air officer commanding-in-chief with the rank of air marshal. The Indian Navy operates three commands. Each command is headed by a flag officer commanding-in-chief with the rank of vice admiral. There are two joint commands whose head can belong to any of the three services. These are namely Strategic Forces Command and the Andaman and Nicobar Command.
Career Guidance: Career in Defence – Cognitive and physical skills that a candidate should possess
- Patriotism – It is a core concept of any nation armed forces i.e. are you ready to fight for your nation and be martyred for it
- Team player – One must be able to work in a team to be considered successful for a military position as any successful mission could be completed only as a part of a team where each soldier plays a prescribed role which contributes to the success of the mission.
- Leadership – Candidate seeking a position in armed forces must display the qualities of leadership i.e. to think of others before himself in any situation is a must skill for any soldier also military officers are expected to be self-confident and instill confidence in others.
- Communication skills – This is arguable one of the most important skills to possess. You need to be able to communicate clearly and concisely – especially at times of conflict when people’s lives may be at stake. This includes being tactful and diplomatic and also communicating clearly and efficiently
- Quick-thinking and effective problem solver – As a soldier in the armed forces many uncertain situations may arise where it will be your job to think clearly and act decisively under pressure
- Sense of responsibility – As an officer in command is alone are responsible for his staff and must proper administrative and leadership skills
- Flexibility and adaptable to change –The very nature of the armed forces means that soldier may be relocated from one base to another at short notice and even to the other side of the world or may even to transferred under harsh conditions and as such should possess stronger physical durability as well as the mental ability to adapt to change.
- Empathy – As you may find yourself posted in some of the most deprived areas of the world where local tensions create a volatile and uneasy environment ex Indian armed forces in U.N. peacekeeping force, a solider must be capable to understand and relate to people from varying socio-economic backgrounds, races, cultures, and religions.
- Integrity: A soldier in an armed force must have stronger mental integrity as situations could arise in the future where their enemy forces may try to lure a soldier so as to gain information related to the national security of a nation.
Career Guidance: Career in Defence – Eligibility for Indian Army
Aspiring candidates cannot join Indian Armed forces after 10th Standard. But, a candidate can start preparing for the NDA examination after 10th, with the right career guidance, and apply for the post after passing or appearing in the 12th standard examination. Students having NSS Certificate can also join Indian Army as a soldier. With internal exams, they can move to higher ranks.
The Indian Army offers Armed Forces careers option to soldiers through the Territorial Army Bharti Rally for three main profiles:
- Soldier General Duty
- Soldier Clerk
- Soldier Tradesman
The examination is conducted in several phases:
Physical Fitness Test (PFT):
- 6 Km Run
- Pull-Ups
- Balance
Documentation:
- 10th mark sheet and passing certificate
- Address Proof
- Caste Certificate
- Religion Certificate
- Character Certificate
- Unmarried Certificate
Medical Test:
- Height 160 to 170 Centimetres (different for different regions)
- Weight 50 kg
- Chest 77 Centimetres
- The minimum expansion of the chest should be 5 cms.
- 6/6 eyesight.
- Should have normal hearing with each ear
- Should have natural healthy gum and teeth i.e. minimum 14 dental points
- Should not have any disease
The final step for the armed forces is through clearing a written final examination. To become directly a commissioned officer in the armed forces aspiring candidates can apply through NDA. The examination is conducted twice a year by UPSC.
The examination is a written 2.5 hrs written test consisting of Mathematics and General Ability Test. Apart from written tests, there is also a medical examination and an interview test. Do take the right career guidance to clear each stage.
Career Guidance: Career in Defence – Eligibility for Indian Air Force
The Indian Air Force conducts a written exam first for Airman’s post for both technical and non-technical entry for its Combatant Group. After that, the selected candidates have to go through physical and medical tests. Students who have cleared 10th, and not 12th yet, are eligible for entry in only 2 combatants group.
For Indian Air Force officer:
After aspiring candidate clears 12th science that is. In this case, the candidate should have passed Higher Secondary (10+2) with subjects Physics and Mathematics subjects. Students who are studying in 12th standard may also appear for the exam, given that they satisfy the minimum age limit criteria. Also, such candidates who are in studying in the 12th and want to appear for the exam must also make sure that their schooling will be over by the time the course starts at NDA.
To join Indian Air Force age limit of a candidate has to be between 16½-19 years of age
This is a male-only entry mode. Only male candidates are eligible to apply for it.
Physical Eligibility:
- Weight and Height ratio
- Good Physical and Mental health
- Good hearing
- Healthy Bones and Joints
Career Guidance: Career in Defence – Eligibility for Indian Navy
For enrolment of Seamen, The Indian Navy follows a similar process like the Air Force but there are limited seats for students who have cleared 10th standard but not 12th yet.
For enrolment as an officer in the Navy:
Cadet Entry through NDA:
Candidates will undergo training of four years at Naval Academy only. All cadets will be awarded a B-Tech Degree on completion of training at Naval Academy.
Conditions and qualifications.
- Unmarried Male Indian, Nepal & Bhutan
- Educational qualification 10 + 2 equivalent qualified with Physics, Maths, and Chemistry
- Age must between 16 1/2 -19 years.
Selection Through Written exam conducted by UPSC. SSB Interviews to be conducted after the written examination The UPSC examination will consist of a Mathematics paper containing 300 marks and a general ability test with 600marks. The answers are in the objective mode with negative marks.
Cadet Entry through other methods:
Conditions and qualifications:
- Unmarried Male, Indian, Nepal, and Bhutan origin.
- Educational Qualification. 12th passed with 70% in PCM and 50% in English in 10th or 12th standard shortlisted based on current JEE (main) score based.
- Direct Interview i.e. SSB interview is taken, apart from direct interview medical test is also conducted
- Age Group between 17-19 (1/2)
The validity of the JEE rank for applying for the scheme is one year from the date of declaration of the JEE ranking. Call up for interview based on the merit list of highest marks in academics and JEE score
We hope this is going to be helpful if you are planning to pursue a Career in Defence. For more career guidance, feel free to connect with us and provide your feedback as well, so that we can also improve in the future.
