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Defence Services |
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Indian Defence Services — words
that bring to mind a rigorous and disciplined
life-schedule. But wait; the services have
an irresistible charm to it, too. The services
have a dignified, adventurous and exciting
side to it unmatched by any other profession.
Besides attractive perks, the three services
enjoy tremendous mobility throughout the country,
which makes those more challenging and satisfying
both from the personal as well as the professional
point of view.
Major work areas
The three distinctive defence wings of
the Army, the Navy and the Air Force recruit
candidates for two categories of services — Permanent
Commission and Short Service Commission.
Apart from combatant personnel, the IDS has
many other supporting service sectors such
as Engineers/Technical Services, Medical
Services, Educational Services, Legal Services
and Civilian Staff Services. The defence
services have taken a significant stride
ahead by facilitating incorporation of women
in its cadres. Again, Indian Coast Guard
and Army Intelligence services are two other
key outfits supporting the Services.
Aptitudes that help
As the defence staff is groomed both for
the purposes of defence and offence, it has
to work in various geographical and climatic
conditions, which can be friendly as well
as incriminating. And, as we know by now,
the services include a simple gun-wielding
soldier to a highly skilled fighter pilot.
The purpose is the same, protecting the country’s
territory. The forces, also, required to
work in the times of emergencies like earthquakes,
floods, civil riots and insurgencies. Hence,
personal qualities basic to a defence person
are: high levels of physical fitness, spirited
disposition, commitment and a flair for leadership.
Many of these qualities they inculcate during
their training period.
Prospects
The three Defence Services areas will always
remain evergreen career options, because,
to every country it is the high priority
sector, which needs constant up-gradation
both in the aspects of personnel and infrastructure.
A modern defence system, today, utilises
highly advanced and sophisticated equipments,
telecommunication system and is supported
by a research and development wing, which
keeps it combat-ready in most up-to-date
manner. Hence, there is always a growing
need for candidates from engineering, science
and technological backgrounds. The perks — both
in-service and post-retirement, and lifestyle
opportunities for sports, adventures, foreign
postings and scope for higher studies, have
always held the excitement for the services.
Technical students of defence academies like
NDA who opt for higher studies in their field
can get entry into the finest technical institutes
of India at govt. expenses. Acandidate successfully
completing a course in the prestigious Defence
Staff College, Pune, is awarded with an M
Sc degree in Defence Research and Studies.
Distinguished officers are selected to pursue
higher studies in specialised subjects in
premier institutes of India and abroad. In
short, it is one career sphere where one
can enjoy attractive service conditions with
pride and a sense of dignity.
How to get through
Aspirants can enter into the various branches
of the Army, Navy and Air Force services
at two levels — after 10+2 and after
+3/Graduation, either for Permanent Commission
or Short Service Commission. There are certain
branches where both men and women have equal
opportunities to compete for, whereas, Air
Force has a special recruitment drive for
women after +3/Graduation under Short Service
Commission (dealt in a separate chapter).
The time-period of SSC is 10 years in maximum.
The detailed information about the Eligibilities,
Recruitment and the provisional date for
various examinations/tests or selections
for the three services are given under two
major categories Permanent Commission and
Short Service Commission.
Permanent Commission
After the 10+2/Equivalent education:
Eligibility & Selection for
Executive branches:
(1) National Defence Academy exam
by UPSC followed by SSB interview. Held twice
a year during April-May and Oct-Nov. (2) Cadet
Entry (technical) Scheme (CES) for IMA – interview
by SSB Educational qualification -
10+2 with Math. and Eng.-70%. For CES 10+2
in Science (Phy, Math. Chem., Eng.-50%). Age & Sex – 16
1/2-19 1/2 yrs, men only Physical
Standards – Height: above
157 cms (162.5 cms for air Force), Weight:
43 kgs. to 47 kgs. depending on height. Qualification
in medical fitness test.
(For details about three Defence Services
check respective websites
www.joinindianarmy.nic.in,
www.nausena-bharti.mil.in,
www.careerairforce.nic.in,
armedforces.nic.in )
Training
Candidates qualified in the written exam
and the 5-day Service Selection Board interview
(consisting GD, Psychological test and a
Pilot Aptitude Test for those opting for
Air Force) are eligible for a 3-year stint
at National Defence Academy, Pune. Further
training to the Army cadets at Indian Military
Academy (IMA), the Air Force Cadets at Air
Force Academy, Hyderabad/BFTS, and the Naval
Cadets at the Cadet Training Ships, are given
before they are permanently commissioned
in executive cadres. At the successful completion
of trainings the cadets are awarded degrees
by Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi.
The Technical Cadets qualified for army
technical branch through Cadet Entry Scheme
undergoes 4 1/2 yrs of training at College
of Military Engineering, Pune as well as
at any one of the Military College of Electrical
and Mechanical Engineers, Secunderabad, or
Military College of Telecommunication Engineering,
Mhow. At the outset, the cadets are given
a 6 months’ basic training at IMA,
Dehradun.
The technical cadets opting for the Navy
can specialise in marine engineering, naval
architecture, or electrical engineering.
The course duration for the Naval Engineering
is of 4 1/2 years. The cadets get an initial
6 months Naval Orientation course at Naval
Academy, Goa, following it up with a 4-year
engineering study at Naval College of Engineering,
Lonavla.
The successful Technical Cadets, both,
from C.M.E. and N.C.E are awarded with B.Tech.
Degrees by JNU, Delhi, and are permanently
commissioned to respective Service sectors
as Technical Officers (T.O.).
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The T.Os. have the opportunity
to opt for post graduation or higher degrees
in engineering at prestigious institutes in
India or abroad. They are allowed 2 years study
leave for pursuance of higher studies. They
can also opt for a M.Sc. course in Defence
and Strategic Studies at Defence Staff College,
Pune.
Outstanding officers stand the chance for
getting selected for specialised Technical
or Management studies in India or abroad,
at government expense.
After 10+2 (Science), students, both boys
and girls can opt for Medical Studies at
Armed Forces Medical College, Pune.
The AFMC admits 100 students (25 seats
reserved for women candidates) for its MBBS
courses through an All India Entrance Test.
Special training in medical problems peculiar
to Air Force and Navy, is given to the students
at the Institute of Aviation Medicine at
Bangalore and at the Institute of Naval Medicine,
Mumbai, respectively. Following the completion
of their course the candidates can opt for
a Permanent Commission or a Short Service
Commission in the AF Medical Services. (To
qualify for the MBBS study students have
to clear the stipulated physical test)
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After +3/ Graduation level of education:
Candidates can opt for a Permanent Commission
in the three branches of the Defence Services
through the Combine Defence Services Examination
(CDSE) consisting of a written examination
conducted by the UPSC followed with an interview
by SSB. The CDSE is conducted twice annually — March/April
and Oct/Nov.
Eligibility
Graduation (for candidates opting for Army
and OTA). Age — 19-24 Years. |
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B.Sc (Physics /Math)/BE for
Air force and Navy. Age — 20 – 24
Years
The graduate engineers in specified disciplines get a direct
entry into IMA after a SSB interview followed by a medical
fitness test. Advertisement in March/April and Oct/Nov. (Age
20-27 years)
University Entry Scheme
Final and Pre-final year engineering graduates
can get selected through a campus interview
followed by a SSB interview and medical fitness
test. Advertisement in July (Age 18-25 years)
Training : Candidates qualified in the
interview stage are selected for Army, Navy
or Air Force, who undergo 18-19 months rigorous
training at Indian Military Academy, Dehradun,
Naval Academy, Goa or the Air Force Station,
Hyderabad. |
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Short Service Commission:
Indian Defence Services has provision of
5-7 years, extendable to 10-15 years Short
Service Commission, for male and female candidates
both in general as well as engineering (technical)
categories. |
The general candidates (male, graduates/post
graduates) have to clear the CDSE (written
test, SSB interview and medical tests),
whereas, the engineering graduates,
after their applications are screened
by the Army Headquarters, have to qualify
in a SSB interview followed by medical
tests. The selected candidates undergo
a 9 months training at the Officers’ Training
Academy, Chennai.
The OTA candidates require to appear
only, the English and General Knowledge
papers, only, in the CDSE written test.
The Defence services have a special
entry scheme for NCC certificate holders
in Short Service Commission. Graduates,
between 19-25 years of age, who have
passed the NCC ‘C’ certificate
Army Wing with 2 years service/Senior
Division Air Wing/Naval Wing with 3
years service, are eligible for a direct
SSB interview to get into SSC. The
test is held during Oct./Nov.
The Indian Defence Services have
scores of interdependent cadres other
than the technical and combatant forces.
There is a Special Entry provision
for candidates from the study areas
of — law, Language, Journalism,
Social Studies, Commerce, Finance,
Computers professionals for varied
cadres under SSC. Selections are held
in June and December every year.
(Eligibilities for various cadres
are discussed under the chapter ‘Career
opportunities for women in defence
Services)
Also visit: www.upsc.gov.in
Career Opportunities for Women
in Defence Services
Indian Defence Services have been
one of the most progressive defence
services of the world to open its cadres
for women. Though in select fields,
the opportunities are no less significant
than the ones meant for men. Young
women now can take up assignments under
Short Services Commission in the technical
and non-technical fields with the same
kind of service conditions, perks and
promotional opportunities as of the
men in the three service branches of
the Indian Army, Indian Navy and the
Indian Air Force.
Bellow are detailed various service
branches for women.
Indian Army
Non-Technical Branch; Special Entry
Scheme —Intelligence Corps (Linguistic
Officer),
Judge Advocate General (JAG), Education Corps (AEC);
Technical Branch — Engineers Corps,
Signals Corps, EME Corps (Electrical & Mechanical
Branch).
Selection — Through SSB interview
Recruiting Authority — Additional Directorate General
of Recruiting WSES (O) West Block, III- R. K.Puram, New
Delhi- 110066.
For selection to these services in the Army candidates
are required to qualify in certain strict physical and
medical tests.
Visit: www.joinindianarmy.nic.in/ota/htm
Indian Navy
Indian Navy inducts women officers
in four cadres. The services range
from non-technical branches like Education
to technical branches like Air Traffic
Control.
Educational Branch, Air traffic Control,
Logistics Cadre, Law Cadre
Selection —The applicants have
to qualify the Psychology test in the
preliminary round and then the interviews
conducted by SSB. The successful candidates
are inducted as Sub-Lieutenants who
subsequently undergo Naval Orientation
at the Naval Academy, Goa. The initial
duration of 7 years’ of service
of these Commissioned Officers is extendable
to 10 years.
Recruitment Authority — Directorate of Manpower
Planning and Recruitment, Naval Headquarters, New Delhi-110011.
Visit:www.nausena-bharti.mil.in
For all the above mentioned services
a certain Physical standard is required
by the Navy.
Indian Air Force
Perhaps the Indian Air Force has
the maximum varieties of exciting career
options for women in its cadres. This
is the service branch where demands
for high-level technical skills are
intertwined with some sharp and steady
mental aptitudes. And since quite a
long time women have proved themselves
in this challenging service field with élan.
Besides the three major segments
of the Flying Branch, Technical Branch
and the Ground Duty Wing, there are
several other technical and non-technical
branches opened for women in the Air
Force, such as educational, accounts,
meteorological etc.
Flying Branch
Transport and Helicopter
Pilots, and Navigators
Selection/Training — Through
personality tests as Officer Intelligence
Rating Tests (OIR), Picture Perception
and discussion Tests (PPDT), Psychological
Tests, Group Tests and interview. Medical
Examination at AFCME, New Delhi or
IAM, Bangalore. — Training of
74 week at Air Force Academy at Hyderabad.
After the successful completion of
the training the candidates are commissioned
for an initial period of 10 years extendable
to 5 years.
Recruiting Authority — Air Force Service Selection
Board. Selection is done twice a year in January and
July.
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Technical Branch
Aeronautical Engineers (Electronics),
Aeronautical Engineers (Mechanical)
Selection/Training —Screening
Test for engineering knowledge at various
Air Force units all over the country.
In the second stage applicants undergoes
Psychological and Medical tests as
that for the Flying Branch. After the
successful completion of 44 weeks of
training at the Air Force Technical
College, Bangalore, the candidates
are commissioned for an initial period
of 6 years. The technical officers
are entitled to study leaves for higher
studies such as ME/M Tech/Ph D in India
or abroad. |
Recruiting Authority — Air
Force Service Selection Board. Selection
is done twice a year in January and
July.
Ground Duty Branch
Administration — Air Traffic
Controller and Fighter Controller (ATC,
FC), Logistics and General Administration.
Selection — Tests of officer Like Qualities (OLQ)
through Personality and Psychological Tests followed
by Medical tests as conducted for other service branches
at various AFSB, and AFCME and IMA.
Recruiting Authority — Air Force Service Selection
Board. Selection is done twice a year in January and
July for Gen. Administration: in January for Logistics,
and in March for ATC & FC.
Accounts and Education Branches
Selection — Same as the Administration branch.
Commissioned for an initial period of 5 years extendable
to not more than 10 years.
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Recruiting Authority — Air Force
Service Selection Board. Selection
is done in July each year.
Meteorological Branch
Selection — Same as the Administration branch.
Selected candidates undergo 52 weeks of training at Air
Force Academy at Hyderabad. Commissioned for an initial
period of 5 years deserving candidates can be considered
for an extension of the SSC or grant of Permanent Commission.
Recruiting Authority — Air Force Service Selection
Board. Selection is done in July each year.
Visit: www.careerairforce.nic.in
Career Options at DRDO
DRDO conducts research for the development
of technologies in the fields of Aerospace,
Avionics, Rockets and Missiles, Electronics
and Satellite Communications, Combat
Vehicles, Computer Engg. and Systems
Analysis, Armaments and Explosives
and Life Sciences; for the country’s
defence and maintenance of national
security. The R & D programmes
are closely linked to national development
in various other ways. A challenging
and bright career option awaits women
in the defence research field, which
was earlier dominated by men.
Selection & Training – Selections
are done
generally through DRDO SET examination,
and selected candidates are trained
at DRDO’s own institutions at
Pune and Mussoorie as well as other
prestigious academic institutions for
higher qualifications. The candidates
may also be sent for foreign deputation
for Training, Presentation of papers
or other specific assignments.
(For details about DRDO’s R & D
Programmes visit: www.drdo.org )
Paramilitary Services
There are various security organisations
under Paramilitary services to monitor
civil discipline, maintain law and
order, guard frontiers, enforce excise
and custom regulations and the like.
Love for adventure, excitement and
an ability to appreciate the significance
of these services and a way with people
from all walks of life are aptitudes,
ideally, suited for the Paramilitary
services.
Assam Rifles, the Central Reserve
Police Force (CRPF), the Border Securities
Force (BSF), the Indo-Tibetan Border
Police (ITBP), the Central Industrial
Security Force (CISF), State Police
Forces and Home-Guards, Railway Protection
Forces, Fire Services etc. constitute
major categories of Paramilitary Services,
which act as supplements to our Defence
sector. Both men and women can opt
for these services.
Paramilitary services are endowed
with a good earning along with various
allowances like dearness allowances;
house rent allowance, city compensatory
allowance etc. The honour and prestige
given to the Paramilitary personnel
is equal to that of the Defence personnel.
The recruitments are made twice yearly.
Advertisements appear in the major
national dailies like Employment News
and Rozgar Samachar between April and
May and between September and October. |
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