What if you can't make it to NDA?

The NDA & NA are two of the most prestigious defense academies in the country. Every year, a lot of students appear for the NDA/NA Entrance Test with the dream of joining the Armed forces. But the fact is, that from the one lakh plus applicants that appear for the exam, only 300 – 350 get selected. This does not mean that the applicants who could not make it will not be able to join the Armed forces.

It is to be kept in mind that the NDA is only one of the many ways through which one can enter the Armed forces. There are many other examinations, schemes and ways through which one can join the Armed forces and serve the nation.

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Joining the Army:

Even though the NDA is one of the most sought after ways to join the Army, there are other schemes and examinations through which interested candidates can join the Indian Army.

If you do not get through the NDA, you can also join the Indian Army through the Technical Entry Scheme. To be eligible for this scheme, you should have taken Physics, Math and Chemistry as your main subjects in your 12th Class exams and should have scored not less than 70% on an aggregate in these three subjects. Your selection will be based on an interview. Your education will be funded by the Indian Army. Once you complete your Engineering degree, you will be commissioned as an officer in the Indian Army.

You can also choose to join the Army once you graduate through the Combined Defense Services Examination. You should be unmarried and not more than 24 years of age. You will be eligible to give this exam if you have graduated in any field. You can also apply if you’re in the final year of your graduation provided that you can submit your final degree/mark sheet before the specified date. Once you qualify in the written test, you will have to appear for an interview. The exam will test you on your English, Math and General Knowledge. If selected, you will join the Indian Military Academy where you will be trained for 18 months.

Graduates in the field of Engineering can also join the Indian Army through the Technical Graduate Course. You are also eligible for this if you are in the final year of your engineering course. You will join the Indian Military Academy if selected and trained for a period of one year. You should not be less than 20 years of age and not more than 27 years of age. This is applicable for Women candidates as well.

If you are in the Pre- Final year of your Engineering course, you can also join the Indian Army through the University Entry Scheme. You will be selected on the basis of a campus interview and if selected, you will be trained for a period of one year at the Indian Military Academy. The lower age limit for this is 19 years and the upper age limit is 25 years.

If you are a graduate in the field of Law, and if you are registered with the Bar Council of India, then you can join the Indian Army provided that you’re not more than 27 years of age. You should have scored not less than 55% in your Law degree. You will be trained for a period of 49 weeks the Officer’s Training Academy. This is applicable for Women Candidates as well.

Post graduates who have MA/MSc. Degree can also join the Indian Army provided that they are within the age group of 23 – 27 years. You should have passed with a 1st or 2nd division in the notified subjects. If selected, you will undergo training at the Indian Military Academy for a period of one year.

Joining the Air Force:

Every year, thousands of candidates apply to join the Indian Air Force in the NDA exam. But in reality, not many of them succeed. But that is not the end of the road for the candidates who didn’t make it into the NDA. There are many other ways to join the Indian Air Force, before and after graduation.

You can join the Air Force by appearing for the Combined Defense Services Examination (CDSE). You should have graduated with an Engineering, Math or Physics Degree. Also, you should not be more than 22 years of age at the start of your training. If you pass the written examination, you will have to appear for an interview which will comprise of a Psychological Aptitude Test and a Personality Test. If selected, you will undergo training at the Air Force Academy.

You can also join the Air Force through the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT). To be a part of the Flying Branch, you should be you be a graduate in any discipline and should have secured 60% aggregate. You should not be less than 19 years of age and not more than 23 years of age. The upper age limit is relaxed by 2 years for Pilots who have a commercial flying license. Also, you should have passed Physics and Math in your Class 12th or in your graduation degree.

Find out How to Become a Pilot in the Air Force.

You can also join the Technical Branch of Air Force through the AFCAT. For the Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics) branch, you should have completed a four year degree in Aeronautical Engineering from a recognized university or equivalent examinations as notified. You should be between the ages of 18 – 28 years. Also you should have scored not less than 60% aggregate and should have passed any eight of these subjects:  
Physics / Engineering Physics, Mathematics / Engineering Mathematics, Engineering Graphics / Engineering Drawing, Electrical Engineering / Electrical Technology, Control Engineering, Microprocessors, Digital Electronics / Basic Electronics, Computer Networks, Information Technology, Network Theory Design, Telecommunication Systems, Electronic Circuit Design, Radar Theory, Switching Theory, Instrumentation, Microwave Engineering, Antenna and Wave Propagation, Electronic Devices.

For the Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical) Branch through the AFCAT, you should have completed a four year degree in Aeronautical Engineering from a recognized university or equivalent examinations as notified. Also you should have scored not less than 60% aggregate and should have passed any eight of these subjects:
Physics / Engineering Physics, Engineering Math / Mathematics, Engineering Drawing / Graphics, Automotive Engineering / Plant Engineering / Industrial Engineering, Engineering Mechanics / Strength of Material, Aerodynamics, Thermodynamics and Applications / Heat Power Engineering, Heat and Mass Transfer, Theory of Machines (Kinematics and Dynamics of Machinery), Fluid Mechanics / Turbo Machines, Flight Mechanics, Machine Drawing / Machine Design, Mechatronics, Material Science / Metallurgy, Vibrations, Workshop Technology / Manufacturing Technology / Production Engineering, Hydraulics and Pneumatics, Aircraft Structures.

To join the Air Force Ground Staff through the AFCAT, you should not be less than 20 years of age. The upper age limit depends on your qualifications. For Graduates it is 23 years, for LLB (Integrated Course) it is 25 years, for LLB (3 year post – graduation course) it is 26 years and for M.Ed./Ph.D/CA/ICWA candidates, the upper age limit is 27 years. To get into the administration and logistics department, you should have secured a minimum of 60% on an aggregate in your graduation. For Post Graduates, this requirement is 50%. To join the Accounts section, you should have either 60% marks in your B.COM degree or 50% marks in your M.COM degree. To get into the field of education, you should have scored not less than 50% on an aggregate in your graduation in any discipline.

Joining the Navy:

The Navy is that one wing of the Armed forces that provides candidates from various backgrounds with the opportunities to join. The most basic way is to join through the NDA/NA exam, but there are many options for candidates who did not qualify.

Graduates can join the Navy through the Combined Defense Services Exam (CDSE).  You should not be more than 22 years of age and should have graduated with degrees in EngineeringMath or Physics. The written examination will be followed by an interview which will eventually decide whether you get into the Navy or not.

As per the NCC Special Entry Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala, unmarried men can join the Navy provided that they are within the ages of 19 – 24. To join the Navy under this scheme, you should have a graduation degree in EngineeringMath or Physics. Also, you need to have a Naval Wing Senior Division NCC ‘C’ Certificate. This can only be obtained by members of the National Cadet Corps.

Apart from the above methods, you can join the Navy in the PC Naval Armament Inspection Center, provided that you are between the ages of 19 ½ to 25. Also, you should have either of the following degrees :  B.E/ B.Tech degree in Electronics / Elect / Mech Engg or Post Graduate Degree in Electronics or Physics.

Law graduates can also join the Indian Navy under the PC Law Cadre provided that they are within the ages of 22 – 27. Also, they should have a degree in Law as an advocate with minimum 55% marks.

To get into the Logistics side of the Navy, you can join the PC Logistics Cadre if you are within the ages of 19 ½ to 25. Also, you should have a first class degree  in B Com/ M Com/ MA (Economics)/ BA (Economics)/ MBA/ BBA/ BBM/ MCA/ BCA/ BSC(IT)/ BTech/ BE  (any discipline including Civil Engineering)/ B Architecture/ ICWA/ Chartered Accountancy/ A graduate degree with Post graduate/ Degree in Materials Management with minimum 60% aggregate marks from a recognized university.

There are various Short Service Commissions (SSC) through which you can join the Indian Navy. The eligibility criteria for these commissions differ from time to time and information about these is published on the official website of the Indian Navy as well as in leading newspapers. Short Service Commission means that you have not joined the Navy permanently but for a period of 10 years which is extendable up to an additional period of four years. At the end of this period, you can choose to leave the Navy and work in other fields.


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