Often we get to know that many graduates from the engineering colleges join Indian Armed Forces and then a question arises in our mind that if they wanted to join defense then why did they took up engineering?
So the answer of which majority of the people are unaware is that the Defense Forces gives an equal opportunity to the B.Tech graduates in the Army, Navy and Air Force. Now, let’s have a look upon the various opportunities and exams for the officer rank for engineering graduates to join the Defense Forces.
I. Entries With Written Test And SSB :
- Combined Defense Services Examination (CDS) :
The CDS exam is conducted by the UPSC twice a year for both men and women candidates in which basic English, General Studies and Mathematics questions are asked (girls are only eligible for English and General Studies paper as they get admission only in the Officer’s Training Academy) and separate cut-offs are decided for the different services. After clearing the written one has to appear for the Services Selection Board (SSB) and medical test is done afterwards. Then a final merit list is prepared for the admission into the respective academies. (https://www.upsc.gov.in/). - Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) :
The AFCAT is conducted by the Indian Air Force for both male and female candidates twice a year and here the candidates can appear for both the technical branch and the ground duty. The questions are based on basic Aptitude, English, Reasoning and General Studies. After the written same selection procedure is followed as in CDS exam but the only difference here is that the candidates are admitted only to the Air Force Academy. (https://afcat.cdac.in/) - Indian Navy Entrance Test (INET) :
The INET is the most recent admission process added by the Navy to select officers (both male and female) through a written and SSB examination. It is conducted by the Indian Navy twice a year. Here also, the candidate gets both options i.e. the ground duty and the flying branch. The written test comprises of English, Aptitude, Mathematics and General Knowledge. After the written same selection procedure is followed as in CDS and AFCAT exam but the only difference here is that the candidates are admitted only to the Indian Naval Academy. (https://www.joinindiannavy.gov.in/).
II. Entries With Direct SSB Interviews :
- Technical Graduate Course (TGC) :
The TGC is a direct entry in the Indian Army and this entry is purely for the engineering graduates studying in their final year or the ones who have already completed their degree. In this, the candidates are shortlisted for the SSB on the basis of their semester percentage during the B.tech course. The cut-offs are released by the Indian Army for different branches separately. The procedure of selection is same here and on successful selection the candidates join the Indian Military Academy. It is only for male candidates. This entry comes twice a year. (https://joinindianarmy.nic.in/) - Short Service Commission-Technical (SSC-Tech) :
The SSC-Tech is another gateway to join the Indian Army. The procedure of selection in this is same as the TGC except the academy in which the candidates are admitted i.e. the candidates are admitted to Officer’s Training Academy. This entry is for both male and female candidates and comes twice a year. (https://joinindianarmy.nic.in/). - University Entrance Scheme (UES) :
The UES entry is for now conducted only for the Indian Navy (previously was conducted for Indian Army also) and has the same selection procedure as the TGC and the SSC-Tech. In this course, the candidates are admitted to the Indian Naval Academy and it comes twice a year. (https://www.joinindiannavy.gov.in/).
Hence, we can all see that there is vast number of opportunities for the engineering graduates in the Indian Defense Forces. The students should explore and make their life full of adventure and patriotism by taking up this noble profession.
