A Career in the Defence Forces has always been one of the most reputed and vibrant career options.
To read about the Defence Course after 10+2 or equivalent in detail Click Here
Although there are various Career Options in the Defence Forces of India here we are only talking about the journey of students who enter the Defence Forces via the NDA NA as commissioned officers and via the Technical Entry Scheme and Direct Entry in B.Tech etc. in Indian Army, Indian Navy, and The Indian Air Force.
Please note that Defence Career Prospects that are after Graduation and Post Graduation are listed in the other courses' career prospects. So do visit those pages if you are a graduate or completing graduation and want to join the Indian Defence Forces.
We have divided the Defence Career Prospects into three categories Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force.
Indian Army:
A student joins as Officer Cadet in the Indian army after clearing the NDA NA process and after his training is completed he starts his career as a Lieutenant.
Promotion Criteria for Commissioned officers after joining the Indian Army via NDA NA process:
|
Rank |
Promotion Criteria |
Remarks |
|
Lieutenant |
On commission |
- |
|
Captain |
On completion of 1year |
- |
|
Major |
On completion of 04 years |
3 years in Field |
|
Lieutenant Colonel |
On completion of 07 years |
With minimum service of one year in the rank of substantive Major. |
|
Colonel |
8 years and 6 months |
With minimum service of two years in the rank(s) of Major & above |
|
Brigadier |
12 years |
With minimum service of three years in rank(s) of Lieutenant Colonel and above. |
|
Major General |
20 years |
- |
|
Lieutenant General |
25 years |
- |
|
General (Rank Held by the Chief Of Army Staff) |
On selection basis subject to fulfillment of requisite service conditions. |
Selection is made by the Government of India. |
|
Field Marshal |
Honorary/War Time Rank |
This is equivalent to the Admiral of the Fleet in Indian Navy and Marshal of the Air Force in Indian Air Force. Till now there have been only two people who have got this honor: Kodandera Madiappa Cariappa, the First Indian Chief of Army Staff, and Sam Manekshaw. |
Promotion Criteria for Commissioned officers via TES Entry Scheme after 10+2:
|
Rank |
Promotion Criteria |
|
Lieutenant |
On commission |
|
Captain |
On completion of 02 years |
|
Major |
On completion of 06 years |
|
Lieutenant Colonel |
On completion of 13 years |
|
Colonel (TS) |
On completion of 26 years |
|
Colonel |
On selection basis subject to fulfillment of requisite service conditions. |
|
Brigadier |
|
|
Major General |
|
|
Lieutenant General/HAG Scale |
|
|
HAG+Scale (*Admissible to 1/3rd of the total strength of Lt Generals) |
|
|
VCOAS/Army Cdr/Lt Gen (NFSG) |
|
|
Chief of Army Staff |
Indian Navy:
Promotional Avenues for candidates who join Indian Navy via the NDA NA and 10+2 (B.Tech) Cadet Entry Scheme ( Permanent Commission) process:
|
Rank |
Minimum Reckonable Commissioned Service required for Substantive Promotion |
|
Sub Lieutenant |
On commission |
|
Lieutenant |
On completion of 02 years |
|
Lieutenant Commander |
On completion of 06 years |
|
Commander |
On completion of 13 years |
|
Captain (Selection) |
On Selection |
|
Captain (Time Scale) |
On completion of 26 years |
|
Commodore |
On Selection |
|
Rear Admiral |
On Selection |
|
Vice Admiral |
On Selection |
|
Admiral (Rank hold by the Chief of Naval Staff) |
On Selection |
|
Admiral of the Fleet |
Honorary /Wartime Rank on Selection Basis
This is equivalent to the Field Marshal in the Indian Army and Marshal of the Air Force. Till now no one has been promoted to this rank in India. |
Indian Air Force:
After completing 10+2 a candidate can join the Indian Air Force only via the NDA NA examination route.
The entry through NDA is open for the Flying branch, Ground duty (tech), and Ground duty(non-tech). All cadets of Flying branch and Ground duty (tech) would be offered B Tech in NDA and cadets of Ground Duty (Non-tech) would be offered B Sc degree.
Promotional Avenues for candidates who join Indian Air Force via the NDA NA Cadet Entry process:
|
Rank |
Minimum Reckonable Commissioned Service required for Substantive Promotion |
|
Flying Officer |
On commission |
|
Flight Lieutenant |
On completion of 02 years |
|
Squadron Leader |
On completion of 06 years |
|
Wing Commander |
On completion of 13 years |
|
Group Captain (Selection) |
On Selection |
|
Group Captain (Time Scale) |
On completion of 26 years |
|
Air Commodore |
On Selection |
|
Air Vice-Marshal |
On Selection |
|
Air Marshal |
On Selection |
|
Air Chief Marshal (Rank hold by the Chief of Air Staff) |
On Selection |
|
Marshal of the Air Force |
Honorary /Wartime Rank on Selection Basis
This is equivalent to the Field Marshal in the Indian Army and Admiral of the Fleet in the Indian Navy.
Arjan Singh Aulakh, the 3rd Chief of Air Staff of India is the only person who has been promoted to this Rank. |
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** Disclaimer: The above information is based upon our own research done through official websites and other sources. There can be mistakes in the information provided above as the procedures for college admissions and entrance examinations keep changing, although we try our best to keep this page regularly updated as much as possible.
** In case you find any information above to be incorrect, or have any feedback or suggestions for us or you need any guidance for the course above or any other course kindly write to us at [email protected].
