For candidates embarking on the path to a prestigious career in India’s defense sector, knowledge is the first line of defense. To help you navigate the complex landscape of defense examinations, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list.
Whether you dream of serving in the Army, Navy, Air Force, or other paramilitary forces, this guide provides crucial insights into eligibility criteria, exam patterns, and schedules.
Take a step closer to your dream of safeguarding the nation by exploring these vital defense exams in India.
National Defence Academy (NDA) Exam:
- Eligibility: 10+2 pass (for Army, Navy, and Air Force wings) and aged 16.5 to 19.5 years.
- Frequency: Conducted twice a year.
- Exam Pattern: Two-stage exam – written test (Mathematics and General Ability Test) followed by an SSB interview.
Combined Defence Services (CDS) Exam:
- Eligibility: Graduation for IMA and OTA, Graduation with Physics and Maths for Naval Academy, Graduation with Physics and Maths at 10+2 level for Air Force Academy.
- Frequency: Conducted twice a year.
- Exam Pattern: Written examination followed by an SSB interview.
Indian Military Academy (IMA) Entrance Exam:
- Eligibility: Graduation degree from a recognized university.
- Frequency: Part of the CDS exam.
- Exam Pattern: Written test (English, General Knowledge, Elementary Mathematics) followed by an SSB interview.
Officers Training Academy (OTA) Exam:
- Eligibility: Graduation degree from a recognized university.
- Frequency: Part of the CDS exam.
- Exam Pattern: Written test (English and General Knowledge) followed by an SSB interview.
Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT):
- Eligibility: Graduation in any discipline for Flying Branch, various educational qualifications for Technical and Ground Duty Branches.
- Frequency: Conducted twice a year.
- Exam Pattern: Written test consisting of General Awareness, Verbal Ability, Numerical Ability, and Military Aptitude.
Indian Naval Academy (INA) Entrance Exam:
- Eligibility: Part of the CDS exam (see CDS eligibility).
- Frequency: Part of the CDS exam.
- Exam Pattern: Part of the CDS exam (see CDS pattern).
Territorial Army (TA) Exam:
- Eligibility: Graduation and age between 18 and 42 years.
- Frequency: Annually.
- Exam Pattern: Written exam followed by an interview.
Indian Army (Technical)
- Eligibility: Indian citizen, Graduate degree or Diploma in relevant Engineering discipline from a recognized university / institute, Age between 18 and 26 years
- Common Entrance Examination (CEE) for SSC (T) Graduate and Diploma Courses
- Frequency: Once a year
- Exam Pattern: Written examination followed by SSB interview and medical examination
Agneepath Scheme
- Eligibility: Indian citizen, Age between 17.5 and 21 years, Matriculation or equivalent
- Frequency: Once a year
- Exam Pattern: Written examination followed by physical fitness test and medical examination
Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) Exam (Assistant Commandants):
- Eligibility: Graduation and age between 20 and 25 years.
- Frequency: Annually.
- Exam Pattern: Written exam (Paper-I: General Ability and Intelligence, Paper-II: General Studies, Essay, and Comprehension), Physical Standards/Physical Efficiency Tests, Interview/Personality Test.
Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Direct Short Service Commission (DSC)
- Eligibility: Indian citizen, Graduate degree from a recognized university, Age between 20 and 27 years
- Frequency: Once a year
- Exam Pattern: Written examination followed by SSB interview and medical examination
Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Navik & Yantrik Exam:
- Eligibility:
- For Navik (General Duty): 10+2 with 50% marks in Math and Physics.
- For Navik (Domestic Branch): 10th class.
- For Yantrik: 10th class with Diploma in Electrical/Mechanical/Electronics/Telecommunication (or) 10th class with ITI in related trades.
- Frequency: Recruitment cycles are held periodically.
- Exam Pattern: Written test followed by a Physical Fitness Test (PFT) and Medical Examination.
Indian Army Soldier Recruitment Rallies (State-wise)
- Eligibility: Varies based on the category of soldier (GD, Technical, Nursing Assistant, Clerk/Store Keeper, Tradesman).
- Frequency: Conducted throughout the year in various states.
- Exam Pattern: Physical Fitness Test (PFT), Medical Examination, and Common Entrance Examination (CEE) for some categories.
Indian Navy Sailors Recruitment (AA, SSR, MR):
- Eligibility:
- For Artificer Apprentice (AA) and Senior Secondary Recruits (SSR): 10+2 with specific subjects.
- For Matric Recruits (MR): 10th class.
- Frequency: Recruitment cycles are held periodically.
- Exam Pattern: Written test for AA and SSR, Physical Fitness Test (PFT), and Medical Examination.
Indian Air Force Airmen Recruitment (Group X & Y):
- Eligibility:
- For Group X (Technical Trades): 10+2 with specific subjects.
- For Group Y (Non-Technical Trades): 10+2 in any stream.
- Frequency: Conducted periodically.
- Exam Pattern: Written test, Physical Fitness Test (PFT), and Adaptability Test-1 & 2.
Border Security Force (BSF) Recruitment Exam:
- Eligibility: Varies based on the post (Constable, Sub-Inspector, etc.) and category (GD, Technical, Tradesman, etc.).
- Frequency: Conducted periodically.
- Exam Pattern: Written test, Physical Efficiency Test (PET), and Medical Examination.
Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) Recruitment Exam:
- Eligibility: Varies based on the post (Constable, Sub-Inspector, etc.) and category (GD, Technical, Tradesman, etc.).
- Frequency: Conducted periodically.
- Exam Pattern: Written test, Physical Efficiency Test (PET), and Medical Examination.
Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) Recruitment Exam:
- Eligibility: Varies based on the post (Constable, Sub-Inspector, etc.) and category (GD, Technical, Tradesman, etc.).
- Frequency: Conducted periodically.
- Exam Pattern: Written test, Physical Efficiency Test (PET), and Medical Examination.
Please note that these details keep getting update or may have changed since last posted here. Candidates should refer to the latest official notifications and websites of respective organizations for the most current information on eligibility, exam frequency, and exam patterns.
