March 26, 20267 min read

Indian Army Recruitment — All Entry Routes, Eligibility, Salary, and Benefits

Complete guide to Indian Army recruitment pathways: NDA, CDS, TGC, SSC Tech, Agniveer, and Territorial Army. Covers eligibility for each route, selection process, salary by rank, and benefits and allowances.

Indian Army army recruitment NDA CDS Agniveer TGC SSC Tech defence jobs

The Indian Army isn't a single-door institution. There are multiple ways in — as an officer, as a Junior Commissioned Officer, or as a soldier — and the route you take depends entirely on your age, education, and what stage of life you're at.

This guide lays out every major entry route with the key parameters for each so you can identify which path fits your profile.

Officer Entry Routes

1. NDA (National Defence Academy)

For: Class 12 students and recent 12th passouts, male and female (post-2022 SC order) Eligibility: Age 16.5–19.5 years, 12th pass (any stream for Army wing) Conducted by: UPSC — twice a year (NDA I in April, NDA II in September) Training: 3 years at NDA, Pune → 1 year at IMA, Dehradun Commission: Permanent Commission as Lieutenant

NDA is the most prestigious entry because it produces the most thoroughly trained officers. The 4+ year training is demanding but produces well-rounded leaders.

2. CDS (Combined Defence Services)

For: Graduates, both male and female Eligibility: Age 19–24 years (IMA), 19–25 years (OTA for SSC). Degree in any discipline. Conducted by: UPSC — twice a year (CDS I in February, CDS II in August) Selection: Written exam (English, GK, Elementary Mathematics for IMA; English + GK for OTA) + SSB interview Training:

IMA (Indian Military Academy), Dehradun — 18 months → Permanent Commission
OTA (Officers Training Academy), Chennai — 11 months → Short Service Commission (SSC)

SSC commission is initially for 10 years, extendable to 14 years, with option to convert to Permanent Commission through a screening process.

3. TGC (Technical Graduate Course)

For: Engineering graduates (specific branches) Eligibility: Engineering graduates aged 20–27 years in streams like Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Computer Science, etc. Selection: Application-based shortlisting + SSB interview (no written exam) Training: 1 year at IMA, Dehradun Commission: Permanent Commission

TGC is one of the few routes with no written examination at UPSC — the technical degree itself is the qualification filter. Shortlisting is based on percentage and branch.

4. SSC Tech (Short Service Commission Technical)

For: Engineering graduates (men) and engineering graduates / post-graduates in specified streams (women) Eligibility: Age up to 27 years, engineering degree in eligible branches Selection: Application shortlisting + SSB (no written exam) Training: 11 months at OTA, Chennai Commission: Short Service Commission — 10 years, extendable to 14 years

Similar to TGC but results in Short Service Commission rather than Permanent Commission directly.

5. JAG (Judge Advocate General) Entry

For: Law graduates Eligibility: LLB degree, age 21–27 years, enrolled as advocate with a bar council Training: 11 months at OTA Commission: Short Service Commission in JAG Department

This is a specialized entry for legal professionals who join the Army's legal corps.

6. NCC Special Entry

For: Graduates holding NCC 'C' Certificate with at least 'B' grade Eligibility: Age 19–25 years, graduation in any discipline Selection: SSB interview only (no written exam) Training: IMA (PC) or OTA (SSC)

This is an incentive for NCC cadets who've served through the certificate level.

7. Agniveer (Agnipath Scheme)

For: Soldiers — both male and female Eligibility:

Agniveer General Duty: 10th pass, age 17.5–23 years
Agniveer Technical: 12th Science (PCM), age 17.5–23 years
Agniveer Clerk / SKT: 12th any stream (minimum 60%), age 17.5–23 years
Agniveer Tradesman (10th): 10th pass
Agniveer Tradesman (8th): 8th pass

Scheme Structure: 4-year service contract. After 4 years, 25% of each batch is offered regular Army enrollment. The remaining 75% exit with a Seva Nidhi package (approximately ₹11.71 lakh tax-free lump sum). Selection: Written exam + Physical Fitness Test (PFT) + Medical Salary:

Year	Monthly Package
Year 1	₹30,000 (In-hand: ₹21,000 after 30% contribution)
Year 2	₹33,000
Year 3	₹36,500
Year 4	₹40,000

Agniveers also get risk and hardship allowance, travel allowance, ration, accommodation, and medical coverage during service.

8. Territorial Army (TA)

For: Civilians who want to serve part-time and can be called up in national emergencies Eligibility: Graduate, age 18–42 years, physically fit employed Indian citizen (not serving government/defence personnel) Selection: Written exam (reasoning, general knowledge) + SSB Commission: Lieutenant in Territorial Army (part-time)

TA officers receive salary only during embodiment (training periods, about 2 months per year, plus when called up for operations). In peacetime, they maintain their civilian careers.

Comparison at a Glance

Entry Route	Education	Age Limit	Written Exam	Commission Type
NDA	12th pass	16.5–19.5	Yes (UPSC)	Permanent
CDS (IMA)	Graduate	19–24	Yes (UPSC)	Permanent
CDS (OTA)	Graduate	19–25	Yes (UPSC)	Short Service
TGC	B.E/B.Tech	20–27	No	Permanent
SSC Tech	B.E/B.Tech	up to 27	No	Short Service
NCC Entry	Graduate + NCC C	19–25	No	PC or SSC
Agniveer	10th/12th	17.5–23	Yes (Army)	4-year contract
Territorial Army	Graduate	18–42	Yes	Part-time

Salary and Pay Scale by Rank

Rank	Pay Level	Basic Pay	Military Service Pay	Approx. Gross
Lieutenant	Level 10	₹56,100	₹15,500	₹85,000–1,00,000
Captain	Level 10B	₹61,300	₹15,500	₹92,000–1,10,000
Major	Level 11	₹69,400	₹15,500	₹1,05,000–1,25,000
Lt. Colonel	Level 12A	₹1,21,200	₹15,500	₹1,70,000–2,00,000
Colonel	Level 13	₹1,30,600	₹15,500	₹1,85,000–2,15,000
Brigadier	Level 13A	₹1,39,600	₹15,500	₹2,00,000+
Major General	Level 14	₹1,44,200	₹15,500	₹2,10,000+

Gross includes DA (~55% of Basic), HRA or government accommodation, and varies significantly with field/operational allowances.

Benefits and Allowances

Operational/Area Allowances:

High Altitude Allowance: ₹3,400–25,000/month depending on altitude
Field Area Allowance: ₹6,300–16,900/month
Counter-Insurgency Allowance: ₹6,300–16,900/month
Siachen Allowance: ₹42,500/month (highest in the services)

Standard Benefits:

Free medical (self, spouse, dependent children, parents at military hospitals)
CSD canteen access — significant savings on household goods, electronics, vehicles
Government accommodation at most postings
Army Group Insurance Scheme (life insurance at ~₹600–800/month for ₹50–75 lakh cover)
Leave travel concession
Education allowance for children
Pension (AFPS — Armed Forces Pension Scheme, not NPS for PC officers)

Permanent Commission officers who serve minimum 20 years are entitled to lifetime pension. This is a major advantage compared to civilian government employees now covered under NPS.

Monitor recruitment notifications for all army entry routes at SarkariNaukriHub — rally dates for Agniveer, UPSC notifications for NDA/CDS, and Army HQ notifications for TGC/SSC Tech are all listed there.

FAQ

Which army entry route is best after engineering? TGC offers Permanent Commission without a written exam — it's the most direct route for engineers. SSC Tech is an alternative if you don't get through TGC. CDS (IMA) is another option if you're under 24 and willing to take the UPSC written exam. Is there a height requirement for army officer entry? Yes — minimum 157.5 cm for most officer entries (some regional relaxations exist). The exact standards are in the respective notification. Physical fitness standards (running, push-ups, etc.) are checked at SSB. Can Short Service Commission officers convert to Permanent Commission? Yes. After a few years of SSC service, officers can apply for PC through a screening board. Selection is merit-based and not guaranteed. Women officers have been granted PC in multiple arms and services following court orders. What is the difference between Agniveer and regular soldier enrollment? Regular (pre-Agnipath) soldiers were enrolled on permanent terms with full pension. Agniveers serve for 4 years on contract; only 25% are permanently absorbed. This is a structural change implemented from 2022 onwards.