Career as an Army Officer in India: Salary, Entry Routes and How to Begin

Pass Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Maths, then apply for the NDA and NA exam conducted by UPSC. Qualified candidates take the SSB interview and a medical test. Selected cadets train for about three years at NDA Khadakwasla and then for around a year at an officer training academy before being commissioned as Lieutenants. Some Class 12 students may also be able to apply through the TES route using JEE Main, so check the current notification on joinindianarmy.nic.in.

NDA is for unmarried students who have finished Class 12 with PCM and are generally aged 16.5 to 19.5 years. It is a three-year academy course followed by further training. CDS is for graduates, who usually join a few years later, and it leads to officer training at academies such as the IMA, the Indian Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy or OTA Chennai. Both routes need UPSC exams and SSB interviews. Check the official notification for current age limits and vacancies.

The Technical Entry Scheme (TES) trains selected candidates as Army engineering officers. The TES 57 notification, which reportedly offers around 90 vacancies, was published in October 2026 on the joinindianarmy.nic.in portal. Engineering graduates and final-year students are the main target group, and 2026 reports also describe a route for Class 12 students through JEE Main. Read the notification for eligibility, age limits and the stipend, which was reported at around ₹56,400 a month during training.

The Services Selection Board (SSB) tests whether you can work as an officer. Candidates usually spend several days at an SSB centre and go through psychological tests, group discussions, group tasks, outdoor obstacle tasks and a personal interview. Assessors look for leadership, teamwork, communication and decision-making. Preparation should focus on being natural, clear and confident rather than memorising answers, and on practising group activities.

A Lieutenant starts on a basic pay of around ₹56,100 a month under the 7th Pay Commission pay level. With allowances, the total package is often estimated at around ₹12 to ₹16 lakh a year. Pay rises with rank and years of service, and senior officers can earn well above ₹30 lakh a year. Military service pay and field or high-altitude allowances add to take-home pay. Verify current figures against the latest pay tables before relying on them.

Yes. Women are commissioned as officers through CDS and other entry routes and serve in several arms and services. The Times of India reported the career of Major Garima Yadav, who joined the Army Service Corps after securing a high rank in CDS 2017 and was the first woman Indian Army officer to serve as aide-de-camp to a state governor. Check the notification for branch-wise eligibility, as some roles and entry routes have their own conditions.

Age limits depend on the entry route and change with each notification. NDA candidates are generally between 16.5 and 19.5 years at the time of the exam. CDS candidates are usually between 19 and 25 years, with variations for specific courses. TES and Short Service Commission entries have their own limits. Always check the official UPSC or joinindianarmy notification for the year you are applying, since limits, attempts and relaxations can change.

Yes. Every entry route includes a detailed medical examination covering height, weight, eyesight, hearing and overall health. Candidates who do not meet the medical standards can be rejected even after clearing the written exam and SSB. Conditions affecting eyesight, joints or some chronic illnesses can affect eligibility. Get an early medical check-up and build fitness through running, swimming and strength work well before the exam.