Indian Army as a career option

    23-Jan-2022
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Ranjan K Baruah
The Indian army is one of the largest forces in the world. Career in the Indian army is thrilling, challenging as well as well paid. The Indian Army needs people who can do everything, including ready to sacrifice life. There are many ways to join the Indian Army. One may join as an officer as well as one may join as a soldier. Opportunities are for both male and female and females are also encouraged to join the army through different entry schemes. The distinguished history of the Indian Army dates back more than ten thousand years. The two grand epics of ‘Ramayana’ and ‘Mahabharata’ constitute the fundamental framework around which the edifice of the Indian Army is built.
When it comes to rank then it starts from Lieutenant to the General. The ranks of the officers in descending order are General, Lt General, Major General, Brigadier, Colonel,  Lt Colonel, Major, Captain and Lieutenant. We are also familiar with other ranks for which one may be joined through soldier entry and the ranks in descending order are Subedar Major, Subedar, Naib Subedar, Havildar, Naik, Sepoy. The recruitment process is different for soldier entry and officers entry .
An officer in the Indian Army inherits glorious heritage and lasting traditions, blended perfectly with the latest advances in technology in the fields of armament, management, engineering and medical sciences. It offers a golden opportunity to be a part of the world's finest Army and get trained not only to be an Officer but also a Gentleman for life.
The best way to join the Indian Army is through the National Defence Academy for which aspirants must pass the NDA Exam and then clear health examination and interview. Aspirants may also join through Indian Military Academy for which minimum qualification is graduation in any discipline. Other entry schemes includes University Entry Schemes, JAG for law graduates and lawyers, short service commission technical or non technical , NCC special entry for which Graduate with 50% aggregate and "A" or "B" grade in NCC "C" certificate in mandatory, nurses can join through Military Nursing Services.
As only few get the opportunity to become officers in the army so one must prepare well from an early stage to crack the entrance and qualify in other selections like interview and physical fitness test. One must be much focused and work hard to get into the army as an officer. Not only male but female can also become officers as there are opportunities for them too. One must possess officers like quality to become officers in the army.
All those who are aspiring to be in the Indian army as an officer must remember that they must be physically fit, mentally alert, emotionally stable and socially active to be successful in the army. The Indian Army promises both professional and personal growth at every stage of the career. Opportunities to excel through various courses are abundant including opportunities to enhance an aspirant's educational qualification by availing two years paid study leave. The inherent adventure and extra-curricular activities in the Army ensure an all round development essential in today's world. Art of War-Engineering-Medicine-Administration-Human Resource Development and Management; the army teaches all. We shall write more about the Indian Army in forthcoming editions. I have taken information from the website of the Indian Army while compiling this article.