#CareerBytes: How to join Indian Air Force, Navy after Class-12?
What's the story
Millions of youngsters dream to join the defense forces and get an opportunity to serve the country, living a life filled with glory and pride. Aspirants can fulfill their dream even after Class-12 without waiting to get a bachelor's degree. The Air Force and Navy are popular as they offer ample opportunities and a challenging career. Here's all you need to know about it.
The NDA Route
Students can join NDA to get into Air Force, Navy
After 12th, students wishing to join the Air Force or the Navy can get into the National Defense Academy (NDA), the Indian Armed Forces' Joint Services academy. They need to appear for and get selected in the NDA & NA (Naval Academy) Examination conducted by UPSC to join NDA. Only boys aged between 16-and-a-half and 19 years are eligible to apply for the exam.
Two Exams
NDA & NA Examination held twice a year
The National Defense Academy (NDA) & Naval Academy (NA) Exam is conducted twice by UPSC in a year across all major Indian cities. NDA & NA Exam-1 is conducted around March-April and the NDA & NA Exam-2, around August-September. This year, the second NDA & NA Exam will be conducted on September 9. Applications begin on June 6 and close on July 2.
Eligibility (NDA)
Eligibility criteria for NDA & NA Exam
Students wishing to take the NDA & NA Exam must be Indian nationals; subjects of Nepal and Bhutan and Tibetan refugees who have migrated to India before 1 January 1962 for permanently settling in the country are also eligible. Aspirants must have passed 10+2 in science stream with Physics and Mathematics. Those appearing for Class-12 are also eligible to apply for the two-stage exam.
Details
Other details about the NDA & NA Examination
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is in charge of organizing and conducting the NDA & NA Exams every year. Students appearing for the exam are selected for various posts in the Indian Armed Forces. Those who qualify in the written NDA & NA Exam are called for the SSB (Services Selection Board) interview. After both, students get selected for training under NDA.
Training
What happens after students get selected in NDA exam?
Students who clear NDA & NA Exam and SSB interview complete three-year joint-training at NDA in Khadakwasla near Pune. They pursue BA/BSc/Bachelor of Computer Science and receive degrees from Jawaharlal Nehru University. After three years, Air Force cadets are sent for one-year training to Air Force Academy at Hyderabad's Dundigal and Naval cadets to Indian Naval Academy in Kerala's Ezhimala, before granting of commission.
Naval BTech Entry
Aspirants have a second way to join Navy after 12th
Navy's 10+2 BTech Cadet Entry allows students to join Indian Naval Academy to pursue four-year BTech (JNU degree) in Electronics & Communication Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Naval Architecture. Only male candidates aged between 17 and 19-and-a-half years can apply. Selection is based on JEE-Main score. Students must have passed 10+2 with 70% minimum aggregate in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and 50% in English (Class 10/12).