How To Join Indian Armed Forces Post-Graduation For Women

Females who wish to join Indian Armed Forces have various options in front of them. Not only can they join the military, but many wings offer combat positions to women in the armed forces. Now women are seen in all the armed forces, enjoying equal rights and status as men.

Females can join the armed forces either as an officer or a soldier. Every year numerous vacancies are announced for women to join the Indian Army, Airforce, and Navy. If you are looking to join one of these posts after your postgraduation, here are the details:

Indian Army

Women who want to be a part of the Indian Army can do so for 14 years under the Short Service Commission scheme. The different routes through which females can join the Army are:

1. SSCW Non-Tech

The candidates with a non-engineering background, Short Service Commission (non-technical) is one route for entry into the armed forces. Candidates have to clear a written exam administered by the UPSC twice a year in February and September. Candidates can check the merit list of this exam through Sarkari Result. The Indian Army appoints 12 female aspirants as officers through this exam. The Service Selection Board (SSB) invites those candidates for an interview, that have cleared the exam.

Eligibility Criteria

● Females applicants should be unmarried.

● Candidates should be between 19 to 25 years of age.

● They should also have a graduation/postgraduation in any discipline from an acknowledged university.

2. SSCW (NCC)

The National Cadet Corps, or NCC, is a youth development organization that offers basic military training to young candidates. Through this path, the female candidates who had been active volunteers in the NCC can join the Indian Army. There is no written assessment for this scheme, and the Indian Army recruits 8 unmarried female NCC volunteers who have two years of service in the NCC.

Eligibility Criteria

● Females candidates between 19 to 25 years are eligible.

● Candidates should have 50 percent marks in graduation.

3. SSCW (JAG)

Under the Judge Advocate General (JAG) branch, female officers are enrolled in the Indian Army to handle lawful procedures. This is a very appropriate job for women, along with other prestigious Government Jobs. This scheme is specifically for law graduates, and every year, the Indian Army selects eight female candidates via the JAG entrance process. There is no written exam for JAG entry, and the nominated candidates are called for an SSB interview.

Eligibility Criteria

● Female candidates should be between 21 to 27 years of age.

● Candidates should have a minimum of 55 percent marks in LLB.

● Aspirants should also be registered with the Indian or State Bar Council.

4. SSC Tech

Females who have a graduate degree in any Engineering course can apply for Short Service Commission (Technical). There is no written exam, and candidates are selected exclusively based on merit.

Eligibility Criteria

● Only unmarried candidates can apply.

● Female candidates should be between 20 to 27 years.

Indian Air Force

Females can join the IAF either through AFCAT or non-AFCAT (meteorology) paths. The details are below:

● AFCAT Entries

Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) is the exam through which candidates can enter the Indian Air Force. This exam is held two times a year. It is a written examination, and the candidates who clear it are called for an SSB interview. Female candidates can choose the following branches through this exam:

A. Flying Branch

Females between the age of 19 to 23 years can apply for this branch. Female candidates are eligible to fly cargo planes or helicopters but not fighting planes. Candidates should have a Bachelor’s degree in any field or a B.tech. Degree with at least 60 percent marks. Also, candidates should have a minimum of 60 percent marks in Maths and Physics in their 12th standard.

B. Technical Branch

The IAF hires experts and competent engineers to provide technical support. Candidates are hired based on the AFCAT exam. There are two types of services under this branch:

Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical): there are two types of requirements, and the candidate needs to fill any of them to become eligible:

● A four-year degree program with a minimum of 60 percent marks and qualification in at least eight of the eighteen subjects.

● The candidates should have passed sections A and B of the Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers or Aeronautical Society of India in the regular courses.

Aeronautical Engineer (Electrical): candidates have to meet one of the criteria:

● A four-year degree from an acknowledged university with at least 60 percent marks in at least eight courses as specified in the announcement.

● Cleared Section A and B exam of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers, Aeronautical Society of India, or Graduate membership examination of the Institute of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers in normal courses.

C. Ground Duty (Non-Technical Branch)

The requirements for this category are different for graduates it is 20 to 23 years, for Post Graduates, 20 to 25 years, for LLB is 20 to 26 years, and for M.Ed/Ph.D./ CA is 20 to 27 years. There are five types of jobs that come under this category:

I. Administration: Under this category, candidates have the roles of air traffic controller, fighter controller, etc. Candidates should have a graduate degree from any recognized university with at least 60 percent marks. If not, the candidate must have scored at least 60 percent marks in sections A and B of the Associate Membership of the Institution of Engineers (India) or the Aeronautical Society of India examination.

II. Accounts: candidates with B.com Degree and 60 percent marks are eligible. Also, candidates with a postgraduate degree/ diploma in Commerce (M.Com) / CA / ICWA with at least 50 percent marks are qualified.

III. Logistics: candidates should have a graduate degree in any subject with at least 60 percent marks or have cleared sections A and B of the Associate Membership of the Institution of Engineers (India) or the Aeronautical Society of India with a minimum of 60 percent aggregate.

IV. Education: candidates should be postgraduate in any subject with a minimum of 60 percent marks.

V. Meteorology: candidates should have a postgraduate degree in any science field / Maths / Statistics / Geography / CS / EVS / Physics / Geo-physics, etc. with at least 50 percent marks. They should also have 55 percent marks in Maths and Physics during graduation.

Indian Navy

Women are enlisted in the Indian Navy on Short Service Commission. Applications for each position are solicited twice a year in influential newspapers. Following are the opportunities for females under Navy:

I. Air Traffic Control Officer (ATC): candidates should be between 19-25 years of age and have cleared B.E/ B.Tech with a minimum of 60 percent marks from an acknowledged university. They should also have Physics and Maths in their 12th standard.

II. Observer: An observer is in charge of the ship’s sonics, radars, sonars, and communication systems. Candidates should be between 19-25 years of age and have cleared B.E/ B.Tech with a minimum of 55 percent marks. They should also have Physics and Maths in their 12th standard.

III. Law: candidates should be between 22 to 27 years of age. They should have a graduate degree in law with at least 55 percent marks.

IV. Logistics: there are numerous categories in this branch, and for each unit, the age limit is 19.5 to 25 years.

− Logistics Cadre: BE/ B.tech in any subject with 1st class or MBA with 1st class or B.Sc/ BCom/ B Sc (IT) with 1st class and postgraduate Diploma in Finance/ Logistics/ Supply Chain Management/ Material Management or MCA/ MSc (IT) with 1st class.

− Works: applicants should have B.E or B.Tech (Civil Engineering) or B.Arch degree.

− Catering: applicants should have a postgraduate degree in M.Sc (Hotel Management)/ MBA (Hotel Management)/ B.Sc with 1st Class and postgraduate Diploma in Hotel Management.