Education and Career Forum

My name is Lijo Jose. my age is 20. after my HSC I wanted to join in army, but coz of family I couldn't finish my studies so had 3yrs of gap. Hopefully I'm giving my HSC this year. I want to join army in good postion.. as a captain etc. so I need instruction what should I do after completing my HSC means like an cource or futher studies.. & after done with all my studies will my age matter to join as a captain or in any other post?

The very first thing I would like to let you know is that you cannot join Indian Army directly as a Captain as the highest commission officer post at which one can join Indian Army is Lieutenant. After joining as a lieutenant you will be promoted to the rank of Captain after a few years on your satisfactory performance in the service.

Further, to become a lieutenant in Indian Army after completing Class 12th in Commerce stream, you are required to qualify the NDA (National Defense Academy) examination.

Apart from the educational qualification, your age needs to lie between 16.5 years to 19.5 years and also you need to hold physical fitness as per the service requirement norms.

Apart from the NDA examination, you will have the option of joining the Indian Army as a lieutenant after completing your graduation degree course for which you will be required to qualify the CDS (Combined Defense Services) examination. Also, for appearing in the CDS examination to join Indian Army, your age must lie between 20 years to 25 years.

Both these examinations are conducted by UPSC twice every year and for detailed information regarding these examinations, you can refer to the link www.upsc.gov.in.

So, being 20 years old the best option for you to join Indian Army as a lieutenant is through the CDS examination as your age will not permit you to do Class 12th once again and pursue graduation after that.