Are You Fascinated by Life in the Army? Want to Join the Indian Army? Know about
Careers in Defence, Job Prospects and Opportunities.
Indian Army, esteemed as the second largest army in the world
with an enormous workforce of around a million, is revered as one of the oldest
army force ever. Though it is not very popular professional option amongst the urban
youth, career in Indian army is as satisfying as it is challenging.
Internationally, career in Indian army is admired as a force to reckon with. The
professional scenario unfolds like this - As a commissioned army officer, one is
posted alternatively to ‘field areas’ (LOC, border or high altitude areas) and ‘peace
areas’ (for advanced/ upgrade training). Postings are also given abroad for serving
in the UN Mission or working in embassies in the field of defence or for training
and instructional purposes. Army has given vast defence job and opportunities.
The army comprises of three basic categories – Fighting Arms; Non-Fighting/
Supportive Arms; and Services/ Logistics
- 1.The
‘Fighting Arms’ category includes units like
- Infantry (first line of defence, face to face combat with enemy).
- Armoured (mobility, armoured protection and extended fire range of tanks).
- Artillery (providing fire power from an extended range of 18 to 30 km away from
the enemy).
- Mechanised Infantry (a mobile column of infantry, inherent with armoured protection).
- Air Defence Artillery or Army Air Defence (ground to air warfare).
- Engineer Wing (encompassing the role of bridge-laying, minefields’ laying and breaching
and demolition of military targets).
- 2.The
‘Non-Fighting or Supportive’ category comprises of
- Electronics and Mechanical Engineering Corp. (repair and maintenance of army transport
and equipment).
- Army Education Corp. (providing education to troops via workshops, etc.).
- Army Intelligence Corp. (intelligence gathering); and Signals (establishment and
maintenance of communication).
- 3.The
‘Service/ Logistics’ category comprises of
- Army Ordinance Corp. (equipment and ammunition supply).
- Army Services Corp. (rations, fuel, transport).
The time-based rank structure in the army starts with the level of Lieutenant (for
two years), followed by Captain (for the next four years), then Major (for the next
seven years) and finally Lieutenant Colonel (after a total of thirteen years of
service). Here on, promotions are selection based and one attains the rank of Colonel,
Brigadier, Major General, Lieutenant General and finally, General (the Chief of
the Army Staff).
A few professional exclusives that the army offers include the power of ‘command
and responsibility’ - one is responsible for the lives of men under his/her command;
‘espirit de corps’ - the camaraderie which develops in the face of danger, incomprehensible
in normal circumstances or jobs and social respectability - the instinctive deference
that an officer evokes from society.
With an approximate fifty thousand officers currently in employment, the army is
facing a shortage of nearly fifteen thousand officers. This is not due to lack of
applicants, but because of the army’s unwillingness to compromise in terms of quality
or standards of personnel.
To become a commissioned army officer, one can opt for Permanent Commission (a twenty-year
commitment). After passing 12th, one is eligible to enter this field through NDA
(National Defence Academy) or one may also complete his graduation and enter the
field through IMA (Indian Military Academy, Dehradun). Alternatively, one can even
choose the Short Service Commission (a five-year commitment), at the end of which
one can either decide to go for Permanent Commission or get an extension or leave.
Women are also enrolled under this commission and trained at the Officers Training
Academy in Chennai. They are not enrolled in the Fighting Arms category.
The career in Indian army is also involved in
various welfare activities that contribute towards improvement of infrastructure
and basic amenities in hazardous and insurgency-prone areas like starting schools,
adopting villages, providing basic amenities like water, clothes, financial aid,
jobs, food, etc. It also provides resettlement schemes via post-retirement courses
to help get employment in the civil arena.
Remuneration:
- Lieutenant: 8,250/month, plus 300/year to 10,050.
- Captain: 9,600/month, plus 300/year to 11,400.
- Major: 11,600/month, plus 325/year to 14,850.
- Lt. Colonel: 13,500/month, plus 400/year to 17,100.
- Colonel: 15,100/month; plus 450/year to 17,350.
- Brigadier: 16,700/month, plus 450/year to 18,050.
- Major General: 18,400/month, plus 500/year to 22,400.
- Lt. General: 22,400/month, plus 525/year to 24,500.
- The Vice Chief of Staff receives 26,000 per month, and the Chief of Staff gets 30,000
per month.
