If you want to pursue your career as a Permanent Commissioned Officer in Army, Navy or Air Force then you have to pass entrance exams of National Defense Academy (NDA) or Combined Defence Services Examinations (CDSE) conducted by Union Public Service Commission annually two times as NDA-I &II and CDSE-I & II. The basic difference is that NDA exams is held at the 10+2 Level and CDSE Exams is held at the Graduate Level.
After passing NDA Exams, you are selected for study and training at NDA Khadakvasla, Pune; and Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala, Kerala. After completion of the courses you get commissioned in Army, Navy or Air Force. After passing CDSE exams you get entry at Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, Indian Naval Academy, Indian Air Force Academy, Officers Training Academy, Chennai as per your choice and rank. After completing training and courses you get commissioned into the Army, Navy or Air Force. Qualifications for both Exams in detail are as follows ;
QUALFIFICATIONS FOR THE NATIONAL DEFENCE ACACEMY
(i) For Army Wing of National Defence Academy :—12th Class pass of the 10+2 pattern of School Education or equivalent examination conducted by a State Education Board or a University.
(ii) For Air Force and Naval Wings of National Defence Academy and for the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme at the Indian Naval Academy :—12th Class pass with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics of the 10+2 pattern of School Education or equivalent conducted by a State Education Board or a University.
Candidates who are appearing in the 12th Class under the 10+2 pattern of School Education or equivalent examination can also apply for this examination. Candidates appearing in the 11th class exam are not eligible for this examination. Candidates who are debarred by the Ministry of Defence from holding any type of Commission in the Defence Services shall not be eligible for admission to the examination and if admitted, their candidature will be cancelled. Those candidates, who have failed CPSS/PABT earlier, are now eligible for Air Force in Ground Duty branches if they fill their willingness in the Online Application Form available at the Commission’s website.
QUALIFICATION FOR COMBINED DEFENCE SERVICES EXAMINATIONS
(i) For I.M.A. and Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai — Degree of a recognized University or equivalent.
(ii) For Indian Naval Academy—Degree in Engineering from a recognized University/Institution.
(iii) For Air Force Academy—Degree of a recognized University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or Bachelor of Engineering. Graduates with first choice as Army/Navy/Air Force are to submit proof of Graduation/provisional certificates on the date of commencement of the SSB Interview at the SSB.
Candidates who are studying in the final year/semester Degree course and have yet to pass the final year degree examination can also apply provided candidate should not have any present backlog upto the last semester / year for which results have been declared upto the time of submission of application and they will be required to submit proof of passing the degree examination.
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