How to become a lieutenant in the Indian Army – The Army assures both, personal and professional growth at all stages of the career. Opportunities to excel through various courses are abundant including opportunities to enhance your educational qualification by availing two years paid study leave. The inherent adventure and extra-curricular activities in the Army ensure an all-round development essential in today’s world. The art of War, Engineering, Administration, Medicine, Human Resource Development and Management; the army teaches you all. Joining the Army is possible, both after finishing school as well as after completing your graduation degree.
Eligibility to become Army Officer
The minimum qualification required to become an army officer is Class 12. The detailed process of becoming an army officer is elaborated below.
National Defence Academy (NDA) Eligibility:
- The candidates who have completed Class 12 can apply for National Defence Academy (NDA).
- The minimum age required to apply for NDA is 16.5 to 19.5 years.
- NDA conducts written exam for the training courses twice a year.
- Candidates who clear the written exam along with physical and medical tests will have to undergo three years of training at NDA, Khadakwasla, Pune and one year at Indian Military Academy, Dehradun.
- After the training, the candidates will receive a B.Sc or B.A degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).
- The candidates will be posted to Indian Armed Forces or Indian Army after the completion of training.
10+2 Technical Entry Scheme (TES) Eligibility:
- Candidates who have completed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics with at least 70% of marks are eligible to apply for Technical Entry Scheme.
- A written exam will be conducted in January and June every year for the TES.
- Candidates who clear the written test will have to undergo one-year training at Officers Training Academy (OTA) and four years at Cadet Training Wings.
- The minimum age required to apply for TES is 16.5 to 19.5 years.
- After the successful completion of training, the candidates will get posting along with a B.Tech degree from JNU.
The official website of Indian Army, i.e., Join Indian Army is the gateway for applying to NDA and 10+2 TES.
Indian Army Ranks
- Lieutenant
- Captain
- Major
- Lt. Colonel
- Colonel
- Brigadier
- Major General
- Lt. General
- General
Indian Army Eligibility for Lieutenant
TGC (Education)
Age – 23 – 27 Years
Qualifications – MA/MSc in 1st or 2nd division
UES
Age – 18-24 Years
Qualifications – Final-year Student of an Engineering Course
TGC
Age – 21-27 Years
Qualifications – BE or B.Tech or B.Arch MSc computer
JAG (Men & Women)
Age – 21-27 Years
Qualifications – Law Graduate with at least 55% marks
National Defence Academy
Age – 16½-19½ Years
Qualifications – 10+2
10+2 Tech
Age – 16½-19½ Years
Qualifications – 10+2 (70% marks with PCM)
Indian Military Academy (Non-Tech)
Age – 19-24 Years
Qualifications – Graduate
Short Sevice Commission (Non-Tech)
Age – 19-25 Years
Qualifications – Graduate
Short Sevice Commission
(Tech Men & Women)
Age – 19-27 Years
Qualifications – BE/BTech stream of Engineering/B.Arch, MSC Computer
NCC Special (Men & Women)
Age – 19-25 Years
Qualifications – 50% aggregate in graduation with an “A” or “B” grade in NCC “C” certificate
Indian Army Salary and Pay Scale
| RANK | PAY BANDS/SCALE | GRADE PAY | MSP |
| LIEUTENANT | PB-3/15,600-39,100 | 5,400 | 6,000 |
| CAPTAIN | PB-3/15,600-39,100 | 6,100 | 6000 |
| MAJOR | PB-3/15,600-39,100 | 6,600 | 6,000 |
| LT COLONEL | PB-4/37,400-67,000 | 8,000 | 6,000 |
| COLONEL | PB-4/37,400-67,000 | 8,700 | 6,000 |
| BRIGADIER | PB-4/37,400-67,000 | 8,900 | NIL |
| MAJOR GENERAL | PB-4/37,400-67,000 | 10,000 | NIL |
| LT GENERAL/HAG SCALE | 67,000-(annual increment @ 3%)- 79,000 | NIL | NIL |
| HAG + Scale * *Admissible to 1/3rd of total strength of Lt Gens | 75,500 – (annual increment @ 3%) – 80,000 | NIL | NIL |
| VCOAS/Army Cdr/Lt Gen (NFSG) | 80,000(fixed) | NIL | NIL |
| COAS | 90,000 (fixed) | NIL | NIL |
Books & Study Material to Become Army Officer
Students can refer to the following books to fare well in NDA exam:
- National Defence Academy Examination Upkar Prakashan
- Pathfinder 2018 For NDA Entrance Examination
- Mathematics for NDA and NA By R S Aggarwal
- Pathfinder for NDA & NA Entrance Examination National Defence Academy/Naval Academy Conducted by UPSC by Arihant Experts
- Compendium General Knowledge 2018 with Latest Facts & Data By Kumar Sundaram
- General Knowledge for useful for SSC NDA, IAS by Rajat Wasan
How to become a lieutenant in the Indian Army – Conclusion
Apart from attractive pay and perks, the Indian Army offers oneself the best in Lifestyle. Social interaction, clubs, sports facilities, medical facilities and ample opportunities, the Army has it all. In fact, you are paid to lead a healthy life in a healthy environment in the Army.