A Beginner’s Guide to Joining India’s Defence Forces: SSB, NDA, CDS, AFCAT, & More

Joining the Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force as an officer is a path of honor, service, and significant personal growth. For many young Indians, it represents a cherished aspiration, offering a life marked by discipline, courage, and immense pride, along with excellent career progression and benefits.

But you may be wondering, how does one break into the Indian defense forces?

This beginner-friendly guide is designed to help you understand the essential entrance exams and procedures to become an Officer in the Armed Forces. We will walk you through the exam details and selection processes, including the SSB, NDA, CDS, AFCAT, and Territorial Army.

1. National Defence Academy (NDA)
• Brief Overview of the Curriculum:
• Benefits:
• Eligibility Criteria:
2. Combined Defence Services (CDS)
• Brief Overview of the Curriculum:
• Benefits:
• Eligibility Criteria:
3. Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT)
• Brief Overview of Curriculum:
• Benefits:
• Eligibility:
4. Territorial Army (TA)
• Brief Overview Curriculum:
• Benefits
• Eligibility:

• Stages of SSB Interview:
• Essential Preparation Tips

• What Makes Us Unique:

Understanding India’s Defence Officer Entry Exams

India’s officer entry schemes are structured to identify and develop talent for various branches within the Indian defence forces. These include the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Predominantly, entry into the Indian Armed Force is through clearing certain entry examinations, as will be discussed below. The National Defence Academy (NDA) will be the earliest entry into the Indian armed forces with students starting preparation as early as Grade 11. After clearing the entry examinations, students will be called for the SSB Interview.

Major Defence Entry Exams in India

1. National Defence Academy (NDA)
• Conducted by UPSC twice a year, NDA is the earliest gateway for young candidates for the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The examination is aimed at students who have finished schooling. NDA
• 📍 Vacancies Per Intake: Approximately 400 students (Army: ~208, Navy ~42, Air Force ~120 including flying and ground duties)
• Brief Overview of the Curriculum:
• 🔹 General Ability Test (GAT): English, History, Geography, Physics, Chemistry, General Science, and Current Affairs.
• 🔹 Mathematics: Algebra, Vector Algebra, Trigonometry, Matrices & Determinants, Calculus, Statistics & Probability, and Geometry
• Benefits:
• 🔹 Approximate Salary: ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 per month (starting from commissioning as Lieutenant)
• 🔹 Full government-sponsored education and training
• 🔹 Long-term pensionable service and high job security
• Eligibility Criteria:
• 🔹 Age: 16.5 to 19.5 Years
• 🔹 Education: 12th Pass with Science mandatory for Navy & Air Force
• 🔹 Height: Minimum 157 cm (Male), 152 cm (Female); 162.3 cm for Flying Branch
• 🔹 Vision: 6/6 in better eye, 6/9 in worse eye without glasses
• 🔹 Medical: No history of mental breakdown, fits, or physical deformity
2. Combined Defence Services (CDS)
• Conducted by UPSC twice a year, CDS examination is targeted for college/university graduates who are aspiring to become officers in the Indian Armed Forces. The examination serves as a gateway to enter the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA). Both men and women are eligible for the examination.
• 📍 Seats Per Intake: Approximately 300–400 move onto the next round (Varies by academy)
• Brief Overview of the Curriculum:
• 🔹 English: Grammar, Sentence Correction, Vocabulary, etc.
• 🔹 General Knowledge: Current Affairs, Indian History, Geography, Economics, Political Science, Indian History, Environment, General Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology), and defence related questions
• 🔹 Mathematics: Arithmetic, Algebra, Number System, Statistics (Only for IMA, INA, AFA), Trigonometry, Geometry, and Mensuration.
• Benefits:
• 🔹 Approximate Salary: ₹56,100 – ₹2,25,500 per month (based on rank and experience)
• 🔹 Direct Officer entry post-graduation
• 🔹 Opportunity for accelerated promotions and military specialization
• Eligibility Criteria:
• 🔹 Age: 20 to 25 Years
• 🔹 Education: Graduation [Any Stream for Army, Science/Engineering for Navy & Air Force]
• 🔹 Height: Minimum 157 cm (Male), 152 cm (Female)
• 🔹 Vision: 6/6 in better eye, 6/9 in worse eye without glasses
• 🔹 Medical: Mental and physical fitness; Good cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health
3. Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT)
• AFCAT is conducted by the Indian Air Force twice a year and it recruits officers for flying and ground duties. The examination includes entry into separate branches such as flying, technical, and non-technical roles. The specific cutoffs and qualification are dependent on the different branches.
• 📍 Seats Per Intake: Approximately 150–200 move onto the next round
• Brief Overview of the Curriculum:
• 🔹 General Awareness: History, Geography, Sports, Organizations, Art & Culture, Personalities, Environment & Ecology, Indian Polity, Economy, Basic Science Based Knowledge, Science & Technology, Current Affairs, Defence.
• 🔹 English: Comprehension, Detect Error in Sentence, Sentence completion/ Filling in of correct word, Synonym/ Antonym, Cloze Test or Fill in the Gaps in a paragraph, Idioms and Phrases, Analogy, Sentence Rearranging, Substitution in a Sentence/ One Word Substitution.
• 🔹 Numerical Ability: Decimal Fraction, Time and Work, Average/ Percentage, Profit & Loss, Ratio & Proportion, Simple and Compound Interest, Time & Distance and Races (Trains/ Boats & Streams), Area and Perimeter, Probability, Number System & Number Series, Mixture & Allegation Rules, Clocks.
• 🔹 Reasoning, Military Aptitude: Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning
• Benefits:
• 🔹 Approximate Salary: ₹56,100 – ₹2,50,500 per month based on the branch
• 🔹 Prestigious flying career for civilians with postings in high-tech and strategic Air Force roles
• 🔹 Long-term pensionable service, high job security, in-service academic sponsorships and officer perks
• Eligibility:
• 🔹 Age: 20 to 26 (Branch Specific)
• 🔹 Education: Graduation with minimum 60% marks. Science/Engineering required for technical roles
• 🔹 Height: Minimum 162.5 cm (Flying), 157.5 cm (Ground Duty)
• 🔹 Vision: 6/6 in better eye, 6/9 in the other for Flying Branch
• 🔹 Medical: No color blindness, night blindness, or chronic illness; good cardiovascular and neurological health
4. Territorial Army (TA)
• Designed for all graduate students who wish to serve the nation alongside their careers. It offers a unique opportunity to serve in the Indian Army as a part-time volunteer without giving up your primary occupation.
• 📍 Seats Per Intake: Approximately 50–100 students move onto the next stage (Varies on a need basis)
• Brief Overview of the Curriculum:
• 🔹 Reasoning: Arriving at logical conclusion based on simple pattern of numbers, statements, figures, letters etc.
• 🔹 Elementary Mathematics: Arithmetic, Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, Mensuration, Statistics.
• 🔹 General Knowledge: Current Affairs, Indian History, and Geography.
• 🔹 English: Synonyms/Antonyms, Comprehension, Para jumbles, Errors plotting, Sentence correction, and Fill in the blanks.
• Benefits:
• 🔹 Approximate Salary: ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 per month based on the role and duty
• 🔹 Reserve officer status with pay and perks during active duty
• 🔹 Long-term pensionable service and high job security
• Eligibility:
• 🔹 Age: 20 to 42 years
• 🔹 Education: Graduation from any field
• 🔹 Height: Minimum 157 cm (Male), 152 cm (Female)
• 🔹 Medical: Physical and Mental Fitness

SSB Interview

1. SSB Interview
• The SSB Interview is a crucial stage for many of the major examinations mentioned above. It is designed to assess a candidate's personality, psychology, and leadership skills over a rigorous 5-day period.
• Stages of SSB Interview:
1. Screening Test: Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) & Picture Perception & Discussion Test (PPDT).
2. Psychological Tests: Thematic Appreciation Test (TAT), Word Association Test (WAT), Situation Reaction Test (SRT), Self-Description Test (SD).
3. Group Tasks: Discussions, planning exercises, group tasks, and obstacle courses.
4. Personal Interview: Detailed evaluation of personal qualities and ambitions.
5. Conference: Final evaluation by selection board.

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• Essential Preparation Tips
If you are ambitious about joining the Indian Navy, Army, or Air Force, solid preparation is important. It’s not just about passing exams, it’s also about building the right mindset, skills, and habits that can help you excel within the defence forces.


Here are some essential tips to get you started on the right track:




1. Start Early to Build a Strong Foundation

   The earlier you begin, the better. Focus on strengthening your basics in subjects like Mathematics, English, and General Awareness. These are important for most written exams like NDA, CDS, and AFCAT. A good understanding of fundamentals will make advanced preparation much easier.

2. Understand the Exam Pattern In-Depth

   Every defence exam has its own format and focus areas. Get familiar with the structure of the exams you're targeting. Solve previous years’ question papers and take mock tests regularly. This will not only help you improve your speed and accuracy but also build your confidence.

3. Prioritize Your Physical Fitness

   Being physically fit is non-negotiable. Whether it’s for the SSB or the actual service, your fitness levels matter a lot. Start with regular running, strength training, and flexibility exercises. Aim to meet and exceed the fitness standards expected in the forces.

4. Work on Personality Development

   Success in the defence forces isn’t just about academics or fitness. Your personality also plays a huge role, especially during the SSB interview. Focus on improving your communication skills, decision-making ability, and leadership qualities. Reading, public speaking, group discussions, and staying aware of current events can help you grow in these areas.

Why Choose Cavalier India?

Choosing the right academy can make all the difference in your defence journey, and at Cavalier India, we’re committed to helping you succeed. With guidance from highly experienced, retired officers and a structured training system, we don’t just prepare you for exams; we aim to prepare you for a life in the armed forces.

1. What Makes Us Unique:
• Personalized Mentorship: We will provide you with one-on-one guidance from experienced retired officers who truly understand what it takes to succeed in the armed forces.
• Focused SSB and Written Exam Coaching: Our holistic training is specially designed for you to be prepared for defence entry exams, with special attention to both written tests and the SSB interview process.
• Regular Mock Tests with Detailed Feedback: You will practice with realistic mock exams and receive clear, constructive feedback to help you identify areas for improvement and track your progress.
• Supportive & Success-Driven Community: You will become part of a motivated network of fellow aspirants and successful alumni who share your ambition and offer support throughout your journey.
• Comprehensive Development: We focus on building you into a well-rounded candidate through physical training, communication skills development, and overall personality enhancement.