Ways to Join Indian Navy as an Officer

Ways to Join Indian Navy as an Officer

The Indian Navy is a key component of India’s defence system, and it offers excellent opportunities for those who want to serve the country. Joining the Indian Navy as an officer is a dream for many young people, and there are several ways to do so. DefenceAdda tries its best to help individuals in making their dream true to become an officer.

Here are some ways to join the Indian Navy as an officer:

1. UPSC Entries

Given below are the UPSC entries to join the Indian Navy –

(i) Combined Defence Services Examination (CDSE)
(ii) National Defence Academy (Navy)
(iii) National Defence Academy (Naval Academy)
(iv) NCC

2. Direct Entry: Permanent Commission for Undergraduate Level Entry

Given below is the direct entry to join the Indian Navy –

(i) 10+2(B.Tech)

3. Direct Entry: Permanent Commission for Graduate Level Entries

Given below is the direct entry to Indian Navy –

(i) Sports
(ii) Musician
(iii) Law

4. Indian Navy Entry Test (INET): Permanent Commission/ Short Service Commission for Graduate for graduate level entries

Indian Navy Entrance Test (INET) is the officers’ entry under the control of IHQ MoD (Navy)/ DMPR and caters for both Permanent Commission (PC) and Short Service Commission (SSC). The INET is conducted twice a year.

(i)       Pilot (MR)  – for men and women
(ii)      Pilot (NMR) – for men only
(iii)     Naval Air Operations – for men and women
(iv)     Air Traffic Contro (ATC) – for men and women
(v)      General Service –  Executive (GS/X)/
(vi)     Hydro– for men only
(vii)    General Service (Technical – Electrical & Engineering)
(viii)    Naval Architect- for men and women
(ix)     Information Technology– for men and women
(x)      Logistics- for men and women
(xi)     Education- for men and women
(xii)    Naval Armament Inspectorate Cadre (NAIC) – for men and women

National Defence Academy (Navy) & National Defence Academy (Naval Academy)

The administration of this process is under the control of UPSC, with IHQ MoD (Army)/ADG (Recruiting) serving as the nodal agency. It involves a written examination conducted by UPSC, followed by an SSB interview and a medical test conducted by the Indian Navy (only for Naval candidates). The final merit list is prepared by UPSC. The appointment letters for NDA (Navy and Naval Academy) are issued by IHQ MoD (Army)/ADG (Recruiting) and IHQ MoD/DMPR, respectively. The training for officers selected through this process begins in January/July each year. The advertisement for this entry is published in June/December. The tentative examination schedule for the NDA entry is as follows:

Combined Defence Services Exam (CDSE)

This particular selection process also includes a written examination conducted by UPSC, followed by an SSB interview and a medical test administered by the Indian Navy (for Naval candidates only). The final merit list is prepared by UPSC. The appointment letter is issued by IHQ MoD/DMPR. Training for the officers selected through this entry begins in January/July, and the advertisement is typically published in November/July. The tentative examination schedule for the CDS entry is as follows:

NCC Entry

The vacancies for B.E./B. Tech degree holders with NCC ‘C’ certificate in the Naval Wing Senior Division are announced alongside the CDSE (Combined Defence Services Examination) advertisement. There is no written test conducted for this entry. Eligible candidates are required to submit their applications directly to IHQ MoD (N)/DMPR through DGNCC (Directorate General National Cadet Corps).

The candidates are then selected for the SSB (Services Selection Board) interview. Following the SSB interview, the candidates undergo a medical examination, and if found medically fit, they are inducted into the Indian Navy based on All India Merit. The training for officers selected through this entry generally begins in January/July each year.

Direct Entry: Permanent Commission For Undergraduate Level Entry: 10+2(B.Tech)

Candidates who have passed their 12th standard with a minimum of 70% in PCM (Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics) and a minimum of 50% in English in either 10th or 12th standard are eligible to apply for the IN officers’ entry, specifically the 10+2 (B.Tech) entry. Starting from January 17th, it has been made mandatory to have a JEE (Mains) rank to apply for the 10+2 (B.Tech) entry.

This entry is available twice a year for the Spring Term and Autumn Terms. NHQ (Naval Headquarters) prepares and releases advertisements in Employment News and other important newspapers, inviting applications 6-8 months prior to the commencement of the course.

Upon receiving applications, candidates are shortlisted for the SSB (Services Selection Board) based on their JEE (Main) All India Rank (AIR) for the BE/B.Tech curriculum. The JEE (Main) rank is valid for one year from the date of declaration by CBSE/NTA (Central Board of Secondary Education/National Testing Agency). Once all the SSB interviews are completed, a merit list is prepared for all qualified candidates, and appointments are made based on merit and the number of vacancies available.

Direct Entry: Permanent Commission For Graduate-Level Entries

The Direct entries for both Permanent Commission (PC) and Short Service Commission in the Indian Navy are administered by IHQ-MoD(Navy)/DMPR. Eligible unmarried candidates are invited to apply for these entries through advertisements published in leading newspapers and Employment News, based on the availability of vacancies. Upon receiving applications, a preliminary scanning of candidates is conducted at IHQ-MoD(Navy) to assess their professional abilities, specifically for Musician and Sports entries.

Successful candidates are then selected for SSB (Services Selection Board) interviews, which are conducted at various locations such as Bangalore, Bhopal, Coimbatore, Vizag, and Kolkata. The SSB-qualified candidates undergo a medical examination, and if they are found medically fit, they are inducted into the Indian Navy based on All India Merit.

The training for candidates selected through these entries generally starts in the months of January and July.

Joining the Indian Navy as an officer is a challenging and fulfilling career. Candidates who want to serve the country can explore various entry schemes such as NDA, NAE, direct entry, UES, SSC, and WES to join the Indian Navy as an officer. Candidates must meet the eligibility criteria and clear the selection process to serve the Indian Navy with honour and pride.