It is highly prestigious for an individual to serve the nation by being part of the Indian Armed Forces. More than 5 lakhs students appear every year for various exams conducted by the UPSC to join the most coveted and respectable jobs in India. Through these defence exams, the candidates are selected for Indian Defence Academies like Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala, Air Force Academy (AFA), Dundigal, Officer’s Trainer Academy (OTA) in Chennai and Gaya, etc.

1. UPSC NDA & NA

National Defence Academy and Naval Academy (NDA & NA) exam is held twice in a year for the students appearing in the 12th board exam or have completed the intermediate level. An offline exam is conducted followed by an SSB interview; after successfully clearing these two stages the candidates undergo a three-year course in NDA, Khadakwasala.

2. UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services)

The Union Public Service Commission conducts graduate level CDS exam twice in a year. The candidates become officers in the defence services after qualifying offline exam and SSB interview. Female candidates can apply for OTA only (Short Service Commission).

3. UPSC CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces)

UPSC conducts graduate level CAPF exam to recruit the candidates for various paramilitary forces like Border Security Force (BSF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). A written exam, a physical efficiency test or medical fitness test and an interview need to be qualified by the candidate to become part of one of the paramilitary forces.

4. AFCAT (Air Force Common Admission Test)

AFCAT is held two times in a year to recruit candidates for posts like Flying Branch, Ground Duty (Technical and Non- Technical), etc. Indian Air Force is responsible for conducting a graduate-level AFCAT exam. The candidates must get minimum qualifying marks in the online written exam and Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT) (Only for Ground Duty-Technical post).

5. Indian Air Force (IAF) Group X & Y

The 10+2 level exam is held every year for the selection as Airmen in Group X & Y, which is conducted by Indian Air Force.

6. Indian Coast Guard (ICG)

A graduate-level exam for the post of Indian Coast Guard Assistant Commandant is conducted in two stages- Written exam and Interview.

1) Can I join the Indian Army after ITI?

Answer: Yes, candidates with 12th/ ITI/ Diploma/ Graduation/ B. Sc Can Apply for Indian Army Jobs.

2) What are the exams to join the Indian Army?

Answer: NDA, CDS, AFCAT are the exams conducted yearly for youths to join the Indian Army.

3) Which website is the best for defence exam preparation?

Answer: You must try Gradeup to prepare for defence exams with expert mentors, exclusive study material, thousands of questions to practice and prepare for the exam.