The Indian Army

The Indian Army is the world's second largest army in terms of military personnel. The basic responsibility of the Army is to safeguard the territorial integrity of the nation against external aggression. In addition, the Army is often required to assist the civil administration during internal security disturbances and in the maintenance of law and order, in organising relief operations during natural calamities like floods, earthquakes and cyclones and in the maintenance of essential services.

Indian Army is one of the finest armies in the world. Modernisation and upgradation of Army is a continuous process to keep the Armed Forces ready to meet any challenge of tomorrow. It is based on five year plans. Focus and core areas of modernisation have been:-

* Improvement in the Fire Power and increased Mobility
* All Weather Battle Field Surveillance capability
* Night Fighting capabilities
* Enhance capability of Special Forces
* Capability for Network Centric Warfare
* NBC Protection

The main focus for the Artillery is to acquire heavy calibre Guns with enhance ranges with better fire power mobility. Acquisition of additional Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Night Vision Surveillance Devices by Artillery will enhance the Surveillance and Target Acquisition capability.

The combat potential of Infantry and Rashtriya Rifles is being comprehensively transformed through a quantum enhancement of surveillance, firepower, protection, communication and mobility requirements. In pursuit of modernisation, the Infantry Battalions are being provided state-of-the-art weapon systems of greater lethality, range and precision, thermal imaging devices, bullet and mine proof vehicles and secure radio communications.
Recruitment in Indian Army

Apart from the UPSC entries, the commissioned officers are recruited in the army through the following Non-UPSC entries:-

* University Entry Scheme (UES) : Final/pre-final year students in the notified engineering disciplines are eligible to apply for Permanent Commission in the Technical Arms of the Army as Commissioned Officers under the UES. Eligible candidates are selected through a campus interview by the Screening Teams deputed by the Army Headquarters. These candidates are required to appear before SSB and Medical Board.
* Technical Graduates Course (TGC) : Engineering graduates/post graduates from notified disciplines of engineering are eligible to apply for Permanent Commission through this entry. After the SSB and the Medical Board, the selected candidates are required to undergo one year pre-commission training at the IMA, Dehradun.
* Short Service Commission (Technical Entry) : The Short Service Commission (Technical) Entry Scheme provides avenue for recruitment to eligible technical graduates/post graduates into Technical Arms. After SSB and Medical Board, the selected candidates are required to undergo approximately 11 months pre-commission training at OTA, Chennai.
* 10+2 Technical Entry Scheme (TES) : Candidates who have qualified 10+2 CBSE/ICSE/State Board Examination with minimum aggregate of 70% marks in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics are eligible to apply for commission under the 10+2 TES.
* Women's Special Entry Scheme Officers (WSES-O) : Eligible women candidates are recruited in the Army as Short Service Commissioned Officers through the (WSESO). Commission is granted in Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers, Signals, Army Education Corps, Army Ordinance Corps, Army Supply Corps, Military Intelligence Corps, Judge Advocate General's Branch and Army Air Defence.
* NCC (Special) Entry Scheme : University graduates possessing NCC 'C' Certificate with minimum 'B' grade and 50% marks in graduation examination are eligible to apply for Short Service Commission through this entry. Such cadets are exempted from written examination conducted by the UPSC and are directly put through the SSB interview followed by a medical board.
* Recruitment of Personnel below Officer Rank (PBOR) : Recruitment of PBOR in the Army is carried out through open rallies. After the preliminary screening of aspiring candidates at rally site followed by document checking and physical fitness test their medical examination is conducted by Recruiting Medical Officers at the rally site.

This is followed by a written examination for the medically fit candidates. Successful candidates are sent to respective training centres for training. There are eleven Zonal Recruiting Offices, two Gorkha Recruiting Depots and one Independent Recruiting Office in addition to 47 Regimental Centres which carry out recruitment through rallies in their respective areas of jurisdiction.

Source: National Portal Content Management Team, Reviewed on: 31-03-2009