The Indian Army is the fourth strongest army in the world, and working in the Indian army is considered extremely prestigious. Basically, the officers working for the Indian Army are divided into commissioned and non-commissioned officers. Lieutenant officers in the Indian army fall under the category of commissioned officers. A Lieutenant is the lowest-ranking or starting ranking officer in the Indian Army. A Lieutenant is in charge of a unit of 40 to 60 subordinates or soldiers who report directly to him.
Working in the Indian Army is not only prestigious but also a source of pride since they will be serving the country. Also, people who are working as lieutenants will not only be offered a huge salary but also lucrative allowances such as health insurance, accommodation, transport waivers, PF, and many others. Knowing all this, any Indian would wish to join the Indian Army. And to help you with it, here is a detailed page that explains how to become a lieutenant in the Indian Army, along with a job profile. Read further to find out more.
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How to Become a Lieutenant in the Indian Army?
There are multiple ways through which you can join the Indian Army as a Lieutenant. A few methods which you can follow to become a lieutenant in the Indian Army are explained below.
1. Register for the UPSC Exam and Join NDA
One of the easiest ways to become a lieutenant in the Indian Army is to crack the UPSC NDA exam and join the NDA program.
- The officials of UPSC will release the NDA notification, usually in the months of June and November. Those candidates who wish to join the NDA will have to appear in the entrance exam conducted by the UPSC officials.
- The NDA entrance exam will consist of two papers: mathematics and a general ability test. Those candidates who clear the written test will have to appear in the Services Selection Board Interview (SSB), where the candidate’s psychological aptitude and general intelligence skills will be evaluated.
- Those candidates who have cleared both rounds of interviews will be eligible to join the NDA. Along with cracking the entrance exam, candidates will also have to meet the other eligibility criteria, such as age limit, physical and medical requirements.
- Once you are selected for the NDA, you will undergo a 3-year programme. Candidates go through integrated training for the first two and a half years. The final six months of training are dedicated to the specific service you have chosen. If you join the Indian army, you will get the basic physical, mental, and endurance training that an army officer requires.
- After three years, you will get a BA or BSc degree and be directed to attend IMA for one year of additional training. After finishing the course, you are given a permanent commission and commissioned as a lieutenant.
2. University Entry Scheme for Engineering Students
If you are an engineering aspirant and want to join the Indian army as a lieutenant, then you can achieve the same through a university entry scheme.
Eligibility Criteria for University Entry Schemes
The eligibility criteria for the university entry scheme to join the Indian army is as follows:
- Candidates who are in their third year of engineering must be between 18 and 24 years of age. Candidates studying in the fourth year of engineering must be between 19 and 25 years of age.
Selection Process under the University Entry Scheme
There is no written examination under the university entry scheme. The UES recruitment notification is usually released in the month of May every year. Those candidates who filled out the application form will go through the initial screening. Once application screening is done, candidates will be called for an SSB interview.
Candidates who are selected in the SSB interview will be called for a medical examination. Based on the interview and medical examination, the officials will release the merit list. Candidates whose names are present in the merit list will have to undergo a one-year training programme at IMA. Post the completion of training, the aspirants will be permanently commisioned under the rank of lieutenant in the Indian army.
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3. Appear for CDS Exam to Become a Lieutenant
If you have just completed your graduation and have decided to join the Indian Army as a lieutenant, then this path is best for you. You can simply appear for the CDS exam, attend the IMA training, and become a lieutenant.
- The CDS exam is an offline exam that is conducted by the officials of UPSC. In the CDS exam, only objective types of questions will be asked. The English and elementary mathematics subjects will be tested in the CDS exam.
- Candidates who clear the CDS exam will be called for an SSB interview.
- If you are selected in the SSB interview, then you will have to undergo a medical examination. Once you are successful at this step, you will need to attend IMA training.
- Completing the IMA training will enable you to join the Indian army as a lieutenant.
Note: Apart from the IMA, you can also choose the Officers Training Academy (OTA) exam. The key differences between OTA and IMA are as follows:
If you pass the CDS IMA exam, you will receive 18 months of training in different factors of war, weaponry, and leadership. You are given a permanent commission as a lieutenant after successfully completing IMA training.
If you pass the CDS OTA exam, you will receive 49 weeks of training in many disciplines of war, weapons, and leadership. You will be given a short service commission as a lieutenant after successfully completing the OTA training.
4. Become a Lieutenant by Taking a Technical Graduate Course
Engineering aspirants who wish to join the Indian Army as lieutenants can opt for this method. Usually, the officials will release the notification for the Technical Graduate Course in the month of May or November. The eligibility criteria to become a lieutenant in the Indian army are explained below.
- The candidate should be an unmarried male.
- The candidate’s age limit should be between at 20 to 27 years of age.
- Candidates who are studying in their final year or have completed their degree can also apply for the technical graduate course.
Candidates will be invited to the SSB interview based on the results of the application screening. Candidates cracking the SSB interview will have to meet all the medical requirements in the medical examination.
Candidates who are selected in TGC recruitment will have to undergo 1 year of IMA training and, post the completion of the training, they can join the Indian Army as Lieutenants.
5. Technical Entry Scheme to Join the Indian Army as a Lieutenant
Candidates who have cleared their Class 10+2 or equivalency exam can apply for the Technical Entry Scheme and join the Indian Army as a lieutenant.
Every year, the Indian Army issues notifications for the TES course in May or June and October or November. Male students between the ages of 16.5 and 19.5 who scored 70% or higher in the science stream in their 10+2 exams are eligible to apply for TES. There is no written exam for TES admission, and candidates are chosen solely on the basis of their merit.
Students can undergo a five-day SSB interview and medical test if they pass the initial screening. If candidates pass all of the stages and are chosen, they will be directed to attend the Officers’ Training Academy in Gaya for a year of basic military training.
The College of Military Engineering, Military College of Telecommunication Engineering, or Military College of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering will then select candidates. Candidates who successfully complete the course receive an engineering degree and a permanent commission as a lieutenant.
Salaries of Lieutenants in the Indian Army
A lieutenant’s fixed pay at the IMA during training is Rs. 70,541 per month. A lieutenant’s salary after commission in the Indian army is at Level 10, which is the first level in the Armed Forces’ pay system for officers. A lieutenant’s average salary is Rs. 12,94,951 per year.
Lieutenant’s Allowances in India
Apart from huge salaries, officers who are working in the Indian army as lieutenants will enjoy various allowances. Some of the allowances out of them are listed below:
- Dearness Allowances
- Travel Allowance
- Kit Maintenance Allowances
- Hardship Allowance
- Flying Allowances for Pilot Soldiers
Promotion to Lieutenants in the Indian Army
The Lieutenants working in the Indian Army will be promoted from time to time in the following order:
- Captain
- Major
- Lieutenant Colonel
- Colonel
- Brigadier
- Major General
- Lieutenant General
- General
FAQs on How to Become a Lieutenant in the Indian Army
The frequently asked questions regarding lieutenants in the Indian Army are as follows:
1. How can I become a lieutenant after Class 12th?
To become a lieutenant in the Indian Army after Class 12, candidates can either appear in the NDA exam or the Technical Entry Scheme. The detailed selection procedures by which candidates will be recruited as lieutenants in the Army under these schemes are explained on this page.
2. Can the CDS exam help me become a Lieutenant in the Indian Army?
Yes, candidates can appear in the CDS exam and join the IMA training to become a lieutenant in the Indian army.
3. Can civil engineering candidates become lieutenants in the army?
Yes, civil engineers are eligible to become lieutenants in the Indian army.
We hope this page helped you find everything you needed about how to become a lieutenant in the Indian Army. If you have any queries regarding this page, reach us through the comment box below and we will get back to you as soon as possible.