How To Become Major In Indian Army

Basic Education Qualification Required

To be eligible for becoming a major in the Indian army, a candidate has to pass Class 12 in the 10+2 pattern of Schooling or any equivalent exam from a State Board or University. Also, the candidate must be between the ages of 16 ½ years to 19 years.

What are the eligibility criteria?

• Age Limit: 18 to 42 years
  
  
• Educational Qualification: To be eligible for NDA, the candidate must have passed graduation from any recognized university.
  
  However, for the 10+2 technical entry scene, the candidate must have completed Class 12 with a minimum of 70% aggregate.
  
  
• Selection Process: The selection for NDA is done on the basis of an entrance test.
  
  
• Physical Standards:

1. Besides the basics of education and age, the candidate applying to become a major in the Indian army must be of stellar physical and mental health. He must be free from any disability/disease, which may interfere with their efficient performance in the military.
   
   
2. The candidate should neither be underweight nor be overweight or obese. The minimum acceptable height is 157 cm with a fully expanded chest measuring no less than 81 cm.
   
   
3. There should be no past history of fits or mental breakdowns. The candidate should also not be any skin disease, which may cause disfigurement or disability.
   
   
4. The distance vision must be 6/6 with myopia not more than 2.5 D or hypermetropia not more than 3.5 D.
   
   
5. The hearing must also be normal and should be able to hear a whisper with both ears.

How to become Major in Indian Army ?

To become a major in the Indian Army, a candidate can approach a few different ways or modes.

1. National Defence Academy (NDA): NDA puts out vacancies for 300 candidates twice each year, with 195 of them joining the Indian Army. An NDA aspirant has to be 10+2 pass and between 16½ and 19½ years of age.
   
   

2. 10+2 Tech Entry Scheme: This scheme puts out 85 vacancies twice each year. For this mode, the applicant has to be a 10+2 pass with minimum of 70% marks in Maths, Physics, and Chemistry.
   
   

3. Indian Military Academy (Non-Tech): 250 candidates are recruited from the Indian Army twice each year. For being eligible for IMA, the candidate must be a graduate from a recognized university between the ages of 19 and 24 years.
   
   

4. NCC Special: With 50 vacancies twice each year, the NCC is another way to enter the Indian army.
   
   To be eligible for this mode, the candidate has to be a LLB/LLM graduate with a minimum of 50 percent marks along with 2 years of service in the NCC Senior Division.
   
   

5. Short Service Commission: With 175 vacancies twice a year, a candidate can enter the Indian Army through this mode as well. To be eligible, the candidate must be a graduate from a recognized university and between the ages of 19 and 25 years.
   
   

6. TGC Education (AEC): Applicants between the ages of 23 and 27 years can go the route of The Technical Graduate Course for Army Education Corps.
   
   For this, they must possess an M.A. / M.Sc in 1st / 2nd division in particular subjects from any recognized university.
   
   
7. Universal Entry Scheme (UES): With 60 vacancies per year for each course, the candidates should be between 19 and 25 years of age and in the Final Year of an Engineering Degree Course.
   
   
8. TGC (Engineers): The Indian Army offers vacancies twice a year for aspirants with BE / B. Tech degree in particular streams of Engineering/ B. Arch, MSc computer as well.
   
   
9. JAG (Men & Women): To be eligible for the Judge Advocate General entry, the applicant must be between 21 and 27 years of age and possess a Law Graduate (LLB) degree with minimum 55% marks.
   
   They should also be registered with the Bar Council of a State or Bar Council of India.

Roles and Responsibility

A major is the third-level officer rank in the Indian Army. It is usually awarded to new Lieutenants after 5 years of service. The work varies from regiment to regiment and between different departments as well.

However, their primary role is to supervise the work of the regiment both on and off-field. They have to follow as well as pass on the orders of the seniors to the junior rank holders and watch over the entire process.

Majors often also serve as Commanding Officers for their company. They may also be primary staff officers for certain brigades and regiments in areas concerning logistics, personnel, operations, and intelligence.

Time Period required to reach the Rank Of Major

Before being promoted to major, the candidate must have completed 10 years of service with a minimum of 2 years serving as a captain in the Indian army. Most of the captains are promoted to major after 5-6 years of service as a captain.

Career Prospects

Army officers are the leaders of a unit. Their designation not only brings them benefits but also reverence of the highest order with civilians. Army officers generally start off as Lieutenants and grow to reach the rank of General.

When it comes to job growth, Indian Army Officers have great prospects as they can get promoted from Lieutenant to Captain in just two years.

However, the promotion also depends on the capabilities of the individual as well as the number of positions available during that time.

Pay Scale/Salary

The salary of a major is between INR 15,600 to INR 39,100 per month. Besides this, a major is also offered various additional facilities such as living allowances, health benefits, transport services, accommodation, and helpers in the accommodation.

Pros and Cons of becoming Major in the Indian Army

Pros:

• Lucrative salary

• Permanent jobs

Cons:

• Staying away from family

• Dangerous working conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

1.   How long does it take to become a major in the Indian Army?

A captain may be promoted to Major after 4 years of reckonable service from the date of seniority as captain.

2.   How to become major in Indian Army?

To become an Army major, a candidate has to join the National Defense Academy or the Combine Defence Services.

3.   How much a major earns in the Indian Army?

The salary of a major in the Indian Army ranges between ₹ 5 Lakhs and ₹ 24 Lakhs per year varying according to the years of experience.