Indian Navy FAQs

1. What are the future growth prospects for officers in the Navy?

The Navy is reflective of the technological progress of the country. The sophisticated ships, submarines and aircraft of the Navy require only the best talent in the country to operate. The fact that the Navy is evolving into a formidable regional force is indicative of the high quality of the men manning it. The credit also goes to the professional attitude of the HRD organization and the Training Establishments of the Navy.


An officer in the Navy is provided with all the opportunities to improve professionally and the exposure is conducive to develop as an alert, responsible and committed individual. The officers who are competent and deserving in all respects have the potential to rise to the very top in the hierarchy. For the talented and hardworking Officers, the opportunity is available to reach the very top i.e. they can rise to the rank of an Admiral. Even amongst sailors, the deserving can upgrade themselves as Commissioned Officers and rise as per their competence.

2. What kind of 'Officer like Qualities' are required for commission in the Navy?

The candidates who successfully pass the competitive examination conducted by the UPSC, are interviewed by the Services Selection Boards. Officer Like Qualities of a candidate are assessed during these interviews, which last for about 3 to 4 days. In broad terms, the ability of an individual to withstand physical and mental stress, leadership qualities, determination, fighting spirit, clarity of thought, expression, resolve and overall suitability is assessed during the course of the interview.

3. What kind of avenue does the Indian Navy provides to its officers to participate in extracurricular activities

Its not all work and no play in the Navy. The Navy has a dedicated organisation to give opportunities to its personnel for participation in all kinds of adventure activities (Para Sailing, Mountaineering, Scuba Diving, Hang Gliding, Skiing, water sports etc) and all kinds of sports activities.

4. Sir, I Hold a Engineering Degree, Which Branch can I join in the Navy? Please advise the procedure?

As an engineer, you have a choice to either join the Executive Branch, Education Branch or the Technical Branches. As an Executive Officer, the challenges are unique and entail responsibility of leading men into war. The Technical Branches contribute in maintaining the equipment having cutting edge technology. The complete exposure is loaded with excitement and stimulates you in achieving professional excellence. As an Education officer you train the officers and me at various academies and professional training establishment of the Navy.

5. I completed my graduation from a private institution can I join the Navy?

It is mandatory that all Degrees and Educational Qualifications are recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC). All candidates desirous of joining the Indian Navy must be physically/medically fit, as per laid down standards. Proficiency in sport, swimming and extra-curricular activities is desirable.

6. I have a NCC 'C' certificate, does the Navy give me any preference for selection?

University graduates possessing NCC 'C' certificate with minimum 'B' grading and 50% marks in the graduation degree examination are inducted in the navy as regular commissioned officers. These graduates are exempted from appearing in the CDSE conducted by the UPSC and are selected through the SSB interview only. They join the Naval Academy for NOC along with the CDSE cadets. The NCC certificate holders can also apply for Short Service Commission in Executive Branch. They are required to be a graduate in Science with Physics and Maths.

 

 

7. What is Permanent Commissioned officer in Naval Armament Inspection cadre of Executive Branch?

The permanent commissioned officers in Naval Armament Inspection cadre of Executive Branch are responsible for inspection of the armament supplied to the Navy by various agencies ensuring the quality, safety and reliability of Naval Armament and Stores. These officers are also responsible for in-house R & D leading to indigenisation

 

 

8. What is Short Service Commissioned officer in Air Traffic Control cadre?

The officers in the Air Traffic Control cadre of Executive Branch of the Indian Navy( male & female Indian citizens), are responsible for controlling naval fighter aircraft, reconnaissance aircraft and multi role helicopters ashore and afloat.

 

 

9. What is Short Service Commissioned officer in Hydro cadre?

The officers in the Hydro cadre of Executive Branch of the Indian Navy are short service commissioned officers (male Indian Citizens), who are responsible for collecting information needed for the charts used by the Indian Navy and other navies of the world. Their career is

interspersed from duties afloat and on shore.

 

 

10. What is Permanent Commission (PC), in Education Branch?

Officers in the Education Branch are responsible for scientific & methodical instruction and teaching which includes theoretical aspects of all Technical subjects taught in the Indian Navy. Education officers are also required to teach officers & sailors in the training establishments such as Naval College of Engineering, NDA, Naval Academy etc

 

 

11. What is 10+2 (B Techl) cadet entry Scheme in Permanent Commission?

Under the scheme, candidates with 10 +2 (PCM) qualifications, after selection through the Services Selection Board, can make a career in Executive/ Marine/Electrical/Electronic Engineering/ Naval Architecture branch of Indian Navy. They undergo a four year Engineering course at prestigious Indian Naval Academy at Ezhimala and Cochin University of Science & technology (CUSAT, for Naval Architecture) under this entry.

Under the scheme, candidates with 10 +2 (PCM) qualifications, after selection through the Services Selection Board, are sent to Naval Academy where they undergo 4 yrs B Tech curriculum. On successful completion of the course they are granted permanent commission in the Electrical and Engineering branches of the Navy.

 

 

12. What is SSC officer in Technical Branches (Submarine cadre)?

As a Short Service Commissioned officer in technical Branches (Submarine Cadre) you will enjoy the challenge of new frontiers and will be the part of elite arm of the Indian Navy.

 

 

13. What is the method of Recruitment of Officers ?

The recruitment system of the Navy is well streamlined, transparent, expeditious and candidate friendly. There are two modes of induction in the Indian Navy viz. UPSC Entry and Non UPSC Entry. The UPSC entries are National Defence Academy (NDA) & Naval Academy Examination and Combined Defence Services Examination (CDSE) and are for Permanent Commission (PC). In this case the UPSC calls for applications, conducts the examination and short lists candidates for SSB. Short listed candidates are sent to the SSBs located at Bangalore, Bhopal and Coimbatore. Result of qualified candidates is forwarded to UPSC for making the final merit. Medically fit candidates who are in the merit are appointed by ADG (Rtg) / IHQ of MoD (Navy) for appointment to NDA/Naval Academy. The Non UPSC entries are both for Permanent Commission (PC) and Short Service Commission (SSC). In this case the applications are invited and short listed at Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence (Navy) [IHQ of MoD (Navy)]. The short listed candidates are sent for SSB interviews. Thereafter, a merit list, comprising of qualified candidates, is prepared as per the availability of vacancies.

 

 

14. What is the recruitment procedure through UPSC Entry?

The UPSC holds, twice a year, an examination for the entry into the National Defence Academy (NDA) and Naval Academy (10+2). Candidates on completion of the 10+2 (PCM) Examination or while in the 12th standard are eligible to compete. Successful candidates join the NDA or Naval Academy as Naval cadets. On completion of the NDA/Naval Academy training, they are sent to the training ships at Kochi for naval sea training. For the Graduate Special Entry Scheme the UPSC also holds Combined Defence Services Examination (CDSE), twice a year. University graduates are eligible to appear in the examination. Successful candidates join the Naval Academy for the Naval Orientation Course (NOC).

 

 

15. What is the recruitment procedure through Non UPSC Entries?

Recruitment for the Non UPSC entries is made through Service Selection Board interviews for the following Branches/Cadres of the Navy:-

(a) Executive/ Hydro, Aviation and Observer.

(b) Engineering (including Naval Architects).

(c) Electrical Engineering.

(d) Logistics.

(e) Education.

(f) Law.

(g) Air traffic Control.

(h) Hydrography.

(j) Naval Armament Inspection

 

 

16. What is the University Entry Scheme(UES)?

Final year Engineering students are eligible for induction into the technical Branches/Cadres of the Navy under the scheme. Naval selection teams from the IHQ of MoD (Navy) and Command Headquarters visit AICTE approved Engineering colleges across the country to shortlist the candidates. The short listed candidates, based on All India Merit, are called for interview at the Services Selection Board. The successful candidates, thereafter, are put through the medical tests. Final selection is based on all India merit on the basis of marks obtained in the SSB interviews

 

 

17. How Often Will I Get Promoted?

The promotion till the rank of a Commander is on a time scale basics. The promotion to further higher ranks is based on selection. All promotions are subject to your clearing the required qualification course /exams on time and meet the sea service, physical and medical requirement for your branch.

 

 

Women Entry

 

1. Which branches can women apply for in the Navy?

Presently, women officers are being inducted into the Law, Logistics, ATC, Observers (Aviation), Naval Architecture & Education Branch as Short Service Commission officers. However, the Government has now approved Permanent Commission for women in Law, Education and Naval Architecture cadre. In the Navy, the Service conditions are same for men and women officers.

 

 

2. Do women train separately from men?

No. Women undergo the same training as men. However women have separate living quarters.

 

 

3. Why do you prevent Girls from going to sea? We are no less than any one else?

The Navy is very gender sensitive and gives equal opportunities to women. We have offered almost all Branches to Women and let them compete with men on equal footing. You will appreciate that life on board ships is very tough and puts different kind of stress and strain on an individual. As of now, the existing design of ships do not offer necessary facilities for women to live onboard for long durations and contribute in war fighting effort. However, this is not a final decision. As we grow, a time shall come when women will be seen on ships. In the meantime, as a women officer, you do have the opportunity to contribute in support functions from ashore, which are equally challenging and exciting.

 

 

4. What are the grooming requirements for women in the Navy?

Women are expected to maintain the same high standards of appearance as men. The only difference is that women are allowed to wear their hair longer, provided it is a style that is easy to maintain and meets certain regulations

 

5. Do the women have separate vacancy?

No special status is conferred to women candidates and they compete with Short Service male candidates on open merit system. Vacancies are filled in the order of merit based on marks obtained in Services Selection Board.