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Defence Exams
Recruitment into the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force, and the central armed police forces. Selection combines a written examination with physical and medical standards.
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Exams covered
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Papers & resources
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Information pages
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Free mock tests
All Defence Exams
Every exam we cover in this category, with its notification, syllabus, papers and cut offs.
Officer entry and other ranks are separate routes
Commissioned officers enter through UPSC examinations - NDA after Class 12 and CDS after graduation - and, for the Air Force, through AFCAT. Soldiers, sailors and airmen are recruited separately, today mainly as Agniveers under the Agnipath scheme. The two routes differ in eligibility, examination and training, so decide which one you are aiming for before you prepare.
The written test only opens the door
For officer entries, clearing the written examination earns a call to a Services Selection Board or Air Force Selection Board: several days of psychological tests, group tasks and an interview, followed by a medical examination. Final merit combines the written and board marks. For Agniveer entry the online Common Entrance Examination is followed by a physical fitness test and a medical examination.
Agniveers serve four years
Agniveers are enrolled for four years. At the end of each batch, up to a quarter may be selected for the regular cadre on merit and the needs of the service; the rest leave with a lump-sum package. Read the terms of engagement in the notification before you apply.
Medical and physical standards decide final selection
Height, weight, chest, eyesight and hearing standards differ by service and entry, and a candidate can clear every written stage and still be declared unfit. Check the standard for your entry early, while there is still time to work on fitness.