The Indian Army
The Indian Army is the land-based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. The President of India is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Army. Its professional head is the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), who is a four-star general. The main mission of the Indian Army is to ensure national security and national unity, defend the nation from external aggression and internal threats, and maintain peace and security within its borders. The Indian Army is operationally and geographically divided into seven commands. It is the largest standing army in the world. In this post, we understand the process of recruitment rally in Indian Army for the post of Soldier.
Recruitment Rally in Indian Army
The recruitment for the post of Soldier General Duty, Soldier Technical, Soldier Clerk, Soldier Nursing Assistant, and Soldier Tradesman takes place through a recruitment rally. The notification for these recruitments is released by the respective Zonal Recruiting Office (ZRO) and Army Recruiting Office (ARO). After the release of the official notification, candidates who fulfill the eligibility criteria need to submit online applications. After scrutiny of online applications, the respective ZROs and AROs issue the admit cards to eligible candidates two weeks before the commencement of the rally.
Recruitment Rally in Indian Army – Complete Process
The recruitment process for Soldiers is carried out in the following phases:
- Physical Fitness Test (At rally site) – The first step of the recruitment process is to test a candidate for physical fitness. It includes 1600 m run, beam, 9 feet ditch, and zig-zag balance. marks are allocated for 1600 m run and beam, while 9 feet ditch and zig-zag balance are qualifying in nature.
- Physical Measurement (At rally site) – In the next step of the recruitment process, candidates who are declared fit in the first step are checked for physical measurements like height, chest, and weight.
- Medical Test – Candidates who qualify in the first two stages need to undergo a detailed medical examination as per the medical standards laid down by the Indian Army. Unfit candidates or candidates whose complete medical fitness is doubtful are referred to Military Hospital for specialist review.
- Written Test through Common Entrance Examination (CEE) – This is the last stage of the recruitment process. Medically fit candidates have to appear for a Common Entrance Examination at the designated venue. The date and time of the written test are intimated at the rally site and through admit cards. Admit cards for candidates who are declared fit at the rally site is issued at the rally site itself. Candidates who are declared fit after expert review at Military Hospital get admit cards from the respective ARO or ZRO after confirmation from the specialist at Military Hospital.
Documents Required at Rally Site
Candidates need to carry the following documents/ certificates in original with two attested photocopies to the rally site:
- Admit Card
- Photograph
- Education certificates
- Domicile certificate
- Caste certificate
- Religion certificate
- School character certificate
- Character certificate issued by Sarpanch/Municipal Corporation within last six months
- Unmarried certificate
- Relation certificate
- NCC certificate
- Sports certificate
- Affidavit
- Certificate of bonus marks
- Single Bank A/c, PAN Card, and Aadhar Card
- Police character certificate
Eligibility Criteria
The general eligibility criteria for the post of Soldier in the Indian Army are as follows:
| Category | Age (In years) | Height (in cm) | Weight (kg) | Chest (in cm) | Educational Qualification |
| Soldier General Duty | 17 ½ to 21 | 165-170 (Varies with region) | 50 | 77 (+5 cm expansion) | 10th with 45% marks in aggregate and minimum 33% in each subject |
| Soldier Tradesman (10th Pass) | 17 ½ to 23 | 165-170 (Varies with region) | 48 | 76 (+5 cm expansion) | 10th Pass with minimum 33% in each subject |
| Soldier Tradesman (8th Pass) | 17 ½ to 23 | 165-170 (Varies with region) | 48 | 76 (+5 cm expansion) | 8th Pass with minimum 33% in each subject |
| Soldier Technical | 17 ½ to 23 | 165-170 (Varies with region) | 50 | 76 (+5 cm expansion) | 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and English with 50% in aggregate and 40% in each subject |
| Soldier Nursing Assistant | 17 ½ to 23 | 165-170 (Varies with region) | 50 | 77 (+5 cm expansion) | 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English with 50% in aggregate and 40% marks in each subject |
| Soldier Clerk/SKT | 17 ½ to 23 | 162 cm | 50 | 77 (+5 cm expansion) | 10+2 in any stream with English and Maths/Accounts/ Book Keeping as subject with minimum 60% marks in aggregate and at least 50% in each subject |
However, candidates are advised to refer to official notification released by the respective AROs and ZROs for physical measurement as height criteria varies from region to region.
How to prepare for exams of Indian Army
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