Indian Navy Jobs: Entrance Exam, Eligibility and Scope

April 5 is celebrated every year as the National Maritime Day of India. The day commemorates the sailing of the first wholly Indian commercial vessel, SS Loyalty, setting sail from Delhi in the year 1919. For those interested in a maritime career, there are two broad options - a commission in the Merchant Navy or Indian Navy jobs.

Today we are covering the Indian Navy, which is the maritime branch of the Indian Armed Forces. The Indian Navy is not just merely a profession - in fact it is so much more than a job. The Navy offers an extraordinary range of exciting career opportunities together with the chance to travel, meet many new people and create a camaraderie that is unique to the armed forces.

Read on to learn how to join the Indian Navy, eligibility criteria, various job roles and more..

If, however, it is the Merchant Navy that appeals to you, be sure to check out Career in Merchant Navy: Opportunities, Roles and Educational Qualification.

Ways to Join the Indian Navy at the Officer Level:

There are multiple routes to join the Indian Navy. Let’s take a look at the various options.

Permanent Commissions through UPSC

• Through the National Defense Academy (NDA)
• Through the Naval Academy (NA)
• Through the Combined Defence Services Examination (CDSE)
• Through the NCC

For all the above entry routes, candidates must also clear an interview conducted by the Service Selection Board (SSB)

Permanent Commissions without UPSC

• Direct entry after 10+2 and B.Tech
• Direct entry for graduates in the area of Sports, Musician and Law

For all these Permanent Commission entries there is no written examination. Applicants are short-listed as per criteria laid down by the Naval Headquarters(Directorate of Manpower Planning & Recruitment).

Permanent and Short Service Commission through Indian Navy Entrance Test(INET)

• Pilot (MR)- for men and women
• Pilot (NMR)- for men only
• Naval Air Operations - for men and women
• Air Traffic Control (ATC) - for men and women
• General Service- Executive (GS/X)
• Hydro- for men only
• General Service (Technical: Electrical & Engineering)
• Naval Architect- for men and women
• Information Technology- for men and women
• Logistics- for men and women
• Education- for men and women
• Naval Armament Inspectorate Cadre (NAIC)- for men and women

INET is a computer based examination with four sections. Candidates must pass all the four sections with minimum 40% marks and the exam is of two hours duration.

For those Permanent and Short Service Commission posts filled without an examination, selection is on the basis of merit and according to the criteria set out by the Naval Headquarters (Directorate of Manpower Planning & Recruitment).

Indian Navy: INET Eligibility

To be eligible to take the entrance examinations, you should meet the following criteria:

• In case of technical branches, candidates must have taken 10+2 PCM (Physics, Chemistry and Maths) with a minimum aggregate of 60% overall and 50 to 60% in English.
• In case of non-technical branches, no particular stream is mandatory but the candidate should have a minimum aggregate of 60% overall and 50 to 60% in English.
• Candidates selected for the post of Officers have to undergo a Naval Orientation Course at the Indian Naval Academy situated in Ezhimala, Kerala and professional training at various Naval Training Units or Ships.

Selected candidates are then given basic training at INS Chilka, Odisha and Professional training at INS Kunjali now INS Shikra, Mumbai.

Also Read- Indian Navy Recruitment 2023: Apply for 249 Civilian Personnel posts

Indian Navy Recruitment for Women Candidates

There are still a certain number of posts in the Navy where women are not commissioned. However, women candidates can apply for the Indian Naval Forces as Short Service Commissioned Officers.

Currently, women are recruited as Navy Officers in various branches/specialisations like Education, Naval Architecture, Pilot, Air Traffic Control, and Law, to name a few.

Now let’s take a look at…

Benefits of joining the Indian Navy

Joining the Indian Navy can offer you a lot of perks. Here are some of the benefits that one gets when they join the service:

• Pension: Any position in the armed forces guarantees that you will get a pension lifelong after retirement
• Health Insurance: All recruits are provided health insurance services under the Naval Group Insurance Scheme at a very minimal monthly premium
• Free facilities: Naval recruits as well as their immediate family members have access to a number of perks or free facilities such as free ration, medical facilities, travel concessions atleast five to six times a year, and others
• Educational Training: The recruits, of their position demands it, are also sponsored to avail of the best technical courses (M.Tech) and training from top ranking universities across the nation (IITs/NITs)
• Good Compensation package: According to 7th CPC matrix, at entry level, Officers are entitled to a pay band of Rs 56,000 - Rs 1,77,500 with Military Service Pay (MSP) of Rs 15,500; and Sailors to a pay band of Rs 21,700-Rs 69,100 with MSP of Rs 5200; along with additional Grade pay in both the cases

So as we celebrate National Maritime Day 2023, be sure to check out your options and find greater details on the Navy’s own website.