Gauri Chabbra
“When you go home, tell them of us
and say, for your Tomorrow
we gave our Today.”
Navigating through deep waters, the sea farers who protect us day in and day out and secure our maritime interestsare the men clad in uniform- the naval officers. Jawaharlal Nehru had rightly said,” To be secure on Land, we must be Supreme at Sea”. This famous quote always reminds us that we are primarily a Maritime Nation.
Indian Navy gives an opportunity to display leadership skills and accountability. It provides a plethora of opportunities ranging from being in charge of part of a ship, or looking after a single or multiple departments on the ship independently. In case, you crave to have a life of adventure and sports that runs parallel to your career; weave a lifelong bond of camaraderie with others, you must carve a niche for yourself in navy.
Getting in:
Recruitment as an Officer in the Navy is carried out on the basis of All India Merit and are advertised through the Employment News and all important National and Regional newspapers. The Commission in the Indian Navy is open to young men and women of the country. They have the option to join the Executive, Technical and Education Branches of the Indian Navy.
Officer and Sailor cadres are the major lines of work in the Indian Navy. There are two modes of induction in the Indian Navy viz. UPSC Entry and Non UPSC Entry.
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Entries
UPSC holds a competitive examination for the entry into the National Defence Academy (NDA)/ Naval Academy (10+2) and Combined Defence Services Examination (CDSE), twice a year. The UPSC entries are Permanent Commission entries in which the UPSC conducts a written examination which is followed by an interview by the Service Selection Board. Result of qualified candidates is forwarded to UPSC for making the final merit. Medically fit candidates who are in the merit are appointed by IHQ of MoD (Navy).
Education qualification for UPSC entries are:
National Defence Academy (NDA) & Naval Academy Examination:
Candidates who have completed 10+2 (PCM) Examination or in the 12th standard are eligible to appear in NDA examination. Successful candidates can join in the NDA or Naval Academy as Naval cadets.
Combined Defence Services Examination (CDSE) :
Graduates in any discipline are eligible to appear in the Combined Defence Services Examination. The degree should be recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
Non UPSC Entries
The Non UPSC entries are both for Permanent Commission and Short Service Commission. The duration of the Short Service Commission is 10 years, extendable to 14 years. There is no written examination for the Non-UPSC entries. In this case the applications are invited and short listed at Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence (Navy) on the basis of marks secured in the qualifying educational exams ie 10+2, Graduate or Post graduate. 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.
The non UPSC Entry schemes are 10+2 (B Tech entry)
Under the scheme, after 10 +2 (PCM) qualifications, and selection through the Services Selection Board, are sent to Naval Academy for the NOC. Thereafter, you undergo a four year Engineering course at INS Shivaji/ Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) for Naval Architecture. On successful completion of the course you may be granted permanent commission in the Executive/ Marine/ Electrical/ Electronic Engineering/ Naval Architecture branch of Indian Navy.
University Entry Scheme
Final year engineering students are eligible for induction into the technical Branches. 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.
Special Naval Architects Entry Scheme
Government has recently approved the induction of Naval Architect officers into the Naval Architecture Cadre of the Engineering Branch of the Indian Navy, as Short Service Commission Officers, under a Special scheme of ‘Special Naval Architects Entry Scheme’ (SNAES). An empowered Naval team visits IIT Kharagpur, IIT Chennai, Cochin University of Science and Technology and Andhra University, where B Tech ,Naval Architecture is conducted, to select the candidates through campus interviews. The selected candidates undergo medical examination at the nearest Military Hospital and if found fit, are selected for training.
Interview & Selection:
The SSB selection consists of a 5 days testing schedule that has 5 stages. The following documents should be presented while attending SSB interviews.
* Original Matric, BE/B Tech degree certificate/ mark sheet.
* Ten passport size un-attested photographs.
* Print out of the relevant webpage.
* Risk certificate duly signed by parent,guardian to state that the candidate is undergoing at his own risk.
This is followed by stage II when Psychological Tests are performed that include Thematic Apperception Test (TAT),Word Association Test (WAT),Situation Reaction Test (SRT) and Self-description.
Stage III selection process includesGroup Discussion, Group Planning Exercise (GPE),Progressive Group Tasks (PGT), Group Obstacle Race (GOR) and Half Group Task (HGT)
Stage IV includes Individual Obstacles and Command Task
Stage V includes closing address by Deputy President and Announcement of results.
The selected Officer candidates, inducted into the Indian Navy under various schemes are given basic training at Naval Academy. Branch specific training is subsequently imparted at other naval establishments.
In case you are selected as a sailor, you would be given initial at INS , Orissa. This is followed by further training at various Naval Establishments all over the country. Prior to release from service you may be given pre-release courses to enable them to settle down in civil life. You would be responsible for operating and maintaining propulsion machinery, weapons, and sensors.
Women are granted Short Service Commission (SSC) in Naval Architecture, Law, Logistics, ATC, Aviation (Observer) and Education Branches of Indian Navy.
Growth Trajectory:
In the navy your escalation path goes as high as that of the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS). CNS exercises operational and administrative control of the Indian Navy from Integrated Headquarters of MOD (Navy). He is assisted by the Vice Chief of the Naval Staff (VCNS) and three other Principal Staff Officers.
The Indian Navy operates three commands, each under the control of a Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief in the rank of Vice Admiral. The three Commands are:
* The Western Naval Command
* The Eastern Naval Command
* The Southern Naval Command
The Western and the Eastern Naval Command are operational commands and exercise control over operations in the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal respectively. The Southern Command is designed as the Training Command, operating on the Arabian Sea. Besides these, the navy has important bases in Kolkata and Goa.
Career Overview:
Indian navy gives you an edge over the others as far as it offers personal, financial, emotional security and status in the society. The Navy also offers attractive pay package, perks, life time pension, medical benefits for self and family. In fact, the experience that you gain in the Navy can help you shape your future through outstanding financial benefits, unparalleled career potential, and the lifestyle of freedom and personal growth that you’ve been waiting for. Besides, Navy has a dedicated organization to give opportunities to its personnel for participation in all kinds of adventure activities like Para Sailing, Mountaineering, Scuba Diving, Hang Gliding, Skiing, and water sports.
Thus navigate through the navy turf and script glory for yourself…
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