Ways of becoming an Officer in the Indian Navy

In today world there are so many possibilities for you to choose from. high visibility, rapid growth jobs in banking, computers, corporate management, civil services etc. While examining your options, have you considered the Indian Navy? The Indian Navy will give you all the training you need and help you make the most of what you have your talents, your skills, your spirit and your aspirations. Are you in search of a challenge young and bright, just out of school or university, have wide personal interests and hobbies,  prepared to work hard and expect far more from your career than a remunerative pay packet ? You need a challenge – a job that grows with you and provides variety and excitement. That is what precisely the Navy offers you. The Navy offers an extraordinary range of exciting career opportunities together with the chance to travel widely, meet new people and to enjoy the warmth & camaraderie that is so special to this service. 

Come and join the Navy! 

Give your ambitions a chance!

 SELECTION AND ENTRY 

    Officer’s recruitment is advertised through the Employment News and all important National and Regional news papers/dailies. Selection for all Permanent Commission entries, except 10 + 2 (Tech) Cadet entry and NCC Special entry (Graduate) is through a written examination conducted by the UPSC, followed by an interview by the Service Selection Board (SSB). There is no written examination for the Short Service Commission entries. These applications are short listed as per the criteria laid down by the Naval Headquarters, Directorate of Manpower Planning & Recruitment. Selection is through merit alone. SSC officers may opt for Permanent Commission depending on merit, and vacancy.  

WOMEN ENTRY.         The women are granted Short Service Commission (SSC) in Naval Architect, Law, Logistics, ATC & Education Branches.  The government are also given approval for Permanent Commission (PC) in Education, Law and Naval architect branch on completion of SSC tenure depending upon merit. 

EDUCATIONAL & OTHER QUALIFICATIONS 

It is mandatory that all Degrees and Educational Qualifications are from Educational Institutions recognised.by the competent authority in the field. Degrees/mark sheets must be original or attested by appropriate authorities, as asked for in the advertisement. No compromise/relaxation will be made on this issue.  All candidates desirous of joining the Indian Navy must be physically/mentally fit as per laid down standards. Proficiency in sports, swimming and extra-curricular activities is desirable. 

For further details, contact, The Directorate of Manpower Planning & Recruitment, Naval Headquarters, Sena Bhawan, New Delhi-110011, Tele:23010151,TeleFax : 011- 23011282, 23010097.

BROAD CLASSIFICATION OF BRANCHES 

Executive Branch

As an officer of the Executive Branch one can exercise command of ships, submarines and aircraft. Executive officers can specialise in any of the following:-

(a)      Gunnery & Missiles 

(b)      Navigation and Direction 

(c)      Anti-Submarine Warfare 

(d)      Communications 

(e)      Aviation 

(f)       Submarine 

(g)      Hydrography 

(h)     Diving. 

The other cadres that form part of the Executive Branch are – Law, Air Traffic Control, Naval Armament Inspection and Logistics. 

Engineering Branch 

Modern ships, submarines and aircraft are fitted with advanced technology machinery and propulsion systems. As an Engineer Officer you will be responsible for keeping all these Hi-tech systems serviceable. Opportunities exist to work in gigantic naval dockyards and indigenous production units.  In no other career is an engineer exposed to such a wide spectrum of opportunities and to keep abreast of modern developments. An Engineer Officer’s career is interspersed with technical courses upto post graduation level in India/abroad.  

You can also join in the Naval Architecture Cadre of the Engineering Branch. The Indian navy today employs the largest pool of trained Naval Architects in India. A Naval architect is involved in design, construction, quality control, repair and new construction work of naval vessels. With the Navy going for more and more sophisticated warship production within the country, the Corps of Naval Architects offers excellent opportunities to keep abreast of the advancement in ship building technology and implement your innovative ideas.

Electrical Branch 

A warship is a mini floating city with an integral power generation and distribution system. In addition, complex missile systems, underwater weapons, radars and radio communication equipment form major part of a warship’s equipment. A majority of these are either computer-based or computer aided and incorporate the latest trends in electronics engineering. For a ship to be able to fight effectively, all this equipment must be kept working at peak efficiency. Electrical Officers have this responsibility and other challenging tasks. To sharpen the skills navy offers excellent opportunities for post-graduate courses in India/abroad to the deserving candidates.

Note:           Officers of the Engineering and Electrical Branches can also volunteer for the Aviation/ Submarine Arm. 

Education branch 

Any service will be as good as the training its officers and men receive. As an Education Officer you will play a major role in the training of naval officers/Sailors. Education Officers are responsible for scientific and methodical instructions, including theoretical aspects of technical subjects of all branches of the navy and also for general education. An Education Officer can specialise in almost all specialisations of the Executive Branch. In addition some officers also get specialisation in Oceanography & Meteorology. 

VARIOUS CAREER OPTIONS AND WHAT EACH MEANS 

Executive Officer 

As an Executive Officer you will be both working and fighting the ship. It means you will be a vital part of the complex system that manages the ship and also uses the ship as an instrument of tactical warfare. You will learn to have a good understanding of your ship’s capabilities and limitations and be able to turn them to your advantage. It is for this reason that an Executive Officer alone can aspire for the command of a naval ship. 

The Executive officers are trained in specialisations like anti-submarine warfare, navigation, communications, gunnery, logistics, diving and hydrography. One could also opt for the air or submarine arm. Within the branch your promotional chances are not affected by your choice of specialisation. For instance, the Commanding Officer of a destroyer could have been a pilot and that of a guided missile frigate a submarine specialist. Our specialist schools in Kochi constantly update your knowledge & sharpen your skills for greater responsibilities. 

Aviation Officer 

For those with a aspiration to fly in the skies, the navy needs Pilots and Observers who act as airborne tactical coordinators of marine warfare. While most   Navy pilots fly ship borne helicopters and shore based maritime reconnaissance aircraft, some elite pilots also fly the fighter VSTOL Sea Harrier. Naval aircraft locate and attack enemy surface ships and submarines and take part in amphibious warfare, search and rescue, casualty evacuation etc. For this, specialised training is imparted at various places on shore and afloat units. 

Submarine Officer 

If you enjoy the challenge of new frontiers, meet the medical standards and have an exceptional record, this is the specialisation for you. These new hi-tech war machines have awesome firepower, state-of-the art weapon control systems, computer controlled machinery and a high standard of habitability. In peace time one major responsibility of the submarines is to train for war as effectively as possible in the knowledge that will contribute to its prevention. If you successfully complete the rigorous training, which is conducted at Visakhapatnam, you will be the proud possessor of the ‘Dolphin Badge’ and a member of a very elite arm of the Navy.

Hydrographic Officer 

Executive officers can specialise in hydrography.  The officer are is responsible for collecting information required for making the nautical charts used by the Indian Navy and other Navies around the world.

Naval Armament Inspection Officer 

These specialist officers inspect the armaments supplied to the Navy by various agencies. While they ensure the quality, safety and reliability of naval armament and stores, they are also responsible for in-house research & development leading to indigenisation. 

Provost Officer

A separate cadre of Provost Officers exists to deal with policing, regulatory, and security and Vigilance needs of the Navy.  The officers from executive branch can specialise in this cadre.

Law Officer 

A separate cadre of Law Officers also exists to deal with the legal needs of the navy. There are Permanent as well as Short Service Commissioned officers in these Cadres. 

Logistics Officer 

A modern warship is not only a complex fighting unit, but also a mini township and community of several hundred people. These personnel have to be fed, clothed and paid, whatever may be the ship’s role. A modern warship has also to be constantly supplied with fuel, water and spares for the vast array of sophisticated equipment and machinery. At sea or on shore the Logistics Officer has a vital part to play in the technical and human aspects of the ship’s organisation. It is a job that requires exceptional managerial skills and the ability to work under pressure.