There are several entry routes into Indian Army.

Entry of 10+2 (PCM) candidates to join the Technical branches of the Army. Engineering colleges of Army trains candidates in a branch of Engineering. After passing out, one can join in the technical branches of Army.

Entry of 10+2 (PCB) candidates to Armed Forces Medical College in the MBBS course and subsequent joining the Armed Forces Medical Service.

Entry of 10+2 candidates to the National Defense Academy course and subsequent joining of the Army in various branches/corps. Those with Physics, Mathematics and Chemistry in 10+2 find it easier to answer questions of the NDA entrance examination.

Entry of graduates through Combined Defense Services Examination into courses at Indian Military Academy or at Officers Training Academy and subsequent joining of the Army as a permanent commissioned or short service commissioned officer in various branches.

Entry of technical graduates and post graduates into Technical Graduate Course or Short Service Commission (Graduate) course and subsequent joining the Army.

Entry of MBBS graduates into Army Medical Corps as a permanent commissioned officer.

Entry of BDS/MDS graduates in Army Dental Corps as a short service commissioned officer/permanent commissioned officer.

Entry of graduates in Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry in Army Veterinary Corps as a short service commissioned officer.

Entry of NCC C certificate holders who are graduates as a permanent commissioned officer

Eligibility for joining NDA: Only male candidates can join. Must have passed 10+2. Age between 16 and 18 years. Minimum height should be 157.5 cm with correlated weight, chest should be well developed with minimum 5 cm expansion. Vision should be 6/6 with or without glasses. Myopia should not be more than 2.5D and hypermetropia not more than 3.5D including Astigmatism.

Admission procedure: Written examination followed by Intelligence and Personality test by a Service Selection Board of candidates who qualify in the written examination. The examination is generally held twice in a year in June and December in all the major cities in India. Examination notification is published in July in all the leading newspapers in India and in Employment News. Union Public Service Commission conducts the written examination. There is no course expense at NDA. All expenses for boarding, lodging, books, uniforms, medical treatment is borne by the Government of India. Candidates are required to pay for the pocket and private expenses like pocket allowance, clothing etc to the tune of Rs.175/- per month plus about Rs.4000 every year.