SSB Entry Navigator™
Discover which officer entries you are eligible for — all 39 Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and CAPF entries in one place.
The Stage Selection System
From notification to academy — here is how every Defence officer is selected.
Notification & Application
12–09 Months
Entry notification released; candidates apply online.
Stage 1 – Written Test
UPSC / JEE / Degree Filter
UPSC exam, AFCAT, INET, CGCAT, JEE Mains, degree marks, or CLAT score depending on entry.
Stage 2 – SSB Personality Test
5 Days at Selection Centre
Officer Intelligence Rating, Psychological, Group Tasks, Personal Interview. CAPF AC runs PST/PET instead.
Stage 3 – Medical Board
At Service Hospital
Medically fit candidates proceed to merit list.
Merit List & Academy Joining
Final Step
Merit list released. Selected candidates join NDA/NA, IMA, OTA, AFA, INA, or a Coast Guard / CAPF academy.
UPSC vs Non-UPSC Entries
Two distinct pathways for becoming an officer in the Defence Forces.
| Criteria | UUPSC Entries10 | NNon-UPSC Entries29 |
|---|---|---|
| 🏛️ Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission | Army HQ (ADG Rtg), Indian Navy, IAF, Indian Coast Guard |
| 🌐 Website | upsc.gov.in | joinindianarmy.nic.in · joinindiannavy.gov.in · afcat.cdac.in · joinindiancoastguard.cdac.in |
| 📅 Notification | NDA & NA (Dec & May) · CDS (Oct & May) · CAPF AC (Apr, once a year) | Rolling — each entry notified 1–2 times a year |
| 🎓 Course Start | Jan & Jul (NDA, NA, IMA, INA, AFA) · Apr & Oct (OTA) · CAPF AC training varies by force | Jan, Apr, Jul & Oct — varies by entry |
| 📝 Application Window | 3–4 weeks on the UPSC portal | 3–6 weeks on the respective service portal |
| ✍️ Written Exam | UPSC written mandatory (NDA & NA / CDS / CAPF AC) | Service tests (AFCAT, INET, CGCAT, TA, ACC) or merit shortlisting on JEE Mains, degree %, CLAT PG, NCC 'C' |
| 🎯 Selection Board | SSB / AFSB / NSB — 5 days, then medical board · CAPF AC: PST/PET + interview | SSB / AFSB / NSB — 5 days, then medical board · CGCAT: Coast Guard PSB & FSB |
| 📋 Entries | NDA (Army)NDA (Navy)NDA (Air Force)NA (10+2 B.Tech)IMA (CDS)INA (CDS)AFA (CDS)OTA — SSC (Men)OTA — SSC (Women)CAPF (AC) | TES (10+2)TGCTGC (AEC)SSC (Tech) MenSSC (Tech) WomenSSC (JAG)NCC Special EntryUESTA (Officer)ACCSCONavy 10+2 (B.Tech)Navy SSC ExecutiveNavy SSC TechnicalNavy SSC PilotNavy SSC Observer / ATCNavy SSC LogisticsNavy SSC EducationNavy SSC LawNavy NCC Special EntryAFCAT — FlyingAFCAT — GD (Tech)AFCAT — GD (Non-Tech)AFCAT — MeteorologyNCC Special Entry (AF)ICG AC (GD)ICG AC (Tech)ICG AC (Law)ICG AC (CPL-SSA) |
Stage 1 – Written Qualification Criteria
How candidates are shortlisted before appearing for SSB — every entry, both streams.
UPSC Entries
(10)NDA (Army)
Maths (300) + GAT (600)
NDA (Navy)
10+2 with PCM mandatory
NDA (Air Force)
10+2 with PCM mandatory
NA (10+2 B.Tech)
B.Tech course at INA Ezhimala
IMA (CDS)
English + GK + Elementary Maths
INA (CDS)
Engineering degree required
AFA (CDS)
CDS written, then AFSB & CPSS
OTA — SSC (Men)
English + GK only (no Maths)
OTA — SSC (Women)
English + GK only (no Maths)
CAPF (AC)
Paper I (GA/GK) + Paper II (Essay & Comprehension)
Non-UPSC Entries
(29)TES (10+2)
10+2 PCM ≥ 60% aggregate
TGC
B.E./B.Tech aggregate, final year allowed
TGC (AEC)
MA / M.Sc ≥ 50%, 1st or 2nd division
SSC (Tech) Men
B.E./B.Tech aggregate, no written exam
SSC (Tech) Women
B.E./B.Tech aggregate, no written exam
SSC (JAG)
LLB ≥ 55%, Bar Council eligible
NCC Special Entry
Direct SSB — no written exam
UES
Pre-final year engineering students
TA (Officer)
Graduate, gainfully employed
ACC
Serving soldiers with 10+2
SCO
Serving soldiers, 5+ years service
UPSC Shortlisting
1 : 20
1 candidate per every 20 who appear for SSB
Non-UPSC Shortlisting
1 : 100
Higher competition; merit-based cutoffs apply
Find Your Eligible Entries
Fill in your profile and instantly see which of the 39 entries you qualify for.