Indian Navy Officer

In this career guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about the Indian Navy as a career, from roles and responsibilities, to work environment and roadmap to becoming an Indian Navy Officer.

Who's a Indian Navy Officer?

Does the idea of working on a ship excite you? Think you love the sea more than working on a land? Would you like to devote your life working for the country? Then pursuing a career as an Indian Naval Officer would be the right choice for you. As an Indian Navy Officer, you would be protecting the various sea routes of the country. This means, you will be entrusted with the responsibility of safeguarding India’s marine and maritime trade. You would also have to ensure that country’s national security and interests are not affected due to any marine war or intervention. Your role and responsibility as an Indian Navy office would depend on the branch of Indian Navy you specialize in. Would you like to read more about this career? Click here to find out.

What will you do?

Managing the ship.

Most of your life will be spent on the ship. You will perform the various duties assigned to you to ensure that the ship is well-managed. The ship must be ready to face attacks as it is a vessel for tactical warfare.

Example: The ship will be in the sea for long stretches at a time. Fuel and other necessities must be stocked and taken care of.

Collecting information for navigation.

You will be responsible for collecting the information needed to prepare nautical charts that are used by your team.

Example: You will measure and create descriptions of the ocean or water body and based on that, create navigations to direct the ship.

Conducting operations.

You will also conduct offensive and defensive operations during your service. These operations can consist of attacks on enemy lines, protecting the territory, conducting rescue operations, etc.

Example: You will protect the naval border of the country at the different checkpoints of neighbouring countries.

Safeguarding the nation.

One of the primary responsibilities of an Indian Navy Officer is to safeguard the nation. This means you will have to be ready to serve the country and protect and defend it from external and internal threats.

Example: If there is an emergency in the country or if the country is at war with any nation, you should be able to effectively protect the country and its citizens.

Undergoing training.

As an officer, you will continually undergo training and learn to use new equipment and stay in top physical condition.

Example: You may have to learn how to navigate the sea, sail in stormy conditions, use weapons, etc.

Training officers.

As you complete more years of service and gain experience, you will have to train the younger officers who enrol with the navy.

Example: You will train young officers on tactical war techniques and how to use various weapons and equipment.

Take the Mentoria career assessment, to find out how well-suited you are as an Indian Navy Officer.

Where will you work?

Ship

Depending on the branch of the navy, you specialise in, you will be posted on a ship or submarine. While at sea, you perform assigned duties and spend most of your time here. You will be provided with food, a separate locker, and a bed. Once in a while, you will visit your homeport. 

Submarine

In a submarine, you will work with high-tech war machines and state of the art weapon control systems. You will be trained to prevent war. Your recruitment would be based on clearing aptitude and various medical tests.

Control Room

Depending on your specialisation, you could work in the control room of a ship or submarine, where you would work with the IT, hydrographic, and other departments.

How do you get there?

STEP 1: XI-XII/Junior College

If you’re interested in subjects like political science, history, etc., choose arts in junior college.

STEP 2: UPSC

After Class 12, you will have to appear for the NDA or CDSE exam conducted by the UPSC twice a year. A written exam is followed by the service selection board interview. This interview is then followed by a medical test to further join the navy. No written test is conducted for NCC entry, however, NCC entries are required to hold B.E./B.TECH degree.

STEP 3: INET Test

For both permanent commission and short service commission, you will have to appear for the Indian Navy Entrance Test conducted by IHQ MoD (Navy)/ DMPR. It is a computer-based written examination and you are required to pass the four sections with minimum 40% marks.

The exam consists of over 100 multiple-choice questions based on English, general knowledge, general science and others. If you don’t wish to appear for INET, apply through the university entry scheme that is conducted once every year, which requires you to score a minimum of 60% in your fifth semester.

STEP 4: Appear for SSB

On the basis of the INET rank, you will be shortlisted for the SSB interview. You will be interviewed at Bangalore, Bhopal, Kolkata or any other branch. You will be informed about the SSB interview via email or SMS.

STEP 5: Merit List

On the basis of the INET and SSB interviews, your name will be included in the merit list. You will then have to undergo the required medical tests and will be appointed for the training in a specific branch or cadre, depending on the number of vacancies available. Congratulations, you are now officially a Navy Officer!

 

Thinking of a career as an Indian Navy Officer? Take the Mentoria assessment & talk to our career counsellors to get personalized step-by-step guidance for your future career path.

STEP 1: XI-XII/Junior College

If you enjoy doing accounts and learning about business, take up commerce in junior college.

STEP 2: UPSC

After Class 12, you will have to appear for the NDA or CDSE exam conducted by the UPSC twice a year. A written exam is followed by the service selection board interview. This interview is then followed by a medical test to further join the navy. No written test is conducted for NCC entry, however, NCC entries are required to hold B.E./B.TECH degree.

STEP 3: INET Test

For both permanent commission and short service commission, you will have to appear for the Indian Navy Entrance Test conducted by IHQ MoD (Navy)/ DMPR. It is a computer-based written examination and you are required to pass the four sections with minimum 40% marks.

The exam consists of over 100 multiple-choice questions based on English, general knowledge, general science and others. If you don’t wish to appear for INET, apply through the university entry scheme that is conducted once every year, which requires you to score a minimum of 60% in your fifth semester.

STEP 4: Appear for SSB

On the basis of the INET rank, you will be shortlisted for the SSB interview. You will be interviewed at Bangalore, Bhopal, Kolkata or any other branch. You will be informed about the SSB interview via email or SMS.

STEP 5: Merit List

On the basis of INET and SSB interview, your name will be included in the merit list. You will then have to undergo the required medical tests and will be appointed for the training in a specific branch or cadre, depending on the number of vacancies available.

 

Thinking of a career as an Indian Navy Officer? Take the Mentoria assessment & talk to our career counsellors to get personalized step-by-step guidance for your future career path.

STEP 1: XI-XII/Junior College

If you want to pursue a career as a marine engineer or a submarine electrical officer, opt for science. Score at least 75% marks in subjects such as chemistry, English, physics and mathematics.

STEP 2: UPSC

After Class 12, you will have to appear for the NDA or CDSE exam conducted by the UPSC twice a year. A written exam is followed by the service selection board interview. This interview is then followed by a medical test to further join the navy. No written test is conducted for NCC entry, however, NCC entries are required to hold B.E./B.TECH degree.

STEP 3: INET Test

For both permanent commission and short service commission, you will have to appear for the Indian Navy Entrance Test conducted by IHQ MoD (Navy)/ DMPR. It is a computer-based written examination and you are required to pass the four sections with minimum 40% marks.

The exam consists of over 100 multiple-choice questions based on English, general knowledge, general science and others. If you don’t wish to appear for INET, apply through the university entry scheme that is conducted once every year, which requires you to score a minimum of 60% in your fifth semester.

STEP 4: Appear for SSB

On the basis of the INET rank, you will be shortlisted for the SSB interview. You will be interviewed at Bangalore, Bhopal, Kolkata or any other branch. You will be informed about the SSB interview via email or SMS.

STEP 5: Merit List

On the basis of INET and SSB interview, your name will be included in the merit list. You will then have to undergo the required medical tests and will be appointed for the training in a specific branch or cadre, depending on the number of vacancies available.

Thinking of a career as an Indian Navy Officer? Take the Mentoria assessment & talk to our career counsellors to get personalized step-by-step guidance for your future career path.

What skills would you need?

Technical Skills

Technical Skills

As a marketer, you will work on different platforms to communicate with people. If you don’t understand how they work, you won’t be able to come up with the best strategy. You will also use various kinds of software like Google Adwords, MailChimp, SurveyMonkey, etc., during your promotions. You need to know how they work, and how to use them to your advantage.

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Communication Skills

Communication Skills

It’s harder than ever to get people’s attention, what with so much information being thrown at them. But, people cannot resist a good story. Every good marketing campaign has a story to tell their customers and relate to them on an emotional level. Marketers who tell great stories through their marketing campaigns are always in great demand.

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How do you make it to the top ranks?

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Sub-Lieutenant

The rank of Sub-Lieutenant is given to you once you finish your course of study. It is the lowest commissioned officer rank in the Indian Navy. You will follow the orders of the lieutenant your troop is assigned to.

Lieutenant

As the senior officer of the most junior ranks, your tasks are limited to overlooking administration or managerial related work.

Lieutenant Commander

As a lieutenant commander, you are recognised as a senior department officer on warships and smaller shore installations.

Commander

At this stage, you are ready to command a naval unit. This rank is equal to a lieutenant colonel in the Indian Army.

Captain

Your responsibility as a Naval Captain is to command a ship. This rank is Equivalent to a colonel in the Army.

Commodore

In the post of a Commodore, your job is to command a whole squadron of ships as part of a larger task force or naval fleet.

Rear Admiral

This is the lowest of the ‘admiral’ ranks. At this stage, you head the rear of the naval squadron, consisting of ships in the least danger.

Vice Admiral

As an assistant to the Admiral, your job is to command the lead ships that would bear most of the brunt of a naval battle.

Admiral

Also known as The Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral is the commander and the highest-ranking officer in the Indian Navy. At this stage, you head the entire naval squadron.

Admiral of Fleet

This rank is reserved for wartime or ceremonial appointments. No officer of the Indian Navy has been conferred this prestigious rank yet.

Pursuing your career locally VS abroad

The most common route (for men) to becoming a Naval Officer is through the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Pune. The Naval College of Engineering in Lonavala is also a good option. The application fee is INR 100 for general category students while certain castes are exempt from any kind of payment. Candidates must have passed Class 12 and must meet the physical requirements before enrolment. Applicants can also enrol for the Navy through the Cadet Entry Examination. The training duration here is of four years and an engineering degree is awarded on successful completion of the course. The third option is through UPSC’s Combined Defence Service Examination followed by a Service Selection Board interview. Candidates here must be between 19 and 24 years of age and must have a graduation degree from a recognised institute. Pre-final and final year engineering students can also apply via the University Entry Scheme for the technical branches of the Navy.

In order to pursue a career in the Indian Navy, the candidate must be Indian and living in India. Even though students of Indian origin with Indian nationality who have studied abroad stand a chance to qualify, a degree from an Indian university can serve you best during the Service Selection Board interview.

How much does a Indian Navy Officer get paid?

Your pay depends will depend on your rank, posting, and other qualifying factors. However, we can give you a fair idea of how much you could earn as a navy officer.


What are your career options?

General Service

Officers in the general service manage ships of the Navy. They strategise methods in which they can use ships as instruments of warfare and command them during battles with their enemies. Because of the nature of their work, all general service officers are trained in navigation, communications, gunnery, anti-submarine warfare, and diving.

Hydrography

Hydrographers conduct surveys at sea. They operate in territorial waters and explore high seas, depending on the task at hand. These professionals create navigational charts that are recognised internationally and even used by mariners across the world. Hydrographers in the Indian Navy also work as Instructors at Hydrography School at Goa.

Observation

The Navy also has an Air Wing with professionals trained for airborne coordination during maritime warfare. Observers mainly act as the “eyes” of the force, flying on board helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft to participate in various naval operations. If required, they also take up the responsibility of firing weapons of warfare.

Naval Armament Inspection

Naval Armament Inspection (NAI) Officers are responsible for inspecting the armaments used by the Navy. They run a quality check and also overlook the maintenance and storage of the armaments. Some officers in NAI are involved in research and development of maritime weapons, working with DRDO labs for their development.

Logistics

The logistics officers have administrative responsibilities in the Indian Navy. They predict, plan, and execute the budget for various naval operations and are also involved in the inventory management of spare parts and items required for the smooth functioning of their ships. Additionally, they manage other responsibilities such as food and clothing of all officers, supply chain, and IT.

Information Technology

The IT cell is responsible for the implementation of hi-tech networks, software development projects, IT infrastructure, and advanced IT applications for the Navy. They are also involved in research and development of systems that ensure smooth connectivity and synchronised operations between the various ships of a fleet.

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