Indian Defence Forces offer one of the most prestigious and respected government careers. Here is a complete guide to all defence job opportunities in 2026 across Army, Navy and Air Force.
| Exam | Posts | Eligibility | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| NDA | Officer Cadet | 12th Pass, Age 16.5-19.5 | ₹56,100+ |
| CDS | Officer | Graduate, Age 19-25 | ₹56,100+ |
| Army Agniveer | Soldier | 10th/12th, Age 17.5-23 | ₹30,000+ |
| Navy Agniveer SSR | Sailor | 12th (PCM), Age 17-20 | ₹30,000+ |
| AF Agniveer Vayu | Airman | 12th (PCM/Arts), Age 17-21 | ₹30,000+ |
| AFCAT | Flying/Tech Officer | Graduate, Age 20-26 | ₹56,100+ |
NDA is conducted by UPSC twice a year. It is the gateway to become an officer in Army, Navy or Air Force. 12th pass students can apply. After 3 years at NDA and 1 year at IMA/INA/AFA, candidates are commissioned as officers.
CDS is for graduates who want to become officers. It has three categories — IMA for Army, INA for Navy and AFA for Air Force. The exam is conducted by UPSC twice a year.
Agniveer is the latest recruitment scheme for all three defence forces. Candidates serve for 4 years as Agniveers. 25% are retained as permanent soldiers after 4 years. Starting package is ₹30,000 per month with annual increments.
Defence jobs offer unmatched respect, salary, adventure and job security. Start physical training today along with written exam preparation. Check SarkariJobNaukri.com for all defence job notifications.