Recruitment in Army – Defence Minister replies in Lok Sabha

Recruitment of Other Ranks (ORs) in Army is based on Recruitable Male Population (RMP) of the States/Union Territories(UTs). In Navy, recruitment of Sailors is carried out on ‘All India basis’ on state-wise merit of the eligible RMP as per the number of vacancies available. In case of Artificer Apprentice Sailors entry, the recruitment is carried out on the basis of ‘All India Merit’. In Air Force, selection of Airmen (ORs) is carried out through a centralized system through centralized selection tests on All India basis.

Dispensation in education is given for enrolment in Soldier (General Duty) and Tradesmen category to persons hailing from backward and remote areas/regions lacking adequate educational facilities and lower literacy levels including from specific areas of Jammu & Kashmir.

Officers are recruited on all India basis through open competitive examinations. Women are inducted as officers. Details of officers (men and women) commissioned in the Army during last three years and the current year (excluding Army Medical Corps, Army Dental Corps and Military Nursing Service) are as under:

            Recruitment of ORs in Army is carried out through Open Rally System from amongst eligible male candidates based on Recruitable Male Population of the State/UTs,

Recruitment of ORs in the Army including from rural/backward/tribal areas during last three years and the current year are as under:

            Recruitment of Other Ranks in Army is carried out through Open Recruitment Rally System which is a continuous/ongoing process and efforts are made to cover each district of the country at least once in a recruitment year, including rural/backward/tribal areas, through these rallies including Uttar Pradesh. As such, all the aspirants have equitable opportunities to attend and get enrolled in Army.

            This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in a written reply to Shri RajendraAgrawaland others in Lok Sabha recently.