The one-line route: Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Maths → UPSC NDA & NA exam → SSB → NDA (Naval wing) or the Indian Naval Academy's 10+2 Cadet Entry → Executive Branch officer. Or: B.E. / B.Tech with 60% → Short Service Commission (Executive) → SSB → 44-week Naval Orientation Course at INA Ezhimala → Sub Lieutenant. [1] [2] [3]
Executive Branch officers run the Navy's ships at sea — navigation, weapons, communications and command. Only Executive officers can aspire to command a warship. Entry is through UPSC's NDA & NA exam after Class 12, or through Short Service Commission after an engineering degree. [3] [1] [2]
| Level | Pay (official) |
|---|---|
| Sub Lieutenant, SSC entry (Jan 2027 course advertisement) | Initial gross about ₹1,25,000 a month, plus allowances [2] |
Pilot / Naval Air Operations Officer and submarine allowances of ₹31,250 a month are paid after training in those cadres.
NDA (II) 2026 had 42 Navy vacancies (37 men, 5 women), all Executive branch. Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Maths; unmarried; born 1 Jan 2008 – 1 Jan 2011. [1]
24 vacancies (21 men, 3 women) in NDA & NA (II) 2026, all Executive branch, for the course at the Indian Naval Academy from 1 July 2027. [1]
B.E. / B.Tech in any discipline with 60%; 76 vacancies for the Jan 2027 course; born 2 Jan 2002 – 1 Jul 2007. Commission for 12 years, extendable by up to 2. [2]
College fees for the B.E. / B.Tech before SSC differ by college, so they are not printed.
Executive (Surface Warfare) officers run the ship — navigation, weapons and command — and only Executive officers can aspire to command a warship. They later take specialist courses such as anti-submarine warfare, navigation, gunnery or diving. [3]
Next: Read the Routes list above.
Stream / subjects: Science with Physics, Chemistry and Maths.
Not for the Navy. Only the Army wing of NDA takes Class 12 in any stream; the Naval and Air Force wings and the INA 10+2 Cadet Entry need Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. [1]
Next: Take PCM if the Navy is your goal.
Exams that open here
Money help at this stage
No NDA exam feeGovernment-paid training at NDAGovernment financial assistance at NDA
42 at NDA (37 men, 5 women) and 24 in the INA 10+2 Cadet Entry (21 men, 3 women) — all for the Executive branch — out of 394 in total. [1]
Next: Put both Navy options in your preferences.
Unmarried candidates born between 1 January 2008 and 1 January 2011. [1]
Next: Check the window in each new notice.
No. SC and ST candidates, women and some wards of serving or ex JCOs / NCOs / ORs at Military or Sainik Schools are exempt; others pay ₹100. [1]
Next: Choose your category correctly in the form.
Mathematics 300 and the General Ability Test 600 make 900 written marks; the SSB test and interview carry another 900. [1]
Next: Prepare for SSB as seriously as for the written exam.
Yes. Final-year students with 60% can apply; marks up to the 5th semester are used for SSB shortlisting, and you must prove 60% in the final degree before joining INA. [2]
Next: Keep your aggregate above 60% every semester.
Yes. NCC 'C' certificate holders (at least 'B' grade, two years in the Senior Division, certificate not older than 1 January 2024) get a 5% relaxation in the shortlisting cut-off. [2]
Next: Complete your NCC 'C' certificate in college.
Not in the Jan 2027 advertisement: applications are shortlisted on normalised degree marks, then candidates attend the SSB interview, and the merit list is based on SSB marks. [2]
Next: Prepare for the SSB interview.
For the Jan 2027 course: born between 2 January 2002 and 1 July 2007 for the Executive (GS(X) / Hydro) cadre. [2]
Next: Check each new advertisement's window.
12 years at first, extendable by up to 2 years subject to service needs, performance, medical fitness and willingness. [2]
Next: Plan your second career early.
The Jan 2027 SSC advertisement gives an initial gross salary of about ₹1,25,000 a month with other allowances as applicable. [2]
Next: See joinindiannavy.gov.in for the full pay details.
An officer who withdraws from initial training or resigns during probation must refund the training cost in whole or part and the pay and allowances received, with interest. [2]
Next: Be sure before you join.
No. It is a permanent-commission entry for the technical branches (Mechanical and Electronics & Communication), selected on the JEE (Main) rank and SSB; it needs 70% in PCM and 50% in English. The Navy pays the whole 4-year B.Tech training. [4]
Next: Choose NDA or SSC if you want the Executive branch.
You are past the school stage for this career — the exam, rules and money blocks below still apply.
Any board, as long as Class 12 has Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics (for NDA's Naval wing and the INA 10+2 Cadet Entry). [1]
CBSE, CISCE and state-board certificates count the same for every national exam on this page. Notes for particular state boards are under State rules below.
UPSC NDA & NA → SSB → NDA / INA, or SSC Executive · Union Public Service Commission · Indian Navy
| Entry | Who can apply | Selection |
|---|---|---|
| NDA (Naval wing) | Class 12 PCM, unmarried, age window | UPSC written → SSB → medical |
| INA 10+2 Cadet Entry | Class 12 PCM, same exam | UPSC written → SSB → medical |
| SSC Executive | B.E. / B.Tech 60%, unmarried | Degree marks → SSB → medical |
Government schemes, professional-body scholarships and paid training on this path. Pick your class above and schemes you have already passed are hidden.
Union Public Service Commission
₹0 instead of ₹100 [1]
Government of India
Training, accommodation, books, uniform, boarding and medical treatment are paid by the Government [1]
Government of India
₹2,500 a month for the period of training [1]
Indian Navy
Entire cost of training, including books and reading material, plus clothing and messing [4]
No scheme on our list is still ahead of you for this path.
Every number on this page comes from the official files below. Lines with no number are Margdarshan guidance. Rules change every year — open the current notice before you apply.
Spotted something out of date? Email margdarshan07support10@gmail.com with the official link and we will update it.