The Indian Navy is the 7th most powerful navy of the world. It has over 300,000 tons of seafaring vessels. The role of the Indian Navy is very vast, ranging from providing assistance at times of natural disasters to fighting in the war in order to safeguard the country and destroy the enemies. Broadly the role of Indian navy is categorized into four categories: the Military role, the Diplomatic role, Constabulary role, and the Benign Role. They are responsible for deterrence against war as well as foreign interventions, maintaining the country's territorial integrity, safeguarding the shores, surveillance. 

Career Roles & Responsibilities

Executive Branch of Indian Navy 

1. General Service Officer: As an Executive Officer, you will be both working and fighting the ship. It means you will be a vital part of the complex system that manages the ship and also uses the ship as an instrument of tactical warfare. You will learn to have a good understanding of your ship’s capabilities and limitations and be able to turn them to your advantage. It is for this reason that an Executive Officer alone can aspire for the command of a naval ship. Executive Officers are trained in specialisations like anti-submarine warfare, navigation, communications, gunnery, logistics, diving and hydrography. One could also opt for the air or submarine arm. Within the branch, your promotional chances are not affected by your choice of specialisation. For instance, the Commanding Officer of a destroyer could have been a pilot and that of a guided missile frigate, a submarine specialist. Our specialist schools in Kochi constantly update your knowledge & sharpen your skills for greater responsibilities.
2. Hydrographic Officer: Executive Officers can specialise in hydrography. Hydrographic Officers are responsible for collecting information required for making the nautical charts used by the Indian Navy and other Navies around the world.
3. Naval Armament Inspection Officer: These specialist officers inspect the armaments supplied to the Navy by various agencies. While they ensure the quality, safety and reliability of naval armament and stores, they are also responsible for in-house research & development leading to indigenisation. Both Permanent as well as Short Service Commissioned officers serve in this cadre.
4. Provost Officer: A separate cadre of Provost Officers exists to deal with policing, regulatory, and security and vigilance needs of the Navy.
5. Pilot Officer: For those with an aspiration to fly in the skies, the navy needs Pilots who act as airborne tactical coordinators of marine warfare. While most Navy pilots fly ship-borne helicopters and shore based maritime reconnaissance aircraft, some elite pilots also fly fighter aircraft such as Sea Harrier or Mig 29K. Naval aircraft locate and attack enemy surface ships and submarines and take part in amphibious warfare, search and rescue, casualty evacuation etc. For this, specialised training is imparted at various places on shore and afloat units.
6. Observer Officer: For those with a yearning for the skies, navy needs observers who act as airborne coordinators of maritime warfare. Observer officer operates various state of the art equipment including sonics, sonars, radars and communication equipment. Observer officer gets an opportunity to participate in all facets of naval operations onboard the ” eyes of the fleet: the maritime Patrol aircraft.
7. Submarine Officer: If you enjoy the challenge of new frontiers, meet the medical standards and have an exceptional record, this is the specialisation for you. These new hi-tech war machines have awesome firepower, state-of-the art weapon control systems, computer controlled machinery and a high standard of habitability. In peace time, one major responsibility of the submarines is to train for war as effectively as possible in the knowledge that will contribute to its prevention. If you successfully complete the rigorous training, which is conducted at Visakhapatnam, you will be the proud possessor of the ‘Dolphin Badge’ and a member of a very elite arm of the Navy.
8. Diving officer: Diving Officer job range from under water inspection and repair of ships to defence of Indian Navy maritime assets. This is yet another elite and challenging task specialization wherein being in the parent professional arm with sub specialization such as gunnery, Navigation, Anti-submarine warfare or else logistics, hydro, Aviation etc one can become ships diver. Alternatively one may opt to become a Diving Officer wherein one would be required to undertake a Clearance Diving Officers course and/ or a marine Commando course.
9. Law Officer: A separate cadre of Law Officers also exists to deal with the legal needs of the Navy. Both Permanent as well as Short Service Commissioned officers serve in this cadre.
10. Logistics Officer: A modern warship is not only a complex fighting unit, but also a mini township and community of several hundred people. These personnel have to be fed, clothed and paid, whatever may be the ship’s role. A modern warship has also to be constantly supplied with fuel, water and spares for the vast array of sophisticated equipment and machinery. At sea or on shore the Logistics Officer has a vital part to play in the technical and human aspects of the ship’s organisation. It is a job that requires exceptional managerial skills and the ability to deliver under pressure.
11. Information Technology: Indian Navy provides an excellent career opportunities in the field of IT. Personnel gain hands-on experience in operations, maintenance and administration of core IT infrastructure in applications. They are exposed to R & D functions as part of standard growth profile. Naval IT setup is unique since it involves not only shore based establishments but also afloat units, which require to maintain connectivity and synchronised operations. The charter of duties of IT Officer includes following:-
    • Implementation of Enterprise wide networking & software development projects.
    • Management of Critical Naval networks and software applications.
    • Administration of shore and on-board networks.
    • Development activities with respect to cyber security products.

Career Education Path Summary

How to Pursue a Career in the Indian Navy

Important Facts

• One can appear for CDS while in final year of graduation as well. Most of these exams are conducted twice a year. Not all these exams are open for females.
• For NDA age range is 16.5 years to 19.5 years. NDA is open only to male, unmarried candidates. One needs to be a citizen of India or Nepal/Bhutan/Tibet refugee to apply. The Age range for entrances after graduation is 20-26 years. Minimum 60% aggregate in graduation is needed. Apart from educational criteria, physical as well as medical standards as set by Indian Navy should also be met to be eligible