How to Join defense services After MBBS – Doctors in Defence
Having a doctor’s title with your name is already a proud feeling. No other service on the entire globe can give you the same opportunity to serve people as you get in the medical profession.
Doctors are one of the highly respected and paid professionals in the world. It is also considered a satisfying career option for all those who want a stable yet adventurous life. From day one of your degree to the final year of graduation, the thrill, satisfaction, and learning are immense.
Due to constant war conditions and other casualties, all the three wings (Army, Navy, AirForce) of the defense system require qualified doctors. They are always in demand. Due to the specialty and mastery over one specific skill makes them even more respected individuals. Apart from government and private practice, an MBBS doctor can give their services to defense forces also.
The selection process takes place semi-annually to recruit various specialist doctors like dentists, veterinarians, etc. These doctors are selected in defense forces under Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) as Short Service Commission (SSC) servicemen and get the emoluments of a class-A gazetted officers. The detailed process of selection and eligibility is given below:
Eligibility to become a doctors in defense
Short Service Commission (SSC)
- Candidates must possess a medical qualification from a Medical Council of India (MCI) recognized university in India or abroad.
- Must have a registration certificate in any of the Indian states to validate the candidature.
- A seniority antedate of three years for a postgraduate degree, two years for postgraduate diploma holder, and six months will be given for those who worked in-house at a recognized private or government hospital.
- A postgraduate degree holder doctor who also did an in-house job can avail maximum seniority antedate of 42 months.
Permanent Commission (PC)
- SSC candidates who successfully completed the probation period of 2 years and have not completed 9.5 years of service in SSC without a break are eligible to apply for permanent commission.
- Selections for PC will be made through Departmental Interview for Grant of Permanent Commission (DPC), where candidates will be evaluated by the member of the board that consists of senior army officers and doctors.
The maximum age limit for various degree holders are given below:
- MBBS – Not more than 30 years at the time of DPC
- PG Diploma – Should not exceed 31 years of age at the time of DPC
- PG Degree – Not more than 35 years at the time of DPC
For Army Dental Corps (ADC)
- These doctors are recruited on Permanent Commission (PC) basis.
- Eligible candidates must not exceed 28 years of age for BDS degree holders and 30 years for MDS degree holders.
- Should pass BDS with a minimum of 60% marks from a recognized university.
- Should have completed a one-year internship at any place recognized by the Dental Council of India.
- Must attain a Permanent Dental Registration Certificate.
For Remount Veterinary Corps
- Candidates should be between 21-32 years of age.
- They should possess a veterinary qualification, i.e., BVSc or BVSs, and an AH degree from a recognized Indian or foreign university.
Note:
- Candidates below 30 years of age will be granted PC.
- MVSc or doctorate degree holders below 32 and 34 years of age will be granted PC.
- Candidates will get three attempts in total to apply for PC, Two attempts after two years of service completion and before the 5th year of service, and a third attempt can be avail after the 5th year for service and before the 8th year of service.
Selection Process for all the specialties
The selection process for all the doctors for SSC is the same. The Army Medical Corps (AMC) invites eligible male and female candidates twice a year to join defense forces on a Short Service Commission basis.
They have to come to New Delhi for the interview, and after clearing the stage, all the successful candidates will be sent for Medical Examination. Final merit will be declared on the basis of the overall result, and the eligible candidates will ask for document verification and be granted SSC.
Selection through AFMC
This is another way to enter Armed Forces Medical Services by joining AFMC, i.e., Armed Forces Medical College, Pune. Here 12th pass-out students will study MBBS and will be granted a commission in AMC. To get admission in AFMC students:
- Must be between 17-22 years of age with at least 60% total aggregate in PCB (Physics, Chemistry, and Biology). The minimum percentage should not be below 50%.
- Must be below 24 years of age if they completed BSc.
- Candidates should pass the written examination and interview to get admission to the college. The interview will be held in Pune.
Promotion and Salary
Selected candidates will get the same rank of officials, i.e., Captain (at the time of joining), Major (after 4 years of total service), Lt. Colonel (after 11 years of complete service), etc. Promotions after Lt. Colonel will be dependent on various factors, and they are not time-bound. Doctors of the Navy and AirForce will get respective posts in the Army.
At the time of probation (initial two years), the doctors are entitled to get the monthly salary of 65-70 thousand depending on posting and posts, including all the allowances. After the completion of probation, there will be a significant rise in the salary, and they will easily earn 80-85 thousand per month. Apart from salary, these doctors are also entitled to get all other benefits like subsidized accommodation, free medical facility, and insurance for everyone in the family, including dependent, CSD service, etc.
How to apply
Eligible candidates can submit the application through the official website online of the Indian Army. They have to pay the non-refundable amount of 200 Indian rupees at the time of application.
Retirement
Different rank doctors retire on different ages, which is given below in detail:
- Lt. Colonel or below – 56 years
- Colonel – 58 years
- Brigadier – 59 years
- Major General – 60 years
- Lt. General – 61 years or two-year tenure as Lt. General, whichever is earlier but in any case not before 60 years.
- DGAFMS – 62 years or three-year tenure, whichever is earlier but in any case not before 60 years.
Note:
Navy and AirForce doctors will get the same respective ranks in their wings.
That’s how you can carry out your dream of serving the people and society both at the same time. AMC is undoubtedly the best career option for aspiring doctors if they want to live a different life.
Also read – How to get into Indian Defence Services
