Dare to mix patriotism with action?

Careers For the interested and courageous there are plenty of opportunities to serve the country, says Dr Ali Khwaja

How did you feel when you were helplessly watching 26/11 taking place in Mumbai? Does your blood boil when you hear of the infiltrators who sneak into our country and create mayhem? Are you fed up with the corruption, double-standards and lethargy of the “babus”?
A great deal of awareness has already been created around the recent Lok Sabha elections about exercising our right to vote. In fact, many men and women have taken the courageous step of standing for elections as independent candidates, regardless of whether any party supports them or not.

A new era?
Youngsters today are feeling the urge to do something for the nation; fight corruption, terrorism and lethargy of the system.  While politics may not be your choice for various reasons, you can fulfil your dreams by making a career in the uniformed forces who protect and preserve our nation.
While you are obviously aware of the Military (Army, Air Force and Navy) and the civil police in every state, you may not have given much attention to the equally dynamic forces that play very specialised and meaningful roles. And unlike the NDA or IPS entrance exams, there is comparatively less competition to get into these other services.


There are very good opportunities for young men and women to become officers in the paramilitary or central police organisations (CPO’s).  Applications are currently being given for various posts in CBI, anti-narcotics bureau, Central Industrial Security Force, Central Research Police, Border Security Force, Coast Guard, etc. These forces offer respectable and challenging careers (which are also recession-proof), job security, and an opportunity to serve the nation.
The hierarchy of these organisations is as given below.
Headed by a Director General, equivalent to Lieutenant Generals (the second highest rank of the military), there are Additional, Joint and Deputy Directors. Lower down are Commandants or Superintendents, Deputy Commandants, Inspectors, Sub-Inspectors, and then the constabulary.
Recruitment for officers is usually done at three levels:
(1) Sub-Inspectors
They are selected by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) (www.ssc.nic.in). The last date for applying for this year’s exam is 12th June.
Requirement is graduation in any field, and age between 20 to 25 years.
(2) Assistant Commandants/ Dy. Superintendents.
They are recruited by the Union Public Service Commission (upsc.gov.in). Last dates for different cadres are 9th May and 8th June, and the exam will be held on 11th October. Graduates from any stream, and those in final year, are eligible to apply, if they are between 20-25 years age.
(3) Specialists such as computer hacking experts, explosive experts, airborne para-jumpers, language and behaviour professionals, are recruited from time-to-time in different ranks as the vacancies arise.
Though eligibility conditions for entrance exams are the same, the competition is much tougher for the second category, because these officers get promoted to Commandant, Deputy Inspector General, and even higher ranks.  Those who join as Sub-Inspectors go on to become Inspectors and Deputy Commandants, and in a few cases, even to higher ranks.

It’s recession proof too

In these days of financial uncertainty and recession, these services offer security not only during your working life, but also after retirement through pension and other benefits.  They give you the dignity of being in a uniform, of working in a disciplined organisation, facing adventure and challenges, and having the surety not only of your salary, housing, medical benefits, education for your children, but also of any other legitimate needs you may have from time-to-time.

Paramilitary services

Although most promotions are time bound, based on seniority, your excellence can give you challenging assignments. E.g. the best officers in the Central Reserve Police are selected and trained to man the Rapid Action Force which is ready to move in a few minutes notice to any part of the country, and deal with any type of challenge or emergency. Similarly the elitist National Security Guard (NSG) and the Special Protection Group (SPG) comprise selected personnel from various forces, who have outstanding record of bravery and efficiency. As an officer, you have the honour of commanding some of the most committed and efficient men in the world.
Be aware that not everyone can face the tough life of the paramilitary services.
*Travel and relocation to any part of the country, sometimes very remote, inhospitable, and dangerous areas.
* Ability to adapt to different types of food, living conditions and culture.
* Strict discipline and readiness to be on call at any time, for any type of emergency.
* Leadership traits to inspire and motivate your men to challenges.
* Quick decision making ability to handle unprecedented situations with no time to lose.
* Keeping yourself continuously physically fit, away from politics, and keeping the interest of the nation above yours and your family’s.
If you feel you have it in you, then take the plunge. Prepare well in advance, work with  passion and commitment, and become a national hero.

The author is a career counsellor and life skills coach.



Some of the Paramilitary and Central Police Ser

*n Central Reserve Police (CRP) – deployed in any part of the country where there are riots, calamities, unrest, or when the police is unable to handle the situation.
* Its elite commandoes, the Rapid Action Force (RAF) are trained to handle any emergency.
* Border Security Force (BSF) – guards the borders at peace time, and assists the military in all types of operations or war.
* Coast Guard (CG) – guards the seas from Bay of Bengal to the Arabian Sea, patrols movement of marine vessels, prevents smuggling and infiltration of foreigners, carries out rescue operations at sea.
* Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) – provides security to ports, international airports, vital scientific installations like ISRO, public sector industries. Likely to be deployed for security of IT establishments soon.
* Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) – conducts surveillance and raids of corrupt central government officials and top politicians; investigates major frauds, sensitive and unsolvable crime cases. Is an independent body, not under the control of the Union Home Ministry, and reports directly to the prime minister.
* Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) – investigates and tracks movement of narcotics, drugs, dangerous chemicals and carries out under-cover operations to apprehend drug cartels and dealers.
* Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) – carries out intelligence gathering all over the world, monitors enemies of the nation, and investigates international crime rings.
Intelligence Bureau (IB) – carries out intelligence gathering at the national level to prevent sabotage, anti-national activities. The “James Bonds” of India!

Are you ready for the services?

* Check the minimum requirements of height, weight, eyesight, colour-blindness and flat-foot. If you do not fit into the physical criteria you will have to face disappointment even though you pass the written exam.
* Keep yourself physically fit, particularly developing your stamina to run, climb, jump, crawl and trek.
* Updated on your GK, and keep abreast of all current affairs regarding our country.
* Build up your communication and presentation skills to be able to answer clearly and smartly, participate in group discussions, face batteries of questions.
* If possible go through the old question papers of the relevant exams, or seek coaching from a reliable coaching institute.
* Keep yourself abreast of the various exams and their schedules, either through Employment News or the websites www.upsc.gov.in and www.ssc.nic.in.