A day in this work
You lead soldiers, sailors or air warriors. Training is tough, postings move you across the country and the responsibility is real from the start.
Ways in
- NDA after Class 12 (Air Force and Navy wings need Physics and Maths)
- CDS or AFCAT after a degree
- Technical entries for engineers; Short Service Commission for a shorter commitment
After Class 10
Science with Maths (PCM) or Any stream
Entrance exams to know
- NDA and NA (UPSC)
- CDS (UPSC)
- AFCAT
- SSB interview
Years, cost and pay
- Years of study
- 3 to 4 (training)
- Whole-course cost, government or aided
- under ₹2 lakh
- Whole-course cost, private
- under ₹2 lakh
- Typical starting pay
- ₹6 to 12 lakh a year
Indicative bands from the pilot dataset (0.1 (pilot), 19 September 2026). Real fees and pay vary a lot by college, city and year. Check the official sites below.
No college, coaching institute, lender or study-abroad agent pays to appear on these pages. Pathways takes no money from them.
Outlook, and how AI is changing this work
Outlook: Steady. AI changes little of the daily work.
Selection tests fitness, medical standards and leadership as much as marks.
Try this week
Follow a fitness plan for 30 days and lead one group activity at school.
Check the facts yourself
These are official sites. Exam names, dates, fees and rules change every year, so confirm them there. Each link opens in a new tab.
Careers close to this one
See how well this fits you
Discovery in the app takes about eight minutes and gives each of these 52 careers a fit score from your own answers. It is free during the pilot, and nobody is asked for an email address or a phone number. Students under 18 need a parent or guardian to agree first, and children under 13 cannot join yet.