Now, JEE (Main) To Be Considered For B.Tech Entry Scheme In Navy

The Navy is set for its hi-tech overhaul. With state-of-the-art warships, weapons and sensors being progressively inducted by the force. They are onto recruiting officers who have the technical capabilities of handling and managing the intricate challenges of the massive technological revolution under way.

First, the Navy implemented the plans to ensure virtually all its new officers have B.Tech. degrees, apart from the traditional military and leadership skills, when they graduate from the Indian Naval Academy in Kerala. Now, it has decided to shortlist candidates aspiring to join the force based on their JEE (Main) ranks to appear before the Services Selection Board (SSB) for interviews.

Aspiring candidates for the 10+2 B.Tech. cadet entry scheme will now have to take the JEE (Main) in 2017 to be eligible for entry to the January 2018 course at the Indian Naval Academy. The 10+2 B.Tech cadet entry scheme will no longer use the candidate’s PCM percentage obtained in Class 12 board exams.

The JEE scores have been chosen as a benchmark to negate the uneven nature of scoring systems adopted by various state examination boards.

“Different state examination boards have gone berserk in awarding high marks in Class XII. We were finding the quality of candidates coming for the SSB interview or training very uneven,” said a senior Navy officer.

“The JEE (Main) ranks, which the CBSE has agreed to share with us, will be a better benchmark. With the government approving the move, youngsters will have to appear for the JEE (Main) in 2017 to be eligible for the January 2018 course at INA,” the officer added.

Currently, the Navy uses other modes of officer recruitment as well. Through the National Defence Academy (NDA) route, 78 cadets undergo a three-year course at the tri-service NDA. These cadets are later commissioned as officers with B.Tech. degrees after another year of intensive training at the INA, Kerala.