Pic: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Mar 7: Army recruitment rally will be held at Sainik School at Vijayapura, Bijapur from May 12 to 18, informed Col Prashanth Padkar, director recruitment, Army recruitment office, Mangaluru.

Addressing mediapersons here on Monday, March 6, he said, "Candidates from Dakshina Kannada, Bagalkot, Vijaypura, Dharwad, Uttar Kannada, Udupi, Davangere, Gadag, Haveri, Chikmagluru and Shivmogga are eligible to apply. The number of candidates from Dakshina Kannada has come down from the past few years. As many 134 candidates registered themselves in 2015 compared to 34 in 2016. This will be an opportunity for candidates from this district to serve their motherland.

"Candidates are required to register online at www.joinindianarmy.nic which will be open from March 12 to April 25. Candidates are allowed to submit only one application form against each post. Soldier general duty with SSLC and minimum marks of 33% with age between 17.5 - 21 years, soldier technical with 10+2 and minimum marks of 40% having subjects (Physics, Chemistry, Maths and English) with age between 17.5 to 23 years, soldier nursing assistant with 10+2 and minimum marks of 40% having subjects (Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English) with age between 17.5 to 23 years, soldier clerk/storekeeper technical with 10+2 and minimum of 50% having subject (English, Maths, Accounts, Book-keeping) with age between 17.5 to 23 years and soldier tradesman with 10th pass and age between 17.5 to 23 years are eligible to apply for the posts," he informed.

"The recruitment process will take place in three phases - physical fitness test and physical measurement test, medical exam and written test in Mangaluru. The candidate should run for 1.6 km in just 5.3 minutes to pass the physical fitness test. Medically fit candidates will then appear an objective type written test in Mangaluru. The written test will have 15 objective type questions comprising general knowledge, science and maths. Once they pass the exam, they will be enrolled as soldiers in the month of September," he said.

"Most of the candidates getting enrolled belong to Gadag, Dharwad and Bagalkot. Candidates from Chikkamagaluru, Shivamogga, Udupi and Dakshina Kannada are very minimal. The figure does not even cross 200 in all four districts. We are looking forward for candidates from Dakshina Kannada to join Indian Army," he added.

"We expect soldiers to serve for 15 to 17 years. A soldier who joins army at the age of 18 can serve for the next 17 years till he is 34 and get pension for the rest of his life. In case a soldier dies in the line of duty, his wife will receive his pension till her death," he concluded.

Assistant deputy commissioner Kumar and information officer Khader were present.