How To Become A Para Commando In India

Para commandos are officers in the Indian defence force. These officers are responsible for special operations. Their missions include direct action, hostage rescue, counter-terrorism, and unconventional warfare.

Does this sound interesting to you? If yes, read on to know all about them.

• The PARA and PARA (SF) battalion are part of the Parachute Regiment. This elite force volunteers for the Indian Army.

• There are nine special forces in the Parachute Regiment - Three airborne Special Forces, two Territorial Army and one Counter-Insurgency, also known as Rashtriya Rifles.

• Para Commandos must undergo strict training and maintain high physical fitness and efficiency levels.

  A Para Commando Sepoy earns ₹ 17,300 per month. A Para Commando Army Soldier's ranges between ₹ 3.6 Lakhs -- ₹ 4.6 Lakhs. An allowance of ₹ 6000 per month is offered to Special Forces in Para Battalion as Para Pay.

Not everyone can become a Para Commando Officer. There are eligibility criteria as follows:

1. Only male candidates are allowed to apply.
2. Candidates must be 18-23 to apply.
3. Candidates must be at least 5.1 feet (157 cm) to apply for the Army and Navy battalion and 5.3 ft ( 162.5 cm) to apply for the Airforce.
4. Candidates must have passed their 10th and 12th grades.
5. Candidates must have worked for a minimum two years in the Indian Army after the rally examination.
6. Candidates need to be able to fulfil the following physical requirements:

• Run 5Km in 20 minutes

• Complete 14 chin-ups

• 40 pushups in 1 minute

• 80 sit-up reps in 2 minutes

• 17 Mtr Shuttles in 1 minute

  Para Commandos can be recruited directly or via army transfer, after which they will be subjected to probation - 3 months for Airborne battalions and six months for Special Forces.

Direct Recruitment:

• There is a physical and a written test conducted by the board of officers of PRTC at ARO station.
• Candidates who score 100% on the fitness test and at least 50% on the written will be considered successful.
• They will then be subjected to additional tests to decide allocation into the PARA or Parent regt.

Army Recruitment:

The candidates must first join the Indian Army as an officer after passing the respective exams.

1. NDA cadets must join the respective wings after NDA. Two Volunteer Gentlemen Cadets will be commissioned per year. The MS branch allots them a parent regiment.
2. A copy of the application must be signed by the Commanding officer in the MS branch along with a letter of recommendation from a senior.
3. Arms and Services Officers with less than five years of service can volunteer for the Parachute Regiment.

Training of a Para Commando

• SF Para Commandos start their day by running for 20 km carrying a weight of 60 to 65 kg.
• Combat training in water at the Naval Driving Training School.
• Complete 50 jumps from 33000ft Air Force training in Agra. The two parachutes used for training weigh 5 kg and 15 kg, respectively.

Are you interested in becoming a Para Commando? Check if it's the right fit for you with the Career Test at Glow & Lovely Careers (formerly known as Fair & Lovely Career Foundation).