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The history of the Indian Navy can be traced back to 1612 when Captain Best encountered and defeated the Portuguese. This encounter, as also the trouble caused by the pirates, forced the British East India Company to maintain a small fleet at Swally, near Surat (Gujarat). The First Squadron of fighting ships arrived on 5 September 1612, forming what was then called the Honourable East India Company's Marine. It was responsible for the protection of the East India Company's trade in the Gulf of Cambay and the river mouths of the Tapti and Narmada. The officers and the men of this force went on to play an important role in surveying the Arabian, Persian and Indian coastlines.

Whilst the Navy's strength continued to grow, it underwent numerous changes of nomenclature over the next few decades. It was renamed the Bombay Marine from 1863 to 1877, after which it became Her Majesty's Indian Marine. At this time, the Marine had two divisions, the Eastern Division based at Calcutta under the Superintendent, Bay of Bengal, and the Western Division at Bombay under the Superintendent, Arabian Sea. In recognition of the services rendered during various campaigns, its title was changed to Royal Indian Marine in 1892, by which time it consisted of over 50 vessels. The Royal Indian Marine went into action with a fleet of minesweepers, patrol vessels and troop carriers during the First World War when mines were detected off Bombay and Aden, and was utilised mainly for patrolling, ferrying troops and carrying war stores to Iraq, Egypt and East Africa.

The first Indian to be granted a commission was Sub Lieutenant D.N Mukherji who joined the Royal Indian Marine as an engineer officer in 1928. In 1934, the Royal Indian Marine was re-organised into the Royal Indian Navy, and was presented the King's Colour in 1935 in recognition of its services. At the outbreak of the Second World War, the Royal Indian Navy consisted of eight warships. By the end of the war, its strength had risen to 117 combat vessels and 30,000 personnel who had seen action in various theatres of operations.

On India attaining Independence, the Royal Indian Navy consisted of 32 ageing vessels suitable only for coastal patrol, along with 11,000 officers and men. The senior officers were drawn from the Royal Navy, with R Adm ITS Hall, CIE, being the first Post-independence Commander-in-Chief. The prefix 'Royal' was dropped on 26 January 1950 with India being constituted as a Republic. The first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Navy was Adm Sir Edward Parry, KCB, who handed over to Adm Sir Mark Pizey, KBE, CB, DSO in 1951. Adm Pizey also became the first Chief of the Naval Staff in 1955, and was succeeded by V Adm SH Carlill, CB, DSO.

Officer Ranks

Admiral
Vice Admiral
Rear Admiral
Commodore (2nd rank Rear Admiral)
Captain
Commander
Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant
Sub Lieutenant (Lieutenant Junior Grade)

Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) and enlisted ranks
Master Chief Petty Officer (1st Class) (JCO)
Master Chief Petty Officer (2nd Class) (JCO)
Chief Petty Officer (JCO)
Petty Officer
Leading Seaman
Seaman I
Seaman II

Admiral Sureesh Mehta was born on 18 Aug 1947 and is thus the first post-independence born Chief of the Indian Armed Forces. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy and was commissioned in the Indian Navy in July 1967. Shortly thereafter, he joined the Fleet Air Arm and extensively flew Sea Hawk jet fighters from the carrier, INS Vikrant.

In his last assignment, Admiral Mehta was the commander-in-Chief of the premier Eastern Naval Command (ENC) of the Indian Navy, from 30 Sep 05. During his tenure, the Eastern Naval Command was involved in numerous operational missions in the Bay of Bengal and South East Asia. The Command also hosted the first ever President's Fleet Review on the Eastern Sea Board in Feb 06, which saw the participation of over 66 ships and 50 aircraft of the combined Indian Fleet. His other operational Flag appointments include Fleet Commander of the Western Fleet during the Kargil Crisis of 1999 and Flag Officer Naval Aviation prior to that.

On assuming office of Chief of the Naval Staff on 01 Nov 06, Admiral Mehta has focused on network centric operations and capability augmentation as his key result areas. In addition, he has furthered the cause of improvements in quality of life of the naval family. A large number of initiatives have been launched in the last few months to augment infrastructure and facilities in the naval bases across the country.

The Admiral is also currently the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee, in which capacity he oversees aspects of strategic warfare and joint operations. He was awarded the 'Ati Vishist Seva Medal' in 1995 and 'Param Vishist Seva Medal' in 2005 for his exceptional meritorious services.

ELIGIBILITY FOR SAILORS CADRE RECRUITMENT

Artificer Apprentice (AA)

Age: The applicant should be between the age of 17-20 years (i.e. he should not be less than 17 or more than 20 years on the date of enrollment).

Minimum Educational Qualifications:

Direct Entry Diploma Holder (DE DH)

Age: The applicant should be of the age between 18-22 years (i.e. he should not be less than 18 or more than 22 years on the date of enrollment).

Minimum Educational Qualification: Applicant should have completed a three-year diploma from a Government of India recognised Institute/Polytechnic, with minimum 50% marks in Mechanical or Electrical or Electronics or Telecommunications or Aeronautical or Ship Building or Instrumentation Engineering or Metallurgy or in any other subject as advertised for each batch.

Senior Secondary Recruit (SSR)

Age: The applicant should be of the age between 17-21 years (i.e. he should not be less than 17 or more than 21 years on the date of enrollment).

Minimum Educational Qualification:

a) 1^st condition - Applicant should have passed Class 12^th (Intermediate) with Science stream with compulsory subjects of Physics and Mathematics and optional subjects of Chemistry or Biology or Computers.

b) 2^nd condition - Minimum qualification marks required for applying for a particular type of entry into Indian Navy may vary and the same would be promulgated in the advertisement in newspapers and the official navy website on as required basis.

Metric Recruit and Musician (MR) & (MUS)

Age: The applicant should be of the age between 17-21 years (i.e. he should not be less than 17 or more than 21 years on the date of enrollment).

Minimum Educational Qualification:

(a) MRs - Steward / Cooks - Applicant should have passed 10^th class examination.

(b) NMRs - To pass - Applicant should have passed 6^th class examination.

(c)Musicians - Applicant should have passed 10^th class examination and should be able to exhibit an aptitude for music.

Non-Metric Recruit (NMR)

Age: The applicant should be of the age between 17-21 years (i.e. he should not be less than 17 or more than 21 years on the date of enrollment).

Minimum Educational Qualification:

For more details log on to the official Indian navy website on http://www.nausena-bharti.nic.in/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=15

OPPORTUNITIES

Joining the navy not only means getting the opportunity to protect your country, but also living a life of adventure.

Among the many adrenaline-pumping activities endorsed by the navy, mountaineering to the Himalayas is one of them. The Indian Navy has produced one of the all time greatest Indian mountaineers in Capt. MS Kohli (Retd) who eventually went on to lead one of the most successful Indian Everest expeditions in 1965 that put nine climbers at the top of the world. He also led a successful navy expedition to Nandankot in 1959. That was the last major expedition undertaken by the Indian navy.

It's now, after a gap of 43 years, that the Navy has once again revived the sport of mountaineering in a major way, in order to inculcate and develop the qualities of physical fitness, courage, endurance and team spirit, all requisite elements for the men in uniform. So, for a life of adventure and courage, consider a career in the navy.

BENEFITS

A sailor in the Indian Navy can avail several perks like medical treatments, travel concessions, group housing benefits and other miscellaneous benefits at the expense of the Indian Government. The sailors are also provided an insurance cover of Rs 7,50,000 by IHQ MOD (Navy) and only a nominal premium of Rs 750 per month. They can also benefit from the provision of pensions, gratuity and accumulated leave encashment post retirement. The sailors are also privileged to avail up to 60 days annual leave and 30 days casual leave per year. Children's education fee and house rent allowances are also included in the benefits.

REMUNERATION

HOW TO APPLY

Officer's recruitment is advertised through the Employment News and all important national and regional newspapers/dailies. Selection for all Permanent Commission entries, except 10 + 2 (Tech) Cadet entry and NCC Special entry (Graduate) is through a written examination conducted by the UPSC, followed by an interview by the Service Selection Board (SSB). There is no written examination for the Short Service Commission entries. These applications are short listed as per the criteria laid down by the Naval Headquarters, Directorate of Manpower Planning & Recruitment. Selection is through merit alone and there's no room for any reservations. SSC officers may opt for Permanent Commission and if found fit, may be granted the same. As of now, women officers are being inducted into Law, Logistics, ATC & Education Branches/Cadres.

For further details, contact The Principal Director, Manpower Planning & Recruitment, Integrated Headquarters of Ministry of Defence (Navy), C Wing, Sena Bhawan,
New Delhi- 110 011.

Tel Nos. 91-11-23011213, 2301 2047, 2301 2352 Fax: 91-11- 2379 2957