All applicants are made to undergo a rigorous selection process before they are deemed fit for admission to the Academy. This includes a Written Examination. Those who qualify in this written exam - which consists of two papers, mathematics and general ability - are called for the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview. The SSB test includes a personal interview, outdoor physical tests, psychological assessment and group tests.

The tests procedures are spread over 3 - 4 days and are structured to select candidates who have the potential to become officers in the armed forces. Candidates selected by the SSB undergo a medical examination and those declared fit are then admitted to the Academy.

At the time of filling in the application form, it is necessary to indicate the sequence of your preference for the Army / Air Force / Navy. The final allocation however depends on the rank in the merit list.

The Combined Services exam is held for recruitment after graduation.. Those over the age of nineteen can sit for this exam held twice every year in May and October, and gain direct admission to the Indian Military Academy, Dehra Dun for the Army, the Naval Academy, Goa for the Navy and Air Force Academy, Hyderabad for orientation training.

Those who qualify in this exam are required to appear for the Services Selection Board interview too.

Those with technical qualifications at the graduate level are recruited directly after selection by the Services Selection Board.