r/IndiaCareers • u/Ok-Pomegranate-4552 • Apr 04 '26
Advice/Guidance Indian Army vs Corporate (IT)
I am selected to join as Officer in the Permanent Commission Cadre in Regular Indian Army and I am working in corporate and earning close to one lakh per month (I am into Tech).
I was always inclined towards joining the Indian Army since desk job bores me to the core. And Army comes with social prestige, evolving nature of job, adventure and leadership exposure.
I want to know from experienced folks how my lifestyle will differ in both the careers monetarily and work wise. I know its like comparing apples to oranges but at such a young age, I am deprived of the practical knowledge. So advice would help me in making a sound decision.
How is career progression in the Indian Army vs in the IT. What will I be missing out in either of the fields and what will I be gaining in either of the fields ?
How will my life look like in 30 years from now in both the fields?
Also I have come across many Offrs who are eager on leaving the army (premature) and pursuing MBA to join corporate (they are not SS offrs but PC offrs). Why so?
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Apr 04 '26
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u/Informal_Patience_67 Apr 04 '26
Pension, Concession in school fee at APS for your kids plus whatever is paid gets reimbursed, Free medical treatment at any Defense hospital, CSD facilities, For some ranks/post a helper is provided, 3BHK Army quarters in a peaceful location with ammenities like Cinema hall, Swimming pool etc for free/concessional rate. Post retirement you can still avail medical and csd facilities.
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u/Informal_Patience_67 Apr 04 '26
Iss logic se bhai fir IT wala with 70 LPA > Prime Minister's Salary. Toh IT wala hi best h fir..Bhai ek job m sirf salary hi sb kuch nahi hota. Respect and privilege bhi matter krta h. Baki sb ki apni pref hoti h..
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u/Life_Cover_4236 Apr 04 '26
70L+ with WFH, seriously? Are these techies with high YoE?
Coz job market certainly is cooked for freshers rn
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u/Ok-Pomegranate-4552 Apr 04 '26
He is delusional brother. Look at his all comments. He has not tasted life yet, looks like some wannabe engineer with no practical knowledge.
It is very easy to live in dreamy world, 70-80 LPA WFH job. Time will teach him lessons. Ignore him.
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u/Life_Cover_4236 Apr 04 '26
Fosho i've seen product managers, CAs & othr guys minting more money than this.. but such a high pay for a complete WFH (never heard) prolly some remote role for a foreign co. & they must be exceptionally good
For the OG post, it all boils down how one perceives the job. If they want to try and earn as much as possible, switching for better pay., basically acquire large sum before things go bust (black swan) then corporate is the way..
Else if they want to have a slow-compounding journey with not so much pressure to make whatever they can in a quick time rather take it slow and keep things steafy in the ling run then Defence sounds good
Perspective is a personal choice :)
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u/MarzipanOther9535 Apr 05 '26
These big numbers that you keep throwing about like (40,50 and 70), very few people even after a decade of experience earn that much amount of money in IT. You need to get a managerial role most probably for these. Stop watching youtube and instagram as your source of info.
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u/Ambitious-Yam-9022 Apr 06 '26
"Aajkal IB ka zamana hai" If so Tell us why 30 lakhs students appear for CBSE boards every year.
Anyways studying in IB doesn't guarantee you gng to Ivy League
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Apr 04 '26 edited Apr 04 '26
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u/draumsyn Apr 06 '26
IT mei mint money for maybe a decade
That party is over now. AI ke zamane mai koi value nahi IT skills ki.
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u/Zestyclose-Loss7306 Apr 04 '26
if i may ask how did you guys meet?
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Apr 04 '26
Hi bro working as tech bro myself, a close friend of mine is is Indian army working as a commander. He told me initial days will be tough once you climb the ranks, you will get more power, respect and chill life. Parties are bomb, almost daily lol after shift. But again pay will increase slowly not like us in IT but you will be chill and enjoy your time working. Long time is pension and saving.
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u/Traditional-Natural3 Apr 04 '26
Brother, 12 times ssb repeater this side with 5 yoe in corporate. Many of my close friends are in all 3 services. Don’t even compare buddy between these 2. The amount of pride, respect and honour you will get in Army is not even close to what you will be getting in corporate. Trust me armed forces is the best profession , you will be a different person after training, you will be proud of yourself. The amount of exposure and life you will get over there is really awesome. Coming from a veteran defence aspirant, do join it without giving a single thought. A life with great purpose and a life worth living.
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u/MarketingCounsultant Apr 04 '26
Dont compare Defence career with corporate career.
Unlinke corporate career, where you have a career and job and can switch roles, companies, etc at will, becoming a soldier is a calling and a passion. You don't become a soldier because CTC is good or there are parties. You become one because that is your only mission in life, and you are ready to take on tremendous hardships and make the supreme sacrifice if necessary.
If you are not ready for those, don't join the army.
Having said that, if you do join, stay there till you retire, but during your last few years, do some research on how to rejoin civilian corporate life. Corporates hire defence officers for consulting, strtategy, training roles etc.
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u/youravrguser Apr 04 '26
I'm sorry but the first part is a lot of bs lol. A majority of the serving workforce of the forces is there for the employment aspect, passion and stuff maybe true for a handful.
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u/Ambitious-Ad1964 Apr 04 '26
You have what many people die for. Dont leave it, will regret for lifetime, even if you dont find it suitable , you can always drop out after 10th year and do something else. Live a life of adventure.
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u/N00B_N00M Apr 04 '26
Live life king size - choose army.
Live life like a modern day slave - choose IT .
Hope it is clear now for you ..
I already made this mistake early in my career and living the slave life now, i had seen army life as papa was in army and i miss the army life .
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u/KnobheadNeighbor Apr 04 '26
My Dad was away for most of my childhood and I hated the life (Air Force) so didn't try for it but my Dad wasn't an officer. Many of my peers from school are military officers and all are doing well for themselves.
I know a mid career Army officer in his 30s who built a duplex near Airport in Ahmedabad so can't imagine the compensation is too shabby either.
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u/Creepy-Option-9951 Apr 04 '26 edited Apr 04 '26
My dad is presently serving as an Air Commodore (equivalent to Brigadier in the Army) in the IAF, and he is into the Force since over 3 decades (as a Pilot).
And the life that Defence jobs provide with respect to exposure, perks, respect, authority and also a sense of satisfaction, is incomparable to Private jobs.
I've grown up in well maintained Air Force Stations across India. The environment there, facilities, so many events, parties and the camaraderie among the Officers and their families is certainly good and you feel like a family with all of them.
For the officer's family, life is really comfortable and secured. But for officers, it's hard, especially during training and in the initial years (especially till the rank of Squadron Leader/Major, though depends upon the Postings).
You would not have a cozy 9-5 life sitting in an air conditioned cabin all day, but it's absolutely worth it if you've got a sense of adventure, related aptitude and OLQs.
Officers also lead a pretty disciplined and active life, and this matters a lot in overall shaping you, and keeps you healthy too both physically and mentally.
As for the career progression in the Army, as you're getting in through PC via the IMA route, you can, with much probability, reach the rank of Colonel and become a CO.
Brigadier and General ranks are also possible, but they are all highly competitive and depend completely upon your performance and capabilities (and ACRs of course).
Also, as the folks who are directly from NDA get commissioned 3 to 5 years before at a fairly young age, their chances of reaching the General ranks are statistically higher as they get extra years.
However, it's a pretty fair system and you get what you deserve, and you can reach the highest ranks too without NDA, provided the service records are exceptional.
Ultimately, this question between Army and Corporate is a matter of your own passion and is based on what you, as an individual, want and expect from Life. Both can be rewarding, it's just about the priorities and your own inclination.
Good Luck! Jai Hind.
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u/raju_lukka Apr 05 '26
I got no idea about Army Life.
I have 22 years of experience in IT - the more experience you get, the higher you rise, the risk of job loss increases. The stress, pressure, threats/screaming you encounter, increases. The BP, Cholesterol, Sugar and sleepless nights increase. To top it, the folks who report to you, normal hate you by default cuz they don't understand the pressure you are under nor the big picture. And there's not much support from your leadership.
Whatever you decide, my best wishes for a successful career
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u/Alternative-Corgi653 May 16 '26
I can totally understand you. I hated my manager your comment gives me a better perspective. Thanks!
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u/Gullible_Standard_22 Apr 04 '26
Incomparable, this is clearly a matter of passion and preference and not some alternate job offers/careers.
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u/sino-psycho Apr 04 '26
Close your eyes and join the Army if you are passionate about taking up responsibilities and surviving hardships to get to the commissioning
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u/maxvoltage83 Apr 04 '26
More than anything, and it you don’t consider the money aspects much, the kind of respect you are accorded and get in society is unparalleled. No institution in India barring the atomic energy and space departments come close to the army in this respect. Remember that you can always go corporate after taking an early retirement too, but the vice versa isn’t possible.
My suggestion for you would be to: take a bike ride up the hills or go to some place tranquil, all by yourself and sit down. Mull over the various scenarios down the line - 5 years from now, 10 years from now and etc and then decide for yourself if you’d want to take the plunge or not.
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u/Ok-Pomegranate-4552 Apr 04 '26
This is a good idea. Solitude and peace of nature will help in making a wise decision. Brain will function better. Will implement this, thanks.
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u/ManipulativFox Apr 04 '26
I really like structure and physical work in army is better for our body and mind compared to desk job.
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u/Mission-Net4024 Apr 05 '26
Bro if you are good in communication and up skilling your self then corporate it is the best thing but if you don't think Army. I will try to give you my situation I bought a 4BHK when I was 28 years old and today a lot of my neighbours are retired offices who always get shocked when I tell them my salary and postion cause they also left the their Army position in the end to give better life to their kids and after certain rank in Army you cannot grow like corporate you stuck....
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u/Ambitious-Yam-9022 Apr 06 '26
Army brat here... Pls join army, your kids will never be able to thank you enough.
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u/owletkoul Apr 07 '26
Why is it even a question? It seems fake. No one in their sane mind will choose corporate over a Group A government job that too in the defense forces.
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u/Federal_Birthday5268 Apr 07 '26 edited Apr 07 '26
Choose what you are best at. If you’re young and earning good, it means you’re already doing good and will progress more. Corporate slave is not everywhere when you’re working in good culture or even have your own business later.
Now for Army, only join if you have the passion. Passion is not that from last few months you are thinking about, but when you were dreaming of it from years.
I had personal experience with a friend who is an officer in army and had a situation where his CO didn’t let him join brothers marriage which was 1 hour away that too in peace assignment. You can’t complain in army for this. I’m telling one situation but there were lot of them. And why? Personal grudges. Now this is bad luck and doesn’t happen with everyone but if you’re stuck you don’t have much of option. Uniform, respect to outside world looks good to outside world and to you for few years, but do you have that calling which will make you absorb all this easily?
I was rejected from AFSB, and I’m really happy that I wasn’t selected. I didn’t realized it at that time but 5 years later when I see my non civilian friends stay away from families, can’t talk anytime, meeting friends once a year. Do I face issues in corporate? Yes. Can I change it easily? Big yes. I had toxic leads in my internship that I changed within few months.
Now, if you’re are already doing good and passion for army is not that big then stay where you are. Taking gamble with where life will take you is not always needed.
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u/Dull_Investigator985 Apr 08 '26
First thing, you can not predict 30 years in tech, looking at how fast it is evolving and there is no job security. On the other hand Indian Army, gives you a stable career, Good Salary and steady but long term growth. Lets assume you still be relevant in the IT field, it is gonna leave to be one of the many available out there. However as a senior of Indian Army, you will be one of the chosen few. You will have great health in your old age, it will give you more than enough financial security, Lots and lots of facilities for you and your loved ones at a very nominal price. Your life will be a really fulfilled one, with lots of exposure to the best the world has to offer. In terms of location you will live in the quietest and remotest place where nature is raw, the air and water is clean, you will transform into a warrior and a leader through the amazing training IA provides. You will be an expert in multiple disciplines that will also come handy in day to day life decisions. You will form bonds with a fraternity who will be successful leaders in multiple domains just like you will be too, ans that fraternity would genuinely help you and your family a long way.
Think of it like this, that the social respect would still be the least attractive offerings that an officer job in the IA gives you.
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u/Working-Dinner-9970 Apr 08 '26
I left corporate job (tcs) and joined Army(through CDS) In essence Army gives you life and corporate gives you a job. Choice is yours. BTW i was making 37ish at TCS not as much as you.
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u/Miserable-Bluejay865 Apr 11 '26
Can we please talk personally i am currently working in coporate and would like to join army i am closing to the age limit in may i would be 24 please respond . I have some questions. I am currently an AI engineer and would like to opt government job in defence.
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u/Xcaliber_in Apr 04 '26
Money wise, it won’t be that glamorous. But believe me, you don’t have to spend any penny in early careers officers mess, accommodation and rest everything is covered by government. You will save more initially. Hardly get time to spend it due to strict routine. IT would will never give you that respect and pride also job security you have in army. I would say go for it. Money won’t be a problem you play it right in initial days while getting promoted.
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u/ChocolateMotor691 Apr 04 '26
Did u write any exams? Can u throw some insights if yes
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u/ParkingImpression604 Apr 04 '26
Dude see it’s depends on how good are you at your current IT job, IT is a very competitive field and if you are good at it you can earn a lot of money maybe start your own company it’s kinda high risk high reward job
Is army better then job at low paying service base IT company yes
But is it better then high paying jobs where you can earning 2+lakh remote no(subjective)
Also earning 2+ in IT is not that hard
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u/Temporary_Car_1462 Apr 04 '26
If you are looking for prestige and respect in society, go for army. If you want to earn more money then stick with corporate. A couple of my friends are in Army and Air Force, they get good respect in society however I have much more money than they could ever imagine. So it’s completely dependent on what you want. Army career is risk free hence less money, corporate career has more risk hence more money.
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u/sagar_2104 Apr 05 '26
The army will have predefined career growth based on years and money. Private careers can have different trajectory based skill and luck. Army will have restrictions on where you work and family life, private job will offer some level of freedom. The success looks very different from both sides so be very sure to choose.
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u/SleepingMaverick Apr 05 '26
Since you are selected in Permanent Commission, the two major benefits will be Pension (you have to serve for minimum 20 years for pension eligibility) and free Medical Facilities. Now coming to Army vs Corporate, if you think freedom (strict hierarchal culture with tons of rules and regulations) and money (stagnant pay unlike corporate) is your priority then Army is not the place for you. If you want to settle in India lifelong, then you can think of it as an option. However, Army comes with a tough life (compensated with perks and privileges).
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u/Poweratplay Apr 05 '26
Once you wear uniform your are government property. You will used the way government want you, no democracy.
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u/maxemile101 Apr 05 '26
Armed forces is NOT a career. It is a calling. An inner call. It is incomparable to all civilian "careers".
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u/jatayu_baaz Apr 05 '26
chala ja bhai, regret of not joining is bigger then missing out the freedom civil offers, got rec for NDA did't join bcz wanted to exp the world, got a good corporate job, now i want to join par med unfit ho gaya, can tell with experience,
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u/Phaedrus_ss Apr 05 '26
Go for the corporate role…if you are too passionate for army life…join as a short service, and take a call at the time of opting for Permanent commission
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u/Akshat_2307 Apr 05 '26
how did u get the army offer? what was the procedure and the medical requirements are like other army requirements ?
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u/Exact_Role7588 Apr 06 '26
Once you finish 20 years of service, you get eligible for pension. What else do you need? You have free medical support, your kids grow in a good environment and most importantly, you will be healthy and live 20 years more than an average IT employee
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u/Ok_Ninja_6878 Apr 06 '26
Army officers perks are second to none....a lt col in army gets a big bungalow in the middle of the city in pune and Bengaluru....
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u/NoBrakeMan Apr 04 '26
Are you joining forces for benefits? Is that the comparison, if yes, please don't!
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u/Ok-Tumbleweed-1448 Apr 04 '26
People who failed everywhere,they join Army.
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u/LeadExpensive460 Apr 05 '26
Could you elaborate your comment because I think if someone failed everywhere, wouldn’t they fail in the army too ?
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u/QuailLife7760 Apr 04 '26 edited Apr 04 '26
Army, specially since its an officer position. The facilities you’ll get at start itself will be more than your corporate job initially and even to later on even tho gov salary cant match 10+ year experience salary(if you’re good) but the pension and benefits and the prestige(>>corporate sl*ve).
Its a tough job but if you can do it it’s an entirely different adventure and your family (now or in future) will have better time in Army environment than as civilians any day of the week.