Apply Now for Services Preparatory Institute’s 49th Course: Maharashtra Government Invites Boys for Defence Officer Training

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, 19th December 2024: In a bid to encourage young boys from Maharashtra to join the defence forces as officers, the Government of Maharashtra has announced the opening of online applications for admission to the Services Preparatory Institute (SPI) in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The institute, which aims to prepare students for careers in the armed forces, will begin its 49th course in June 2025.

Eligibility Criteria

The admission process is open to unmarried male candidates who meet the following criteria:

Domicile: Applicants must be domiciled in Maharashtra or the Bidar, Belgavi, and Karwar districts of Karnataka.
Age: Candidates must have been born between January 2, 2008, and January 1, 2011 (both dates inclusive).
Educational Qualification: Candidates must be appearing for the Class 10 examination from a state board or an equivalent in March, April, or May 2025. They must also be eligible for admission to Class XI in June 2025.

Physical Standards

Applicants must meet the physical standards required to join the armed forces, as outlined by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for NDA/INA entry. The specific physical requirements include:

Minimum height: 157 cm
Minimum weight: 43 kg
Chest measurement: 74 cm minimum, with a 5 cm expansion
The applicant must not have night blindness or colour blindness
Eye power should conform to UPSC specifications for NDA/INA entry

Written Examination and Interview

Eligible candidates will be required to appear for a written examination on April 20, 2025, at various centers. The examination will consist of multiple-choice questions, with 150 questions (75 questions in Mathematics and 75 in General Ability), carrying a total of 600 marks. The marking scheme is as follows:

4 marks for each correct answer
-1 mark for each incorrect answer
The syllabus for the exam will be based on the State Board and CBSE curriculum for Class 8 to 10. Candidates who successfully clear the written examination will be called for an interview.

Application Process

Interested candidates can apply online via the official website at www.spiaurangabad.com. An examination fee of Rs. 450 (non-refundable) must be paid through credit card, debit card, or net banking. Payments through DD or Challan will not be accepted. It is important to fill out the application form as per the specified guidelines, as incomplete applications will be rejected, and the fee will not be refunded.

Key Dates

Last date for registration: 28th February 2025, by 6:00 PM
Hall Ticket Download: Available from 10:00 AM on 10th April 2025

For further details, candidates are encouraged to visit the SPI official website, where all examination-related instructions will be posted.