Defence Civilian Staff (MTS, Fireman, Storekeeper, LDC)

Keeping a military unit running from the back office and stores. MTS staff do general support work. Firemen run the unit fire station and respond to emergencies. Storekeepers receive, issue and count stores and spares. LDCs do clerical work, files, typing and records.

A day in the work
A Fireman checks the fire engine, hoses and breathing sets at the start of the shift, then trains with the team and inspects extinguishers around the unit. An LDC reaches the office, sorts files, types letters on a computer and updates records. A Storekeeper checks incoming items against the list, issues spares to workshops and counts the stock. All of them stay on call, because an alarm or an urgent demand can change the plan.

1. Step 1 · Class 8–10Finish Class 10 (Matric) from a recognised board. This alone opens MTS and many Fireman and Tradesman Mate posts. Do not skip Class 12 if you can continue. It opens LDC, Storekeeper and the Navy's Fireman and Fire Engine Driver posts (reported).
2. Step 2 · Class 11–12 and afterBuild the skill your post needs. For LDC, practise computer typing until you reach the required speed. For Fireman, build running fitness and strength, and look for a basic fire-fighting course from a recognised institute if the notice asks for one. For Fire Engine Driver, you need a heavy motor vehicle licence. (reported — check with the official body)
3. Step 3 · Apply when a notice appearsJobs are advertised unit by unit, and the Navy advertises through INCET. Look in Employment News and on the official sites of the Navy, Army and Air Force. Ages are usually 18 to 25 in these notices, with relaxation for SC/ST/OBC and others. Some notices are online, others are by post, so read the exact address and last date. (reported — check with the official body)
4. Step 4 · Written testMost posts have a written test. The Navy's 2025 INCET was a computer-based test with sections like general intelligence, English, numbers and general awareness (the notice lists these for Fireman, Fire Engine Driver and Storekeeper). Some unit notices add trade-related questions. (reported — check with the official body)
5. Step 5 · Physical, trade or typing testFiremen and Fire Engine Drivers face a physical and endurance test. LDCs usually take a typing or skill test. MTS and trade posts may have a trade test where the notice says so.
6. Step 6 · Document check and medicalYou show original certificates and proof of age and category. Then you go through a medical examination. Fireman posts have stricter fitness standards.
7. Step 7 · Joining and probationYou join as a central government civilian employee in a Group C post, at the unit that advertised the job. A probation period applies as per central government rules, and the length is stated in your appointment order. Transfers and posting depend on the service and unit. (reported — check with the official body)

• Indian Navy (INCET)One computer-based entrance test for many naval civilian posts such as MTS, Fireman, Storekeeper, Tradesman Mate and Chargeman. Posting is in a Naval Command or dockyard. The 2025 round (INCET-01/2025) took applications in July 2025 on joinindiannavy.gov.in.
• Army units, depots and commandsArmy Ordnance Corps, ASC centres, EME workshops and other units advertise their own Group C posts. For example, the Army Ordnance Corps notice in August 2026 listed Tradesman Mate, Fireman, MTS, Junior Office Assistant and Material Assistant posts (reported). Each notice says whether to apply online or by post.
• Air Force stations and commandsThe Air Force advertises LDC, Hindi Typist, MTS, Storekeeper and driver posts station by station. Recent notices have been offline, sent by post to the station address (reported).
• Other defence employersMilitary Engineer Services, DRDO labs, the Directorate General of Quality Assurance and ship-building centres also hire Group C staff like MTS, LDC, Storekeeper and Fire Engine Driver, through their own notices.

Fees change every year — check the college's own fee page before you pay.

Pay starts at a fixed government level and rises with yearly increments and promotions, but it varies with the post, the city you are posted to and the allowances that come with it.

Women can apply for many civilian posts, and the Navy's 2025 round reportedly waived the fee for women, SC/ST, PwBD and ex-servicemen (reported). Some unit notices, especially for Fireman, have physical standards or are open to men only, so read each notice. Persons with disabilities have reserved vacancies in some posts, and the Navy 2025 notice lists the disability types allowed for such posts.

• Class 7–9Start a small daily typing habit on a school or home computer, and note your words-per-minute each week. Add a daily run or PT routine you can keep up for months.
• Class 10–12Register on MY Bharat (age 15+) and join a local volunteering activity, such as first aid or fire-safety awareness. Also ask your school about NCC or Scouts and Guides.Open link ↗
• College or afterRead one real, recent civilian notice on the Indian Navy recruitment site. Write down the age limit, the qualification and the stages for the post you want, so you know what to prepare.Open link ↗

• Watch out for fraud. Recruitment through the official notice has no 'seat' to buy, so never pay anyone for a job. Check every notice on the service's own website or Employment News.
• Defence civilians are not soldiers. You do not get a rank or wear a combat uniform, and you do not join the armed forces. You are a central government employee working for them.
• The Ministry of Defence says defence civilian employees get canteen (CSD) facilities and extra concessions if posted in field areas. These are in addition to pay and allowances (PIB, 2014).
• Vacancies are often small in number and spread across many units. Keep checking, and be ready to apply when your age and qualification match. Typical age limits are 18 to 25 and sometimes up to 27 (reported).