I can assure you that there is no truth in your assertion that merit takes a second seat in the armed forces. There is nothing against candidates who are not from military-run colleges or schools or most commonly the casts preferences such as Sindhis. Air Mshl Daudpota was a pucca Sindhi. Many children of Generals and Air Marshals have been rejected as they were not up to the mark. On the other hand some candidates from poor families coming from far-flung areas have been selected. Right now, there is an Air Marshal whose father was a poor shopkeeper. So rest assured that there is no schooling, provincial, religious or caste/clan bias in the armed forces.