Job Description

The Indian Army invites applications from unmarried male graduates for the NCC Special Entry Scheme – 124 Course (October 2026) under the Short Service Commission (Non-Technical) entry. This is a prestigious opportunity for NCC ‘C’ Certificate holders with a minimum ‘B’ Grade to serve the nation as an officer. The scheme also reserves 7 vacancies for the wards of Battle Casualties of Army personnel, who are exempted from the NCC certificate requirement.

Selected candidates will undergo 49 weeks of pre-commission training at the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai, and upon successful completion, will be commissioned as Lieutenants. This career offers dynamic leadership roles, job security, attractive salary, and the honour of wearing the olive green. If you are an NCC senior division cadet with a graduate degree and a spirit to serve, this entry is your direct gateway to the Indian Army.

Organization & Recruitment Details

Note: The entry is exclusively for unmarried male candidates. Wards of Battle Casualties of Indian Army personnel are eligible under reserved vacancies with relaxed NCC criteria.

Important Dates

Expert advice Do not wait until the last day. Submit your application at least 3–4 days before the deadline to avoid server congestion or last‑minute errors.

Application Fee

There is no application fee for any category. Beware of fraudulent websites demanding money – the application process is completely free.

Age Limit

Birth Date Range: Candidates must have been born between 02 July 2001 and 01 July 2007 (both dates inclusive). No age relaxation is applicable – the same 19‑25 year limit applies to all, including wards of Battle Casualties.

How to calculate If you were born on 30 June 2001, you are NOT eligible; if born on 02 July 2001, you are eligible. Always refer to your matriculation certificate for the exact date of birth – later changes are not permitted.

Eligibility Criteria

Common mistake Applying with a provisional NCC ‘C’ certificate is not allowed at the SSB stage. Ensure you have the final ‘C’ certificate in hand before the interview.

Vacancy Details

The competition is keen – only 70 seats are available. Wards of Battle Casualties have a separate merit list. Prepare thoroughly to secure a place in the final merit.

Selection Process

The selection is conducted in four major stages:

1. Shortlisting of Applications – based on bonus marks (max 100).
2. SSB Interview (5 days) at Prayagraj, Bhopal, Bengaluru, or Jalandhar.
3. Medical Examination – conducted after recommendation.
4. Merit List & Joining – final selection based on SSB marks and medical fitness.

Shortlisting Bonus Marks (out of 100):

Example: A candidate with 78% in graduation and ‘B’ grade in NCC gets 30+25 = 55 bonus marks. Another with 72% and ‘A’ grade gets 20+50 = 70 bonus marks. Higher bonus marks increase your chance of being shortlisted for SSB.

SSB Interview: Comprises Stage I (Officer Intelligence Rating, Picture Perception & Discussion Test) and Stage II (Psychology, Group Tasks, Personal Interview, Conference). Approximately 270 days medical validity – previous SSB medical fitness may be reused.

Salary / Pay Scale

Allowances (in addition): Military Service Pay (MSP) ₹15,500 p.m., Dearness Allowance (DA), Transport Allowance, Children Education Allowance, Hostel Subsidy, Field Area/Hardship allowances, and more. Estimated CTC at commissioning: ₹17‑18 lakh per annum (excluding free medical & annual travel concession).

Officers also receive Army Group Insurance (₹1.25 Cr cover) and Post‑Graduate Diploma in Defence Management from University of Madras after training.

How to Apply

Follow these steps carefully to submit your application without errors:

1. Visit the recruiting portal – Open the official Indian Army recruiting website (joinindianarmy.nic.in).
2. Register / Login – Click ‘Officer Entry Application/Login’. If you are a new user, complete the registration; otherwise, log in with your existing credentials.
3. Navigate to Application – From the dashboard, click ‘Apply Online’. Select the eligibility page and click ‘Apply’ against ‘Short Service Commission NCC Special Entry Course’.
4. Fill the form – Enter personal, communication, education, and previous SSB details (if any). Save each section before proceeding.
5. Convert CGPA to percentage – Use your university’s official conversion formula. Any discrepancy leads to cancellation.
6. Submit & take printout – After verifying all entries, click ‘Submit’. Wait for 30 minutes after the application closure date, then download two printouts with the auto‑generated Roll Number.

Pro tip Keep a scanned copy of your photograph, signature, NCC ‘C’ certificate, graduation marksheets, and matriculation certificate ready before you begin filling the form.

11. Important Instructions for Candidates

Note: Dates and vacancies are as per the official notification. Keep visiting the official website for any updates.

Expert Tips – Secure Your Selection

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)