The Indian Army has released the official notification for the NCC Special Entry Scheme 125th Course commencing in April 2027. Applications are invited from eligible unmarried male graduates for the grant of Short Service Commission in the Indian Army. This recruitment also includes reserved vacancies for unmarried wards of Indian Army personnel who became battle casualties. A total of 70 vacancies have been announced, including 63 general NCC vacancies and 7 vacancies for wards of battle casualties.
The online application process will start on 20 July 2026 at 3:00 PM. Eligible candidates can submit their applications through the Indian Army recruitment portal until 20 August 2026 at 3:00 PM.
Official Notification PDF: Indian Army NCC Special Entry 125th Course 2026
Indian Army NCC Special Entry 125th Course 2026 Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Organization | Indian Army |
| Entry Name | NCC Special Entry Scheme 125th Course |
| Course Commencement | April 2027 |
| Commission Type | Short Service Commission, Non-Technical |
| Eligible Gender | Unmarried Male Candidates |
| Total Vacancies | 70 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | 20 July 2026 at 3:00 PM |
| Last Date to Apply | 20 August 2026 at 3:00 PM |
| Age Limit | 19 to 25 Years as on 01 January 2027 |
| Educational Qualification | Graduation Degree with NCC ‘C’ Certificate |
| Selection Process | Shortlisting, SSB Interview, Medical Examination and Merit List |
| Training Academy | Officers Training Academy, Chennai |
| Training Duration | 49 Weeks |
| Official Website | joinindianarmy.nic.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Start Date | 20 July 2026 at 3:00 PM |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 20 August 2026 at 3:00 PM |
Indian Army NCC Special Entry Vacancy Details
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| NCC Men General Category | 63 |
| Wards of Battle Casualties of Indian Army Personnel | 07 |
| Total | 70 |
The vacancies notified for male candidates are separate from vacancies announced for other entries or genders. Shortlisting, selection and merit will be prepared separately according to the applications received against this notification.
Who Can Apply for Indian Army NCC Special Entry 2026?
Unmarried male graduates who meet the prescribed age, educational qualification and NCC service requirements can apply for the NCC Special Entry 125th Course.
Unmarried sons and daughters, including legally adopted children, of Indian Army personnel classified as battle casualties may also apply against the reserved battle casualty vacancies. However, this particular notification is for the men’s course.
Nationality
A candidate must be one of the following:
- A citizen of India.
- A subject of Nepal.
- A person of Indian origin who migrated from specified countries with the intention of permanently settling in India.
Candidates for whom a certificate of eligibility is necessary must possess a certificate issued by the Government of India. This certificate is not required for Gorkha subjects of Nepal.
Age Limit
| Particulars | Age Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 19 Years |
| Maximum Age | 25 Years |
| Age Calculation Date | 01 January 2027 |
| Permitted Date of Birth | Born between 02 January 2002 and 01 January 2008, both dates inclusive |
The date of birth recorded in the Matriculation or Secondary School Examination Certificate will be accepted. Requests to change the date of birth after submission of the application will not be considered.
Educational Qualification
Qualification for NCC ‘C’ Certificate Holders
- Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent qualification from a recognized university.
- Final-year graduation students can also apply.
- Final-year candidates must complete the graduation degree before the commencement of the course.
- Candidates must submit proof of passing graduation and all semester mark sheets by 01 April 2027.
- Candidates whose final-year or final-semester examination is scheduled after 01 April 2027 are not eligible.
NCC Service Requirement
- Candidates must have served for at least two or three years, as applicable, in the Senior Division or Wing of NCC.
- Candidates must have obtained at least a ‘B’ Grade in the NCC ‘C’ Certificate examination.
- The NCC ‘C’ Certificate or provisional NCC ‘C’ Certificate must be held on the application date.
- Candidates holding a provisional certificate must produce the original NCC ‘C’ Certificate before appearing for the SSB interview.
- A provisional NCC ‘C’ Certificate will not be accepted at the SSB interview.
Qualification for Wards of Battle Casualties
- Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent qualification from a recognized university.
- Final-year candidates may apply subject to completing the degree before course commencement.
- An NCC ‘C’ Certificate is not required for wards of battle casualties.
- Candidates must provide the prescribed battle casualty and relationship certificates.
Eligible Wards of Battle Casualties
The reserved vacancies are available to eligible unmarried wards of Indian Army personnel who fall under one of the following battle casualty categories:
- Killed in action.
- Died due to wounds or injuries other than self-inflicted injuries.
- Wounded or injured in action other than self-inflicted injuries.
- Missing and presumed dead.
Selection Process
The selection process for Indian Army NCC Special Entry 125th Course 2026 consists of the following stages:
- Submission of online application
- Shortlisting of applications
- Selection of SSB centre and date
- Five-day SSB interview
- Medical examination
- Preparation of merit list
- Issue of joining letter
Application Shortlisting Criteria
Applications will be shortlisted by awarding bonus marks based on performance in the NCC ‘C’ Certificate examination and graduation.
NCC ‘C’ Certificate Bonus Marks
| NCC ‘C’ Certificate Grade | Bonus Marks |
|---|---|
| A Grade | 50 Marks |
| B Grade | 25 Marks |
Graduation Bonus Marks
| Graduation Percentage | Bonus Marks |
|---|---|
| Up to 60% | Nil |
| 60.00% to 64.99% | 05 Marks |
| 65.00% to 69.99% | 10 Marks |
| 70.00% to 74.99% | 20 Marks |
| 75.00% to 79.99% | 30 Marks |
| 80.00% to 84.99% | 40 Marks |
| 85.00% to 100% | 50 Marks |
A merit list for SSB shortlisting will be prepared after adding the NCC and graduation bonus marks. The number of candidates called for SSB will depend on the notified vacancies and the vacancy-to-call-up ratio decided by the Directorate General of Recruiting.
SSB Interview Details
Shortlisted candidates will have to select the available SSB centre and interview date through the official website. Selection of the centre and date will generally be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The SSB interview will be conducted at the following selection centres:
- Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh
- Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
- Bengaluru, Karnataka
- Jalandhar, Punjab
The SSB interview will be conducted through a two-stage selection procedure. Candidates who clear Stage I will be allowed to participate in Stage II. Candidates who fail Stage I will be sent back on the first day. The complete SSB process generally lasts for five days.
Medical Examination
Candidates recommended after Stage II of the SSB interview will undergo a medical examination according to the medical standards prescribed for officer entries in the Indian Army.
The validity of the SSB medical examination is 270 days from the Special Medical Board examination to the date of joining the pre-commission training academy.
Merit List
Merely qualifying in the SSB interview does not guarantee final selection. The final merit list will be prepared based on the marks secured in the SSB interview.
Where two or more candidates obtain equal SSB marks, the older candidate will be placed higher in the merit list. Where both age and SSB marks are equal, the candidate with a higher percentage in the qualifying examination will be ranked higher.
Candidates included in the merit list, declared medically fit and falling within the notified vacancies will receive joining letters for training at OTA Chennai.
Training Details
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Training Academy | Officers Training Academy, Chennai |
| Training Duration | 49 Weeks |
| Course Commencement | April 2027 |
| Stipend During Training | ₹56,100 per month |
| Rank After Successful Training | Lieutenant |
| Qualification Awarded | Post Graduate Diploma in Defence Management and Strategic Studies |
The entire cost of training at OTA Chennai will be borne by the government. However, a candidate withdrawn from the academy for reasons other than medical grounds or circumstances beyond the candidate’s control may be required to refund the prescribed training cost.
Physical Standards Before Joining OTA
| Activity | Minimum Standard for Male Officer Cadets |
|---|---|
| 2.4 Kilometre Run | 10 Minutes and 30 Seconds |
| Push-Ups | 30 |
| Pull-Ups | As prescribed in the notification |
| Sit-Ups | As prescribed in the notification |
| Squats | Two sets of 30 repetitions |
| Lunges | Two sets of 10 repetitions |
| Swimming | Must know the basic fundamentals of swimming |
Indian Army NCC Special Entry Salary
| Rank | Pay Level | Pay Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Lieutenant | Level 10 | ₹56,100 to ₹1,77,500 |
| Captain | Level 10B | ₹61,300 to ₹1,93,900 |
| Major | Level 11 | ₹69,400 to ₹2,07,200 |
| Lieutenant Colonel | Level 12A | ₹1,21,200 to ₹2,12,400 |
| Colonel | Level 13 | ₹1,30,600 to ₹2,15,900 |
| Brigadier | Level 13A | ₹1,39,600 to ₹2,17,600 |
Officers from the rank of Lieutenant up to Brigadier are also eligible for Military Service Pay of ₹15,500 per month, subject to the applicable rules. Other allowances may be provided according to rank, posting location and prescribed eligibility conditions.
Short Service Commission Tenure
- The initial Short Service Commission tenure is 10 years.
- The tenure may be extended by another four years, subject to eligibility and suitability.
- Eligible officers may be considered for Permanent Commission during the 10th year of service.
- Release may be permitted after five years in eligible cases, subject to approval by Army Headquarters.
- Officers not granted Permanent Commission may opt for extension up to a total service period of 14 years.
Documents Required at SSB Interview
- Signed printout of the submitted online application with a self-attested photograph.
- Matriculation or Secondary School Certificate and mark sheet.
- Class 12 certificate and mark sheet.
- Graduation degree or provisional degree certificate.
- Mark sheets of all years or semesters of graduation.
- Original NCC ‘C’ Certificate.
- CGPA-to-percentage conversion certificate, if applicable.
- Certificate from the college or university for final-year candidates.
- Final-year candidate declaration regarding submission of graduation proof by 01 April 2027.
- Battle casualty and relationship certificates for eligible wards of battle casualties.
Original certificates must be carried to the SSB centre. DigiLocker certificates will not ordinarily be accepted in place of original certificates unless the educational institution confirms that it issues certificates only in electronic format and the printout is properly authenticated.
How to Apply for Indian Army NCC Special Entry 125th Course 2026
- Visit the Indian Army recruitment website at www.joinindianarmy.nic.in.
- Click on the “Officer Entry Application/Login” option.
- Select “Registration” and complete the registration process. Candidates already registered do not need to register again.
- Log in and click on “Apply Online” under the dashboard.
- Open the “Officers Selection – Eligibility” page.
- Click on “Apply” against the Short Service Commission NCC Special Entry Course.
- Read the instructions and click on “Continue”.
- Enter personal, communication, educational and previous SSB details.
- Use “Save and Continue” after completing every section.
- Review all information on the application summary page.
- Submit the application form before 20 August 2026 at 3:00 PM.
- Take two printouts of the submitted application carrying the generated roll number after the application window closes.
Important Instructions
- Only one online application should be submitted by each candidate.
- Multiple applications may result in cancellation of candidature.
- No hard copy of the application is required to be sent to the Directorate General of Recruiting.
- No changes can be made to submitted information after the application window closes.
- Candidate and parent names and date of birth must match the Matriculation Certificate.
- CGPA or grades must be converted into marks according to the university’s approved formula.
- Candidates can appear in only one SSB intervieweither through CDSE SSC (NT) Men 125 or NCC Special Entry 125 for the April 2027 course.
- Candidates must remain unmarried during the application and training period.
