Indian Army Invites Applications for SSC (Non-Tech) Women under NCC Special Entry Scheme
The Indian Army has announced the opportunity for unmarried women who possess an NCC 'C' Certificate, along with Wards of Battle Casualties, to apply online for the NCC Special Entry Scheme 125th Course, Short Service Commission (Non-Technical), set to commence in April 2027. Below, we detail the eligibility requirements, available opportunities, selection procedures, training programs, and salary structures as specified in the official notification.
It is crucial for candidates to visit the official site at www.joinindianarmy.nic.in for comprehensive information. In cases of discrepancies between the English and Hindi versions of the notification, the English version will take precedence.
For direct access to the official notification, click here: Download Here
Overview of Indian Army NCC Special Entry Scheme 125
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Type of Entry | NCC Special Entry Scheme – 125th Course (April 2027), Short Service Commission (NT), Women (including Wards of Battle Casualties) |
| Age Limit | 19 to 25 years as of 01 January 2027 |
| Open For | Unmarried female graduates |
| Educational Qualification | Graduation degree with a minimum 'B' Grade in the NCC 'C' Certificate exam |
| Vacancies | 06 (05 General + 01 Wards of Battle Casualties) |
| Selection Process | Application → Shortlisting → SSB → Medical → Merit List → Joining Letter |
| Pre-Commission Training Academy | Officers Training Academy, Chennai |
| Duration of Training | 49 weeks starting in April 2027 |
| Stipend During Training | ₹56,100 each month |
| Rank After Training | Lieutenant |
| Salary on Commissioning | CTC approximately ₹17–18 lakh annually |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Opens | 21 July 2026, 1500 hrs |
| Online Application Closes | 21 August 2026, 1500 hrs |
| SSB Shortlisting (Tentative) | First week of September 2026 |
| SSB Centre and Date Selection Window | 14 days in September 2026 (first-come-first-served) |
| SSB Interviews (Tentative) | November/December 2026, maximum 5 days |
| Course Commencement | April 2027 |
| Deadline to Submit Final Degree Certificate | 01 April 2027 |
Vacancy Details
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| General Category (Women) | 05 |
| Wards of Battle Casualties of Indian Army Personnel | 01 |
| Total | 06 |
The Indian Army schedules vacancies in accordance with operational and administrative requirements, ensuring that the shortlisting process and merit criteria for both male and female candidates are distinctly evaluated.
Eligibility Criteria
Nationality
Eligible candidates include: (i) citizens of India, (ii) subjects of Nepal, or (iii) persons of Indian origin who have migrated from countries such as Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, certain East African nations, and Vietnam, intending to permanently settle in India. A certificate of eligibility from the Government of India is required, except for Gorkha subjects of Nepal.
Age Limit
Candidates must be aged between 19 to 25 years as of 01 January 2027, meaning they should have been born between 02 January 2002 and 01 January 2008. The date of birth recorded in the Matriculation/Secondary School Examination Certificate will be deemed final, and no changes will be entertained post-application.
Educational Qualification and NCC Criteria (For NCC 'C' Certificate Holders)
Candidates need to possess a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a recognized institution. Those in their final year may apply, provided they fulfill their degree requirements before the course begins; shortlisting will consider aggregate percentages from the first two or three years of study. Candidates should have served a minimum of two or three years in the Senior Division/Wing of NCC and must secure at least a 'B' Grade in the NCC 'C' Certificate exam to qualify.
It is important to note that provisional NCC 'C' Certificates are not acceptable during the SSB selection process. Candidates may only appear for one SSB interview, either for the SSCW (NT) (Women)-125 Course or for the NCC (Special) Entry-125 Course (Women), necessitating a declaration in the online application.
Eligibility for Wards of Battle Casualties
This category is open to unmarried sons and daughters (including legally adopted children) of Army personnel who have been classified as either killed in action, died due to wounds or injuries (not self-inflicted), wounded (not self-inflicted), or missing and presumed dead. A graduate degree from a recognized university is required, and final-year candidates can apply under similar conditions as mentioned above. Notably, the NCC 'C' Certificate is not a requirement for this category.
Required documentation for this category includes the Battle Casualty certificate issued by the Manpower (Policy & Planning) Directorate, a copy of the Part II Order categorizing the casualty, and a Relationship Certificate from the relevant authority.
Age Limit and Physical Standards
As indicated above, candidates must also satisfy minimum physical standards to join the training academy:
| Activity | Minimum Standard (Women) |
|---|---|
| 2.4 km run | 13 minutes |
| Push-ups | 15 |
| Pull-ups | 02 |
| Sit-ups | 25 |
| Squats | Two sets of 30 repetitions |
| Lunges | Two sets of 10 repetitions |
| Swimming | Candidates should possess basic swimming knowledge |
Salary and Pay Scale
| Rank | Pay Level | Pay (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| Lieutenant | Level 10 | 56,100 – 1,77,500 |
| Captain | Level 10B | 61,300 – 1,93,900 |
| Major | Level 11 | 69,400 – 2,07,200 |
| Lieutenant Colonel | Level 12A | 1,21,200 – 2,12,400 |
| Colonel | Level 13 | 1,30,600 – 2,15,900 |
| Brigadier | Level 13A | 1,39,600 – 2,17,600 |
| Major General | Level 14 | 1,44,200 – 2,18,200 |
During the training period, a stipend of ₹56,100 per month is provided, which remains fixed for the entire 49-week training duration at OTA in Chennai. In addition, a Military Service Pay (MSP) of ₹15,500 is applicable for officers from the rank of Lieutenant to Brigadier.
The estimated CTC upon commissioning is approximately ₹17-18 lakh per annum, which does not include free medical services and one home visit per year. Additional allowances such as Dearness Allowance, Transport Allowance, Children Education Allowance (₹2,250 per month for the two eldest children), Hostel Subsidy (₹6,750 per month per child), and Dress Allowance (₹20,000 annually) are available, alongside various field or hardship allowances depending on the posting.
Promotion Criteria
| Rank | Promotion Criteria |
|---|---|
| Lieutenant | On commission |
| Captain | After 2 years of reckonable commissioned service |
| Major | After 6 years of reckonable commissioned service |
| Lieutenant Colonel | After 13 years of reckonable commissioned service |
| Colonel (TS) | After 26 years of reckonable commissioned service |
| Colonel and above | Based on selection criteria, contingent upon fulfilling necessary service conditions |
Tenure and Release Options
Officers are obligated to serve for a duration of 10 years, which may be extended by an additional four years, subject to eligibility and organizational needs. Consideration for a Permanent Commission may be granted in the 10th year of service, and officers can apply for release during the 5th year. The final decision on such requests rests with Army HQ. Release options become available after the 10th and 14th years of service. For those released prior to completing their contractual obligations, a reserve service of 5 years is required, plus an optional 2 years or until the age of 37, whichever occurs first.
Selection Process
The application shortlisting process is based on a maximum of 100 bonus marks: a score of 50 marks for the NCC 'C' Certificate grading (50 for 'A' Grade, 25 for 'B' Grade) and up to 50 marks based on graduation performance (0 to 50 for aggregate percentages from below 60% to above 85%). The Directorate General of Recruiting determines the ratio for candidate selection based on available vacancies.
Shortlisted candidates will select their SSB center and interview date on a first-come-first-served basis, and changes cannot be made unless under exceptional circumstances. The SSB interview lasts for 5 days at locations including Prayagraj, Bhopal, Bengaluru, and Jalandhar, employing a two-stage process: Stage I and Stage II (for those who pass Stage I). Candidates failing Stage I will be returned on the same day.
A medical examination will be conducted for candidates recommended after Stage II, with the final merit list being generated based on SSB performance. In case of ties, age will be the first tiebreaker, followed by the qualifying exam percentages. Joining letters will be dispatched to candidates on the merit list and available vacancies, provided they meet all eligibility requirements and are medically fit.
It’s essential for candidates to report within 7 days of the designated reporting date; otherwise, their application will be forfeited, and the next candidate in line will be considered.
Required Documents
- Signed printout of the online application along with a self-attested photograph
- Matriculation/Secondary School Examination Certificate (or equivalent) and its mark sheet
- 12th Grade certificate and corresponding mark sheet
- Graduation degree or a provisional degree certificate (the provisional should be dated within 6 months prior to 01 April 2027, i.e., between 01 October 2026 and 01 April 2027)
- Mark sheets from all years/semesters
- NCC 'C' Certificate, issued on or before the submission date (excluding Wards of Battle Casualties)
- CGPA-to-percentage conversion certificate from the respective institution, if applicable
- For final-year candidates: a confirmation certificate from the institution head regarding final-year status and anticipated results by 01 April 2027
- For Wards of Battle Casualties: Battle Casualty certificate, Part II Order copy, and the Relationship Certificate
Please note that DigiLocker certificates are not accepted in lieu of original documents. It's imperative that all originals are available during the SSB interview; failure to provide complete documentation will result in rejection.
How to Apply
To begin the application process, visit www.joinindianarmy.nic.in and select "Officer Entry Application/Login," followed by "Registration" (if not previously registered). After registration, click on "Apply Online" in the Dashboard, then choose "Apply" for the Short Service Commission NCC Special Entry Course.
Fill in personal, communication, and educational details, as well as any previous SSB information, and click "Save & Continue" after each section. Review the summary of your details and submit only after verifying all information is correct. Print two copies of the application once it's processed (with roll number) 30 minutes after the online application window closes on the final day.
Note that once the application window closes, no changes can be made, and candidates must submit a single application—multiple submissions will lead to cancellation.
Important Instructions
- The candidate's name, both parents' names, and date of birth in the profile must match the Matriculation/Secondary School certificate precisely; any discrepancies can result in cancellation.
- CGPA/grades must be converted to marks per the respective institution's criteria; inconsistencies discovered later may lead to cancellation.
- Candidates are prohibited from marrying during the training period or residing with parents/guardians; doing so can result in removal and reimbursement of training costs.
- Training costs at OTA are funded by the Government, but candidates withdrawn for personal reasons or decisions within their control may be charged ₹20,482 per week for training.
- Existing Armed Forces personnel must inform their Commanding Officer in writing when applying and carry a countersigned application to the SSB.
- Candidates must not have been disqualified by UPSC from any examination, arrested or convicted by a criminal court, or expelled from any service training academy due to disciplinary issues.
- Travel allowances (AC 3-Tier fare) are available only for the first SSB appearance for the respective commissioning type.
- Successful completion of training at OTA, Chennai, results in a Post Graduate Diploma in Defence Management and Strategic Studies from the University of Madras.
Indian Army SSC (Non-Tech), Women Important Links
- Apply Online
- Official Notification PDF
- Official Website
- Join Arattai Channel
- Join Telegram Channel
- Join WhatsApp Channel
- Sarkari Result
- Download Mobile App
Those pursuing similar job opportunities may also wish to explore other Indian Army Recruitment notifications and Defence Jobs for Women. Additionally, those aiming for officer-level positions can check available SSB Interview Preparation resources, while NCC cadets may stay updated on NCC Special Entry Scheme news and Short Service Commission job openings that match their qualifications.
Indian Army NCC Special Entry 125 Course (Women) - FAQs
Who is eligible for the Indian Army NCC Special Entry Scheme 125th Course for women?
Unmarried female graduates aged between 19 and 25 years (as of 01 January 2027) with a minimum 'B' Grade in the NCC 'C' Certificate exam, alongside 2 to 3 years of service in the Senior Division/Wing of NCC, qualify for eligibility. Additionally, Wards of Battle Casualties of Indian Army personnel can also apply without needing an NCC 'C' Certificate.
How many vacancies are there in this recruitment?
The recruitment offers a total of 6 vacancies, with 5 allocated to the General category and 1 reserved for Wards of Battle Casualties of Indian Army personnel.
What is the last date to apply for SSCW (NCC)-125?
The cutoff for online applications is set for 21 August 2026 at 1500 hrs, following an opening date of 21 July 2026 at 1500 hrs.
What is the stipend during training?
Candidates will receive a stipend of ₹56,100 per month throughout the 49-week training period at the Officers Training Academy, Chennai.
What is the salary after commissioning?
Upon commissioning as a Lieutenant, the estimated CTC amounts to ₹17–18 lakh per annum, exclusive of free medical services and one annual home visit.
Is the NCC 'C' Certificate mandatory for this entry?
Yes, it is a requirement for the general category to attain a minimum 'B' Grade in the NCC 'C' Certificate exam, obtained prior to the application date. Wards of Battle Casualties do not require this certificate.
Where will the SSB interview be conducted?
The SSB interviews will be held in Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh), Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), Bengaluru (Karnataka), and Jalandhar (Punjab).
Can a candidate apply for both SSCW (NT) and NCC Special Entry in the same course?
No, candidates are permitted to participate in only one SSB interview—either as a CDSE candidate for SSCW (NT) (Women)-125 Course or as a candidate for NCC (Special) Entry-125 Course (Women)—and must provide an undertaking to this effect when applying online.