Indian Army NCC Special Entry 2026: 70+ Posts Announced

New Delhi, February 17, 2026: The Indian Army has officially released the notification for the NCC Special Entry Scheme 124th Course (October 2026). This prestigious recruitment drive offers a direct pathway for National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets to join the Indian Army as commissioned officers without appearing for a written entrance examination.

Applications are invited from unmarried male and female candidates, including the Wards of Battle Casualties of Army personnel. The recruitment aims to fill a total of 76 vacancies (70 for Men and 6 for Women) for the Short Service Commission (Non-Technical).

Key Highlights of the Recruitment

Feature	Details
Recruitment Name	NCC Special Entry Scheme 124th Course
Organization	Indian Army
Total Vacancies	76 (Men: 70, Women: 6)
Training Academy	Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai
Commission Type	Short Service Commission (NT)
Course Commencement	October 2026

Important Dates

Candidates are advised to adhere to the following timeline to ensure their applications are submitted on time:

• Online Application Start Date (Men): February 12, 2026
• Online Application Start Date (Women): February 13, 2026
• Last Date to Apply: March 16, 2026 (by 3:00 PM)
• SSB Interview Period: Expected between June and August 2026
• Course Starts: October 2026

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the NCC Special Entry 2026, candidates must meet the following requirements:

1. Age Limit

Applicants must be between 19 and 25 years of age as of July 1, 2026. This means candidates must have been born between July 2, 2001, and July 1, 2007 (both dates inclusive).

2. Educational Qualification

• NCC ‘C’ Certificate Holders: A Graduate Degree from a recognized university or equivalent with an aggregate of at least 50% marks (considering marks of all years).
• Final Year Students: Candidates in their final year can apply, provided they have secured a minimum of 50% aggregate in the previous years and can produce their degree by the commencement of the course.

3. NCC Certificate Requirements

• Candidates must have served for a minimum of two or three academic years in the Senior Division/Wing of the NCC.
• Must have obtained a minimum of a ‘B’ Grade in the NCC ‘C’ Certificate Examination.

4. Wards of Battle Casualties

For the wards of battle casualties, an NCC ‘C’ certificate is not mandatory. However, they must possess a degree with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks.

Selection Process

The selection for the Indian Army NCC Special Entry is a multi-stage process that emphasizes personality and leadership qualities over academic rote learning.

1. Shortlisting of Applications: Initial screening is based on academic performance and NCC grading. The Army reserves the right to fix a cutoff to limit the number of candidates called for the SSB.
2. SSB Interview: Shortlisted candidates will undergo a two-stage Service Selection Board (SSB) interview lasting five days. This includes psychological tests, group tasks, and personal interviews.
3. Medical Examination: Candidates recommended by the SSB will undergo a thorough medical examination by a board of service doctors.
4. Final Merit List: A merit list is prepared based solely on the marks obtained in the SSB interview (provided the candidate is medically fit).

Training and Benefits

Selected candidates will undergo 49 weeks of rigorous military training at the Officers Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai. Upon successful completion, they will be commissioned as Lieutenants.

• Stipend: During the training period, cadets receive a stipend of approximately ₹56,100 per month.
• Salary: Post-commissioning, a Lieutenant’s pay starts at Level 10 of the Pay Matrix (₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500), plus Military Service Pay (MSP) and various allowances.

How to Apply

Eligible candidates can apply online through the official recruitment portal:

1. Visit the official website: [suspicious link removed].
2. Click on ‘Officer Entry Appln/Login’ and then ‘Registration’.
3. Fill in the registration details and verify your account.
4. Once logged in, click on ‘Apply Online’ under the Dashboard.
5. Find the link for ‘Short Service Commission NCC Special Entry Course’ and fill out the application form carefully.
6. Upload the required documents, review the details, and click ‘Submit’.
7. Take a printout of the application form for future reference and for the SSB interview.