Indian Army Recruitment 2025 – Apply Now! for Indian Army NCC Special Entry Scheme 58th Course (Oct 2025)

The NCC Special Entry Scheme is a route for unmarried male and female graduates, including wards of battle casualties of Indian Army personnel, to join the Indian Army as Short Service Commissioned officers (Non-Technical). To be eligible, candidates must hold a degree from a recognised university with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks and have obtained a minimum of 'B' grade in the NCC 'C' certificate exam. The age limit for applicants is 19 to 25 years as on 1st July 2025. Wards of Battle Casualties do not require an NCC 'C' Certificate.

Candidates must have a degree from a recognised university with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks, considering all years of study. Those in the final year of their degree are also eligible to apply, provided they have maintained a minimum 50% aggregate in the preceding years. Crucially, final year candidates must provide proof of passing the degree along with all mark sheets by 1st Oct 2025 and must have their final year exams scheduled before that date. In addition, NCC candidates must have obtained a minimum of ‘B’ Grade in their ‘C’ certificate exam.

The selection process involves several stages. First, online applications are submitted, and a shortlisting process is conducted based on graduate percentage cut-offs. Shortlisted candidates proceed to a five-day Services Selection Board (SSB) interview. After SSB, medically fit candidates will be added to a merit list. Those who qualify will receive joining letters for Pre-Commission Training at the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai.

Selected candidates undergo a 49-week pre-commission training program at the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai. During this training period, candidates receive a stipend of ₹56,100 per month. After successful completion of training, candidates are commissioned as Lieutenants.

Officers are granted a Short Service Commission. The minimum engagement period is 10 years, with an option to be released after 5 years of service based on Army HQ discretion. The tenure can be extended up to a maximum of 14 years. Officers may also be considered for a Permanent Commission after 10 years, subject to meeting the eligibility requirements.

Upon successful completion of training, candidates are commissioned as Lieutenants. The starting salary for a Lieutenant is within the Pay Level 10 range (₹56,100 - ₹1,77,500) in addition to Military Service Pay of ₹15,500/-, with an annual Cost to Company (CTC) of approximately ₹17-18 lakh (excluding free medical cover and travel to hometown once a year). Promotion criteria are set based on length of service, with ranks rising to Captain, Major, and Lieutenant Colonel and beyond over time, each with their respective pay bands.

Yes, wards of battle casualties are given special consideration. They are eligible to apply if they meet the education qualification requirements (degree with 50% marks) but are not required to have an NCC 'C' Certificate. They must provide a 'Battle Casualty' certificate along with other relevant documents (eg. proof of parent’s death/injury and relationship certificate). Vacancies are reserved for them in both the men and women categories.

Candidates must be unmarried and are not allowed to marry during training. Should a candidate marry during training they will be discharged and must refund the cost of their training. They will be subject to personal restrictions in service, per Article 33 of the Constitution of India, as stated in Army Act and Army Rules. Candidates should have never been debarred by the UPSC from an exam, and should have no criminal record. Also, requests for changes to SSB interview dates/centres will not be entertained and multiple applications will result in cancellation of candidature.