Indian Army Recruitment 2025

Organization Name

Designations

• Havildar (Sports) – Direct Entry
• Naib Subedar (Sports) – Direct Entry
• हवलदार (खेल) – डायरेक्ट एंट्री
• नायब सूबेदार (खेल) – डायरेक्ट एंट्री

Official Postal Address

• Directorate of PT & Sports
• General Staff Branch
• IHQ of MoD (Army)
• Room No. 747 ‘A’ Wing, Sena Bhawan
• New Delhi – 110011, India

Employment Type & Pay

• Employment Type: Full-time Regular Military Service
• Pay & Allowances: As per Army Pay Rules 2017 and amendments, same as regular serving personnel.
• Pension: As per Pension Regulations for the Army (2008) and amendments.
• Other Benefits: CSD, medical facilities, ECHS etc. as per Army norms.

Important Dates

• Application Start Date: From the date of advertisement.
• Application Last Date: 15 December 2025, 1700 hrs
• Selection Trial Dates: Will be notified through email to shortlisted candidates.

Application Process

Eligibility Criteria

Sports Disciplines and Events

The Indian Army invites outstanding sportspersons who have participated in International Championships, Junior or Senior National Championships, Khelo India Games, Youth Games, or Khelo India University Games on or after 01 October 2023. Eligible sports disciplines and events are listed below:

Physical Standards – Male Candidates

• Weight: Proportionate to height and age.
• Chest Expansion: Minimum 5 cm.

Physical Fitness Test – Male Candidates

• 1.6 KM Run: Must qualify within 5 minutes 45 seconds.
• 9 Feet Ditch: Must qualify.
• Zig-Zag Balance: Must qualify.

Physical Standards – Female Candidates

• Height: 162 cm
• Weight: Proportionate to height and age.
• Chest Expansion: 5 cm

Physical Fitness Test – Female Candidates

• 1.6 KM Run: Must qualify within 8 minutes.
• 10 Feet Long Jump: Must qualify.
• 3 Feet High Jump: Must qualify.

Mandatory Medical Standards

• Medical examination will be conducted at the trials site by an Army Medical Team as per existing Army Medical Standards.
• Candidates declared medically unfit will be referred to the designated Military Hospital (MH) for specialist review.
• Candidates must report to the Military Hospital within 5 days from referral. Review must be completed within 7 days.
• The recruitment medical officer and specialist doctors of the Armed Forces are the final authorities for Fit/Unfit decisions.
• No appeal, representation, or re-review is allowed after the Review Medical Examination.
• Passing the medical examination does not guarantee employment; final selection is merit-based and vacancy-dependent.

Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Policy

Body Tattoos Policy

Permanent body tattoos are permitted with the following conditions:

• Tattoos allowed only on:
• • Inner forearms (inside elbow to wrist)
• • Back (dorsal) side of the hand
• • Reverse side of the palm
• • Tribal candidates may have tattoos as per their customs and traditions
• Offensive, sexist, indecent, obscene, or racist tattoos are strictly prohibited.
• Candidates with permanent tattoos must submit two postcard-size photographs (close-up and distant view) along with size and description.

Guidelines for Sikh Candidates

• Sikh candidates are permitted to retain their hair, beard, and moustache as per religious norms.
• Photographs should be taken with beard and moustache in proper shape as per Army specifications.

Pay, Allowances, Pension & Benefits

• Pay and allowances will be the same as applicable to regular serving personnel of the Indian Army as per Army Pay Rules 2017.
• Pension will be granted as per Pension Regulations for the Army 2008 and amendments.
• CSD facilities, medical benefits, and other entitlements apply.
• ECHS (Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme) benefits will follow existing ECHS policy guidelines.
• Insurance cover and premium deductions will be as per rules for regular serving personnel.

Promotion and Career Growth

• Promotion prospects up to the rank of Subedar Major (Sub Maj) based on merit.
• Opportunities to become commissioned officers are available for deserving candidates who pass required exams and meet eligibility conditions.

Post-Retirement Benefits

• Personnel will receive Ex-Servicemen (ESM) status after completing the initial term of engagement or as per ESM Rules 1979.
• Eligible for ESM quota in government jobs and other benefits extended by Central & State governments.
• CSD and ECHS facilities will be provided as per Army guidelines.

Training & Initial Engagement

• Initial training will be conducted at designated Regimental Centres followed by professional training in the allotted trade.
• Allocation of branch/trade depends on service requirements.

Discharge Conditions

• Candidates may be discharged as “UNSUITABLE” during training due to poor performance.
• Probationary period is 3 years; lack of improvement in sports performance may result in discharge.

Service Liability

• Candidates will be liable for service anywhere in India or abroad, as assigned by IHQ of MoD (Army).
• Reserve liability applies as per standard JCO/OR rules.

Special Rules for Ex-Employees

• Candidates discharged from the Indian Air Force, Indian Navy, or other Government Organisations may apply if they were discharged with “No Adverse Entries.”
• Must produce original discharge certificate and 4 self-attested copies.
• Serving employees must produce a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer.
• Candidates discharged from the Indian Army for any reason are NOT eligible.
• Hiding employment status will result in cancellation of candidature or dismissal.

Doping & Performance Enhancing Drugs

Important Requirements During Trials

• Candidates must make their own arrangements for stay during trials and medical exams.
• Candidates not reporting on their scheduled date and time will not be accommodated later.
• Candidates may need to attend trials for 2–3 days.
• No use of mobile phones inside the selection trial site.
• Candidates are strongly advised to undergo a medical check-up (vision, flat foot, deformities, ear wax etc.) prior to reporting.

Selection Procedure

1. Application Submission: Applications must be submitted only through post/offline mode.
2. Shortlisting: Shortlisting is purely based on higher sports achievements.
3. Call-Up Letters: Sent to shortlisted candidates via email with date, time, and location details.
4. Document Verification: Candidates must bring all original certificates and mark sheets.
5. Physical Fitness Test (PFT): As per male/female standards defined in the notification.
6. Physical Standards Test (PST): Height, chest, weight, and other measurements are verified.
7. Skill Test: Sport-specific skill evaluation conducted by Army experts.
8. Medical Examination: Conducted by Army Medical Team at trials site.
9. Review Medical (if required): Temporary Unfit candidates may obtain specialist review within 21 days. Permanent Unfit candidates may appeal in a designated Military Hospital by paying Rs. 10 through Military Receivable Order (MRO).
10. Final Merit List: Prepared based on qualifying all tests and availability of vacancies in respective sports.
11. Police Verification: Mandatory for all selected candidates using the prescribed form.
12. Offer of Enrolment: Issued to selected candidates only for the current batch.

Required Documents

All documents must be original along with self-attested photocopies wherever required.

• 20 copies of recent (within one month) passport-size photographs (white background).
• Matric/Intermediate certificates with mark sheets.
• Provision/online certificates must be ink-signed by the head of the institution.
• Candidates with Matric certificate from Open School must bring school leaving certificate countersigned by EO/DEO.
• Domicile Certificate with photograph issued by Tehsildar/District Magistrate.
• Caste Certificate with photograph issued by Tehsildar/District Magistrate.
• Religion Certificate if religion is not mentioned in Caste Certificate.
• School Character Certificate issued by Principal/Headmaster.
• Character Certificate issued by Village Sarpanch/Municipal authorities (issued within 6 months).
• Unmarried Certificate with photograph issued within 6 months.
• Ex-servicemen/Ex-Government Employees: Original discharge certificate and 4 photocopies.
• Serving government employees: Original NOC and 4 photocopies.
• Sports Kit and equipment for fitness test and skill trial.

Important Instructions for Candidates

• Candidates must produce birth certificate or 10th class mark sheet during preliminary document check.
• Candidates must report at the Selection Trials Site by 0600 hrs on their scheduled date.
• Candidates reporting late will not be allowed to participate.
• Candidates must be clean-shaven except Sikh candidates.
• Personal email ID and mobile number are mandatory.
• All communication (shortlisting, call letter, results) will be sent only to the registered email ID.
• Sharing email or mobile number is not permitted; ASCB is not responsible for incorrect data provided by candidates.
• Aadhaar card is mandatory and will be used for biometric verification.
• Candidate’s name, father’s name, mother’s name, and DOB must match Matriculation certificate exactly.
• Permanent address must match the Domicile Certificate exactly.
• Recruitment is purely based on merit and availability of vacancies. No candidate can claim recruitment as a right.
• Documents with overwriting, tampering, or erasures will be rejected.
• Fake documents will result in cancellation of candidature and legal action.
• No compensation is provided for injury or loss during trials. Participation is voluntary.
• Candidates must sign an indemnity bond before participating in trials.

Use of Performance Enhancing Drugs

Additional Rules & Guidelines

• Candidates must attend Selection Trials only on the date mentioned in their admit card.
• Admit Cards will be issued only through official email: redsports.01@gov.in
• Fake admit card holders will be handed over to the civil police.
• Candidates may need to visit the Selection Trials site 2–3 times.
• Mobile phones are strictly prohibited inside the trial site.
• Candidates are responsible for checking their result and reporting to the Regimental/Corps Centre.

Anti-Corruption Advisory

Helpline Number

• IHQ of MoD (Army) Helpline: 011-23019078

Official Website

• https://www.joinindianarmy.nic.in

Official Notification Link

• DIRECT ENTRY HAVILDAR & NAIB SUBEDAR SPORTS INTAKE SERIES NO. 05/2025 – Official PDF