Recruitment Notice: NCC Special Entry Scheme 123rd Course (April 2026) — Short Service Commission (Non-Technical) for Men [SSC (NCC)-123] (Including Wards of Battle Casualties of Army Personnel).
Organization Details
- Organization (English): Indian Army
- Organization (Hindi): भारतीय सेना
- Entry Type: NCC Special Entry Scheme – 123rd Course (Apr 2026), Short Service Commission (Non-Technical) Men [SSC (NCC)-123] (Including Wards of Battle Casualties of Army Personnel)
Designation(s)
- English: Short Service Commission (Non-Technical) Men – NCC Special Entry Scheme – 123rd Course (April 2026) (Including Wards of Battle Casualties of Army Personnel)
- Hindi: लघु सेवा आयोग (गैर-तकनीकी) पुरुष – एनसीसी विशेष प्रविष्टि योजना – 123वां कोर्स (अप्रैल 2026) (सेना कर्मियों के युद्ध हताहतों के आश्रितों सहित)
Location
- City: Chennai (training at Officers Training Academy)
- State: Tamil Nadu
- Country: India
- Postal Code: Not mentioned in the notification
- Street Address: Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai
Vacancies & Reservation
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|
| NCC Men (General) | 63 |
| Wards of Battle Casualties (of Indian Army personnel) | 7 |
| Total | 70 |
Note: Vacancies are notified separately for each entry and gender; processes for each entry/gender are independent.
Important Dates
| Online application opens | 11 August 2025, 1500 hrs |
| Online application closes | 10 September 2025, 1500 hrs |
| Shortlisting for SSB | Tentatively first week of November 2025 |
| SSB Interview schedule | November/December 2025 (five days; choice window for dates open for 15 days in Nov) |
| Course commencement | April 2026 |
Online application schedule and SSB timeline as per notification.
Eligibility Criteria
Nationality
Citizen of India; or subject of Nepal; or person of Indian origin migrated from specified countries with the intention to permanently settle in India (certificate of eligibility required as applicable; Gorkha subjects of Nepal exempt).
Age Limit
- 19 to 25 years as on 01 January 2026 (born between 02 Jan 2001 and 01 Jan 2007, both dates inclusive).
- Date of birth as per Matriculation/Secondary School Examination Certificate only.
Educational Qualification & Other Criteria
For NCC ‘C’ Certificate Holders
- Graduate degree from a recognized university; final-year students may apply if degree is completed before course commencement (shortlisting may use aggregate % of completed years).
- Service in NCC: Minimum two/three years in Senior Division/Wing as applicable.
- Grading: Minimum ‘B’ grade in NCC ‘C’ Certificate; Provisional ‘C’ Certificate will not be accepted at SSB (must hold ‘C’ before SSB).
Important: Final-year appearing candidates whose final exam is scheduled after 01 Apr 2026 are not eligible. Degree/provisional degree and all mark sheets must be submitted by 1 Apr 2026, else candidature will be cancelled; may be inducted on Additional Bond basis only if proof by the date is furnished as specified.
For Wards of Battle Casualties of Indian Army Personnel
- Eligibility: Unmarried sons/daughters (including legally adopted) of Army battle casualties classified as killed in action, died of wounds/injuries (other than self-inflicted), wounded/injured (other than self-inflicted), or missing presumed dead.
- Educational qualification: Graduate degree; NCC ‘C’ Certificate not required.
- Documents: Battle casualty certificate by appropriate authority; Part-II Order; Relationship Certificate as specified (originals to be produced at SSB).
Application Process (Online)
- Visit the official website and select Officer Entry Application/Login; register (if not already registered).
- Click Apply Online → select Short Service Commission NCC Special Entry Course → fill all segments → Save & Continue → verify summary → Submit.
- Take two printouts of the application with Roll Number (available ~30 minutes after final closure on the last day).
- No changes to submitted details after closure.
- Convert CGPA/Grades to marks as per university rules; discrepancies will cancel candidature.
- Name/parents’ names/DOB must match Matriculation/Secondary certificates.
Documents to Carry to SSB (Self-attested copies + originals)
- Signed application printout with photo.
- Matriculation/Secondary certificate & mark sheet (as sole proof of DOB/name/parents’ names).
- Class 12 certificate & mark sheet.
- Graduation degree/provisional degree (not older than six months at joining) and all semester/year mark sheets.
- NCC ‘C’ Certificate (not required for Wards of Battle Casualties).
- CGPA-to-percentage conversion certificate, if applicable.
- Final-year certificate (result by 1 Apr 2026) and declaration to submit proof by 1 Apr 2026, if applicable.
- Additional documents for Wards of Battle Casualties as specified.
Candidates not carrying required documents will have candidature cancelled and be returned; originals are verified and returned at SSB. Multiple applications will lead to cancellation. Serving personnel must inform their Commanding Officer in writing and bring countersigned application to SSB.
Selection Procedure
Shortlisting (Bonus Marks)
| Component | Criteria | Bonus Marks |
|---|
| NCC ‘C’ Certificate | A Grade | 50 |
| NCC ‘C’ Certificate | B Grade | 25 |
| Graduation Aggregate | 60.00–64.99% | 5 |
| Graduation Aggregate | 65.00–69.99% | 10 |
| Graduation Aggregate | 70.00–74.99% | 20 |
| Graduation Aggregate | 75.00–79.99% | 30 |
| Graduation Aggregate | 80.00–84.99% | 40 |
| Graduation Aggregate | 85.00–100.00% | 50 |
Shortlisting based on vacancy-to-call-up ratio decided by Directorate General of Recruiting; intimation to shortlisted candidates via email. Final-year candidates’ final aggregate must be ≥ the aggregate used at application stage.
SSB & Medical
- SSB at Selection Centres: Prayagraj (UP), Bhopal (MP), Bengaluru (Karnataka), Jalandhar (Punjab). Stage-I & Stage-II over five days; recommended candidates undergo medical examination.
- Allotment of centres/dates via portal; initial date selection on first-come-first-serve basis; discretion of Dte Gen Recruiting.
- Medical standards and procedures available on the official website; Medical Board proceedings are confidential.
Merit & Joining
Merit list is based on SSB marks; tie-breakers: higher age, then higher qualifying exam percentage. Being medically fit does not guarantee joining letter; issue depends on vacancies and eligibility. Non-reporting within 7 days of reporting date cancels candidature.
Training
- Academy & Duration: Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai — 49 weeks from April 2026.
- Pre-joining minimum physical standards (to be achieved before joining):
| Activity | Standard (Officer Cadets) |
|---|
| 2.4 km run | 10 min 30 sec |
| Push up | 30 |
| Pull up | 40 |
| Sit up | 06 |
| Squats | Two sets of 30 repetitions |
| Lunges | Two sets of 10 repetitions |
| Swimming | Pass 25 m with any stroke |
Marriage not permitted during training; breach leads to discharge and recovery of training cost.
Award on successful completion: Post Graduate Diploma in Defence Management and Strategic Studies by University of Madras. Training cost borne by Government; withdrawal for personal reasons leads to recovery @ ₹18,965 per week (as on 2025).
Commission, Tenure & Terms of Service
- Type of Commission: Short Service Commission. Initial engagement 10 years; extendable by 4 years (total up to 14) subject to eligibility/suitability. Option to seek Permanent Commission after 10 years as per terms.
- Special release provisions at 5 years (subject to Army HQ approval) and during extended tenure (for civil job, higher education, business).
- Probation: 6 months from commission; services liable to termination for unsuitability/medical/other specified reasons.
- Reserve liability: Up to five years plus two years voluntary, or up to age 37 for women (whichever earlier).
- Arms/Service allocation made before passing out from OTA.
Rank, Promotion & Pay
Promotion Criteria
| Rank | Criteria |
|---|
| Lieutenant | On commissioning |
| Captain | After 2 years reckonable commissioned service |
| Major | After 6 years reckonable commissioned service |
| Lieutenant Colonel | After 13 years reckonable commissioned service |
| Colonel (TS) | After 26 years reckonable commissioned service |
| Colonel & above | Selection basis, subject to service conditions |
Seniority adjustment for SSCOs vis-à-vis PC officers occurs at grant of substantive Captain.
Pay Levels (7th CPC)
| Rank | 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 |
| Lt Gen (HAG) | Level 15 | 1,82,200 – 2,24,100 |
| Lt Gen (HAG+) | Level 16 | 2,05,400 – 2,24,400 |
| VCOAS/Army Cdr/Lt Gen (NFSG) | Level 17 | 2,25,000 (fixed) |
| COAS | Level 18 | 2,50,000 (fixed) |
- Military Service Pay (MSP): ₹15,500/month (Lieutenant to Brigadier).
- Fixed stipend during training (OTA): ₹56,100/month; on commissioning, pay fixed in first cell of Level 10; training period not counted as commissioned service (allowances arrears payable for training period).
Allowances & Benefits
- Other allowances: Dearness Allowance; Para Reserve Allowance ₹2,625 p.m.; Technical Allowance Tier-I ₹3,000 p.m.; Tier-II ₹4,500 p.m. (as applicable).
- Field/Hardship/High Altitude/Special allowances as per area and duty; Dress Allowance ₹25,000 per year; Ration in kind in peace and field areas.
- Transport Allowance (TPTA): ₹7,200 + DA (Level 10 and above) in higher TPTA cities; ₹3,600 + DA at other places; conditions apply.
- Children Education Allowance: ₹2,812.50 per month per child (two eldest, pre-Class 1 to Class 12); reimbursement annually with school certificate. Hostel Subsidy: ₹8,437.50 per month per child (two eldest, same classes).
- AGIF Insurance during training: ₹1.25 crore; monthly subscription ₹12,500; disability and ex-gratia provisions as specified; disciplinary withdrawals not eligible.
Medical Standards
Refer to medical standards and procedures for Officers Entry on the official website; Medical Board proceedings are confidential.
Travel Allowance for SSB
First-time SSB candidates for a particular commission are entitled to AC 3-Tier to-and-fro rail fare or bus fare including reservation-cum-sleeper charges within India; not admissible for repeat attempts for the same commission type. Queries on TA to be addressed to the concerned Selection Centre.
Other Important Notes
- Personal restrictions in service per Article 33, Army Act/Rules.
- Change of SSB interview date/centre will not be entertained.
- Any ambiguity/false information leads to cancellation at any stage. Candidate must never have been debarred by UPSC, arrested/convicted, or withdrawn from military academies on disciplinary grounds.
- Allotment of centres, interview dates, merit list, joining instructions and other updates are available on the website; use Feedback/Queries for communication. Queries only up to three days before application closing will be entertained.
Application Window (For Quick Reference)
ONLINE APPLICATION WILL OPEN ON 11 AUG 2025 at 1500 HRS AND CLOSE ON 10 SEP 2025 at 1500 HRS.
