Essential Qualifications and Recruitment Process for Indian Army Jobs

The Indian Army offers numerous job opportunities for young individuals seeking a respectable career while serving the nation. This article outlines the essential qualifications required for various positions, including educational criteria and physical standards. It also details the rigorous recruitment process, which includes written exams and physical fitness tests. Understanding these requirements is crucial for candidates aspiring to join the Army. Explore the specifics of each role and prepare effectively for a successful application.

By Ambika Singh Nov 10, 2025, 11:23 IST

Overview of Indian Army Recruitment

Explore Opportunities in the Indian Army: Each year, countless young individuals seek employment within the Indian Army. A career in the Army is not only honorable but also provides a unique chance to serve the nation. The recruitment process is quite stringent, covering various roles such as Soldier General Duty (GD), Soldier Technical, Soldier Clerk, and Nursing Assistant. The educational requirements, mandatory subjects in the 12th grade, and the percentage of marks differ for each role.

Qualifications for Indian Army Recruitment

To qualify for Army recruitment, candidates must fulfill specific educational and physical criteria. There are strict guidelines regarding age, height, weight, and fitness levels (including running, beam exercises, and zig-zag balance). For officer-level positions, candidates must clear challenging entrance exams like the National Defense Academy (NDA) or the Combined Defense Services Examination (CDS). Recruitment for soldiers is mainly conducted under the Agniveer Scheme.

Required Qualifications for Various Positions:

The qualifications needed for different roles in the Indian Army are as follows:

1. Educational Qualifications: Subjects and Marks in 12th Grade

The necessary subjects and minimum marks in 12th grade for Army recruitment vary by position.

Post Name	Educational Qualification (12th)	Compulsory Subjects
Soldier General Duty (GD)	10th/12th pass, any stream	45% aggregate, 33% in each subject
Soldier Technical (Agniveer Tech)	12th pass (Science)	Physics, Chemistry, Maths (PCM), English with 50% aggregate, 40% in each subject
Soldier Clerk/Store Keeper (SKT)	12th pass (any stream)	60% aggregate, 50% in each subject (preferably English and Maths/Accounting)
Soldier Nursing Assistant (NA)	12th pass (Science)	Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Botany/Zoology, English with 50% aggregate, 40% in each subject

Age and Physical Standards for Army Jobs

Age Limit: The age limit for most roles under the Agniveer Scheme is between 17.5 years and 21 years.

Height: This varies from 163 cm to 170 cm, depending on the region and specific position.

Weight: Must be proportionate to height and age (BMI).

Chest Measurement: A minimum of 77 cm without expansion and 5 cm expansion when expanded is required.

Eligibility Criteria for Army Jobs

Citizenship: Candidates must be Indian citizens.

Marital Status: Candidates must be unmarried at the time of recruitment.

Medical Standards: Candidates must be physically and mentally fit, with vision, hearing, and dental health meeting the required standards.

Recruitment Process (Agniveer)

The recruitment for soldier positions in the Army primarily involves:

Registration and Online CEE: Candidates must apply online and then take an online written examination (CEE).

Physical Test (PFT): Those who pass the CEE are invited for the PFT, which includes a 1.6-kilometer run, pull-ups, a 9-foot ditch jump, and zig-zag balance.

Medical Examination: Candidates who succeed in the PFT undergo a comprehensive medical examination.

Merit List: A final merit list is created for candidates who complete all stages successfully.