Indian Army Agniveer CEE Recruitment 2026: — Deadline Extended to 10 April, Exam in June.The deadline was extended. That means if you missed the original last date — you still have a window. Indian Army Agniveer CEE 2026 applications are now open till 10 April 2026, with the Common Entrance Exam scheduled from 1 to 16 June 2026. Eight different post categories under one recruitment — from Class 8th pass Tradesman to JCO Religious Teacher requiring a degree. Understanding exactly which post matches your qualification is the first step, because applying for the wrong category wastes your fee and your exam slot.
Let me walk you through every post, every physical standard, and the things that actually matter when you sit down to fill this form.
Indian Army Agniveer CEE Recruitment 2026: — Deadline Extended to 10 April, Exam in June
Indian Army Agniveer CEE 2026 — Quick Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Body | Join Indian Army (Bhartiya Sena) |
| Scheme | Agnipath — Agniveer Posts |
| Exam Name | Common Entrance Exam (CEE) |
| Application Start | 13 February 2026 |
| Last Date (Extended) | 10 April 2026 |
| Fee Payment Deadline | 10 April 2026 |
| Exam Date | 01 – 16 June 2026 |
| Age Reference Date | 01 July 2026 |
| Application Fee | ₹250/- (All Categories) |
| Official Website | joinindianarmy.nic.in |
Application Fee — One Flat Rate for Everyone
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹250/- |
| SC / ST | ₹250/- |
No fee differentiation between categories — everyone pays ₹250. Payment is online only — debit card, credit card, net banking, IMPS, mobile wallet. Pay in the same session as your application submission. Screenshot your payment confirmation before closing the browser window.
Age Limit — Post-Wise Breakdown (As on 01 July 2026)
| Post | Age Range | Birth Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Agniveer GD / Technical / Asst / Tradesman | 17.5 to 22 years | 01 Oct 2004 to 01 Apr 2009 |
| Soldier Technical (some categories) | 17.5 to 23 years | 01 Oct 2003 to 01 Apr 2009 |
| Sepoy Pharma | 19 to 25 years | 01 Oct 2001 to 01 Apr 2007 |
| JCO Religious Teacher | 27 to 34 years | As on 01 July 2026 |
The 17.5 to 22 year window is tight. If you were born after 01 April 2009, you’re currently too young. If you were born before 01 October 2003 (for most posts), you’re over the age limit for this cycle. Calculate your age precisely as on 01 July 2026 — not today’s date — before applying.
The JCO Religious Teacher post stands apart with a 27-34 year age range — clearly designed for candidates who have religious education and experience, not fresh school leavers.
Watch out: Age relaxation for reserved categories exists for some Army posts but is not uniformly applicable under the Agnipath scheme. Don’t assume standard OBC/SC/ST relaxation applies here without checking the official notification specifically. The Army follows its own regulations for Agniveer age limits.
All Posts — Eligibility and Physical Standards in Detail
Agniveer General Duty (GD) — The Largest Category
Education: Class 10th (Matriculation) with minimum 45% aggregate marks and minimum 33% in each subject individually.
Age: 17.5 to 22 years as on 01 July 2026.
Physical Standards:
- Height: 169 cm
- Chest: 77 cm (minimum 5 cm expansion required)
Physical Fitness Test (PFT):
- 1.6 km run in 5 minutes 45 seconds — 60 marks
- Pull-ups: 10 times — 40 marks
- 9-feet ditch: Qualifying (pass/fail)
- Zigzag Balance: Qualifying (pass/fail)
GD is the entry point for most candidates — Class 10 pass, 169 cm height, and physically fit. The 45% aggregate requirement is specific — candidates with exactly 44% aggregate are not eligible even if individual subjects are above 33%.
Agniveer Technical
Education: 10+2 in Science stream with Physics, Chemistry, Maths, and English — minimum 50% aggregate and 40% in each subject. Alternatively, 10+2 in any stream plus 1-year ITI certificate from a recognised institution.
Age: 17.5 to 23 years.
Physical Standards:
- Height: 162 cm (lower than GD — more accessible)
- Chest: 77 cm (+ 5 cm expansion)
- PFT: Same as GD — 1.6 km in 5:45, 10 pull-ups, 9-feet ditch, zigzag balance
The ITI alternative pathway here is genuinely useful. If you completed 10+2 without a science stream but have a 1-year ITI certificate from a government-recognised institute, you qualify for Technical — same physical standards as GD but with a wider academic entry route.
Agniveer Office Assistant / Store Keeper Technical
Education: 10+2 in any stream with minimum 60% aggregate and minimum 50% in each subject. English and Maths/Accounts/Book Keeping — minimum 50% in these two subjects specifically is mandatory.
Age: 17.5 to 22 years.
Physical Standards: Same as Technical — 162 cm height, 77 cm chest, same PFT.
Honestly, the 60% aggregate requirement here is stricter than Technical or GD. And the English + Maths minimum 50% condition means candidates from Commerce or Arts streams who are strong in these two subjects can qualify — it’s not Science-stream exclusive. A good Commerce student with solid 12th marks fits this post well.
Agniveer Tradesman (10th Pass)
Education: Class 10th from any recognised board, minimum 33% in each subject. No minimum aggregate percentage specified — just pass with 33% per subject.
Age: 17.5 to 22 years.
Physical Standards:
- Height: 169 cm
- Chest: 77 cm (+ 5 cm expansion)
- PFT: 1.6 km in 5:45, pull-ups 10, 9-feet ditch, zigzag balance
This is the most accessible post for 10th pass candidates without strong academic marks. The “minimum 33% in each subject” condition means a basic pass is sufficient — no aggregate percentage bar. If you just passed your 10th with low marks, Tradesman 10th pass is your route into the Army.
Agniveer Tradesman (8th Pass)
Education: Class 8th pass from any recognised board, minimum 33% in each subject.
Age: 17.5 to 22 years.
Physical Standards: Same as Tradesman 10th — 169 cm height, 77 cm chest, same PFT.
This is the lowest educational bar in this entire recruitment. Class 8 pass with minimum marks — and the same physical standards as other posts. If you’re 17-22 and have an 8th pass certificate, you’re eligible. The CEE written exam at this level will be at a corresponding difficulty — but don’t underestimate the physical test just because the academic bar is lower.
Agniveer General Duty — Women Military Police
Education: Class 10th with minimum 45% aggregate and 33% in each subject. Candidates with a valid Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) driving licence get preference for Driver requirements.
Age: 17.5 to 22 years.
Physical Standards (Women):
- Height: 162 cm
- Running: 1.6 km in 7 minutes 30 seconds
- Long Jump: 10 feet
- High Jump: 3 feet
The Women Military Police post has different physical standards from male posts — notably no pull-up or chest measurement requirement, replaced by long jump and high jump. The running time is 7:30 instead of 5:45. For eligible female candidates, the physical bar is designed differently but is still a genuine physical challenge. Start training the long jump and high jump components early — most candidates focus only on running.
Sepoy Pharma
Education: 10+2 equivalent plus D.Pharma with minimum 55% aggregate, registered with State Pharmacy Council or Pharmacy Council of India. B.Pharma holders with minimum 50% marks are also eligible.
Age: 19 to 25 years.
Physical Standards:
- Height: 169 cm
- Chest: 77 cm (+ 5 cm expansion)
- Running: 1.6 km in 5:45
- Pull-ups, 9-feet ditch, zigzag: Qualifying
The Pharmacy Council registration requirement is non-negotiable — your D.Pharma or B.Pharma alone isn’t enough without valid registration. If your registration has lapsed or you haven’t registered yet, do this before applying. Council registration can take weeks to process in some states.
Soldier Technical Nursing Assistant
Education: 10+2 in Science with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English — minimum 50% aggregate and 40% in each subject. Alternatively, 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, and English — same percentage conditions.
Age: 17.5 to 23 years.
Physical Standards:
- Height: 169 cm
- Chest: 77 cm (+ 5 cm expansion)
- Running: 1.6 km in 5:45
- Pull-ups, 9-feet ditch, zigzag: Qualifying
PCB students from Class 12 — this post is made for your profile. The Biology/Botany/Zoology stream eligibility means a standard Science PCB candidate qualifies without needing to have studied Maths.
JCO Religious Teacher (RT)
This post stands entirely apart from the others. Age range is 27-34 years. Height minimum is 160 cm for General candidates and 157 cm for Gorkha/Ladakhi candidates. Running time is 1.6 km in 8 minutes — more generous than combat posts. Chest: 77 cm with 5 cm expansion.
Educational requirements vary by religion:
Pandit (Hindu): Sahastri/Acharya in Sanskrit with Karam Kand as main subject, or a 1-year Diploma in Karam Kand.
Granthi (Sikh): Bachelor’s degree in any stream plus ‘Gyani’ qualification in Punjabi.
Padre (Christian): Bachelor’s degree plus ordained priesthood by the appropriate ecclesiastical authority on the local Bishop’s approved list.
Maulvi (Muslim): Bachelor’s degree plus ‘Alim’ in Arabic or ‘Adeeb-e-Mahir/Urdu Mahir’ in Urdu.
RT Buddhist: Bachelor’s degree plus ordained as a Monk/Buddhist Priest by the appropriate authority, with Geshe (PhD) level certification from the head priest’s monastery.
The JCO RT post is for a very specific profile — religious scholars with formal credentials within their faith tradition. If this matches your background, it’s one of the few Army posts where age goes up to 34 and the academic requirement acknowledges religious education systems outside the mainstream.
Selection Process — Four Stages in Sequence
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Written CEE | Computer-based or paper-based exam — subject varies by post |
| 2. PET & PST | Physical efficiency and standards test |
| 3. Document Verification | All original certificates verified |
| 4. Medical Examination | Army medical standards applied |
The written exam determines merit ranking. PET and PST are qualifying — you either pass or you don’t. Failing either physical stage means elimination regardless of your written score.
Most candidates who prepared only for the written exam and neglected physical training fail at PET. The 1.6 km in 5:45 for most posts is demanding — that’s approximately a 3:36 pace per kilometre. Start running today if you haven’t already. Don’t wait for your admit card.
Pro Tip: Pull-ups are scored — 10 pull-ups give you 40 marks in the PFT scoring for GD and Technical posts. Every pull-up below 10 loses you marks. Start a pull-up training programme alongside your running. Candidates who score full marks in pull-ups have a meaningful advantage in the merit list when written exam scores are close.
Original Analysis: Agniveer vs. Regular Army — What You’re Actually Signing Up For
Here’s something worth understanding clearly before you apply — because this affects your life significantly.
Agniveer is a 4-year short-service scheme under the Agnipath programme. You’re not signing up for a permanent Army career. After 4 years, 25% of Agniveers from each batch are retained in regular Army service — the remaining 75% are released with a Seva Nidhi package (approximately ₹11-12 lakh tax-free) and a certificate of service.
This is fundamentally different from the earlier system where Army joining meant a long career. The Seva Nidhi is a meaningful lump sum — but your career planning needs to account for what happens at year 4. The government has announced priority in Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), state police, and other public sector recruitment for released Agniveers, but those assurances are policy, not contractual guarantees.
If you’re applying with the expectation of a permanent 20-year Army career — re-read the Agnipath scheme details carefully before committing. If you understand the 4-year structure, want the experience, the physical training, the service certificate, and the Seva Nidhi corpus — and you have a plan for what comes after — then apply with full intention.
Who Should Apply Urgently — And Who Should Reconsider
If you’re 17.5 to 22 years old, have Class 10 pass with basic marks, are physically fit, and have height above 169 cm — Tradesman 10th pass is your most accessible entry. Apply this week, not on April 9.
If you have 10+2 Science with PCB and minimum 50% — Nursing Assistant is directly aligned with your qualification. The Army medical pathway is a structured career track worth considering.
If you’re a pharmacy graduate or D.Pharma holder with Pharmacy Council registration — Sepoy Pharma has a slightly older age range (up to 25) and your specialised qualification gives you a distinct advantage over GD candidates.
If you’re 28-34 with formal religious credentials — JCO Religious Teacher is one of the few Army posts you can still apply for at this age. Check the qualification conditions for your faith tradition against the official notification carefully.
FAQ — What Candidates Are Actually Searching
What happens after 4 years as an Agniveer — is the job permanent? No — Agniveer is a 4-year engagement under the Agnipath scheme. At the end of 4 years, approximately 25% of each batch will be offered regular Army enrolment based on performance. The remaining 75% receive a Seva Nidhi corpus of approximately ₹11-12 lakh (tax-free) and a service certificate. The government has announced priority consideration for Agniveers in CAPF and state police recruitment, but this isn’t a guaranteed permanent government job. Plan your career with realistic expectations about both outcomes.
My height is 168 cm — can I apply for GD or Tradesman posts requiring 169 cm? Height measurement at the PST is done officially and precisely. 168 cm does not round up to 169 cm — you’ll be rejected at PST if you’re below the minimum. Some Army recruitment rallies have reported measurement variations depending on the measuring officer, but relying on that is not a strategy. If you’re genuinely close to the height requirement, get measured accurately before applying. Invest in correct posture and morning measurements (height is typically slightly greater in the morning before spinal compression from the day’s activity).
Can I apply for multiple post categories under the same CEE? The notification doesn’t explicitly address multiple post applications in the summarised content. In past Army CEE cycles, candidates could apply for posts they were eligible for — but the online portal typically allows one primary application per candidate. Check the official joinindianarmy.nic.in portal and notification for the specific multiple-application policy in this cycle before attempting to submit more than one form.
What is the salary during the 4-year Agniveer service period? Agniveers receive a monthly package that starts at approximately ₹30,000 in Year 1 and increases to approximately ₹40,000 by Year 4. From this, 30% is contributed to the Seva Nidhi fund (with an equal government contribution), making the in-hand take-home approximately ₹21,000-28,000 per month depending on the year. Additionally, Army benefits — accommodation, medical, ration, clothing — are provided during service. The Seva Nidhi corpus accumulates to approximately ₹11-12 lakh over 4 years. These figures are based on the Agnipath scheme announcement — verify current amounts from the official joinindianarmy.nic.in notification.
Important Links
| Purpose | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | joinindianarmy.nic.in |
| Official Notification | joinindianarmy.nic.in |
| Check Application Status | joinindianarmy.nic.in |
| Indian Army Official Website | indianarmy.nic.in |