Indian Army NCC 125th Course: Apply Now

The Indian Army NCC 125th Course notification has been released for unmarried male graduates who wish to join the Indian Army as commissioned officers without appearing for a written examination. The entry is officially known as the NCC Special Entry Scheme 125th Course – April 2027 and offers a Short Service Commission in the Non-Technical category.

Through this entry, eligible NCC ‘C’ Certificate holders are shortlisted directly for the Services Selection Board interview. Candidates who successfully clear the SSB interview, medical examination and final merit list will undergo pre-commission training at the Officers Training Academy, Chennai. The online application for male candidates will remain open from 20 July 2026 at 3:00 PM to 20 August 2026 at 3:00 PM.

Indian Army NCC 125th Course: Important Highlights

NCC Special Entry Scheme 125th Course Overview

The Indian Army NCC 125th Course provides NCC cadets with an opportunity to become officers in the Indian Army. Unlike entries conducted through the Combined Defence Services Examination, this scheme does not have a separate written examination.

Selected candidates receive a Short Service Commission in the Non-Technical category, commonly written as SSC-NT. The initial period of service is ten years, which may be extended by another four years subject to eligibility, organisational requirements and the officer’s willingness.

Important dates

• Online application begins: 20 July 2026 at 3:00 PM
• Last date to apply: 20 August 2026 at 3:00 PM
• Tentative shortlisting: First week of September 2026
• Tentative SSB interview: November or December 2026
• Training commencement: April 2027

How to Apply for Indian Army NCC 125th Course

Application process

1. Complete the registration or log in using an existing profile.
2. Open the Officer Entry application section.
3. Select NCC Special Entry Scheme 125th Course.
4. Enter personal, educational and NCC information carefully.
5. Convert CGPA into percentage according to the university’s official formula.
6. Review every detail before final submission.
7. Submit the application and take two printouts.

Documents required at SSB

Candidates should carry originals and self-attested copies of:

• Printed and signed application form;
• Class 10 certificate and marksheet;
• Class 12 certificate and marksheet;
• Graduation degree or provisional degree;
• Marksheets of all semesters or years;
• NCC ‘C’ Certificate;
• CGPA-to-percentage conversion certificate, where applicable;
• Final-year certificate and declaration, where applicable; and
• Battle-casualty documents for eligible wards.

Original certificates are compulsory. DigiLocker certificates are generally not accepted as replacements for originals.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must meet all the eligibility requirements specified for the Indian Army NCC 125th Course. Merely possessing an NCC certificate does not guarantee shortlisting for the SSB interview.

Nationality

The applicant must generally be:

• A citizen of India;
• A subject of Nepal; or
• A person of Indian origin who has migrated from certain notified countries with the intention of permanently settling in India.

Candidates belonging to categories other than Indian citizens may require an eligibility certificate issued by the Government of India.

Age limit

Candidates must be between 19 and 25 years of age as on 1 January 2027. Their date of birth must fall between:

• 2 January 2002 and 1 January 2008, with both dates included.
• The date of birth entered in the application must match the matriculation or equivalent certificate.

Educational and NCC qualification

To apply for the Indian Army NCC 125th Course, a candidate must:

• Hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university or an equivalent qualification;
• Have served for the required period in the NCC Senior Division or Wing;
• Possess an NCC ‘C’ Certificate or provisional certificate on the application date; and
• Have obtained at least a ‘B’ grade in the NCC ‘C’ Certificate examination.

Final-year graduation students may also apply, provided their final examination is scheduled on or before 1 April 2027 and they submit proof of passing within the prescribed time.

Marital status

The entry is open to unmarried male candidates. A candidate who marries after submitting the application but before completing training will not be permitted to join or continue at OTA Chennai.

Wards of Battle Casualties

Special vacancies are available for unmarried sons of Army personnel classified as battle casualties. For these candidates, an NCC ‘C’ Certificate is not mandatory. However, they must hold the required graduation qualification and produce the prescribed battle-casualty and relationship documents.

Vacancies and Selection Process

A total of 70 vacancies have been announced under the men’s Indian Army NCC 125th Course:

The number of notified vacancies may be changed depending on the operational and administrative requirements of the Indian Army.

Selection stages

Online Application → Shortlisting → SSB Interview → Medical Examination → Merit List → Joining Letter

There is no written examination. However, candidates must understand that possessing the minimum qualification does not automatically make them eligible for an SSB call.

Bonus marks for NCC performance

Bonus marks for graduation performance

A maximum of 100 bonus marks can be awarded. For example, a candidate with 78% graduation marks and a ‘B’ grade in the NCC ‘C’ Certificate will receive 30 marks for graduation and 25 marks for NCC, making a total of 55 bonus marks.

SSB Interview Details

Candidates shortlisted for the Indian Army NCC 125th Course will receive an email containing instructions for selecting an SSB centre and interview date.

The commonly designated selection centres are:

• Prayagraj;
• Bhopal;
• Bengaluru; and
• Jalandhar.

Candidates cannot demand a particular centre as a matter of right. The final allotment is decided by the Directorate General of Recruiting.

Two-stage SSB procedure

The SSB interview normally lasts up to five days and is conducted in two stages.

Stage I includes:

• Officer Intelligence Rating Test;
• Picture Perception and Description Test; and
• Group discussion on the perceived picture.

Stage II includes:

• Psychological tests;
• Group Testing Officer tasks;
• Personal interview; and
• Conference.

Candidates recommended by the board undergo a medical examination. Final selection depends on medical fitness, merit position and the number of available vacancies.

Training at OTA Chennai

Candidates selected through the Indian Army NCC 125th Course will undergo 49 weeks of pre-commission training at the Officers Training Academy, Chennai, beginning in April 2027.

• Completing a 2.4-kilometre run in 10 minutes and 30 seconds;
• 40 push-ups;
• 6 pull-ups;
• 30 sit-ups;
• Two sets of 30 squats;
• Two sets of 10 lunges; and
• Basic swimming ability.

During training, officer cadets receive a fixed stipend of ₹56,100 per month. After successfully completing the course, they are commissioned as Lieutenants in the Indian Army.

Salary, Perks and Career Growth

After commissioning through the Indian Army NCC 125th Course, an officer is placed in Pay Level 10 with a basic pay ranging from ₹56,100 to ₹1,77,500 per month.

Depending on posting, rank and eligibility, an officer may receive:

• Military Service Pay;
• Dearness Allowance;
• Field Area Allowance;
• High Altitude or Hardship Allowance;
• Transport Allowance;
• Dress Allowance;
• Children Education Allowance;
• Ration or ration allowance; and
• Other service-specific benefits.

Promotion opportunities

Doon Defence Dreamers SSB Preparation

 

For students who want to prepare for SSB, Doon Defence Dreamers is starting new SSB batches every Monday and the next batch starts on 27th July 2026, providing a great opportunity to begin structured preparation. The institute has experienced SSB mentors who are all retired officers from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, which gives them deep knowledge and real understanding of the entire SSB process. Because of this, they train students according to actual SSB requirements and expectations.

Along with group training, students also receive one-to-one personal guidance to improve their individual performance. All aspects of SSB are covered in a well-designed 14-day course, ensuring that candidates learn everything properly, from screening tests to psychology, GTO tasks, and personal interviews, helping them build confidence and perform effectively in the SSB.

Key Takeaways

• The Indian Army NCC 125th Course offers direct SSB shortlisting without a written examination.
• Applications are open from 20 July to 20 August 2026.
• Candidates must be unmarried males aged 19–25 years.
• A graduation degree and NCC ‘C’ Certificate with at least a ‘B’ grade are required for regular NCC vacancies.
• Shortlisting is based on NCC grade and graduation marks.
• Selected candidates receive 49 weeks of training at OTA Chennai and a stipend of ₹56,100 per month.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)?

1. Is there a written examination for the Indian Army NCC 125th Course?

No. Candidates are shortlisted for the SSB interview based on bonus marks calculated from their NCC ‘C’ Certificate grade and graduation percentage.

2. Can a final-year graduation student apply?

Yes. Final-year students can apply, provided their final examination is scheduled by 1 April 2027 and they submit proof of passing within the prescribed deadline.

3. Is 50% graduation marks compulsory?

The official men’s notification identifies graduation as the qualifying educational requirement and uses graduation percentage for shortlisting bonus marks. Candidates should not confuse the shortlisting marks table with a separately stated minimum percentage requirement.

4. Is an NCC ‘C’ Certificate compulsory for every applicant?

It is compulsory for candidates applying under regular NCC vacancies. It is not mandatory for eligible Wards of Battle Casualties.

5. Does SSB recommendation guarantee final selection?

No. A recommended candidate must also be medically fit and secure a position in the final merit list within the number of available vacancies.