Indian Army JAG Entry Scheme 125th Course: Short Service Commission for Law Graduates

Quick Highlights

• Organisation: Indian Army, Judge Advocate General Branch
• Course: SSC (JAG) 125th Course, April 2027
• Vacancies: 10 (combined for men and women)
• Mode of Application: Online only
• Application Window: 17 July 2026 to 17 August 2026
• Training: Officers Training Academy, Chennai, 49 weeks

Important Dates

Vacancy Details

A total of 10 vacancies have been notified for the SSC (JAG) 125th Course, and these are combined vacancies for both men and women. The notification clarifies that the Indian Army publishes mixed vacancies for men and women based on the operational and administrative needs of the force as they stand at the time, and the shortlisting, selection, and final merit are entirely based on these notified vacancies and the applications received.

Eligibility Criteria

Nationality

A candidate must be a citizen of India, a subject of Nepal, or a person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, or specified East African countries with the intention of permanently settling in India. Candidates in the last two categories need a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India, except Gorkha subjects of Nepal.

Age Limit

Candidates must be 21 to 27 years old as on 01 January 2027, meaning they should be born not earlier than 02 January 2000 and not later than 01 January 2006, both dates included. Only the date of birth recorded in the Matriculation or Secondary School Examination Certificate will be accepted, and no request to change it later will be considered.

Marital Status

Only unmarried male and unmarried female law graduates can apply. A candidate who marries after submitting the application, even if successful at the SSB interview and medical examination, will not be eligible for training.

Educational Qualification

Candidates need a minimum of 55 percent aggregate marks in their LLB degree, whether obtained through a three year professional course after graduation or a five year course after Class 12. In addition, a CLAT PG 2026 score, from the exam held in December 2025, is mandatory for every candidate, including those with an LLM qualification or those appearing for LLM. Candidates must be eligible for registration as an advocate with the Bar Council of India or a State Bar Council, and must have studied at a college or university recognised by the Bar Council of India.

Only the CLAT PG exam conducted in December 2025 for the 2026 postgraduate cycle is valid for this course; scores from any other CLAT PG exam will not be accepted. All candidates must also get their CLAT PG 2026 result verified at the Selection Centre before the SSB is conducted, failing which they will not be eligible for the SSB and their candidature will be cancelled.

Selection Process

The selection process for this entry has five stages: Application, Shortlisting, SSB, Medical Examination, and Merit List, followed by the joining letter for training.

Shortlisting

The Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence (Army) reserves the right to shortlist applications without assigning any reason, and shortlisting for the SSB is based on the vacancy to call up ratio and the candidate's CLAT PG score. Shortlisting is expected in the second week of September 2026.

SSB Interview

Shortlisted candidates get to choose their SSB centre and date on a first come first serve basis, with this window open for two weeks in September 2026. Once chosen, the centre and date cannot be changed later except by the Directorate General of Recruiting in exceptional circumstances. The SSB itself runs for up to five days at one of four Selection Centres: Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh), Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), Bengaluru (Karnataka), and Jalandhar (Punjab), likely in November or December 2026. It is conducted in two stages, and candidates who fail Stage-I are sent back on the same day.

Medical Examination and Merit List

Candidates recommended after Stage-II of the SSB undergo a medical examination. The SSB medical examination remains valid for 270 days, counted up to the date of joining the training academy. The final merit list is prepared strictly on the marks obtained at the SSB interview; if two candidates score equally, the older candidate is ranked higher, and if age is also equal, the one with a higher percentage in the qualifying exam is ranked higher. Higher educational qualifications or past performance do not carry any weight in the merit list.

Physical Standards Before Joining Training Academy

Candidates must meet the following minimum physical standards before joining the training academy:

Training and Stipend

Selected candidates train for 49 weeks at the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai, starting April 2027. Candidates receive a stipend of Rs 56,100 per month during this period, though this training period is not treated as commissioned service. Cadets cannot marry during training and cannot live with parents or guardians while training. On successful completion, candidates are awarded a Post Graduate Diploma in Defence Management and Strategic Studies by the University of Madras.

If an officer cadet is withdrawn from the academy for reasons other than a medical ground or reasons beyond their control, they must refund the cost of training at Rs 20,482 per week, as applicable in 2026.

Rank, Pay Scale, and Perks After Commissioning

On completing training, officers are commissioned as Lieutenant, with pay fixed in the first cell of Pay Level 10, ranging from Rs 56,100 to Rs 1,77,500. Including Military Service Pay of Rs 15,500 per month and other allowances, the total CTC on commissioning works out to approximately Rs 17 to 18 lakh per year.

Officers also draw Dearness Allowance, Dress Allowance of Rs 20,000 a year, Transport Allowance, Children Education Allowance of Rs 2,250 per month per child for the two eldest children, and Hostel Subsidy of Rs 6,750 per month per child, among other allowances depending on rank, posting, and area of deployment. Cadets are insured for Rs 1.25 crore under the Army Group Insurance Fund from the time they start receiving the stipend.

Tenure, Permanent Commission, and Release Options

The Short Service Commission is granted for a maximum of 14 years, made up of an initial 10 year period extendable by 4 years. Officers who wish to continue after 10 years may be considered for Permanent Commission in the 10th year, subject to relevant policies. Those not selected for Permanent Commission but found fit can continue as Short Service Commission Officers for the full 14 years.

Officers have three release options: after 5 years of service (subject to Army HQ approval), after 10 years, or after the full 14 year tenure. Officers released before or on completion of their contractual service carry a reserve liability of five years plus two years on a voluntary basis, or up to the age of 37 for women and 40 for men, whichever comes earlier.

How to Apply

Applications are accepted only online through the official Join Indian Army website. No offline applications are accepted.

1. Visit the official website www.joinindianarmy.nic.in, click on Officer Entry Appln/Login, and then click Registration. Registration is not needed if the candidate is already registered on the website.
2. Read the instructions carefully and fill the online registration form.
3. After registering, click Apply Online under the Dashboard. On the Officers Selection Eligibility page, click Apply against the Short Service Commission JAG Entry Course.
4. On the Application Form page, fill in personal information, communication details, education details, and details of previous SSB, clicking Save and Continue after each segment.
5. Check the Summary of Your Information page carefully and click Submit only after confirming that all details are correct.
6. Take out two copies of the application with the roll number, 30 minutes after the final closure of the online application on the last day.

No changes can be made to the submitted application once it closes, and candidates must submit only one application; multiple applications from the same candidate will lead to cancellation of candidature.

Documents Required

Candidates must carry self-attested copies along with originals of the following documents to the Selection Centre:

• Signed printout of the application with a self-attested photograph
• Matriculation or Secondary School Examination Certificate and mark sheet
• Class 12 certificate and mark sheet
• Graduation degree or provisional degree (for three year LLB after graduation), not more than six months old as on 01 April 2027
• LLB degree or provisional degree, not more than six months old as on 01 April 2027
• Mark sheets of all years or semesters
• Registration with the Bar Council of India or State, or a certificate confirming the LLB course is recognised by the Bar Council of India
• University certificate on the formula used to convert CGPA or grades into percentage marks
• CLAT PG 2026 scorecard

DigiLocker certificates will not be accepted in place of original certificates. Candidates who do not carry these documents for the SSB interview will have their candidature cancelled and will be sent back.

Medical Examination

Medical standards and procedures for entry into the Army as an officer are available on the official website. The SSB medical examination remains valid for 270 days, counted up to the date of joining the training academy. Candidates who have already undergone an SSB medical examination for any service and been declared medically fit need not repeat it for this course, provided the earlier medical falls within the 270 day window.

General Rules

• Any false information, concealment, or discrepancy detected in certificates, documents, or the online application at any stage will lead to cancellation of candidature.
• Candidates who fail to report within 7 days from the date of reporting their candidature will have it cancelled, and the next candidate in merit will be considered.
• Candidates withdrawn from NDA, IMA, OTA, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, or any service training academy on disciplinary grounds are not eligible.
• Candidates who have ever been arrested, convicted, or involved in a criminal case are not eligible.
• Requests for a change of SSB interview date or centre will not be entertained.
• Candidates appearing for the first time for a particular type of commission are entitled to AC 3-Tier train or bus fare, including reservation charges, within Indian geographical limits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What Is The Indian Army JAG Entry Scheme 125th Course?

It is a Short Service Commission entry scheme for unmarried male and female law graduates who want to join the Judge Advocate General Branch of the Indian Army. Selected candidates undergo 49 weeks of training at the Officers Training Academy, Chennai, starting April 2027, and are commissioned as Lieutenants after successful training.

Q2. How Many Vacancies Are There In JAG 125th Course 2027?

There are 10 vacancies for the SSC (JAG) 125th Course, and these are combined vacancies for men and women. The Indian Army notifies mixed vacancies for men and women based on the operational and administrative needs of the force, so the final split between male and female candidates is not fixed in advance.

Q3. What Is The Age Limit For JAG Entry Scheme 125th Course?

Candidates must be between 21 and 27 years of age as on 01 January 2027, which means they must be born not earlier than 02 January 2000 and not later than 01 January 2006, with both dates included. The date of birth recorded in the Matriculation or Secondary School Examination Certificate will be treated as final.

Q4. What Educational Qualification Is Required For JAG SSC Entry?

Candidates need a minimum of 55 percent aggregate marks in their LLB degree, whether it is a three year professional course after graduation or a five year course after Class 12. Only candidates from a college or university recognised by the Bar Council of India, and eligible for advocate registration, can apply.

Q5. Is CLAT PG 2026 Score Compulsory For JAG Entry?

Yes, the CLAT PG 2026 score, from the exam conducted in December 2025, is mandatory for every candidate applying for this course, including those who already hold an LLM degree or are appearing for LLM. Candidates must also get this CLAT PG 2026 result verified at the Selection Centre before the SSB is conducted, or their candidature will be cancelled.

Q6. What Is The Selection Process For SSC JAG 125th Course?

The selection process runs through Application, Shortlisting based on CLAT PG score, SSB interview, Medical examination, Merit List, and finally the Joining Letter. Shortlisting is expected in the second week of September, followed by an SSB interview of up to five days at one of four Selection Centres in November or December 2026.

Q7. What Stipend And Salary Will Selected Candidates Get?

During the 49 week training at Officers Training Academy, Chennai, cadets receive a stipend of Rs 56,100 per month. On successful commissioning as a Lieutenant, the pay is fixed in Level 10 of the pay matrix, ranging from Rs 56,100 to Rs 1,77,500, with a total CTC of approximately Rs 17 to 18 lakh per year including allowances.

Q8. What Is The Last Date To Apply For JAG 125th Course?

The online application opens on 17 July 2026 at 1500 hours and closes on 17 August 2026 at 1500 hours. Applications are accepted only through the official website, and no offline application is accepted by the Directorate General of Recruiting.

Source

This article is based on the official JAG Entry Scheme 125th Course (April 2027) notification published by the Directorate General of Recruiting, Indian Army, available on joinindianarmy.nic.in.

Disclaimer

This article is for general information purposes only and is based on the official notification available at the time of writing. Candidates are advised to check the official website for the latest updates, corrigenda, and detailed instructions before applying.