• For IMA: Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 02nd July, 2002 and not later than 1st July, 2007.
• For Indian Naval Academy: Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 02nd July, 2002 and not later than 1st July, 2007.
• For Air Force Academy: 20 to 24 years as on 01st July, 2026 (born not earlier than 02nd July, 2002 and not later than 1st July, 2006). Upper age limit for CPL holders is relaxable up to 26 years (born not earlier than 02nd July, 2000). Candidates below 25 years must be unmarried.
• For Officers' Training Academy (SSC Men): Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 02nd July, 2001 and not later than 1st July, 2007.
• For Officers' Training Academy (SSC Women Non-Technical): Unmarried women, issueless widows who have not remarried and issueless divorcees (in possession of divorce documents) who have not remarried. Born not earlier than 02nd July, 2001 and not later than 1st July, 2007.
• Date of birth as recorded in Matriculation/Secondary School Examination Certificate will be accepted.

• For I.M.A. and Officers Training Academy, Chennai: Degree of a recognised University or equivalent.
• For Indian Naval Academy: Degree in Engineering from a recognised University/Institution.
• For Air Force Academy: Degree of a recognised University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or Bachelor of Engineering.
• Candidates appearing in the final year/semester Degree course can also apply, but must submit proof of passing the degree examination by the specified dates (e.g., IMA/INA: 01st July, 2026; AFA: 13th May, 2026; OTA: 01st October, 2026).

Note: Vacancies are tentative and may be changed. Separate selection for SSC(NT) Men and SSC(NT) Women categories.

• Written Examination Subjects:

  For IMA, INA, AFA	Duration	Maximum Marks
  English	2 Hours	100
  General Knowledge	2 Hours	100
  Elementary Mathematics	2 Hours	100
  Total (Written)		300

  For Officers’ Training Academy	Duration	Maximum Marks
  English	2 Hours	100
  General Knowledge	2 Hours	100
  Total (Written)		200

• SSB Test/Interview: 300 Marks for IMA/INA/AFA, 200 Marks for OTA.
• All papers will consist of Objective Type Questions only.
• Question Papers of General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics will be set bilingually in Hindi as well as English.
• Penalty (Negative Marking) for wrong answers: One third (0.33) of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted.
• No calculator or mathematical/logarithmic table is permitted.

• The SSB procedure consists of two stage selection process - Stage I and Stage II. Only those candidates who clear Stage I are permitted to appear for Stage II.
• Stage I: Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and Picture Perception & Description Test (PP&DT). Shortlisting is based on a combination of performance in OIR Test and PP&DT.
• Stage II: Interview, Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests and the Conference. These tests are conducted over 4 days.
• Personality is assessed by Interviewing Officer (IO), Group Testing Officer (GTO), and Psychologist. Marks are allotted holistically.
• Candidates for Air Force also undergo Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS). CPSS is given only once.
• Candidates who qualify Stage II are required to submit Original Matriculation pass certificate and Original Degree/Provisional Degree Certificate/Marks sheet.
• Candidates appear for SSB interview at their own risk.

Candidates must be physically and mentally fit according to the prescribed physical standards. It is advised to get medically examined before applying to avoid disappointment.

• General Medical Fitness: Must be in good physical and mental health, free from any disease/syndrome/disability likely to interfere with efficient performance of military duties in any terrain, climate, season, remote areas, or austere conditions.
• No evidence of weak constitution, imperfect development, congenital deformities/diseases/syndromes or malformation.
• Detailed guidelines for various systems (Musculoskeletal, Vision, Hearing, Dental, Chest, Abdomen, Nervous System, Skin, etc.) are provided in the official notification.

• Training Duration:
  • IMA: 18 months
  • INA: Approx. 18 months (Naval Orientation Course + Sea Training)
  • AFA (Flying Branch): 74 weeks
  • OTA: 49 weeks
• Degrees Awarded:
  • IMA/OTA: Post Graduate Diploma in Defence Management and Strategic Studies (by University of Madras for OTA).
  • INA: B.Tech Degree (by JNU).
• Fixed Stipend for Cadet Training (IMA/OTA/AFA): ₹56,100/- p.m. (Starting pay in Level 10).
• Pay Scale for Officers (Post-Commissioning):

  Rank	Level (Pay in Rs.)
  Lieutenant	Level 10 (56,100 - 1,77,500)
  Captain	Level 10 B (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)
  Lieutenant General HAG Scale	Level 15 (1,82,200 - 2,24,100)
  HAG+Scale	Level 16 (2,05,400 - 2,24,400)
  VCOAS/Army Cdr/ Lieutenant General	Level 17 (2,25,000/- fixed)
  COAS	Level 18 (2,50,000/- fixed)

• Military Service Pay (MSP): ₹15,500 p.m. fixed for Lt to Brig.
• Various allowances (Dearness Allowance, Dress Allowance, Free Ration, Transport Allowance, Children Education Allowance) are admissible.
• Insurance cover and ex-gratia benefits are available in case of invalidment/death during training.
• Promotional Avenues (Substantive Promotions):
  • Lieutenant: On commission
  • Captain: On completion of 2 years of reckonable commissioned service
  • Major: On completion of 6 years of reckonable commissioned service
  • Lt. Col.: On completion of 13 years of reckonable commissioned service
  • Col (TS): On completion of 26 years of reckonable commissioned service
  • Higher ranks (Col, Brigadier, Major Gen, Lt Gen, General/Admiral/Air Chief Marshal) are by selection.
• Short Service Commission (SSC) Tenure: 14 years (initial 10 years, extendable by 4 years). Officers may be considered for Permanent Commission in the 10th year.
• Physical Standards on Arrival at OTA (Men/Women):

  Activity	Officer Cadet (Men)	Officer Cadet (Women)
  2.4 Km Run	10 Minutes 30 Second	13 Minutes
  Push Up	40	15
  Pull UP	06	02
  Sit Up	30	25
  Squats	Two Sets of 30 Repetitions	Two Sets of 30 Repetitions
  Lunges	Two Sets of 10 Repetitions	Two Sets of 10 Repetitions
  Swimming	Should know fundamentals of swimming

• Candidates are required to apply online using the website: Click Here.
• A new Online Application Portal is introduced. All applicants must fill up the application and upload their documents afresh. The old One Time Registration (OTR) module is no longer applicable.
• Candidates should have details of one Photo ID Card (Aadhaar Card/Voter Card/PAN Card/Passport/Driving Licence/Any other Photo ID Card issued by State/Central Government).
• Failure to provide required information/documents will entail cancellation of candidature.
• Applications cannot be withdrawn after submission. No correction/alteration/modification in any field(s) of the application form is allowed after its submission and closure of the application window.
• Detailed instructions are available on the home page of the portal.