Indian Army SSC JAG Officer Recruitment 2026

The Indian Army is hiring 10 Short Service Commission (JAG) Officers for its Judge Advocate General Branch under the 125th SSC (JAG) Course starting April 2027. If you have an LLB degree with at least 55% marks and a valid CLAT PG 2026 score, you can apply online at joinindianarmy.nic.in. The last date to apply is 17 August 2026. You should be 21 to 27 years old as on 01 January 2027, and you will get a training stipend of Rs. 56,100 per month, followed by a starting package of around Rs. 17-18 lakh per year after commissioning.

Indian Army Short Service Commission (JAG) 125th Course Recruitment 2026 - 10 Posts

The Indian Army has released a notification inviting unmarried male and female law graduates to join the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Branch through the Short Service Commission (Non-Technical) route. This is the 125th SSC (JAG) Course, and training will begin at the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai in April 2027. There is no separate written exam conducted by the Army for this entry — your CLAT PG 2026 score (the exam held in December 2025) decides your shortlisting for the SSB interview. Both freshly qualified law graduates and those pursuing an LLM can apply, as long as they meet the eligibility conditions below.

This is a great opportunity if you want a legal career combined with an officer's life in the Indian Army. As a JAG officer, you get to practice law within the military justice system — advising commanders, prosecuting or defending court martial cases, and shaping how military law is applied on the ground.

Who Can Apply?

• Qualification: LLB degree with at least 55% aggregate marks (three-year professional course after graduation, or five-year course after 10+2).
• Mandatory Exam: You must have appeared for the CLAT PG 2026 exam held in December 2025. Scores from any other CLAT PG exam year will not be accepted.
• Bar Council: You should be eligible for registration as an advocate with the Bar Council of India or a State Bar Council, and your law degree must be from a Bar Council-recognized college or university.
• Marital Status: Only unmarried men and unmarried women can apply for this course.
• Nationality: You must be a citizen of India. Nepal domiciles and specific categories of Indian-origin migrants are also eligible, subject to an eligibility certificate from the Government of India.
• Note: Your date of birth as recorded in your Matriculation/Secondary School certificate is final and cannot be changed later.

Age Limit

• You should be between 21 and 27 years old as on 01 January 2027 — born between 02 January 2000 and 01 January 2006 (both dates included).
• No age relaxation for any category is mentioned in this notification.

Salary

• During your 49-week training at OTA Chennai, you will get a stipend of Rs. 56,100 per month.
• After commissioning as a Lieutenant, your total pay package (CTC) will be approximately Rs. 17 to Rs. 18 lakh per year, including military pay, allowances and perks.
• You will serve on a Short Service Commission of up to 14 years — an initial 10-year period, extendable by 4 more years — with the option to apply for a Permanent Commission in your 10th year of service.
• If you wish to leave early, you can apply for release after completing 5 years of service.

Selection Process

Selection for the Indian Army SSC (JAG) Entry has these stages:

1. Online Application: Submit your application on joinindianarmy.nic.in during the application window.
2. Shortlisting for SSB: Candidates are shortlisted for the SSB interview based on their CLAT PG 2026 score.
3. Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview: A 5-day SSB process at a center of your choice, expected between November and December 2026 (a two-week window opens in September for center and date selection).
4. Medical Examination: Conducted as per Indian Army medical standards.
5. Final Merit List: Prepared based on your performance across all stages.
6. Joining Letter: Selected candidates report to OTA Chennai for training starting April 2027.

Important: You must get your CLAT PG 2026 result verified at the selection center before the SSB. If you skip this verification, you will not be eligible for the SSB and your candidature will be cancelled with no re-application allowed.

How to Apply

1. Go to the Indian Army recruitment portal at joinindianarmy.nic.in.
2. Register yourself and log in to the portal.
3. Fill in your personal, academic and CLAT PG 2026 details in the online application form.
4. Upload your photograph, signature and required documents.
5. Submit the form before the last date and save a copy for your records.

Note: The Directorate General of Recruiting does not accept offline applications for this course — you must apply online.

Important Dates

• Online Application Start: 17 July 2026
• Last Date to Apply Online: 17 August 2026
• SSB Interviews: November-December 2026 (tentative)
• Course Commencement (OTA Chennai): April 2027

• Advise commanding officers and army units on military law and legal procedures
• Prosecute or defend cases in courts martial on behalf of the Army
• Draft and review legal opinions on service and disciplinary matters
• Assist in framing charges and conducting summary trials
• Represent the Army in legal proceedings before civil and military courts
• Guide troops and officers on rules of engagement and international humanitarian law
• Maintain accurate records of legal cases and disciplinary proceedings