The Indian Navy invites applications from eligible unmarried men and unmarried women candidates for Short Service Commission (SSC) Officers for the Jan 2026 (ST 26) Course. The training will be conducted at the Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala, Kerala. This entry is open to various branches including Executive, Education, Engineering, Electrical, and Naval Constructor. Selected candidates will be granted Short Service Commission initially for 12 years, extendable up to a maximum of 2 more years (subject to service requirements, performance, etc.).
Contents
Important Highlights
- Online Application Start Date: 08 February 2025
- Last Date for Online Application: 25 February 2025
- Course Commencement: January 2026
- Location of Training: Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala, Kerala
2. Eligibility Conditions
- Nationality: Applicants must fulfill the conditions of nationality as laid down by the Government of India.
- Marital Status: Only unmarried men and women are eligible to apply.
- Age Criteria: Varies by branch. See tables below for exact date‐of‐birth requirements.
- Academic Qualifications: Minimum 60% marks in the qualifying degree (unless otherwise stated). Different branches/cadres have specific degree requirements described in the tables below.
3. Branch‐Wise Details
The notification covers multiple branches under the headings Executive Branch, Education Branch, Technical Branch, and Naval Constructor. Below is a simplified table capturing the main details:
| Ser | Branch / Cadre | Eligible Degrees / Qualifications | Vacancy | Gender | Born Between |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Executive Branch | |||||
| (a) | Executive (GS(X)) / Hydro Cadre | BE/B.Tech in any discipline with minimum 60% marks | 60 (including 08 Hydro) | Men & Women (10 for GS(X), 02 for Hydro in Women’s quota, etc.) | 02 Jan 2001 to 01 Jul 2006 |
| (b) | Pilot | BE/B.Tech in any discipline with minimum 60% marks | 26 | Men & Women (max 05 vacancies for women) | 02 Jan 2002 to 01 Jan 2007* |
| (c) | Naval Air Operations Officer (Observer) | BE/B.Tech in any discipline with minimum 60% + 60% aggregate marks in Class X and XII, and 60% in English in X or XII | 22 | Men & Women (max 05 vacancies for women) | 02 Jan 2002 to 01 Jan 2007 |
| (d) | Air Traffic Controller (ATC) | BE/B.Tech in any discipline with minimum 60% + 60% aggregate in Class X and XII, and 60% in English in X or XII | 06 | Men & Women (max 06 for women) | 02 Jan 2001 to 01 Jan 2005 |
| (e) | Logistics | 1) BE/B.Tech in any discipline with First Class 2) MBA with First Class 3) B.Sc / B.Com / B.Sc (Hons.) with First Class along with PG Diploma in Finance / Logistics / Supply Chain Management / Material Management 4) MCA / M.Sc (IT) with First Class | 28 | Men & Women (max 06 for women) | 02 Jan 2001 to 01 Jul 2006 |
| Education Branch | |||||
| — | Education | – 60% in M.Sc. (Maths/Operational Research) with Physics in B.Sc. – 60% in M.Sc. (Physics / Applied Physics) with Maths in B.Sc. – 60% in M.Sc. (Chemistry) with Physics in B.Sc. – BE/B.Tech with min 60% (Mechanical / Electrical / Electronics & Comm Engg) – 60% in M.Tech (relevant streams)… | 7 | Men & Women | 02 Jan 2001 to 01 Jan 2005 |
| Technical Branch | |||||
| (a) | Engineering Branch (General Service) [GS] | BE/B.Tech with min 60% in one of the following streams: – Mechanical / Mechanical with Automation – Marine Engineering – Instrumentation Engineering – Production Engineering – Aeronautical Engineering – Automobile Engineering – Industrial Engineering & Mgmt – Aerospace, Mechatronics, Metallurgy… | 38 | Men & Women (max 08 for women) | 02 Jan 2001 to 01 Jul 2006 |
| (b) | Electrical Branch (General Service) [GS] | BE/B.Tech with min 60% in streams such as: – Electrical Engineering – Electronics Engineering – Electronics & Communication – Control Engineering – Electronics & Instrumentation – Instrumentation & Control – Power Engineering – Avionics, Applied Electronics & Instrumentation, etc. | 45 | Men & Women (max 09 for women) | 02 Jan 2001 to 01 Jul 2006 |
| — | Naval Constructor | BE/B.Tech (min 60%) in streams: – Mechanical / Mechanical with Automation – Civil – Aeronautical – Metallurgy – Naval Architecture – Ocean Engineering – Marine Engineering – Ship Technology – Ship Building – Ship Design | 18 | Men & Women | 02 Jan 2001 to 01 Jul 2006 |
- The “Born Between” dates are inclusive.
- Some branches have very specific date ranges (e.g., Pilot has 02 Jan 2002 to 01 Jan 2007).
- Hydro, Pilot, Observer, ATC entries require stricter conditions (including 60% in English in Class X or XII).
4. Additional Important Notes
- Vacancies: The number of vacancies in each branch (as shown above) is tentative and may be changed based on service requirements and availability of training slots.
- Submarine Arm: Male candidates shortlisted for GS(X), GS(Engineering), and GS(Electrical) are also eligible to volunteer for submarine arm, subject to meeting medical, aptitude, and other additional requirements.
- Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) Specialization: Candidates selected under GS(X) may be nominated to undergo specialization in RPA after successful completion of initial training, subject to service needs.
- Merchant Navy Personnel:
- Those holding Government of India, Ministry of Shipping & Transport Certificate of Competency (Foreign going) either as Second Mate, Mate, or Master and born between 02 Jan 1996 to 01 Jul 2006 may be eligible for Executive (General Service) [GS] entry.
- Similarly, candidates having Government of India, Ministry of Shipping & Transport Certificate of Competency as 1st Class Engineer of a steamship by the Govt. and born between 02 Jan 1996 to 01 Jul 2006 can apply under Technical Branch (SSC Engineering).
5. Who Can Apply and Educational Requirements
- Minimum Aggregate: Candidates who have graduated / are in the final year of graduation with minimum 60% marks in aggregate or equivalent CGPA from a recognized university.
- University Recognition: The institution/college/university must be recognized by the Government of India under relevant Acts (UGC, AICTE, etc.).
- Provisional Submission: Final year students can apply provided they can submit proof of completion of the degree (with the specified % marks) by the time they join INA (January 2026).
6. How to Apply
- Online Registration: All applications are to be filled online only, by visiting the Indian Navy website: www.joinindiannavy.gov.in.
- Application Form:
- Register if you are a new user.
- Fill in the application with personal, educational, and communication details.
- Upload scanned copies of relevant documents (marksheets, certificates, photographs, signature) as per instructions.
- One Application per Candidate: Multiple submissions will lead to cancellation of candidature.
- Branch/Cadre Preferences: Candidates must indicate the branch(es)/cadre(s) in order of preference. Non‐selection for one preference does not guarantee selection for others.
7. Selection Procedure
The selection process has multiple stages:
- Shortlisting
- Normalized Marks: The shortlisting of application is based on normalized marks or the marks in the qualifying degree.
- For candidates in the final year of BE/B.Tech, marks obtained up to the fifth semester will be considered for shortlisting.
- For candidates of post‐graduate degree programmes like M.Sc, MCA, M.Tech, the marks in all previous semesters will be considered.
- SSB Interview Call‐Up
- Shortlisted candidates will be informed via email or SMS regarding SSB interview dates and centers.
- SSB interviews usually comprise two stages: Psychological Tests, Group Tasks, and Personal Interviews.
- Medical Examination
- Candidates clearing the SSB stage will undergo a medical examination as per the Indian Navy’s norms (Height/Weight/Visual standards, etc.).
- Merit List
- A final merit list for each branch/cadre is prepared based on SSB marks, medical fitness, and availability of vacancies.
- The final selection is subject to document verification and meeting all eligibility criteria.
8. Medical Standards / Relaxations in Height & Weight
- Medical Fitness:
- Candidates must be fit as per Indian Navy norms (detailed guidelines available at www.joinindiannavy.gov.in).
- Any permanent body tattoos, if present, must comply with the Indian Navy’s policy (only certain placements permitted).
- No Change Allowed: Change of medical hospital/test centre is not permissible under any circumstances.
9. Training
- Induction
- Candidates will be inducted in the rank of Sub Lieutenant and undergo Induction Medical Examination at INA, Ezhimala.
- Duration
- Training duration can vary across branches; however, it is typically 22 weeks to a year depending on the specialization, followed by further professional training.
- Marriage Provisions
- Candidates must remain unmarried until completion of training. Marriage during training results in discharge and liability to refund all pay and allowances.
- Probation
- The initial probation period for SSC Officers is three years. During probation, officers may be discharged if found unsatisfactory.
10. Pay and Allowances
- Rank on Commission: Sub Lieutenant
- Initial Basic Pay: Starts from approx. INR 56,100 plus other allowances (such as DA, House Rent Allowance, etc.).
- Submarine / Pilot / Observer / ATC / RPA: Additional allowances if selected for these specializations.
- Uniform and Equipment Allowances: Provided as per existing rules.
11. Other Key Instructions
- NCC Candidates
- Holders of valid ‘C’ certificate of NCC Air/Wing or Naval Wing may get relaxation of up to 5% in cut‐off marks, subject to certain conditions (must have served 2–3 years in NCC, etc.).
- Commercial Pilot License (CPL)
- Candidates holding valid CPL issued by DGCA (India) and born between 02 Jan 2001 to 01 Jan 2007 can apply for Pilot entry if meeting other eligibility criteria.
- Documentation
- Original certificates and mark sheets must be produced during SSB for verification.
- Call‐up for SSB
- No compensation is admissible for any injury sustained during SSB interviews.
- Withdrawal from Training
- If a candidate withdraws from training or is removed for unsatisfactory performance, they may be liable to pay the training cost as determined by the government.
12. Important Dates to Remember
- Start of Online Applications: 08 February 2025
- Last Date to Apply Online: 25 February 2025
- SSB Interview Call‐Ups: Tentative; details emailed to shortlisted candidates
- Course Commencement: January 2026
13. Conclusion
The Indian Navy SSC Officer Notification 2025 for the Jan 2026 (ST 26) Course offers a prestigious opportunity for young men and women to serve the nation. It encompasses multiple branches—Executive, Education, Engineering, Electrical, and Naval Constructor—each with specific academic and age requirements. Interested aspirants should thoroughly verify their eligibility, submit applications online before the deadline, and prepare rigorously for the multi‐stage selection process.
For further information and to apply, visit the official Indian Navy recruitment website:
www.joinindiannavy.gov.in
Note: All details above are for reference. Any updates, corrigenda, or changes issued by the Indian Navy will take precedence. Always cross‐check the latest official notification.
