The Indian Army has released the official notification for the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Entry Scheme 36th Course, scheduled to commence in April 2026. This entry invites applications from unmarried male and female law graduates to join the Indian Army as Short Service Commissioned (SSC) Officers in the JAG branch.
Here’s everything you need to know about eligibility, application process, age limits, selection criteria, important dates, and more.
JAG 36 Notification
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Type of Entry | Short Service Entry (JAG)- 36 Course |
| Age | 21 to 27 Years as on 01 Jan 2026 |
| Open for | Unmarried Male and Female (Law Graduates) |
| Education Qualification | Minimum 55% aggregate marks in LLB Degree. Should have appeared for CLAT PG Exam -2025 |
| Vacancies | 05 (Men) and 05 (Women) |
| Application Window (Men) | 04 August 2025 to 03 September 2025 |
| Application Windown (Women) | 05 August 2025 to 04 September 2025 |
| Selection Process | Application > Shortlisting > SSB > Medical > Merit List > Joining Letter |
| Date for Shortlisting for SSB | Second week of November |
| Likely Duration and Dates for SSB | Five days SSB in Nov/Dec 2025 (Choice for SSB dates open for two weeks in Nov) |
| Medical Standards | As given on www.joinindianarmy.nic.in |
| Pre Commission Training Academy | Officer Training Academy, Chennai |
| Duration of Training | 49 weeks from Apr 2026 |
| Stipend during Training | Rs 56,100 per month |
| Rank after Training | Lieutenant |
| Salary on Commissioning | CTC approx. 17-18 Lac per annum (Excluding Free Medical cover & Travel to Hometown once a year) |
| Type of Commission | Short Service Commission |
| Maximum Engagement Period | 14 Years |
| Option for Release | First – After 05 Years, Second – After 10 Years |
| Option for Permanent Commission | After 10 Years |
| Primary Arms / Service for Commission | JAG Branch |
| Release Benefits | Depending on service on release |
Overview of the JAG Entry Scheme
Eligibility: Open to unmarried male and female law graduates.
Type of Entry: Short Service Commission (NT) for Law Graduates.
Course Commencement: April 2026.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must be eligible for registration as advocates with the Bar Council of India or State Bar Councils and should have completed their degree from a recognized institution.
- Nationality: Applicants must be Indian citizens. Individuals of Indian origin who have migrated from specified countries with the intention of permanently settling in India are also eligible, subject to the government’s nationality criteria.
- Age Limit: Applicants must be between 21 and 27 years of age as of 1 January 2026 (born between 2 January 1999 and 1 January 2005, both dates inclusive).
- Educational Qualification:
- A minimum of 55% aggregate marks in LLB – either a 3-year professional course after graduation or a 5-year integrated course after 10+2.
- CLAT PG 2025 score is compulsory.
- Candidates must be eligible for registration as advocates with the Bar Council of India or State Bar Councils and must have obtained their law degree from a recognized institution.
Vacancies
Total Vacancies: 10 (05 for Men and 05 for Women)
Terms and Conditions of Service
- Commission: Short Service Commission (SSC) for an initial period of 10 years, extendable by 4 years.
- Release Options:
- Officers may opt to leave service after 5 or 10 years.
- A Permanent Commission may be granted after 10 years, based on eligibility and service requirements.
- Training:
- Duration: 49 weeks at the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai.
- Stipend: ₹56,100 per month during training.
- Award: On completion, officers will be conferred a Post Graduate Diploma in Defence Management and Strategic Studies by the University of Madras.
- Probation: Officers will serve a six-month probation period from the date of commission.
Promotion and Salary Structure
- Rank Progression:
- Lieutenant – On commissioning.
- Captain – After 2 years of service.
- Major – After 6 years of service.
- Lieutenant Colonel – After 13 years of service.
- Pay Scale:
- Lieutenant – Level 10: ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500.
- Captain – Level 10B: ₹61,300 – ₹1,93,900.
- Major – Level 11: ₹69,400 – ₹2,07,200.
- Military Service Pay (MSP): ₹15,500 per month for ranks from Lieutenant to Brigadier.
Application Process
- Mode of Application: Applications must be submitted online only through the official website: joinindianarmy.nic.in.
- Application Dates: 04 August 2025 to 03 September 2025.
- Steps to Apply:
- Register on the portal (if not already registered).
- Fill in personal, educational, and SSB details.
- Review all entered information before final submission.
- Print the completed application form and retain a copy for the SSB interview.
Selection Procedure
- Shortlisting of Applications: Candidates will be shortlisted based on their CLAT PG 2025 score.
- SSB Interview:
- Only shortlisted candidates will be invited for the 5-day SSB interview, tentatively scheduled for Nov/Dec 2025.
- The interview is conducted in two stages; only those who clear Stage I will proceed to Stage II.
- SSB Centres: Allahabad, Bhopal, Bangalore, and Jalandhar.
- Medical Examination: Candidates who qualify in the SSB will undergo a medical test to assess fitness.
- Final Merit List: Prepared based on SSB scores. In case of a tie, age and qualifying exam marks will be used as tie-breakers.
Important Dates
- Online Application Opens: 04 August 2025 (for Men) and 05 August 2025 (for Women)
- Online Application Closes: 03 September 2025 (for Men) and 04 September 2025 (for Women)
- SSB Shortlisting: November 2025
- SSB Interview: Expected in November/December 2025
Documents Required at SSB
Candidates must carry original documents along with self-attested copies of:
- Application form with a recent photograph.
- Certificates and mark sheets of Class 10, Class 12, Graduation, and LLB degree.
- CLAT PG 2025 scorecard.
- Bar Council registration certificate (if applicable).
Travel Allowance
First-time candidates attending the SSB interview for this entry will be entitled to AC 3-tier railway fare or equivalent bus fare reimbursement.
Conclusion
This JAG 36 Notification provides an excellent opportunity for law graduates aspiring to serve in the Indian Army’s JAG Branch, where they can bring their legal expertise to support the armed forces while advancing their careers in a prestigious field.
