Indian Army JAG Entry Scheme 124th Course 2026 – Law Graduates (Men & Women)

The Critical Importance of the Application Start Date (27 Jan 2026, 3 PM)

The online application portal for the SSC JAG 124th Course will open precisely at 1500 hours (3:00 PM) on 27 January 2026 on the official website www.joinindianarmy.nic.in. This start date is not just a formality; it marks the beginning of a tightly regulated, one-month window. Starting your application early is highly recommended for several practical reasons. The form requires meticulous entry of personal, educational, and CLAT score details. Any discrepancy between your entered information and your official documents (Matric certificate for DOB, LLB degree, CLAT scorecard) can lead to outright rejection. By starting early, you afford yourself the time to gather all nine mandatory documents, carefully cross-verify each detail, and seek clarifications if needed. A common mistake candidates make is waiting until the last week, leading to rushed entries and oversight of critical warnings, such as the rule against multiple applications. Furthermore, the SSB centre and date selection in May 2026 is expected to be on a first-come-first-served basis for shortlisted candidates, providing another strategic advantage to early applicants.

The Absolute Final Deadline and Consequences of Late Submission (27 Feb 2026, 3 PM)

The online application window will close irrevocably at 1500 hours (3:00 PM) on 27 February 2026. The system will be shut down precisely at this time, and no requests for late submission will be entertained under any circumstances. It is crucial to understand that the Indian Army's recruitment portal operates on a strict schedule. A frequent error is assuming you can submit at 2:59 PM on the last day; server overload or last-minute technical glitches are real risks. Candidates are strongly advised to submit their complete application at least 72 hours before this deadline. Remember, once you click "Final Submit," no changes or corrections are allowed. The application is locked. Therefore, a final review with all physical documents in hand is essential before submission. Missing this deadline means you will have to wait for the next recruitment cycle, which may have different eligibility criteria. Since there is no application fee, the only barrier is your diligence and timeliness.

Understanding the Zero-Fee Application Process

The SSC JAG entry scheme has a zero application fee policy for candidates of all categories, including General, OBC, SC, ST, and EWS. This policy underscores the Army's commitment to providing an equal opportunity platform based purely on merit and eligibility, removing any financial barrier. However, the absence of a fee does not reduce the seriousness of the application. Candidates must not mistake "free to apply" for "casual to apply." Every rule and eligibility criterion must be adhered to strictly. Since there is no payment gateway involved, your application is considered complete only after you have filled all sections, uploaded the necessary details, and clicked the final submit button, generating a printable application form. Be wary of any third-party websites or agents who might falsely claim to charge a fee for "form filling assistance" or "guaranteed selection." The only authentic platform is the official Indian Army recruitment website.

Understanding Age Calculation with Real-World Examples (Cut-off: 01 Jul 2026)

Your eligibility is strictly determined by your age as of 01 July 2026. This is the absolute cut-off date, not your age on the application date. Your proof of age will be solely based on your Matriculation or Secondary School Examination Certificate. The date of birth recorded there is final and cannot be changed later. Let's illustrate with examples. If your date of birth is 15 August 1998, as of 01 July 2026, you would be 27 years, 10 months, and ~16 days old. This exceeds the 27-year limit, making you INELIGIBLE. If your date of birth is 30 June 2005, as of 01 July 2026, you would be 21 years and 1 day old, making you ELIGIBLE. However, if your date of birth is 01 July 2005, you will be exactly 21 years on the cut-off date, which is the minimum, so you are ELIGIBLE. A critical mistake is using a birth certificate, Aadhaar, or any other document for age calculation. Only the Matric certificate is valid.

Clarity on Age Limit and the Absence of Relaxation

The age bracket for this entry is a strict 21 to 27 years. It is important to note that the official notification for the JAG 124th Course, as provided, does not mention any age relaxation for candidates belonging to SC, ST, OBC, EWS, or other categories. This is a crucial departure from many other government job notifications. Therefore, all candidates, irrespective of their category, must ensure their date of birth falls within the specified range of 02 July 1999 to 01 July 2005. There is also no relaxation for Ex-Servicemen or Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) specified for this particular entry. Candidates should not assume standard relaxations apply; they must go strictly by the text of this notification. If your age is even a day over 27 years as of 01 Jul 2026, you are not eligible to apply.

The Non-Negotiable Educational and CLAT PG Requirement

The core educational eligibility rests on two pillars: a recognized LLB degree and the CLAT PG 2025 score. Your LLB degree must have a minimum of 55% aggregate marks. This percentage must be calculated as per your university's rules. If your institution awards CGPA, you must obtain a conversion certificate from the university stating the exact equivalent percentage. This conversion certificate is a mandatory document to carry to the SSB. The second pillar, which is non-negotiable, is the CLAT PG 2025 score. This applies to all candidates—LLB holders, LLM qualified, or even those appearing for LLM. Your application will be shortlisted for SSB based on this score. A critical rule states that you must be willing and able to verify your CLAT PG score at the Selection Centre before the SSB interview. Failure or unwillingness to do so will lead to immediate cancellation of candidature. A common mistake is applying with a CLAT score from a different year (like 2024 or 2026); only CLAT PG 2025 is valid for this course.

Understanding Nationality and Marital Status Rules

Eligibility is open to Indian citizens and also extends to specific categories: subjects of Nepal (Gorkhas) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) from Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and specified East African countries who have migrated to India. For PIO candidates, a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India will be required. The marital status rule is absolute. You must be unmarried at the time of application and must remain unmarried until the completion of training at OTA Chennai. If you marry after submitting the application but before joining the Academy, or if you marry during training, you will be discharged from service. Furthermore, you will be liable to refund the entire cost of training incurred by the government, which is substantial. This rule is strictly enforced to ensure focus during the intensive training period.

Understanding the Combined Vacancy Announcement

The Indian Army has announced a total of 08 vacancies for the SSC JAG 124th Course. A critical point for candidates to understand is that these are combined vacancies. The notification does not provide a break-up of how many vacancies are for men and how many for women, nor does it specify a caste-wise (UR/OBC/SC/ST/EWS) distribution. This means selection will be purely on an all-India merit basis, subject to the candidate meeting the absolute eligibility criteria. The vacancies are notified based on the operational and administrative needs of the Army. The merit list will be prepared by combining the scores of all eligible male and female candidates after the SSB and medical process. Candidates should focus on maximizing their CLAT PG score (for shortlisting) and subsequent SSB performance, as the competition is for these 08 seats against a national pool of applicants. The absence of a category-wise break-up also implies that standard reservation rules may not be applied in a segmented manner for this specific entry.

The official notification for the SSC JAG 124th Course, as provided, does not specify any caste-wise (UR, OBC, SC, ST, EWS) vacancy matrix. The 08 vacancies are announced as combined. Furthermore, the notification does not mention any age relaxation, fee concession, or marks relaxation for candidates belonging to reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD/Ex-Servicemen). This indicates that for this particular course, the selection process is designed to be strictly meritocratic, based on the CLAT PG 2025 score for shortlisting and the SSB performance for final selection. All candidates will be competing on a level playing field within the defined age bracket of 21-27 years and the minimum educational requirement of 55% in LLB. Candidates should apply based on their eligibility as per these general criteria, without assuming any category-based benefits unless explicitly stated in the final, detailed official advertisement.

As per the information available for the SSC JAG 124th Course, no special benefits or relaxations in age limit, minimum qualifying marks, or application fee have been mentioned for candidates belonging to SC, ST, OBC, EWS, PwBD, or Ex-Servicemen categories. This is a critical detail that candidates must note. Typically, government notifications provide relaxations, but for this JAG entry scheme, the eligibility appears uniform for all. The age limit is strictly 21-27 years for all. The minimum marks in LLB are strictly 55% for all. The application fee is zero for all. Therefore, candidates from reserved categories must ensure they meet these basic criteria without expecting any concession. It is always advisable to wait for the final, detailed official notification published on the website for any last-minute clarifications or additions regarding reservations, but based on the provided input, the policy seems to be one of uniform eligibility.

Deep Dive into the SSB Interview and Medical Examination

The Service Selection Board (SSB) interview is a comprehensive 5-day evaluation process conducted in two stages. Stage I consists of Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and a Picture Perception & Description Test (PPDT). Candidates who clear Stage I proceed to Stage II, which spans the remaining days and includes Psychology tests, the Grup Task Officer (GTO) tasks, and a personal interview. The SSB assesses a candidate's officer-like qualities such as intelligence, personality, social adaptability, and leadership potential. It is not a test of legal knowledge but of inherent suitability for a career in the Armed Forces. Upon being recommended by the SSB, candidates undergo a rigorous medical examination at a nominated Military Hospital. The medical fitness must be as per Army standards, and the certificate is valid for 270 days. A common reason for rejection post-SSB is medical unfitness, so candidates are advised to get a preliminary check-up done for common disqualifications like vision standards, hearing, dental issues, or orthopedic conditions.

Understanding the Merit List Formation and Tie-Breaker

The final merit list for the JAG entry is prepared solely on the basis of marks obtained in the SSB Interview. Your CLAT PG score is used only for the initial shortlisting to call candidates for the SSB; it does not add to your final merit score. This places immense importance on your SSB performance. In the rare event that two or more candidates secure exactly the same marks in the SSB, a tie-breaker rule is applied. The first tie-breaker is age: the older candidate is placed higher on the merit list. This underscores the importance of accurate age declaration. If the age is also identical, then the percentage scored in the CLAT PG 2025 examination is considered, and the candidate with the higher CLAT percentage gets the higher rank. No other parameters, including higher degrees like LLM or work experience, are considered for breaking the tie or for merit ranking.

Detailed Guide to Filling the Online Application Form

The application process is ONLINE ONLY and must be completed on the official Indian Army recruitment website. Offline applications are not accepted. Before starting, keep all documents handy: Matric certificate (for DOB), graduation and LLB mark sheets and degrees, CLAT PG 2025 scorecard, and details for address and parent information. Begin by registering on the portal if you are a new user. Remember your login credentials. After logging in, select the correct entry: 'SSC JAG Entry - 124th Course'. The form is divided into logical sections. Fill in each section carefully. A critical step is entering your CLAT PG 2025 details accurately, as this is the basis for shortlisting. When entering percentage for LLB, if you have a CGPA, use the exact percentage as per your university's conversion formula. You will need a certificate for this later. After filling all sections, use the preview option to check every detail. Once you click 'Final Submit', the application is locked and NO CHANGES ARE ALLOWED. Print two copies of the application, paste a photograph, sign it, and keep it safe for the SSB.

Critical Warnings During Application

1. Single Application Rule: You can submit only ONE application. Multiple applications for the same entry from one candidate will lead to the cancellation of all applications. 2. No Post-Submission Edits: The portal does not allow any correction after final submission. Be doubly sure before clicking submit. 3. Document Discrepancy: Any mismatch between the information entered (Name, Parents' Name, DoB) and your Matric certificate will lead to rejection at any stage. 4. DigiLocker Certificates: E-certificates from DigiLocker are NOT ACCEPTED unless accompanied by a color printout with authentication from the issuing institution. 5. CGPA Conversion: It is mandatory to carry a university-issued certificate converting your CGPA to percentage. Discrepancy leads to cancellation.

Understanding the Salary Structure and Cost-to-Company

Upon successful commissioning after OTA training, you will join the Indian Army as a Lieutenant in the JAG Branch at Pay Level 10 of the 7th Central Pay Commission matrix. The in-hand starting salary, including Military Service Pay (MSP), Dearness Allowance (DA), and other applicable allowances, can be approximately ₹80,000 to ₹90,000 per month. The Military Service Pay of ₹15,500 is a special compensation for the unique demands of military service. The annual Cost-to-Company (CTC), which includes all allowances, perks, and benefits like subsidized accommodation, rations, medical facilities for self and family, and insurance cover, is estimated to be between ₹17-18 Lakhs per annum for a Lieutenant. It is important to note that during the 49-week training period at OTA Chennai, you will receive a handsome stipend of ₹56,100 per month, which is a significant support. The pay scales progress with rank and years of service, as shown in the table, offering a financially stable and rewarding career with non-monetary benefits and respect that are unparalleled.

Mandatory Document Checklist for SSB

When shortlisted for the SSB, you must carry the following original documents along with two self-attested photocopies. Failure to produce any document will result in your immediate return from the Selection Centre. The checklist is: 1. Printed and signed online application form with self-attested photograph. 2. Matric/Secondary School Certificate (for Date of Birth proof) and marksheet. 3. 12th Class certificate and marksheet. 4. Graduation degree/provisional certificate (provisional should not be older than 6 months at OTA joining). 5. LLB degree/provisional certificate (same 6-month rule). 6. All semester/year-wise marksheets of LLB. 7. University certificate for conversion of CGPA to percentage (if applicable). 8. CLAT PG 2025 Score Card. 9. Proof of registration with Bar Council of India/State Bar Council OR Certificate stating that the LLB course is from a BCI-recognized college/university. Remember: DigiLocker e-certificates alone are not acceptable without authenticated institutional printouts.

Critical Warnings and Grounds for Rejection

Candidates must strictly adhere to these rules to avoid disqualification: 1. Truthful Declaration: Any false information or concealment of facts (e.g., past arrest, previous debarment) leads to cancellation at any stage, with no representation allowed. 2. Single Application: Multiple applications result in complete rejection. 3. Marital Status: Marriage after application or during training leads to dismissal and recovery of training costs. 4. SSB Compliance: You cannot request a change of SSB date or centre. Failure to report within 7 days of the joining date cancels candidature. 5. Previous Withdrawal: If you were withdrawn from NDA/IMA/OTA/AFA on disciplinary grounds, you are permanently ineligible. 6. Medical Reuse: A previous medical examination report (less than 270 days old and 'FIT') may be accepted, subject to authorities' discretion.

1. What is the age limit for SSC JAG 124th Course?

The age limit is 21 to 27 years as of 01 July 2026. This means your date of birth must fall between 02 July 1999 and 01 July 2005 (both days inclusive). No age relaxation is mentioned in the notification for any category (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD).

2. Is CLAT PG 2025 mandatory for application?

Yes, absolutely. A valid CLAT PG 2025 score is a non-negotiable eligibility criterion. Your application will be shortlisted for SSB based on this score. You must also be willing to verify the original scorecard at the Selection Centre.

3. I have an LLM degree. Do I still need CLAT PG 2025?

Yes. The requirement for a CLAT PG 2025 score applies to all candidates, including LLB holders, LLM qualified, and those appearing for LLM. Your higher degree does not exempt you from this mandatory requirement.

4. Can women apply for the SSC JAG entry?

Yes. Unmarried female law graduates are eligible to apply on the same terms as unmarried male candidates. The 08 vacancies are combined for both genders.

5. What is the application fee?

There is no application fee for any category of candidate. The entire application process on www.joinindianarmy.nic.in is free of cost.

6. How are candidates shortlisted for the SSB?

Candidates are shortlisted solely on the basis of their CLAT PG 2025 score. The higher your score, the better your chances of receiving a call for the SSB interview.

7. What is the duration of service?

The Short Service Commission is for an initial term of 10 years, which can be extended by 4 more years (total 14 years). Permanent Commission may be granted in the 10th year, subject to selection and availability of vacancies.

8. Can I apply if I am married?

No. You must be unmarried at the time of application and must remain unmarried until the completion of training at OTA Chennai. Marriage during this period leads to disqualification.

9. What is the stipend during training?

During the 49-week training period at OTA Chennai, you will receive a monthly stipend of ₹56,100.

10. Where will the training be conducted?

Training for the JAG 124th Course will be conducted at the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai. The training duration is 49 weeks, starting in October 2026.