Army Dental Corps Short Service Commission Notification 2025

The Indian Army has released the official notification for the Short Service Commission (SSC) in the Army Dental Corps (AD Corps) for the year 2025. This opportunity is open to Indian citizens (both male and female) who are qualified dental surgeons, including those with BDS or MDS qualifications. The SSC offers a promising and challenging career in the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS), with service liability across India and abroad as per requirements.

Applications are invited from civilian dental surgeons who have passed their final BDS examination and completed the compulsory rotatory internship. Post-Graduate (MDS) holders are also encouraged to apply. The process is governed by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) regulations and is managed by the Director General Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS).

Important Dates

The following table outlines the key timelines for the SSC AD Corps 2025 application process:

 

All updates, including interview schedules and merit lists, will be posted on the official website: www.join.afms.gov.in. Candidates are advised to check the site regularly.

Vacancies

A total of 30 (Thirty) vacancies are available for the grant of SSC in the Army Dental Corps. These are open to civilian dental surgeons meeting the eligibility criteria. There is no reservation for any category; selection is purely merit-based.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must fulfill the following criteria to be eligible for SSC in AD Corps:

Nationality

• Must be a citizen of India.

Age Limit

• Maximum age: 45 years as on 31 December 2025.

Educational Qualifications

• BDS or MDS from a college/university recognized by the Dental Council of India (DCI) for the respective batch/year.
• Minimum 55% marks in the final year BDS (aggregate of all subjects) for BDS candidates, or possession of an MDS degree.
• Completion of one-year compulsory rotatory internship by 30 June 2025 (exceptions apply for specific batches as detailed below):
  • Students from the 2007-2008 batch who completed a 4.5-year BDS course with 6 months' internship.
  • Students from the 2006-2007 batch at Rajah Muthiah Dental College, Annamalai University, who completed a 5-year BDS course without internship.
• Permanent or Provisional Dental Registration Certificate from State Dental Council/DCI, valid up to at least 31 December 2025.
• Mandatory appearance in NEET (MDS) 2025 conducted by the National Board of Examinations (NBE) on 19 April 2025.

Other Requirements

• Candidates must check their eligibility before applying; any discrepancies will lead to rejection.
• No amendments to application details (e.g., name, date of birth, NEET score) will be allowed post-submission.

Note: Eligibility is the candidate's responsibility. Only those who appeared in NEET (MDS) 2025 are eligible.

Documents Required

Candidates must upload the following self-attested documents during the online application. Originals must be produced at the time of interview:

1. Matriculation (Class X)/SSLC/ICSE/Birth Certificate for proof of age.
2. NEET (MDS) 2025 Admit Card and Score Card.
3. Final Year BDS Mark Sheets (Part I & Part II if applicable; aggregate 55% required for BDS candidates).
4. BDS/MDS Provisional Pass Certificate/Degree Certificate.
5. Compulsory Rotatory Internship Completion Certificate (or certificate from Principal/Dean).
6. Permanent/Provisional State Dental Council Registration Certificate (valid up to 31 Dec 2025).
7. Passport/Nationality Certificate/Domicile/Nativity Certificate/Voter ID.
8. Name Change Notification (if applicable, post-Matriculation).
9. No Objection Certificate from current employer (if employed).
10. Self-certified undertaking on Page 16/17 of the brochure (for BDS/MDS candidates).
11. Photograph (uploaded with application; 5 additional passport-size photos required for medical exam if shortlisted).

Candidates with documents deposited elsewhere must provide a deposit certificate from the institution's Dean/Head, along with attested photocopies.

Note: Incomplete applications or lack of originals at interview will result in disqualification.

Application Process

• Mode: Online only via www.join.afms.gov.in.
• Fee: Rs. 200/- (Application Processing Fee - APF) payable online to DGAFMS (APF Fund). Non-refundable.
• Steps:
  1. Register and fill the online form, ensuring details match NEET (MDS) 2025 registration.
  2. Upload required documents and pay the fee.
  3. Submit by 17 September 2025.
• No amendments post-submission. Preserve NEET Admit Card and Score Card for verification.

Selection Procedure

The selection is merit-based and includes:

1. Screening for Interview: Based on NEET (MDS) 2025 scores. Shortlisting in 1:10 ratio (10 candidates per vacancy).
2. Interview: Conducted by a Selection Board in New Delhi to assess suitability and merit. Final merit list based solely on interview performance.
3. Medical Examination: Mandatory for provisionally merited candidates by a Medical Board. Includes Appeal Medical Board (AMB) and Review Medical Board (RMB) options if declared unfit.

Travel Entitlement: First-time interviewees get To/From First Class/AC-III/AC Chair Car rail fare or actual bus fare.

Medical Examination and Physical Standards

Medical Fitness

• Conducted by AFMS Medical Board as per standards on www.joinindianarmy.nic.in.
• Unfit candidates can appeal within 42 days.
• Pregnancy (if detected) leads to temporary unfitness; commission granted post-fitness.

Physical Standards

• Height:
  • Males: Minimum 157 cm (152 cm for Hill/Northeastern States candidates).
  • Females: Minimum 152 cm (147 cm for Hill/Northeastern States candidates).
• Weight: Proportionate to height and age; refer to official guidelines.
• Tattoos: As per policy on www.joinindianarmy.nic.in.
• Candidates must be free from disabilities affecting duty performance. Preliminary self-check for issues like ear wax, defective vision, overweight, etc., is advised.

Terms and Conditions of Service

• Rank on Entry: Captain.
• Tenure: Initial 5 years, extendable up to 14 years (5 + 4 + 5 years) based on vacancies and eligibility.
• Probation: 12 months from commissioning date.
• Antedate Seniority: Eligible for 6-42 months based on experience/MDS (e.g., 36 months for MDS holders).
• Promotion: Up to Lt Col (Time Scale) for SSC officers.
• Training: At AMC Centre & College, Lucknow, at government expense.
• Permanent Commission (DPC): Eligible after 2 years of SSC service (age limits: 30 for BDS, 35 for MDS).
• Post-Graduation: Opportunities for PC officers; SSC officers eligible post-release.
• Termination: Possible for misconduct or if services are unsatisfactory/no longer required.
• Employability: Liable for service in Army, Navy, or Air Force, including independent units.

Emoluments and Benefits

Officers are entitled to competitive pay and perks as per 7th Pay Commission:

• Pay Scale: Level 10B (Rs. 61,300 - 1,20,900) + MSP Rs. 15,500/- + NPA (20% of Basic Pay).
• Allowances:
  • HRA/DA as per city category.
  • Field/High Altitude/Siachen Allowance (if posted).
  • Dress Allowance: Rs. 20,000/- per year.
  • Transport Allowance: Rs. 7,200/- + DA (higher cities) or Rs. 3,600/- + DA (others).
  • Children's Education Allowance: Rs. 2,250/- per month per child (up to 2 children).
  • PG Allowance: Rs. 2,250/- per month for MDS holders.
• Other Benefits: Free medical facilities, canteen, rations, accommodation, subsidized loans, insurance (Rs. 1 Cr), leave (60 days annual + 20 casual), LTC.

Contact Information

• Website: www.join.afms.gov.in
• Helpline: 011-21411064 (9:30 AM - 5:00 PM, Mon-Fri, from 18 Aug 2025).
• Email: suavsar.1@gov.in (Include NEET Roll No. and contact number; responses within 3 working days).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common queries based on the brochure:

• Do I need 55% in final BDS if I have MDS? No, MDS overrides the BDS marks requirement.
• Can I apply if pursuing MDS? Yes, apply as BDS graduate (55% aggregate required; NEET mandatory).
• What if internship certificate is unavailable? Get a certificate from college principal.
• Foreign nationals eligible? No, only Indian citizens.
• Reservation policy? No reservations; merit-based only.

For more FAQs, refer to the full brochure. Candidates are advised to read the entire document carefully. Disclaimers apply as per MoD guidelines. 

Army Dental Corps Short Service Commission Notification PDF