Indian Army Invites Applications for JAG 36th Course - 2026 Commencement

The Indian Army has announced the commencement of the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Entry Scheme 36th Course set to begin in April 2026. This opportunity is open to unmarried male and female law graduates who wish to serve as Short Service Commissioned Officers in the JAG branch of the Indian Army.

The notification provides details on eligibility, application procedures, age criteria, selection process, and other relevant information for prospective candidates.

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 Window (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 qualified to register as advocates with the Bar Council of India or State Bar Councils and should hold a degree from a recognized institution.

• Nationality: Applicants must be Indian citizens, including people of Indian origin from specified countries intending permanent settlement in India, subject to government nationality criteria.
• Age Limit: Candidates must be aged between 21 and 27 years as of 1 January 2026, born between 2 January 1999 and 1 January 2005.
• Educational Qualification:
  • A minimum of 55% aggregate marks in LLB, either a 3-year professional course post-graduation or a 5-year integrated course after 10+2.
  • CLAT PG 2025 score is mandatory.
  • Candidates must qualify for registration as advocates with the Bar Council of India or State Bar Councils and must have acquired their law degree from an accredited institution.

Vacancies

Total Vacancies: 10 (05 for Men and 05 for Women)

Terms and Conditions of Service

• Commission: Short Service Commission for an initial period of 10 years, extendable by 4 years.
• Release Options:
  • Officers can opt to leave service after 5 or 10 years.
  • A Permanent Commission may be granted after 10 years, based on eligibility and service needs.
• Training:
  • Duration: 49 weeks at the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai.
  • Stipend: ₹56,100 per month during training.
  • Award: On completion, officers receive a Post Graduate Diploma in Defence Management and Strategic Studies from the University of Madras.
• Probation: Officers undergo a six-month probation from the commissioning date.

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 monthly for ranks from Lieutenant to Brigadier.

Application Process

• Mode of Application: Applications must be submitted online through the official website: joinindianarmy.nic.in.
• Application Dates: 04 August 2025 to 03 September 2025.
• Steps to Apply:
  1. Register on the portal if not previously registered.
  2. Enter personal, educational, and SSB details.
  3. Verify all entered information before final submission.
  4. Print the completed application and keep a copy for the SSB interview.

Selection Procedure

• Shortlisting of Applications: Candidates are shortlisted based on their CLAT PG 2025 scores.
• SSB Interview:
  • Only shortlisted candidates will be called for the 5-day SSB interview, expected in Nov/Dec 2025.
  • The interview consists of two stages; only those clearing Stage I proceed to Stage II.
  • SSB Centres: Allahabad, Bhopal, Bangalore, and Jalandhar.
• Medical Examination: Candidates who pass the SSB will undergo a medical examination to determine fitness.
• Final Merit List: Compiled based on SSB scores. Age and qualifying exam marks will resolve any ties.

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 bring 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 reimbursed for AC 3-tier railway fare or equivalent bus fare.

Conclusion

The JAG 36 Notification is a significant opportunity for law graduates eager to serve in the Indian Army's JAG Branch. It allows them to utilize their legal skills to support the armed forces while pursuing a promising career in this esteemed sector.