JAG 124 Entry: Indian Army Announces Judge Advocate General Recruitment for October 2026

Eligibility
Candidates eligible for the program must be unmarried Indian citizens or meet specific nationality criteria. They must hold an LLB degree from a Bar Council of India-recognized institution and appear for the CLAT PG 2025 examination. A minimum of 55% in LLB is required.

Selection Process
The selection process involves shortlisting applications based on CLAT PG 2025 scores, anticipated to occur in the second week of March 2026. Shortlisted candidates will then participate in a 5-day SSB interview, expected in May or June 2026, followed by medical examinations and the preparation of a merit list.

Training and Commission
Candidates undergo 49 weeks of pre-commission training at OTA Chennai. Upon successful completion, they are commissioned as Lieutenants in the JAG Branch. During training, a stipend of ₹56,100 per month is provided, with all government expenses covered.

Pay and Benefits
After commissioning, the pay begins at Level 10, ranging from ₹56,100 to ₹1,77,500, in addition to allowances. Additional allowances for field area, special duty, and other assignments apply based on the posting.

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Detailed Overview of JAG Entry Scheme 124 (October 2026 Course)

The Indian Army's Judge Advocate General (JAG) Branch provides an esteemed career opportunity for law graduates under the Short Service Commission (SSC) pathway. The 124th JAG Entry, commencing in October 2026, is a specialized recruitment initiative for unmarried male and female law graduates, offering a total of 8 vacancies. This effort is part of the Indian Army's strategy to recruit qualified legal professionals for its legal advisory and judicial functions. Applications are to be submitted online via the official portal www.joinindianarmy.nic.in.

1. Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must adhere to strict nationality, age, and educational benchmarks:

• Nationality: Applicants should be Indian citizens, or subjects of Nepal, or individuals of Indian origin who have migrated from specified countries intending to settle permanently in India. Certain individuals require a certificate of eligibility from the Government of India, except Nepalese Gorkhas.
• Age Limit: Applicants must be between 21 to 27 years as of 1 July 2026, with a date of birth not earlier than 2 July 1999 and not later than 1 July 2005, as per Matriculation or Secondary School Certificate records.
• Educational Qualification: Possession of an LLB degree (three years post-graduation or five years post-10+2) with a minimum of 55% aggregate marks is required. Candidates must appear for the CLAT PG 2025, with the scores being essential for shortlisting. Registration eligibility with the Bar Council of India or State Bar Council is mandatory. Only those with an LLB degree and marksheet are eligible.

Important Note: Verification of the CLAT PG 2025 results is essential prior to the SSB stage, as the inability to verify results will result in the cancellation of candidature.

2. Vacancies and Gender Policy

The SSC (JAG) 124 course announces 8 vacancies, available to both unmarried males and females. The Indian Army maintains the discretion to modify vacancies based on operational requirements.

3. Selection Process

The selection follows a merit-based, multi-stage process:

1. Application and Shortlisting: Online applications are followed by shortlisting based on CLAT PG 2025 scores, expected in the second week of March 2026.
2. SSB Interview: A 5-day interview process is likely to occur in May or June 2026 at specified SSB centers.
3. Medical Examination: Conducted according to standards outlined on www.joinindianarmy.nic.in.
4. Merit List and Joining: Candidates selected in the final merit list will receive joining instructions.

4. Terms of Service and Commission

• Commission Type: The Short Service Commission (SSC) is initially for 10 years, with an option to extend by 4 years, totaling 14 years.
• Release Options:
• After 5 years (special provision for those completing special courses).
• After 10 years.
• After 14 years.
• Permanent Commission (PC): Eligible officers can opt for a Permanent Commission after 10 years.
• Probation: A probation period of 6 months from the date of commissioning applies.
• Training: Training is held for 49 weeks at Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai. Marriage during training is prohibited; violations lead to discharge and cost recovery.

5. Physical Fitness Standards (Pre-Training)

Prospective candidates must meet these minimum physical standards before joining OTA:

Activity	Minimum Standard (Male)	Minimum Standard (Female)
2.4 km Run	10 min 30 sec	13 min
Long Jump	30 sec (standing)	25 sec (standing)
Push-ups	40	15
Chin-ups	04–06	02
Squats	30 reps × 2 sets	30 reps × 2 sets
Lunges	10 reps per leg × 2 sets	10 reps per leg × 2 sets
Swimming	25 m (any style)	25 m (any style)

6. Pay, Allowances, and Benefits

• Training Stipend: ₹56,100 monthly during OTA training.
• Post-Commission Pay Scale:

Rank	Pay Level	Pay Scale (₹)
Lieutenant	10	56,100 – 1,77,500
Captain	10B	61,300 – 1,93,900
Major	11	69,400 – 2,07,200
Lt Colonel	12A	1,21,200 – 2,12,400
Colonel	13	1,30,600 – 2,15,900
Brigadier	13A	1,39,600 – 2,17,600
Major General	14	1,44,200 – 2,18,200

• Military Service Pay (MSP): ₹15,500 monthly (up to Brigadier).
• Other Allowances: Dearness Allowance, Kit Maintenance, Field Area Allowance, High Altitude Allowance, Special Forces Allowance, and more, as detailed in the notification.
• CTC: Approximately ₹17-18 lakhs annually post-commission.

7. Promotion Criteria

Promotions are based on tenure up to Lt Colonel, and on selection thereafter:

Rank	Promotion Criteria
Lieutenant	On Commission
Captain	After 2 years of commissioned service
Major	After 6 years
Lt Colonel	After 13 years
Colonel (TS)	After 26 years
Colonel/Brigadier	Selection-based

The notification underscores that all terms, pay, and allowances are subject to government revisions.

Conclusion

The JAG Entry 124 provides law graduates with a unique chance to serve the nation in a legal role within the Indian Army. Given the limited 8 vacancies and the stringent selection process focused on CLAT PG 2025 performance, candidates are encouraged to prepare diligently and apply promptly via the official portal. For more details, visit www.joinindianarmy.nic.in.