The application process for Army Agniveer Vacancy 2026 has officially started from 13 February 2026. Eligible and interested candidates can apply online through the official website joinindianarmy.nic.in. The Indian Army has also announced a major relief in the Army Agniveer age limit. Candidates will now get a one-year relaxation in the upper age criteria.

This announcement comes after strong demands on social media. Many aspirants had been requesting an increase in the maximum age limit to 23 years. The government has partially accepted the demand and granted a one-year relaxation. Candidates between 17.5 and 22 years can now apply for most categories. The last date to submit the online application form is 1 April 2026. The Army Agniveer Exam Date is scheduled between 1 June 2026 and 15 June 2026.

The recruitment will be conducted for multiple posts including Agniveer General Duty, Agniveer Technical, Clerk, Store Keeper Technical, Tradesman, Soldier Pharma, Soldier Technical Nursing Assistant, and Women Police. Various ARO units have released their detailed notifications on joinindianarmy.nic.in.

Army Agniveer Age Limit 2026 and Eligibility Criteria

The revised Army Agniveer Age Limit 2026 provides relief to thousands of aspirants. For Agniveer General Duty, Agniveer Technical, Agniveer Clerk Store Keeper, and Agniveer Tradesman posts, candidates aged between 17.5 and 22 years are eligible. Applicants must be born between 1 July 2005 and 1 July 2009.

For Soldier Technical NA and NA Vet posts, the age requirement is 17.5 to 23 years. Candidates must be born between 1 July 2004 and 1 July 2009. For Sepoy Pharma posts, the age criteria is 19 to 25 years. Eligible candidates should be born between 1 July 2002 and 1 July 2008.

Applicants can apply for two Agniveer categories apart from the regular entry category. Separate forms must be filled for each category. Candidates must appear for two common entrance examinations if applying for two categories. However, only one recruitment rally and one medical test will be conducted based on higher physical standards. Final selection will depend on merit and category preference submitted during application.

Trade Preference Mandatory for Tradesman Posts

Candidates applying for Agniveer Tradesman 8th Pass and 10th Pass posts must carefully select their preferred trades. As per the official notification on joinindianarmy.nic.in, trade selection is mandatory. A 10th pass candidate can choose up to nine trades. An 8th pass candidate can select up to two trades. Failure to select trade preferences may result in disqualification even after securing a place in the merit list.

Educational Qualification for Army Agniveer Recruitment 2026

For Agniveer General Duty, candidates must have passed Class 10 with at least 45 percent aggregate marks. Each subject should have a minimum of 33 percent marks. Candidates holding a Light Motor Vehicle driving license will receive preference for driver recruitment.

For Agniveer Technical posts, candidates must have passed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and English. They must secure at least 50 percent aggregate marks.

For Agniveer Clerk and Store Keeper Technical posts, candidates must pass Class 12 in any stream with at least 60 percent aggregate marks. Each subject must have a minimum of 50 percent marks. English and Mathematics, Accounts, or Book Keeping must have at least 50 percent marks. A typing test is compulsory for Clerk and Store Keeper categories.

For Agniveer Tradesman 10th Pass posts, candidates must have passed Class 10 with 33 percent marks in each subject. For Agniveer Tradesman 8th Pass posts, candidates must have passed Class 8 with 33 percent marks in each subject.

Candidates appearing in Class 10, Class 12, NIOS, or ITI examinations are also eligible. However, they must produce original mark sheets during Phase 2 of the recruitment process.

Physical Standards and Physical Fitness Test

Physical standards are important in Army Agniveer Recruitment 2026. For Agniveer GD, Technical, and Tradesman posts, minimum height is generally 170 cm. Chest measurement must be 77 cm with 5 cm expansion. Some states have relaxation in height requirements.

For Agniveer Clerk and Store Keeper Technical posts, minimum height required is 162 cm. Chest measurement remains 77 cm with 5 cm expansion.

The Physical Fitness Test is divided into four groups. In Group 1, candidates must complete a 1.6 km run in 5 minutes and 30 seconds. Ten pull-ups are also required. Higher marks are awarded for better performance.

In Group 2, candidates must complete the run in 5 minutes and 45 seconds. Nine pull-ups are required. In Group 3, candidates must finish the run in 6 minutes with eight pull-ups. In Group 4, candidates must complete the run in 6 minutes and 15 seconds. Seven pull-ups are required for higher marks.

In all groups, a 9 feet long jump is qualifying in nature. A zig-zag balance test must also be cleared.

Application Fee and Exam Centre Selection

The application fee for Army Agniveer Recruitment 2026 is Rs 250 for General, OBC, EWS, SC, and ST candidates. The fee can be paid through debit card, credit card, or net banking. Candidates must select five preferred exam centres during the application process.

Applicants must be residents of the state from where they are applying for the recruitment rally.

What is Agniveer Recruitment Under Agnipath Scheme

The Agniveer Recruitment is conducted under the Agnipath scheme. Under this scheme, soldiers are recruited for four years in the armed forces. After completing four years of service, 75 percent of Agniveers will be released from duty. Only 25 percent will be retained as permanent soldiers based on merit and organizational requirements.

During the four-year tenure, Agniveers will receive a medical insurance cover of Rs 48 lakh. They will not be eligible for gratuity benefits. Agniveers will be entitled to 30 days of annual leave. Sick leave will be granted based on medical advice.

Army Agniveer Salary and Seva Nidhi Package

The Army Agniveer salary structure increases every year during the four-year service period. In the first year, the monthly salary will be Rs 30,000. In the second year, salary will rise to Rs 33,000. In the third year, it will increase to Rs 36,500. In the fourth year, salary will reach Rs 40,000 per month.

Thirty percent of the salary will be deducted every year for the Seva Nidhi package. The government will contribute an equal amount to the Seva Nidhi fund. In the first year, out of Rs 30,000 salary, Rs 21,000 will be paid to the Agniveer. Rs 9,000 will be deposited in the Seva Nidhi fund. The government will also deposit Rs 9,000.

After four years, the total contribution from the Agniveer will be Rs 5.02 lakh. The government will also contribute Rs 5.02 lakh. The total Seva Nidhi package will amount to Rs 10.04 lakh. With interest, the final payout after four years will be around Rs 11.71 lakh.

Army Agniveer Vacancy 2026 offers a significant opportunity for young aspirants. Candidates are advised to carefully read the official notification and apply before the deadline.