Indian Army Agniveer 2026 — Age, Height & Qualification
Indian Army Agniveer (Agnipath) 2026 — eligibility for all categories: General Duty, Technical, Clerk, Tradesman.
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Check eligibility now →What is it?
Agniveer is the recruitment process under the Agnipath Scheme for enlistment into the Indian Army for a four-year tenure. After four years, up to 25% Agniveers are retained as regular soldiers. Recruitment is via Joint Entry Examination (Online CEE), followed by physical fitness test, physical measurement test, and medical exam.
Benefits
Year-1 package ₹30,000 (₹21,000 in hand), rising to ₹40,000 by Year-4. Seva Nidhi package of about ₹11.71 lakh on exit. Free uniform, ration, medical, ₹48 lakh non-contributory insurance, ₹44 lakh ex-gratia on death in service. Preferential hiring in CAPFs, state police and PSUs.
Eligibility criteria
- ✓Indian citizen (or as defined by Army for specific categories)
- ✓Unmarried male/female between 17½ and 21 years (as on enrolment date)
- ✓Agniveer General Duty (GD): 10th pass with 45% aggregate and 33% in each subject
- ✓Agniveer Technical: 12th pass (PCM) with 50% aggregate, 40% in each subject
- ✓Agniveer Clerk / Store Keeper Technical: 12th pass with 60% aggregate, 50% in each subject
- ✓Agniveer Tradesman 10th: 10th pass; Agniveer Tradesman 8th: 8th pass (selected trades)
- ✓Height/chest/weight as per region (e.g., GD men 170 cm height, 77 cm chest with 5 cm expansion in most regions)
Documents required
- ✓10th and 12th marksheets and certificates (as per category)
- ✓Aadhaar and valid photo ID
- ✓Domicile / permanent residence certificate
- ✓Caste / category certificate if applicable
- ✓Character certificate from school principal or village head
- ✓Unmarried certificate (sarpanch/notarised)
How to apply — step by step
- Register on joinindianarmy.nic.in and fill Agniveer form when notification opens
- Pay fee ₹250 (online CEE) — actual fee may vary by cycle
- Appear in Online Common Entrance Exam (CEE) at allotted centre
- Shortlisted candidates attend Recruitment Rally — PFT (1.6 km run, beam, 9-feet ditch), PMT
- Clear medical examination at military hospital
- Final merit list released zone-wise; selected candidates report for training
Important dates
Agniveer notification cycles run twice a year — usually spring and autumn. The 2026 first cycle is expected in March 2026 with rally and CEE through April–July. Check joinindianarmy.nic.in regularly for region-wise notification.
Common mistakes to avoid
- ✓Not preparing for 1.6 km run — most candidates fail PFT
- ✓Wrong category selection (GD vs Technical) — irreversible after CEE
- ✓Missing medical category 'SHAPE-1' — minor untreated issues cause rejection
- ✓Late registration — slots fill quickly in popular zones
- ✓Ignoring CEE — 2022 onwards CEE is mandatory before rally
Frequently asked questions
What is the age limit for Agniveer 2026?
Between 17½ years and 21 years as on the date of enrolment. There is no separate relaxation; everyone follows the same age band.
Can a girl join the Indian Army as an Agniveer?
Yes. Women can apply for Agniveer (women MP) and other allowed categories in the Army, Navy and Air Force.
What is the salary of an Agniveer?
Year-1: ₹30,000 (₹21,000 in hand). It rises each year and reaches ₹40,000 by Year-4. Plus Seva Nidhi corpus of about ₹11.71 lakh on exit.
What happens after 4 years of Agniveer service?
Up to 25% Agniveers are retained as regular soldiers based on merit, medical and organisational requirement. Others get the Seva Nidhi package and skill certificate.
Is the CEE compulsory before the rally?
Yes. Since 2022, the Online Common Entrance Exam (CEE) is held first; only shortlisted candidates attend the physical recruitment rally.
Answer 5–7 simple questions and get your eligibility score in 2 minutes.
Check eligibility now →