Indian Army Agniveer CEE Recruitment 2026 — Official Notification Out, Application Window Closes April 1

The Indian Army (Bhartiya Sena) has officially released the recruitment notification for the Common Entrance Exam (CEE) under the Agnipath Scheme — Agniveer Recruitment 2026. If you have been waiting to serve the nation in uniform, this is your window — and it closes on April 1, 2026.

The online application process began on February 13, 2026, and candidates across India can apply through the official website joinindianarmy.nic.in before the last date. With less than three weeks remaining in the application window, candidates who have not yet applied must act immediately.

Here is everything you need to know — eligibility, age limits, posts, education requirements, physical standards, and the complete step-by-step application process.

Important Dates: Save These Now

Age Limit: Post-Wise Breakdown

The minimum and maximum age requirements vary by post under this recruitment. All ages are calculated as on July 1, 2026.

Important: Candidates must verify their exact age eligibility for their specific post before applying. Age relaxation for SC/ST/OBC categories applies as per Government of India rules.

Educational Qualification: Post-Wise Requirements

Candidates appearing in qualifying examinations may also apply — but must produce passing certificates before the Physical Fitness Test stage.

Physical Standards: What You Must Achieve

Physical eligibility is non-negotiable in Indian Army recruitment. Here are the standard benchmarks:

Height:

• General/OBC: 170 cm
• Scheduled Castes: 168 cm
• Scheduled Tribes: 162 cm
• Hill region candidates (J&K, Himachal, Uttarakhand, Northeast): 165 cm

Weight: Proportionate to height and age as per Indian Army norms

Chest: Minimum 77 cm (unexpanded), minimum 82 cm (expanded) — 5 cm minimum expansion required

Physical Fitness Test (PFT):

• 1.6 km run in 5 minutes 30 seconds (Group I — 60 marks) or 5 minutes 31 seconds to 5 minutes 45 seconds (Group II — 48 marks)
• 10 Push-Ups
• 9 Sit-Ups
• 9 Chin-Ups (Beam)

Candidates who fail the Physical Fitness Test are disqualified regardless of written exam performance. Begin your physical training now — you have less than three weeks to apply and must be PFT-ready by the exam stage.

Selection Process: Five Stages to Joining

The Agniveer CEE selection is a multi-stage process:

Stage 1 — Online Application Register and apply at joinindianarmy.nic.in before April 1, 2026.

Stage 2 — Rally / CEE Written Exam The Common Entrance Exam is an objective-type written test. It covers General Knowledge, General Science, Maths, and reasoning — subjects vary by post.

Stage 3 — Physical Fitness Test (PFT) The 1.6 km run, push-ups, sit-ups, and chin-ups as listed above.

Stage 4 — Medical Examination Full physical medical examination by Army Medical Corps doctors. Candidates must be medically fit in all parameters.

Stage 5 — Document Verification Original documents verified at final stage. Any discrepancy leads to immediate disqualification.

Application Fee

The Indian Army Agniveer CEE 2026 application is free of charge. Candidates do not need to pay any application fee. Any website or person asking for payment to submit your Army application is fraudulent — report them immediately.

How to Apply Online: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Visit the official website — joinindianarmy.nic.in

Step 2: Click on "Soldier Recruitment" on the homepage

Step 3: Select "Apply Online" for the Agniveer CEE 2026 notification

Step 4: Register with your mobile number and email ID to create a login

Step 5: Fill in the application form completely — personal details, educational qualifications, physical measurements

Step 6: Upload required documents — photograph, signature, educational certificates, ID proof

Step 7: Review all information carefully before submitting

Step 8: Submit the application and download the confirmation receipt

Step 9: Save and print the application confirmation for future reference

Important: Once submitted, most fields cannot be edited. Double-check every detail — name spelling, date of birth, category, and post applied for — before final submission.

Documents Required

Keep these ready before starting your application:

• Class 10 / Class 12 Marksheets and Certificates
• Birth Certificate or Class 10 Certificate for age proof
• Aadhaar Card (mandatory)
• Caste Certificate (SC/ST/OBC candidates)
• Domicile/Residential Certificate
• Passport-size photographs (recent, as per specification)
• Character Certificate from school/village headman/gazetted officer
• Relationship Certificate (if applying as son/brother of serving/ex-serviceman)
• Sports/NCC Certificate if applicable (for bonus marks)

NCC and Sports Bonus Marks

Candidates with NCC certificates or sports achievements at national/state level receive bonus marks at the written examination stage:

• NCC 'A' Certificate: 5 bonus marks
• NCC 'B' Certificate: 10 bonus marks
• NCC 'C' Certificate: 15 bonus marks
• NCC 'C' Certificate with 'A' Grade: Additional benefit
• State/National Sports: Bonus marks as per Indian Army norms

If you hold these certificates, ensure you upload them correctly during application — unclaimed bonus marks cannot be added after submission.

Agnipath Scheme: What Agniveer Service Actually Means

For candidates new to the Agnipath scheme, here is the essential framework:

Under Agnipath, all Agniveer recruits serve for four years in the Indian Army. After four years, 25% of each batch is retained for regular Army service based on performance, medical fitness, and vacancies. The remaining 75% are discharged with a Seva Nidhi package — a lump sum of approximately ₹11.71 lakh (tax-free) combining their contributions and the government's matching contribution over four years.

During service, Agniveers receive a monthly package starting at ₹30,000 in Year 1, rising to ₹40,000 in Year 4, with in-hand pay after the Seva Nidhi contribution deduction.

The Bottom Line: Less Than 3 Weeks Left

The Indian Army Agniveer CEE Recruitment 2026 application window opened on February 13 and closes on April 1, 2026 — less than three weeks away. This is a limited, time-bound opportunity to begin the process of serving in India's armed forces under the Agnipath scheme.

Every day of delay is a day closer to missing the deadline. Apply today at joinindianarmy.nic.in — the application is free, the process is online, and the opportunity is real.

Check your eligibility. Gather your documents. Start your physical training. And apply before April 1.

Quick Reference:

• Official Website: joinindianarmy.nic.in
• Application Start: February 13, 2026
• Last Date to Apply: April 1, 2026
• Age: 17.5 to 22–34 years (post wise) as on July 1, 2026
• Application Fee: NIL
• Mode: Online only