Agnipath / Agniveer Recruitment Test

• Exam body: Indian Armed Forces
• Conducting organisations: Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force
• Scope: Central
• Region: All-India
• Department: Ministry of Defence

Posts under the scheme

• Indian Army: Agniveer General Duty, Technical, Clerk, Tradesman, Nursing Assistant
• Indian Air Force: Agniveervayu
• Indian Navy: Agniveer MR, Agniveer SSR

Age Limit

• Minimum age: 17.5 years
• Maximum age: 21 years
• Age is counted as per the recruitment notification and enrolment rules.
• For Army rallies, 01 October of the recruiting year is taken as the effective age-determining date.

Educational Qualification

Nationality

• Indian citizen
• Subjects of Bhutan and Nepal are eligible as per rules

Marital Status

• Candidates must be unmarried at the time of enrolment and throughout the initial training/engagement period. This applies to all three services (Army, Navy, Air Force).
• Married candidates are not eligible for Agniveer entry.

Physical and Medical Standards

• Indian Army: Candidates must meet height, weight, and chest (for male candidates) standards that vary by region, category, and trade. A Physical Fitness Test (PFT) is conducted — typically a 1.6 km run, pull-ups/push-ups, and balance/long jump — followed by medical examination at a military hospital.
• Indian Navy: Minimum height around 157 cm (with trade-wise variations), proportionate weight, and chest expansion standards. Candidates must qualify a Physical Fitness Test (1.6 km run, squats, bent-knee sit-ups) and a swimming test, then pass medical examination including vision (6/6 in better eye, 6/9 in worse eye) and hearing standards.
• Indian Air Force (Agniveervayu): Minimum height 152.5 cm, appropriate weight, and chest standards. PFT includes a 1.6 km run, push-ups, and sit-ups; medical standards cover vision (correctable to 6/6/6/9 with limits on refractive error), colour vision (CP-II), hearing, and dental fitness.
• Final medical fitness, certified by service medical authorities, is mandatory for enrolment in all three services. Standards are notified per recruitment year and may vary by trade and category.

Age Relaxation

Base age requirement is 17.5 to 21 years (see Age Limit above). Relaxations, where applicable, are:

Recruitment follows the Government of India reservation policy and service-wise recruitment rules.

Reservation and Relaxation Notes

• GEN / EWS / OBC / SC / ST selection is primarily merit-based within applicable category rules
• Horizontal reservations may apply for:
• PwD, subject to medical fitness and suitability
• Ex-servicemen dependents
• Women, where trades are opened
• EWS, as per Government policy
• Medical and physical standards remain mandatory and can override category-based consideration where applicable

Selection Stages

1. Online Computer-Based Test (CBT)

2. Physical Fitness Test (PFT)

3. Physical Measurement Test (PMT)

4. Medical Examination

5. Final Merit List

CBT Pattern

Qualifying stages: PFT (Physical Fitness Test), PMT (Physical Measurement Test), and Medical examination are *qualifying in nature* — they do not carry merit marks. A candidate must simply pass each of these stages to remain in the selection process; only the CBT/CEE score (where applicable) and the overall merit list determine final selection. Failing any qualifying stage leads to disqualification regardless of CBT performance.

Selection Notes

• CBT is the first filtering stage
• Physical and medical standards are qualifying in nature
• Final merit is prepared on the basis of CBT performance and eligibility compliance, subject to service rules

The syllabus varies slightly by service and post, but the core areas remain similar.

Common Subjects

• General Knowledge
• Current Affairs
• Geography
• History
• Civics
• General Science
• Mathematics up to 10+2 level
• Reasoning

Trade / Service-Specific Topics

• Technical trades (Agniveer Technical): Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and General Knowledge/Reasoning at the 10+2 (CBSE) standard, plus trade-oriented practical topics relevant to the enrolled trade (e.g. mechanical, electrical, automobile, electronics).
• Nursing roles (Army Nursing Assistant): Biology, Physics, Chemistry and related life-science topics in addition to general subjects.
• Service-specific content: Army, Navy and Air Force recruitment tests include service-specific GK, current affairs, and trade/applied topics oriented to that service's roles.

1. Visit the official recruitment portal for the relevant service.

2. Register with valid mobile number and email ID.

3. Fill in personal, educational, and category details.

4. Select the relevant rally, vacancy, or recruitment cycle.

5. Upload the required documents and photograph/signature, if asked.

6. Pay the application fee, if applicable.

7. Submit the application and save the confirmation page.

8. Download the admit card or rally call letter when released.

9. Appear for CBT, then physical and medical stages as scheduled.

Important Documents Checklist

• Class 10 certificate and mark sheet
• Class 12 certificate and mark sheet, where required
• Domicile / residence proof, if asked
• Caste certificate, if applicable
• EWS certificate, if applicable
• NCC certificate, if applicable
• Passport-size photographs
• Government ID proof
• Medical-related documents, if specified in notification

Application Fee

• Indian Army (Agniveer): Examination fee of ₹250 per application (recent 2026–27 cycles).
• Indian Navy (Agniveer SSR/MR): Examination fee of ₹550 + 18% GST (≈ ₹649) per post applied for.
• Indian Air Force (Agniveervayu): Examination fee of ₹550 + 18% GST (≈ ₹649) per application.
• Fee concessions/exemptions (if any) are applied only as notified by the respective service in its notification.
• *(As per data available from notifications of the last 5 years; check the latest service notification for the exact applicable fee.)*

Recruitment Cycle Timeline

• 2025 (Recruitment Year 2025-26): Notifications were issued through the year across services; the Common Entrance Exam (CEE) was conducted from 30 June to 10 July 2025.
• 2024 (Recruitment Year 2024-25): Notifications issued through the year; this cycle saw the online CEE introduced (exam window roughly April–July 2024).
• 2023: Notifications issued through the year; recruitment followed the standard rally and CEE schedule.

*The Agnipath Scheme launched in June 2022. From 2023 onward, each cycle follows the common format above — notifications issued through the year, followed by CEE and service-wise rallies. Exact dates vary by service, post, and recruitment year; check the latest official notification.*

Vacancy Trend

Monthly Package

Agniveers receive a monthly package that starts around ₹30,000 and increases over the four-year tenure.

Seva Nidhi

At the end of 4 years, Agniveers receive a Seva Nidhi corpus of ₹11.71 lakh, which is tax-free, subject to the scheme rules.

Service Conditions

• 4-year short-term tenure
• Around 25% of each batch may be retained in regular service
• Allowances such as risk, hardship, dress, and travel are provided as per service rules
• No full pension-based career structure for the 4-year tenure

Recommended Books

• NCERT Science and Mathematics
• Lucent General Knowledge
• Arihant Defence recruitment guides
• Previous rally papers and mock tests

Subject-wise Strategy

• General Knowledge: Focus on defence, awards, sports, geography, polity, and basic history
• Current Affairs: Cover national events, defence exercises, appointments, and major schemes
• Maths: Practice arithmetic, percentages, ratio, average, profit-loss, time and distance, and basic algebra
• Reasoning: Work on series, analogy, coding-decoding, directions, and blood relations
• General Science: Revise physics, chemistry, and biology basics from Class 10 and 12

Physical Fitness Plan

• Practice daily running
• Improve push-ups, sit-ups, and pull-ups
• Maintain body weight within standards
• Focus on stamina, recovery, and consistency

Study Plan

• 3 to 6 months is a practical preparation window
• Divide time between CBT subjects and physical training
• Use mock tests weekly and increase frequency before the exam

After Selection

• Selected candidates join as Agniveers for 4 years
• Initial training and unit posting are service-specific
• Roles are assigned based on trade, merit, and organisational needs

After Service

• Up to 25% may be retained as regular personnel
• Others complete service and exit with Seva Nidhi and the applicable skill certificate
• Ex-Agniveers may get preference in CAPF and state police recruitments, subject to the rules of the recruiting authority

1. What is the Agnipath Recruitment Test?

It is the recruitment process used to select Agniveers for short-term service in the Indian Armed Forces under the Agnipath Scheme.

2. Which armed forces conduct Agniveer recruitment?

The Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force conduct Agniveer recruitment through their respective recruitment systems.

3. What is the age limit for Agniveer recruitment?

The age limit is generally 17.5 to 21 years, as per the recruitment notification and enrolment rules.

4. What educational qualification is required for Agniveer General Duty?

For Army Agniveer General Duty, the candidate should usually have passed Class 10 with 45% aggregate.

5. What educational qualification is required for Agniveer Technical?

Agniveer Technical generally requires Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Maths, and English, with 50% aggregate and 40% in each subject.

6. What is the selection process for Agniveer recruitment?

The selection process includes CBT, Physical Fitness Test, Physical Measurement Test, Medical Examination, and Final Merit.

7. Is there a written exam in Agniveer recruitment?

Yes. The first stage is usually an online Computer-Based Test (CBT).

8. Is there negative marking in the CBT?

Yes, negative marking is applied as per the service rules mentioned in the official notification.

9. What is the physical fitness test in Agniveer recruitment?

The physical fitness test may include running, push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, and other fitness tasks, depending on the service.

10. What are the medical standards for Agniveer selection?

Candidates must meet the medical fitness standards prescribed by the respective service, including vision, hearing, and overall health criteria.

11. What is the monthly salary of an Agniveer?

The monthly package starts around ₹30,000 and rises during the service period as per the scheme structure.

12. What is Seva Nidhi in Agnipath scheme?

Seva Nidhi is the lump-sum corpus paid to Agniveers at the end of the 4-year service tenure, subject to scheme rules.

13. How long is the Agniveer service tenure?

The service tenure is 4 years.

14. Can an Agniveer become permanent in the armed forces?

Yes, up to 25% of each batch may be retained in regular service based on merit and organisational requirements.

15. Is the Agnipath recruitment only for men?

No. Recruitment is not limited only to men; eligibility depends on the service, trade, and notification.

16. Are women eligible for Agniveer recruitment?

Yes, women are eligible for certain roles and trades where recruitment is open as per service rules.

17. What documents are required to apply for Agniveer recruitment?

Usually, you need your educational certificates, identity proof, category certificate if applicable, photographs, and other documents specified in the notification.

18. How can I prepare for the Agnipath Recruitment Test?

Prepare for GK, Current Affairs, Maths, Reasoning, and General Science, and also build physical fitness through regular running and strength training.

• Indian Army recruitment portal: https://joinindianarmy.nic.in/
• Indian Navy recruitment portal: https://www.joinindiannavy.gov.in/
• Indian Air Force Agniveervayu portal: https://agnipathvayu.cdac.in/
• Air Force application portal: https://agnipathvayu.cdac.in/AV/
• Army recruitment notifications: https://joinindianarmy.nic.in/
• Navy recruitment updates: https://www.joinindiannavy.gov.in/