Agniveer Recruitment 2026: Eligibility, Exam and Selection Process

Agniveer is the four-year engagement scheme for entry into the armed forces after Class 10 or 12. This hub explains the eligibility, the common entrance examination, the physical test and what happens after the four-year term.

Agniveer Recruitment 2026 at a Glance

Head	Detail
Entry routes	GD, Technical, Clerk and Tradesman categories
Qualification	Class 10 for GD and Tradesman, Class 12 for Technical and Clerk
Age	17 and a half to 21 years
Selection	Common entrance examination, physical fitness test, medical examination
Engagement	Four years, with a retention review for regular service
Training	Basic military training at the regimental centre

The Common Entrance Examination

Category	Paper focus	Typical structure
GD	General knowledge, reasoning and mathematics	About 50 questions in 60 minutes at Class 10 level
Technical	Physics, chemistry and mathematics with general knowledge	Technical stream paper
Clerk	English, general knowledge and computer knowledge	Written paper with a typing element in some cycles
Tradesman	Trade-related questions with general knowledge	Trade specific paper

The examination pattern and the number of questions are notified for each cycle, and they have varied between categories and years. Candidates should rely only on the official notification of their own cycle rather than on previous years’ papers for the exact structure.

Negative marking rules have differed between categories in past cycles, and some cycles have had none at all for GD. Treat any specific claim circulating online with caution and verify it from the official notice.

Physical Fitness Test

Event	Standard	Notes
Running	1.6 km within the time fixed for the group	Conducted in battle dress or shorts as prescribed
Pull-ups	Minimum number specified for the entry	Under-grip pull-ups in most cycles
Beam pull-ups	As prescribed	Tests upper body endurance
9 feet ditch	Crossed without falling in	Confidence task
Balance beam	Walk across without falling	Balance and poise
Height	157 cm and above for most entries	Region-wise relaxations apply

The physical test is conducted at the recruitment rally or the regimental centre, and the standards are strict. Pull-ups and beam exercises need separate practice, starting at least three months before the rally, because upper body strength builds more slowly than running endurance.

Medical Standards

Check	Standard applied
Vision	Uncorrected and corrected standards that differ by entry
Teeth	Minimum number of healthy teeth in each jaw
Hearing	Normal in both ears
Skin	No chronic skin conditions
Orthopaedic	No flat foot, knock knee or bow legs
General health	No hernia, piles or varicose veins

The medical examination is the strictest stage in defence recruitment. Candidates with conditions such as flat foot or colour vision deficiency are usually rejected, and a private check-up before applying saves both time and disappointment.

Life After the Four-Year Engagement

Outcome	What happens
Retention in regular service	A proportion of each batch is retained based on performance, medical fitness and organisational requirements
Exit after four years	An exit package as per the scheme, along with a skills certificate and preference in certain government recruitment
Further education	Support for higher education and skill certification is provided under the scheme
Applying elsewhere	Agniveer experience and certificates are recognised for specified posts in central armed police forces and other services

The engagement should be understood clearly before applying. It is a four-year term with a retention review, not a guarantee of permanent service, and candidates should plan their career on both outcomes, not just the retained one.

Registration and Rally Process

Registration is done online for the common entrance examination, and after the written stage, shortlisted candidates are called to the recruitment rally for the physical fitness and medical tests. The rally is held over several days, and candidates must carry the original documents listed in the call letter.

Stage	Where it happens	What candidates must carry
Online registration	Official recruitment portal	Class 10 or 12 documents, photograph, Aadhaar or identity proof
Admit card download	Official portal	Registration number and date of birth
Common entrance examination	Designated centres	Admit card and photo identity card
Recruitment rally	Regimental centre or rally ground	All original documents, sports kit, photographs
Medical examination	Military hospital	Medical documents and any previous treatment records
Attestation	Training unit	Enrolment documents after the training period

Original documents must be carried to the rally. Candidates whose documents are not in order are sent back, and there is no provision to submit them later in the same cycle.

Preparing the Body and the Mind

Defence recruitment rewards physical consistency over last-minute effort. The running and pull-up standards are published well in advance, and three months of structured training is the minimum advisable period for a candidate who is not already active in sports.

Week	Running	Strength	Other
Week 1 to 2	1.5 km at an easy pace, four days a week	Body-weight squats and push-ups	Basic stretching routine
Week 3 to 4	2 km with two faster efforts weekly	Pull-up practice with a support band	Ditch and balance work
Week 5 to 8	3 km with interval sessions	Pull-ups to the target number	Beam practice and endurance circuit
Week 9 to 12	4 to 5 km with time trials	Weighted carry and full upper body work	Full test simulation in battle dress

Candidates should also prepare for the medical examination by getting a private check for vision, teeth and orthopaedic conditions beforehand. Spotting a disqualifying condition in advance allows a candidate to seek correction or choose a different entry where the standard is less strict.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the age limit for Agniveer recruitment?

Seventeen and a half to twenty-one years, with the exact cut-off date specified in each cycle’s notification.

Is Agniveer a permanent job?

No. It is a four-year engagement, after which a proportion of each batch is retained in regular service based on performance and organisational requirements.

What is the qualification for Agniveer GD?

Class 10 pass with the minimum marks specified in the notification, along with the physical and medical standards.

What documents are required at the Agniveer rally?

All original education certificates, identity proof, the admit card, category certificates and recent photographs, along with the sports kit required for the physical test.

Can I apply for more than one entry in Agniveer recruitment?

Candidates register for a specific category and the registration is tied to that entry. Candidates should choose the entry that matches their qualification and physical ability.

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Last updated: 18 September 2026.