The Indian Army has officially released the notification for the JAG Entry Scheme 124th Course commencing in October 2026. This entry opportunity is for law graduates who wish to join the Indian Army as commissioned officers in the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Branch on a Short Service Commission (SSC).
Indian Army JAG Entry Scheme – 124th Course (October 2026)
What Is the JAG Entry Scheme?
The Judge Advocate General (JAG) Branch is the legal arm of the Indian Army. Through the JAG Entry Scheme, law graduates are selected and commissioned as officers to advise on legal matters, military law, courts-martial and similar duties typical of military legal services.
This specific notification is for the 124th JAG Course, starting October 2026.
Key Highlights of the 124th Course
Vacancies
- Total Vacancies: 08 posts (open to unmarried male and unmarried female law graduates).
Nationality
- Candidates must be Indian citizens, citizens of Nepal, or Indian origin persons settled permanently in India with a Government of India eligibility certificate (as per the rules).
Eligibility Criteria
Age Limit
- Minimum Age: 21 years
- Maximum Age: 27 years
(as on 01 July 2026) (Born not earlier than 02 Jul 1999 and not later than 01 Jul 2005; both dates inclusive).
Educational Qualification
- Must hold an LLB degree (either 3-year or 5-year integrated) with at least 55% aggregate marks.
- CLAT PG 2025 score is required and candidates must be able to verify this score at the SSB.
- Must be registered with the Bar Council of India or a State Bar Council as an advocate.
Important Dates
- Notification Release: January 2026
- Application Start: 27 January 2026
- Last Date to Apply: 27 February 2026 (upto 1500 Hrs)
Selection Process
The selection process has multiple stages:
- Application Shortlisting: Based on CLAT PG 2025 scores.
- SSB Interview: Five-day interview at designated SSB centres.
- Medical Examination: Comprehensive medical checkup as per Army standards.
- Final Merit List: Prepared using performance at SSB and other criteria.
Training & Service Details
Training Academy
- Selected candidates will train at the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai for approximately 49 weeks.
Stipend During Training
- A monthly stipend of around ₹56,100 during the training period.
Pay After Commissioning
- Once commissioned, the starting pay and allowances for a Lieutenant are approximately between ₹56,100 to ₹1,77,500, with an approximate CTC of ₹17-18 lakhs per annum (excluding additional benefits).
Commission Type & Future Options
- The commission type is Short Service Commission (SSC), typically 14 years.
- Options may be available for permanent commission based on performance and rules.
How to Apply
- Application is done only online through the official Indian Army recruitment portal: www.joinindianarmy.nic.in.
- Candidates need to register (if not already) and fill out the application form, upload documents and submit before the deadline.
Why This Entry Is Significant
Joining the Indian Army through the JAG Entry Scheme allows law graduates to:
- Serve the nation as legal officers within the Army.
- Gain exposure to military law, courts-martial, advisory roles and legal responsibilities within defence services.
