Indian Navy Agniveer Apprentice Recruitment 2026

1. Important Dates & Tentative Timeline

Candidates must adhere to the following timeline for the recruitment process. Please note that the online registration system closes on 29 June 2026.

Note: The dates mentioned are tentative. Exact dates will be promulgated on the Candidate Registration Portal.

2. Eligibility Criteria & Educational Qualifications

The recruitment is open exclusively to unmarried male candidates who meet the conditions laid down by the Government of India.

Educational Qualifications

Candidates must satisfy the following academic requirements:

• Must have passed the Matriculation Examination with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate from a Board of School Education recognized by the Ministry of Education, Govt. of India.
• Must have completed a three-year diploma course from an All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) recognized Polytechnic Institute with 60% marks in aggregate.
• The diploma must be in one of the following streams:

3. Age Criteria for Respective Batches

Candidates must fall within the specific date of birth brackets for the respective batches to be eligible.

• Agniveer (Apprentice) 01/2027 Batch: Candidate should be born between 01 Dec 2004 - 21 May 2009 (Both dates inclusive).
• Agniveer (Apprentice) 02/2027 Batch: Candidate should be born between 01 May 2005 - 21 Oct 2009 (Both dates inclusive).

Candidates born between 01 Dec 2004 - 31 Oct 2009 are eligible to apply for INET 2/2026. Further eligibility for the Stage-II recruitment process depends on the age criteria of the specific batch.

Marital Status: Only unmarried candidates are eligible. Candidates must provide a certificate of being 'unmarried' at the time of enrolment. Marrying during the four-year tenure will result in dismissal from service.

4. Mandatory Application Fee Structure

All applying candidates must clear their mandatory processing charges through the integrated digital payment gateway.

• Examination Fee: An examination fee of ₹ 550/- (Rupees Five Hundred Fifty only) plus 18% GST must be transacted online during the Stage-I INET registration process.
• Payment Modes: The fee can be paid via Net Banking, or by using Visa, Master, RuPay Credit/Debit Cards, or UPI.
• Non-Refundable Policy: Fee once paid shall not be refunded under any circumstances, nor can it be held in reserve for any other examination.
• Important: Admit cards will be generated only for those candidates who execute a successful fee transaction. Multiple registrations from the same candidate will lead to immediate cancellation and forfeiture of paid amounts.

5. Terms of Service, Pay & Benefits

Agniveers are enrolled under the Navy Act 1957 for a specific period of four years.

• Duration of Service: Four years. The Indian Navy is not obliged to retain Agniveers beyond this engagement period.
• Leave: 30 days of annual leave, plus sick leave based on medical advice.
• Pay & Allowances: A customized package starting at ₹ 30,000 per month in the first year, rising to ₹ 40,000 per month by the fourth year, with a fixed yearly increment. Risk, hardship, dress, and travel allowances are paid additionally.
• Life Insurance Cover: A non-contributory life insurance cover of ₹ 48 Lakhs for the duration of the engagement period.
• Seva Nidhi Package: A one-time Seva Nidhi package comprising the individual's contribution (30% deducted monthly) along with a matching contribution by the Government on completion of the four years (approx. ₹ 5.02 Lakhs from each side, totaling over ₹ 10 Lakhs).
• Enrolment as Sailors (Regular Cadre): On completion of four years, based on organizational requirements, up to 25% of each specific batch of Agniveers may be offered permanent enrolment in the Indian Navy.

6. Selection Process (Stage I & II)

The selection methodology is divided into two distinct stages.

Stage-I: Indian Navy Entrance Test (INET)

• Exam Format: Computer-based test with a total of 100 objective-type multiple-choice questions (01 mark each). Separate exams will be conducted for Electrical and Engineering entries.
• Sections: The bilingual paper comprises four sections: English & General Awareness, Science, Mathematics, and Diploma (Trade Specific).
• Duration: One hour.
• Negative Marking: Penalty of one-fourth (0.25) marks for each wrong answer.
• Shortlisting: State-wise shortlisting for Stage-II based on INET marks.

Stage-II: PFT, Written Examination and Recruitment Medical

• Physical Fitness Test (PFT): Mandatory qualifying test. Candidates undergo PFT at their own risk. Mandated standards: 1.6 Km run within 6 minutes 30 seconds; 20 Squats (Uthak Baithak); 15 Push-ups; 15 Bent Knee Sit-ups.
• Stage-II Written Exam: Conducted for those who qualify the PFT. Format comprises 100 questions of 01 mark each, bilingual, objective type, covering four sections over a 1-hour duration. Separate exams apply for Engineering and Electrical streams.
• Recruitment Medical Examination: Conducted by authorized military doctors for candidates qualifying the PFT. Medically unfit candidates can choose to appeal for a review at a designated military hospital within 5 days.

7. Physical & Medical Standards

Candidates must meet specific physical and medical standards to be eligible for enrolment.

• Minimum Height: 157 cm.
• Tattoos: Permanent body tattoos are only permitted on the inner face of forearms (from inside of elbow to the wrist) and on the reversed side of palm/back side of hand. Tattoos on any other part of the body are not acceptable.
• Visual Standards: Uncorrected Vision: 6/12, 6/12. Corrected Vision: 6/6, 6/6. Colour Perception: CP II Pass.
• General Health: Candidates must be in good physical and mental health, free from any disease/disability likely to interfere with the efficient performance of duties both ashore and afloat.

8. Step-by-Step Online Application Guide

Applications must be submitted exclusively online. No manual or paper applications will be entertained.

1. Visit the official Indian Navy recruitment website: https://joinindiannavy.gov.in.
2. Register as a new user by clicking on "Register" and select register as Agniveer (Apprentice). Once registration is successful, click on "Login" and proceed to apply.
3. Select the active link to apply for the "Agniveer (Apprentice) INET 2/2026" exam.
4. Fill up the application form meticulously with accurate contact details, domicile data, and educational information.
5. Upload Photograph: Upload a recent passport-size color photograph (taken not before May 2026, size 10 KB to 50 KB, light background, no head gear except for Sikhs). The photograph must have the candidate's name and the date the photo was taken clearly written at the bottom. A live photograph will also be captured via webcam during online form completion.
6. Upload scanned copies of original documents, including the 10th mark sheet, Domicile certificate, and Diploma certificate.
7. Pay the mandatory examination fee of ₹ 550/- plus GST online using Net Banking, Credit/Debit card, or UPI.
8. Submit the application before the closing gate time of 17:00 hrs on 29 June 2026, and retain a printed copy for your recording files.

9. Important Links