Indian Army Religious Teacher (JCO) 2026 Notification: Complete Details & How to Apply
Indian Army has released the official notification for Religious Teacher (Dharmik Shikshak) Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) Recruitment 2026. This is a great opportunity for eligible male candidates who hold religious qualifications along with a graduation degree to serve in the Indian Army as a Naib Subedar. The basic pay starts at ₹29,200 per month (Pay Level 5) and can go up to ₹92,300 with increments.
Online registration is open from 13 February 2026 to 01 April 2026 through the Join Indian Army portal. Candidates belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Muslim (Sunni), Christian, and Buddhist communities can apply under their respective religious categories. Read the full article to know about eligibility, selection process, exam pattern, and how to apply.
Key Highlights about Indian Army & Religious Teacher JCO Recruitment 2026
The Indian Army is one of the largest and most respected armed forces in the world. It recruits Religious Teachers as Junior Commissioned Officers to provide spiritual and moral guidance to soldiers. This recruitment is conducted annually for various religious categories.
- Post Name: Religious Teacher (Dharmik Shikshak) – Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO)
- Total Categories: 6 (Pandit, Pandit Gorkha, Granthi, Maulvi, Padri, Buddhist Bhikshu)
- Rank on Appointment: Naib Subedar
- Pay Scale: Pay Level 5 (₹29,200 – ₹92,300)
- Job Location: All India (Various Army Units)
- Application Start Date: 13 February 2026
- Application Last Date: 01 April 2026
Indian Army Religious Teacher 2026: Category-wise Vacancy Details
| Category (Post Name) | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Pandit | Hindu candidates only |
| Pandit (Gorkha Regiment) | Hindu (Gorkha) candidates only |
| Granthi | Sikh candidates only |
| Maulvi (Sunni) | Muslim (Sunni) candidates only |
| Padri | Christian candidates only |
| Buddhist Bhikshu (Mahayana) – Ladakh Scouts | Buddhist candidates only |
Note: The exact number of vacancies has not been mentioned in the official notification. Vacancies will be filled based on organisational requirements and merit.
Indian Army Dharmik Shikshak JCO 2026: Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
Each category has specific educational and religious qualification requirements:
- Pandit & Pandit Gorkha (Gorkha Regiment): Shastri / Acharya in Sanskrit from a UGC-recognised university. Additionally, must have either Karm Kand as a main subject in Shastri/Acharya OR a 1-year Diploma in Karm Kand. Note: BA Sanskrit / MA Sanskrit is NOT valid. Only Shastri/Acharya degree is accepted.
- Granthi: Graduation in any subject from a UGC-recognised university + Gyani in Punjabi.
- Maulvi (Sunni): Graduation in any subject from a UGC-recognised university + Aalim in Arabic OR Adeeb-e-Mahir / Urdu Mahir in Urdu.
- Padri: Graduation in any subject from a UGC-recognised university + must be ordained as a Pastor by the appropriate Church authority and name should be on the local Bishop’s approved list.
- Buddhist Bhikshu: Graduation in any subject + must be recognised as Bhikshu / Buddhist Priest by the appropriate authority. The authority means the Head Priest of the monastery where the person was ordained, who must hold Geshe (Ph.D) of Khanpa, or Lopon or Rajbam degree along with a monastery certificate.
Age Limit
- Civilian Candidates: 25 to 34 years as on 01 July 2027
- Date of Birth: Candidates born between 01 July 1993 and 01 July 2002 (both dates inclusive) are eligible
- Serving Soldiers: Same age criteria as civilian candidates
- Gender: Only male candidates are eligible
Physical Standards
| Category | Height (cm) | Min Weight (kg) | Max Weight 25-30 yrs (kg) | Max Weight 30-34 yrs (kg) | Chest (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | 160 | 50 | 58.9 | 61.4 | 77 |
| Gorkha & Ladakh | 157 | 48 | 56.7 | 59.2 | 77 |
| Andaman-Nicobar & Lakshadweep (Local) | 155 | 50 | 55.3 | 57.7 | 77 |
Indian Army Religious Teacher JCO 2026: Salary and Benefits
Selected candidates will be appointed at the rank of Naib Subedar after successful completion of training. The pay and benefits include:
- Basic Pay: ₹29,200 per month (Pay Level 5, up to ₹92,300)
- Dearness Allowance (DA): As per government rates
- House Rent Allowance (HRA): Based on city of posting
- Transport Allowance (TA): As applicable
- Military Service Pay (MSP)
- Free medical facilities, ration, accommodation, and CSD canteen benefits
- NPS (National Pension System) and gratuity on retirement
Indian Army Dharmik Shikshak 2026: Selection Process Explained
The selection process consists of the following stages:
Stage 1: Online Common Entrance Examination (CEE)
Candidates will appear for a Computer Based Test (CBT) at designated centres across India. The exam is conducted in Hindi, English, and 11 regional languages (Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Punjabi, Odia, Bengali, Urdu, Gujarati, Marathi, and Assamese).
Exam Pattern:
| Paper | Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | General Awareness | 50 | 100 | 1 Hour | No |
| Paper-II | Religious Subject (as per category) | 50 | 100 | 1 Hour | No |
Total Duration: 2 Hours. Minimum 40% marks required in both papers to qualify. Paper-I marks are only for qualifying — they are not added to the final merit.
Stage 2: Recruitment Rally (PFT / PMT / Medical)
Shortlisted candidates must clear Physical Fitness Test (1.6 km run in max 8 minutes), Physical Measurement Test (height, weight, chest), and Medical Examination by Army Medical Team.
Stage 3: Personal Interview
Candidates who clear the rally will be shortlisted for interview. Minimum 50% marks (50 out of 100) required to pass. The interview for Granthi category candidates also includes assessment of Kirtan ability.
Stage 4: Final Merit & Training
Final merit is based on Paper-II marks + Interview marks. Selected candidates undergo 6 weeks basic training at BEG & Centre, Kirkee, followed by 11 weeks specialised training at Institute of National Integration (INI), Pune.
How to Apply Online for Indian Army Religious Teacher JCO 2026: Step-by-Step Guide
Keep the following documents ready before applying: Aadhaar Card, educational certificates, religious qualification certificates, passport-size photographs, active email ID, and mobile number.
- Visit the official website (link provided below)
- Click on “JCO/OR Enrollment” and register your profile
- Check your eligibility for Religious Teacher (JCO) category
- Fill in all personal details, educational qualifications, and religious qualifications carefully
- Upload your recent passport-size photograph (must match your face — mismatched photos will lead to rejection at exam centre)
- Select your preferred exam centre (5 options allowed)
- Select your religious category (Pandit/Granthi/Maulvi/Padri/Buddhist Bhikshu)
- Pay the examination fee of ₹250 through Credit/Debit Card, Internet Banking, or UPI
- Review your application form carefully and submit it
- Download and save the confirmation page for future reference
- Download your Admit Card from the portal when released and take a colour printout for the exam
Indian Army Religious Teacher 2026 Important Dates: Application Timeline
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Registration Start Date | 13 February 2026 |
| Online Registration Last Date | 01 April 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | To be announced on joinindianarmy.nic.in |
| Online CEE (Computer Based Test) | To be announced |
| Recruitment Rally (PFT/PMT/Medical) | To be announced |
| Personal Interview | To be announced |
| Final Result | To be announced on joinindianarmy.nic.in |
Indian Army Dharmik Shikshak JCO 2026: Application Fees
| Category | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| All Candidates | ₹250 |
Payment Mode: Credit Card / Debit Card (Maestro, MasterCard, Amex, VISA, Rupay), Internet Banking, UPI. Fee refund is available if application is withdrawn within 48 hours of registration window closing.
Indian Army Religious Teacher Recruitment 2026: Essential Links
- Download Official Notification for Indian Army Religious Teacher JCO 2026
- Apply Online for Indian Army Religious Teacher JCO 2026
- Indian Army Official Website
- Join WhatsApp Channel for Government Jobs
- Join Telegram Channel for Government Jobs
Indian Army Religious Teacher (Dharmik Shikshak) JCO Recruitment 2026 is a wonderful opportunity for religiously qualified male candidates to serve the nation while practising their faith. With a salary starting at ₹29,200 per month and the pride of wearing the Indian Army uniform, this recruitment offers both financial stability and honour. The last date to apply online is 01 April 2026. Visit the Join Indian Army website today, register your profile, and complete your application before the deadline. Stay connected with GovtJobsAlert.in for the latest updates on this recruitment.