The Indian Army Religious Teacher (Dharmik Shikshak) JCO Recruitment 2026 notification has been officially released. This recruitment invites eligible male candidates with recognised religious qualifications and graduation degrees to serve as Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) in the rank of Naib Subedar.

The pay scale starts from ₹29,200 (Pay Level 5) and goes up to ₹92,300, along with multiple military allowances and service benefits.

Online applications are open from 13 February 2026 to 01 April 2026 through the official portal of the Indian Army.

About the Indian Army & Role of Religious Teachers

The Indian Army is one of the largest and most respected land forces in the world. Apart from combat roles, the Army also appoints Religious Teachers (Dharmik Shikshak) as JCOs to provide:

Spiritual guidance
Moral counselling
Religious instruction
Emotional support to soldiers

These officers play a crucial role in maintaining morale and unity within regiments.

Key Highlights – Religious Teacher (JCO) 2026

Particular	Details
Post Name	Religious Teacher (Dharmik Shikshak) – JCO
Rank	Naib Subedar
Pay Scale	₹29,200 – ₹92,300 (Level 5)
Application Mode	Online
Job Location	All India
Application Start	13 February 2026
Last Date to Apply	01 April 2026
Gender	Male Candidates Only

Category-Wise Posts

The recruitment covers the following religious categories:

Category	Eligible Community
Pandit	Hindu
Pandit (Gorkha Regiment)	Hindu (Gorkha)
Granthi	Sikh
Maulvi (Sunni)	Muslim (Sunni)
Padri	Christian
Buddhist Bhikshu (Mahayana – Ladakh Scouts)	Buddhist

Note: Exact vacancy numbers are not disclosed. Selection depends on organisational requirements and merit.

Eligibility Criteria

1. Educational & Religious Qualification

Pandit & Pandit Gorkha

Shastri / Acharya in Sanskrit (UGC recognised university)
Must have:
- Karm Kand as main subject OR
- 1-year Diploma in Karm Kand
BA/MA Sanskrit is not accepted

Granthi

Graduation (any subject)
Gyani in Punjabi

Maulvi (Sunni)

Graduation (any subject)
Aalim in Arabic OR
Adeeb-e-Mahir / Urdu Mahir in Urdu

Padri

Graduation (any subject)
Ordained Pastor
Name listed by authorised Church Bishop

Buddhist Bhikshu

Graduation
Recognised Bhikshu by monastery authority
Ordaining authority must hold Geshe / Lopon / Rajbam qualification

2. Age Limit (As on 01 July 2027)

Minimum: 25 years
Maximum: 34 years
Born between: 01 July 1993 to 01 July 2002 (inclusive)

3. Physical Standards

Category	Height	Min Weight	Chest
General	160 cm	50 kg	77 cm
Gorkha & Ladakh	157 cm	48 kg	77 cm
Andaman & Lakshadweep (Local)	155 cm	50 kg	77 cm

Salary & Benefits

Selected candidates will be appointed as Naib Subedar (JCO) after training.

Pay Structure:

Basic Pay: ₹29,200 – ₹92,300
Dearness Allowance (DA)
Military Service Pay (MSP)
House Rent Allowance (HRA)
Transport Allowance (TA)

Additional Benefits:

Free medical facilities
Free ration & accommodation
CSD canteen benefits
National Pension System (NPS)
Gratuity on retirement

This role offers financial security, prestige, and lifetime honour.

Selection Process – Step-by-Step

The recruitment process consists of four stages:

Stage 1: Online Common Entrance Examination (CEE)

Mode: Computer Based Test (CBT)
Languages: Hindi, English + 11 regional languages

Exam Pattern:

Paper	Subject	Questions	Marks	Duration	Negative Marking
Paper I	General Awareness	50	100	1 Hour	No
Paper II	Religious Subject	50	100	1 Hour	No

Minimum 40% required in each paper
Paper I marks are qualifying only
Paper II marks count for final merit

Stage 2: Recruitment Rally

1.6 km run (within 8 minutes)
Physical Measurement Test (PMT)
Army Medical Examination

Stage 3: Personal Interview

100 Marks
Minimum 50 marks required to qualify
Granthi candidates assessed for Kirtan ability

Stage 4: Final Merit & Training

Final merit = Paper II marks + Interview marks

Training Duration:

6 weeks Basic Training at BEG & Centre, Kirkee
11 weeks Specialised Training at Institute of National Integration (INI), Pune

How to Apply Online – Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these steps to apply:

Visit the official website of the Indian Army
Click on “JCO/OR Enrollment”
Register your profile
Fill personal & qualification details carefully
Upload passport-size photograph (must match appearance)
Select preferred exam centre (5 options allowed)
Choose your religious category
Pay application fee of ₹250
Review and submit
Download confirmation page

Keep documents ready:

Aadhaar Card
Educational certificates
Religious certificates
Active email & mobile number

Important Dates

Event	Date
Application Start	13 February 2026
Last Date	01 April 2026
Admit Card	To be announced
CEE Exam	To be announced
Rally & Interview	To be announced
Final Result	To be announced

Application Fee

Category	Fee
All Candidates	₹250

Payment Mode: Debit Card / Credit Card / Net Banking / UPI
Refund available if withdrawn within 48 hours of registration closing.

Why You Should Apply?

Becoming a Religious Teacher (JCO) in the Indian Army is more than just a job. It is:

A position of honour
A stable government career
A leadership role in uniform
An opportunity to serve the nation while practising your faith

With a starting salary of ₹29,200 and promotional growth up to ₹92,300, this recruitment offers both dignity and financial stability.

Final Words

The Indian Army Religious Teacher (Dharmik Shikshak) JCO Recruitment 2026 is an excellent opportunity for qualified male candidates from recognised religious backgrounds.

Interested candidates must complete their online registration before 01 April 2026. Do not wait until the last date. Apply early and prepare seriously for the written examination and interview.

For official updates, always refer to the Join Indian Army portal.