Indian Navy SSC Officer Recruitment 2026

The Indian Navy has released its official notification inviting applications from eligible unmarried men and unmarried women for the grant of Short Service Commission (SSC) for the course commencing June 2027 onwards at the Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala, Kerala. This recruitment, known as the AT 27 Course, covers a wide range of branches and cadres spanning executive, technical, aviation, education, and logistics disciplines, offering engineering graduates, postgraduate degree holders, and specialized professionals a prestigious career pathway in one of the world's most capable naval forces. Online applications are open from 25 June 2026 and the last date to apply is 27 July 2026.

The AT 27 Course encompasses twelve distinct branches and cadres, collectively offering a substantial number of vacancies across diverse technical and non-technical streams. The Executive Branch (GS/Hydro Cadre) accounts for the largest share with 90 vacancies, including 10 reserved for the Hydrography cadre. The Electrical Branch (General Service) follows with 32 posts, while the Engineering Branch (General Service) carries 24 vacancies. The Naval Constructor branch offers 18 positions, the Education branch has 11 combined vacancies, and the Naval Armament Inspectorate Cadre (NAIC) carries 14 posts. Aviation branches include Pilot with 25 vacancies, Naval Air Operations Officer (Observers) with 18, and Air Traffic Controller (ATC) with 15. The Logistics branch offers 10 positions. Additionally, Submarine Tech Engineering and Submarine Tech Electrical carry 8 vacancies each, though these are restricted to male candidates only. Several branches also carry reserved vacancies specifically for women officers.

For the Executive Branch, Pilot, Naval Air Operations Officer, Air Traffic Controller, and most engineering branches, the fundamental requirement is a BE or B.Tech degree in the relevant stream with a minimum of 60% marks. Aviation entries such as Pilot, NAOO, and ATC additionally require candidates to have scored at least 60% aggregate marks in both Class X and Class XII, as well as a minimum of 60% marks in the English subject in either Class X or Class XII. The Logistics branch offers flexibility, accepting First Class BE/B.Tech in any discipline, First Class MBA, First Class B.Sc/B.Com/B.Sc(IT) with a postgraduate diploma in Finance, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, or Material Management, or First Class MCA/M.Sc(IT). The Education branch has among the most diverse qualification requirements, accepting postgraduate degrees in Mathematics, Physics, Operational Research, History, Meteorology, Oceanography, and Atmospheric Sciences, as well as engineering degrees in relevant streams and higher degrees such as ME/M.Tech with appropriate specialisations. The Naval Armament Inspectorate Cadre accepts BE/B.Tech with 60% in a wide range of engineering streams or a postgraduate degree in Electronics or Physics. The Naval Constructor branch requires BE/B.Tech in streams such as Naval Architecture, Ship Building, Ship Design, Marine Engineering, Civil, Mechanical, Aeronautical, and related fields with 60% marks.

Age eligibility varies by branch. For most branches including Executive, Engineering, Electrical, Naval Constructor, and NAIC, candidates must have been born between 2 July 2002 and 1 January 2008 (both dates inclusive). Pilot candidates must fall within the band of 2 July 2003 to 1 July 2008. NAOO and ATC candidates should have been born between 2 July 2002 and 1 July 2008, while Logistics and Education candidates have slightly wider age windows specific to their branch. Only unmarried candidates are eligible, and this condition applies throughout the training period — any candidate found married or who marries during training will be discharged and required to refund all pay and expenses incurred by the Government.

The selection for all branches begins with a shortlisting based on normalised marks obtained in the qualifying degree, computed using the normalisation formula available on the Indian Navy website. For BE/B.Tech candidates, marks obtained up to the fifth semester will be considered at the time of SSB shortlisting. Candidates who are in their final year may also apply, provided they submit proof of qualifying degree completion with minimum 60% marks by emailing officer@navy.gov.in before 20 June 2027. Shortlisted candidates are called for SSB (Services Selection Board) interviews at designated SSB centres across India. Pilot, NAOO, and some other aviation-linked candidates will additionally go through CPSS (Computerized Pilot Selection System), PABT (Pilot Aptitude Battery Test), and Aviation Medical Examinations as applicable. The final merit list is prepared on the basis of SSB marks combined with medical clearance, and appointment is subject to availability of vacancies in the respective entry.

Certain categories of candidates enjoy special entry conditions. Merchant Navy personnel holding a valid Government of India Certificate of Competency as Second Mate, Mate, or Master (Foreign Going) can apply for the Executive Branch and Technical Branch entries under relaxed age provisions, with the specific age bands detailed in the official notification. Candidates holding a valid Commercial Pilot License (CPL) issued by DGCA India may apply for the Pilot entry subject to meeting the eligibility criteria laid down in the notification. NCC C certificate holders are entitled to a 5% relaxation in the cut-off marks for SSB shortlisting, provided their certificate is from the Navy, Army, or Air Wing with at least a B grade, they have served a minimum of two academic years in the Senior Division, and the certificate is not dated prior to 1 July 2024.

Selected candidates will be inducted as Sub Lieutenants and undergo initial training at INA Ezhimala. The probation period for all branches is two years from the date of the grant of Sub Lieutenant rank. Officers commissioned through this recruitment receive Short Service Commission initially valid for 12 years, extendable by a maximum of 2 years, subject to service requirements, satisfactory performance, medical fitness, and willingness. The initial gross salary at the rank of Sub Lieutenant is approximately Rs. 1,20,000 per month, inclusive of all allowances. Officers are also covered under the Naval Group Insurance Scheme (NGIS) both during service and post-retirement. It is important to note that the offer is temporary in nature and does not confer a vested right to appointment; inclusion in the select list or merit list does not constitute final selection.

Candidates must register and submit their applications exclusively through the Indian Navy's official website joinindiannavy.gov.in during the application window of 25 June 2026 to 27 July 2026. To save time during submission, candidates should keep all required documents ready in digital format in advance, including mark sheets, CGPA conversion formula certificate, birth proof, NCC certificate if applicable, and a recent passport size colour photograph in JPG or TIFF format. Once submitted, no amendments or changes to the application will be entertained under any circumstances. Candidates should take a printed copy of the application form and carry it to the SSB interview. Any correspondence regarding change of SSB dates must be directed to the call-up officer of the concerned SSB after receiving the call-up letter, as changes cannot be made through any other means.

Candidates are advised to read the detailed official notification carefully on joinindiannavy.gov.in before applying, verify their eligibility for the specific branch they wish to apply for, and submit their application well before the 27 July 2026 deadline to avoid last-minute technical issues.