The Ministry of Defence, Government of India, has approved the expansion of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) as per the Government Sanction Letter No. 8/20/2024-D (GS-VI) dated 01 July 2024. As part of this expansion, the Directorate General National Cadet Corps (DGNCC) will be hiring Ex-Servicemen (ESM) in the ranks of Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) and Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs – Havildars) on a contractual basis to serve as Principal Instructor (PI) Staff.
The positions are available across several States and Union Territories, with the objective of strengthening the instructional and training capacity of the NCC.
OBJECTIVE OF NCC HIRING
The hiring of Ex-Servicemen as instructors is part of a strategic effort to expand, strengthen, and professionalise NCC training nationwide.
The inducted ESM will utilise their military experience, leadership skills, and disciplinary ethos to train NCC cadets and contribute to shaping future leaders of the nation. Recruitment will be undertaken against specific vacancies notified by various NCC State Directorates.
REQUIREMENT OF HIRING
Ex-Servicemen will be hired as Contractual Principal Instructor (PI) Staff across all NCC State Directorates, as per the officially notified state-wise vacancy distribution under the NCC Expansion Plan (Total 666 vacancies).
HIRING PROCEDURE
The hiring process for ESM as NCC instructors will be carried out at State Directorate level and will involve the following stages:
1. Application Submission
Interested candidates must submit their applications:
- Online (mandatory for Bihar & Jharkhand and Uttarakhand),
- By e-mail, and
- By post to the concerned State Directorate.
All supporting documents must be scanned and uploaded as a single PDF (photograph as separate PDF).
For Bihar & Jharkhand and Uttarakhand, the total size of uploaded documents must not exceed 5 MB.
Applicants must retain a printout of the submitted application for interview.
2. Screening
A Board of Officers at the respective State Directorate will screen applications to verify:
- Eligibility conditions
- Educational and course qualifications
- Age limits
- Service and discipline record
Candidates must submit:
- Medical Fitness Certificate issued at the time of release from Army, and
- A current Medical Fitness Certificate from OIC ECHS / Civil Surgeon.
3. Interview
Shortlisted candidates will be called for interview at locations and dates notified by the respective State Directorates (tentatively January–February 2026). Interview call letters will be issued via email.
4. Document Verification
Candidates qualifying the interview will undergo detailed document verification.
A Police Verification Certificate is mandatory and must be produced on the interview date.
5. Selection
Final selection will be carried out by the Board of Officers based on merit.
A Reserve List (20%) will also be prepared for each category.
6. Contract Agreement
Selected candidates will receive an appointment letter and will sign a contractual agreement specifying:
- Pay and allowances
- Duration of engagement
- Place of posting
- Duties and responsibilities
7. Induction
After signing the contract, selected ESM will join their allotted NCC units on the specified date.
8. Probation
All ESM instructors will undergo a mandatory probation period of three months.
During probation, services may be terminated if the individual is found medically unfit, undisciplined, or unsuitable for imparting training.
HOW TO APPLY
- Application must be submitted in the prescribed format (Annexure-I).
- Candidates applying for Bihar & Jharkhand and Uttarakhand must apply online compulsorily.
- All applicants must also send applications by email and post to the concerned State Directorate as per Appendix-A.
📅 Last Date for Submission of Application
20 January 2026
Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
Applicants must attach the following documents:
- Duly filled Application Form (Annexure-I)
- Self-attested Aadhaar Card
- Permanent & Present Address Proof
- PPO copy
- Character Certificate from last Army unit
- Army / Civil Course Certificates (if any)
- Medical Fitness Certificate at release
- Current Medical Fitness Certificate (ECHS / Civil Surgeon)
- EPF Form-11 (Annexure-II)
- Insurance Declaration – AGIF (Annexure-III)
- Pt II Orders of Honours / Awards (if any)
- Passport size photograph (≤ 50 KB)
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR ESM FOR NCC INSTRUCTORS
Service Requirements
- JCO Posts: Subedar / Naib Subedar
- NCO Posts: Havildar
- ESM from all Arms & Services of the Army are eligible.
⚠ MACP Clarification:
MACP rank holders will be considered only against their substantive retired rank.
Educational & Course Qualifications (IMPORTANT)
Preference will be given to ESM who have served as instructors in Category ‘A’ or ‘B’ Training Establishments / Regimental Centres or possess ‘I’ grading in professional courses.
Recognised / Preferred Army Courses:
- Platoon Commander Course
- Section Commander Course (or equivalent)
- Troop Commander Course (or equivalent)
- LDCT / LGSC / UI Course
- Drill Course
- Weapon Training Course
- Ghatak Course
- ATGM Course
- Sniper Course
- Mortar Course
- MMG & AGL Course
- Anti-Tank Course
- All Arms Signal Course
- ADP Course
- D&M Course
- QM Course
- Any other relevant Army professional courses (including EDP)
Gap in Service
- Gap between retirement and hiring must not exceed 3 years
- Retirement date must be on or after 31 March 2023
Discipline
- Not more than one Red Ink in entire service
- No Red Ink in last five years
- Character at discharge must be Exemplary
Personnel discharged under AR 13 / 13A / 14 / AA 45, or for moral turpitude or financial irregularities, are ineligible.
Medical Category
- Must be SHAPE-1 at discharge
- No history of Alcohol Dependence Syndrome / ‘S’ category
- Must be physically fit and non-obese
TERMS & CONDITIONS FOR ENGAGEMENT
Categories
- Contractual Instructor Staff (Retd JCO)
- Contractual Instructor Staff (Retd NCO)
Tenure & Age
- Contract: 2–3 years + 11 months extension
- Maximum age:
- 56 years – JCO
- 54 years – NCO
Pay & Allowances
- JCO: ₹45,000 per month (fixed, all-inclusive)
- NCO: ₹35,000 per month (fixed, all-inclusive)
- Annual increment: 3%
Other Conditions
- EPF not applicable
- No pension liability
- AGIF extended insurance mandatory
- Accommodation & uniform: Self-arranged
- Leave: 1.5 days per month (max 9 days at a time)
- Mandatory induction training: 14–21 days
👉ECHS websites: explore health benefits, smart cards, & claims for ESM
CONCLUSION
The hiring of Ex-Servicemen as Contractual Principal Instructor Staff under the NCC Expansion Plan offers a prestigious second-career opportunity for retired JCOs and NCOs. By utilising their experience and discipline, the NCC aims to build a stronger, more professional training environment and nurture disciplined, patriotic youth for the nation.
Eligible Ex-Servicemen are advised to apply well before 20 January 2026 after carefully verifying their eligibility and documentation.
Q1. Who can apply for NCC PI Staff posts?
Ex-Servicemen Havildar, Naib Subedar, and Subedar retired on or after 31 March 2023.
Q2. Is MACP rank eligible?
No. Only substantive retired rank is considered.
Q3. Is this a permanent job?
No. It is a contractual appointment with fixed remuneration.
Q4. What is the last date to apply?
20 January 2026.
Q5. Is pension affected after joining NCC?
No. This job does not affect existing defence pension.
