Eligibility criteria for Pakistan Army

Eligibility criteria for joining Pakistan Army varies according to the course and corps one is joining. E.g. long course has different criteria than the SSRC (short service regular commission) or DSSC (Direct Short Service Commission). The soldiers induction have different criteria.

On this page, we will try to cover the eligibility criteria for various types of inductions in Pak Army. If you have any questions, you can ask them in the comments. Also, do let us know if you want to suggest any changes or corrections that you find on this page. This includes any error or outdated information.

Eligibility Requirements for PMA (Pakistan Military Academy) Long Course

Selection in long course for PMA are open for all citizens, irrespective of their religion, region, caste or creed. They can join Pakistan Army if they fulfil the following criterion for joining Pak Army.

Nationality

Citizens of Pakistan (including Azad Kashmir domicile holder and State Class-1 citizens).

Gender

Pakistan Army accepts only male candidates for long course.

Females may apply in other courses accepting both males and females like doctors, engineers, software engineers, psychologists, etc. or the one’s accepting females only like nursing. Check out latest openings for each course as they change every 6 months based on requirements.

eligibility critera for joining Pakistan Army

Age requirement for joining Pak Army via long course

  • For civilians having intermediate or equivalent qualification: 17-22 years of age (relaxable for 3 months in both upper and lower age limit).
  • For civilians with 2 years graduate degree: 17-23 years of age.
  • For civilians with 4 years graduate degree: 17-24 years of age.
  • For serving Pak Airforce & Pak Navy personnel: 17-23 years of age.
  • For serving Pak Army personnel: 17-25 years of age.

Marital Status

  • Civilians: unmarried only.
  • Serving armed forces personnel:
    • Unmarried only if 17-19 years of age.
    • Married or unmarried, both eligible, if age 20 or above.

Educational Qualifications required to join PMA long course

Educational requirement is variable, as follows: (don’t stop until you read all requirements, even if you feel like you’re not eligible, there are multiple options available).

  • Minimum 60% marks in Intermediate or equivalent (FSC, FA, ICS, ICOM, etc.) (don’t worry if you’re below 60%, read next line).
  • If 60% marks in Graduation degree, then 50% marks in Intermediate are also eligible.
  • Minimum 55% marks in intermediate or equivalent for the candidates from specified area with domicile, who have been actually studying in same areas:
    • Balolchistan.
    • FATA.
    • Gilgit-Baltistan.
    • District Neelum Azad Jammu Kashmir.
    • District Kohistan.
    • Chitral, Dir.
    • Tehsil Bala Kot (Kaghan, Naran) of District Mansehra in KPK.
    • Tharparker and Tehsil Umer Kot in Sind.
    • District Rajanpur.
    • Area of Cholistan Desert.
    • Drawer Fort.
    • Salamsar.
    • Mojgarh and Dingarh of Punjab.
  • Serving Army Soldiers are eligible if they have 50% marks in Intermediate or equivalent.

Note that the relaxation in minimum marks is for those candidates who have both domicile and education from the listed areas.

Candidates can also apply on the basis of hope certificate, but they need to have 60% marks in the part-1 of intermediate.

Training Period of PMA long Course

Long course lasts for 2 years usually (it can be prolonged or reduced based on special situations and requirements too).

Ineligibility conditions for joining Pak Army via L/C

Anyone not fulfilling above mentioned criteria or having any of the following issues is termed ineligible for joining Pakistan Army through long course. They might still be eligible for joining, based on the issue and how it can be resolved.

  1. Declared medically unfit by Military hospital or Appeal Medical Board
  2. Once enrolled in any Military service (Army, Navy & Air Force) successfully but then left through:
    1. Withdrawal.
    2. Resign.
    3. Discharged.
    4. Dismissed from any academy on the basis of discipline, character, inefficiency, medical, weak profile or declared unsuitable for any reason
    5. Dismissed from any other government service.
    6. Convicted by the court of law for an offence involving moral turpitude. (note: not all convictions deem the person ineligible, so check thoroughly if there is still a chance for you to join Pak Army).

We will keep updating this article for more info. Please ask questions via comments.

204 thoughts on “Eligibility criteria for Pakistan Army”

  1. aoa
    ma bcom base pr apply krna chahta hon bcom m mere 75% marks hain lkn fsc ma 47% to m apply kr skta hon ya nai ?

    Reply
    • ((No)) AAp Apply Nahi Ker Saktay Ho Intermediate Me ager 60% say Less Ho Or 50% Say Above To Khair Hai Laikin 50% Say Kam Nahi Honay Cahahiay AAp k Kam Hain Graduation May 60% Say Ziadia Ya 60% Hona Zaroori Hai AAp K 75% Graduation Me To Hain Laikin AAp Nay Intermediate Me 50% Say Less Leay Hain That Means ((No)) You Are ((Not)) Eligible To Apply For Army Also Read This it’s Also Given Above In Requirement’s For Selection

      Minimum 60% marks in Intermediate or equivalent (FSC, FA, ICS, ICOM, etc.) (don’t worry if you’re below 60%, read next line)
      If 60% marks in Graduation degree, then 50% marks in Intermediate are also eligible

      Reply
          • Any subjects that will give you equivalency to FA, FSc, etc. from Inter Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC).

          • Sir I have done my matric and fsc(pre medical) from fedralboard. I have got 65% marks in matric and 53% marks in fsc(pre medical) and my home town is Islamabad Am I eligible for long course?

        • I am from the UK can I join the pak army if I apply for Pakistan citizenship? My parents are Pakistani and we’re born there however I was born in UK can I still join Pak army I really want to??

          Reply
          • You can join if you get Pakistani nationality. Also, you will have to cancel and give up any non-Pakistani nationality once you have been selected in Pakistan Army.

          • Yes definitely I will give it up, is it definite I will get my Pakistani nationality?
            When I do get my nationality and get into pak army I will definitely give it up

          • You have to get nationality from the government of Pakistan on your own first. Pakistan Army does not give nationalities.

          • Yes I know that Pakistan government gives nationalities, but what I’m saying is, is it definite i will get a citizenship in Pakistan?

          • You will have to check for those requirements from ministry of interior or relevant department. You can start with Pakistan embassy in your city.

          • That’s fine but by any chance do you know the requirements for getting a citizenship?

          • Unfortunately no. Kindly visit your nearest Pakistan embassy and get update from them. Please update us here too so that it helps others too.

          • Yes that’s fine I will. Next year I will go to Pakistan inshallah and see from there where it goes as I’m still working in the Uk.

    • Ma pakistani ho hor ma south africa ma grade 12 li stdy kar raha ho kiaa south africa ma study complete kar ka pak army m admission laa sakta ho ?.

      Reply
  2. My 4 year BS almost complete but my age is higher, im 25 now but will be around 25 and a half after completion.. CAN I APPLY AT AGE 25andhalf ??? i know its higher i can read but i have many cousins in army even my father is major. cant i join on recommendation or some other method?

    Reply
    • What did you do your BS in? Also, why don’t you ask your father to link you to his coursemates who are in service? Why don’t you go for CSS?

      Reply
      • After my graduation from bs psychology my age will be 25 i guess.. Could i still apply for pak army ?

        Reply
  3. The married people is eleigible fo pma long course as commisdion officer?if your answer is no so why cannot join married?

    Reply
    • No they are not eligible currently. I don’t have accurate answer for why it’s not allowed. Maybe because they won’t be able to give time to home if they will remain away from home for 3-4 years.

      Reply
  4. I have completed fsc recently and got 63% marks but I’m 21 years old and in the 4th month of next year I will be 22 and I’m also married please help me.

    Reply
  5. Asalam-o-Aleykum!
    Dear PAKISTAN ARMY my name is SYED MUHAMMAD HASSAN ABBASS ZAIDI
    i belong to hyd,sindh
    my inqujry is that can i apply for pakistan army as i have scored 67% in maticulation.

    Please let ne know about the process because i want to be a PAKISTAN ARMY soldier.

    (thanks)
    waiting for your feedback…..

    Reply
    • For joining as sepoy / solider, go to nearest recruitment center and ask them for next openings.
      For joining as officer, you have to appear in issb after FSC

      Reply
      • Sir mery metric main marks 78% Hain main 2 nd year kr raha hon 1st year main 50% Hain main 2nd year k bad agr main 50% sy 60% bna lon to Kya main 2nd leiutened ky lye apply or sakta hon Mari age March 2020 ko 21 saal ho Jay ge

        Reply
  6. I want to go for long course but beside this I wan to do do engineering from NUST throuh Army. Is it possible or has the army such kinds of facilities to facilitate who want to study further with job

    Reply
    • Once you join army, you do not have a choice to choose what you want to do or which field you want to keep. Army will decide it for you.

      Reply
  7. sir A.o.a i need your help i will be very thankful to you sir
    meray F.S.C may 50% marks haien but i wanna go to army as a commission but his requrnments is 60% in f.S.C what can i do kya may as a soldier jwn to phr 50% marks kay zaryae may commission kay liae apply ker sakta hn plz txt me 03005493416 ap ka shuker guzar rahun gah

    Reply
    • No bhai. Aap repeat kro fsc ya phir BA kr k ajao (check it’s marks requirements too).
      Never think that you can become an officer after joining as a soldier. Chance is very less.

      Reply
    • Ap ne long course ki percentage requirement check ki hain? Please see if they allow this percentage for your domicile.

      Reply
  8. Ager mai abi solder barti hojao to kaya mai commission apply ker sakta hun
    Or age limits kaya hongi .ager mai army mai solder hun to mai kitni umer tak cimmusion applt ker sakta hu

    Reply
    • Soldiers k liay bohat kam chance hota ha comission apply krny ka. Apki unit kay officer ki mrzi hoti ha woh apko allow kry ya na kry. Aor phir us k baad us k senior, phir us k senior ki. In mai se koi bhi mana kr de to ap ko allow nhi kia jay ga.

      Reply
  9. Sir Pak army mein Soldiers k ilawa koi post bata dain jis mein #Married log apply kr skkty hun ?
    Mari age 19 saal se km hi h ( married )
    Inter ( DAE Civil ) pass kiya hai with 77 percent marks .
    My passion is to become an Army Officer.
    I want to apply in pma long course.But now i came to know that married people can’t join pma long course.
    So plz guide me what can I do ??????

    Reply
  10. Sir I have done o levels n I scored 68% marks in olevel but in fsc i scored 57% marks so can i apply in pak Army plz

    Reply
  11. Aslamoalikum…!
    i’ve got 89% in intermediate…
    no, doing BS honrs (4YDP)
    semester 5th is going on….
    age is 23…

    m i eligible for joinning ARMY as a psychologist after 2 years?
    (as.. ill be 25 afterward…)

    jazakALLAHu khyr… 🙂

    Reply
    • Walaikum Assalam.
      When you complete your BS psychology, you will have to check for opened positions for psychologists in Pakistan army and apply accordingly.
      This year only males are being inducted with MA/MSc psychology in general & clinical psychology.

      Reply
  12. AOA. Sir i’m the student of b.com and got 55% marks in it moreover i’ve got 51% in fsc …. i’m from Kashmir MAND SUDHNOTI am i eligible for long course??

    Reply
    • Yes. Females can join in various departments depending upon opening in those days like doctor, nursing, computer engineers, etc.

      However females can’t join in fighting arms.

      Reply
    • Eye sight is not always an issue, go with your latest checked vision number glasses. However flat foot is an issue for selection.

      Reply
    • Clerk in army is not an officer post. You apply as regular clerk in sepoy inductions.

      Long course or graduate course are for officer ranks.

      Reply
  13. Salaam I am student of First year pre_ medical. My age is 16. Can I apply for Army or any place in Pak army.

    Reply
  14. I’m 30 years old currently doing MBA want to join for long course, am I eligible for this. Many thanks in advance.

    Reply
    • No. First of all, 30 years if far above than the long course upper age limit currently.

      Secondly, currently Pakistan Army doesn’t provide long course for females.

      Reply
  15. asalam o alikum sir can you tell me that if a person has very small lymph nodes in neck for years then is he medically fit

    Reply
    • You should get it checked first. Not only for army but for yourself too. As it can be anything. So get yourself treated.

      Reply
  16. sir doctors have checked it one year ago and also taken the ultrasound and said that it is nothing to worry about so will it be ok for army medical test…

    Reply
  17. Sir is it okay if i directly join Pakistan Army because i am living in UAE and i am a Pakistani national?

    And can you tell me the subjects required?

    Reply
    • Training depends on course. Long course training is 2 years.
      Training is of standard military difficulty level.

      Reply
  18. Sir can I apply for army. I have done fsc pre engnering from federal board with 58 percent marks

    Reply
  19. AOA sir im doing alevels.. Nd ive adopted humanity subjects in alevels.. So after alevels can i join pak army in another post not in medical?

    Reply
    • You can apply in Army on the basis of equivalency certificate from Inter Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC). So your qualification and eligibility will be based on that certificate. Please contact your nearest board office or selection centre for more info.

      Reply
    • Age limit to apply for long course on the basis of F.A is 17 to 22 years (plus 3 months relaxation in both upper and lower limit)

      Reply
    • Currently only specialist doctor can join as a major. All other officers have to join army at a junior rank (2nd lieutenant or captain) and then get promoted to major.

      Reply
  20. AOA..Sir I want to confirm that is there any possibilty to apply directly as captain on masters base if it is then pell tell me the required merit and limit of age

    Reply
    • Yes. You can check if you are eligible to join in any existing categories. For example in Army education corps or as a psychologist etc (depending upon your graduation subjects).

      Reply
  21. AOA..Sir I want to confirm that is there any possibilty to apply directly as captain on masters base if it is then please tell me the required merit and limit of age

    Reply
    • Yes there are many options to join Pakistan Army as a captain on the basis of masters. Which field did you do the masters in? What’s your exact qualification?

      Reply
  22. sir me Fsc (pre med) kr rhe hn r decmbr me hna wla pak army ka test dena chahte hn
    me us test ki details nae janti kia ap bta skty usk bary me kuch

    Reply
  23. A.o.a sir I have done fsc pre medical and got 794 marks in it in which field of army I am eligible ! And how can I apply for this plz help me !!

    Reply
    • You can apply in Pakistan army as medical cadet to become a doctor. Or you can also join Army as a nurse.

      Reply
    • Army accepts equivalency certificate of Inter Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC) of Pakistan for any foreign education. Any system that is accepted by them can get equivalency from them and the marks given by IBCC on the certificate are considered by Army.

      Reply
    • Your domicile is from which region? If it is from relaxation areas then you can apply. However if you do no belong to any area with relaxation, then you need 60% marks.

      Reply
  24. Aoa
    i am issb repeater.
    may nay PMA143 apply kya tha, kuch reasons ke waja sy PMA145 may apply nhi krskta. PMA146 may apply karunga. beech ka itna gap koi issue to nahi karay ga, or fresh kehlaonga ya nhi. please guide me.

    Reply
  25. AOA I got 59.6% and one of my teacher said i can give additional subject then try with that additional subject by replacing that subject COmputer with CHEMISTRY then go and apply. Is that is possible ? waiting for your reply THANKYOU!

    Reply
        • Ok no, you are not eligible for waiver in percentage. You have to improve the marks and then apply with 60%+ aggregate.
          Only wards of shuhada & people of specified regions are allowed lesser percentage up to 55%.

          Reply
  26. hello sir, i wanted to apply on the bases of hope certificate of intermediate part 1 but due to some reasons i got 57% but my percentage in matric is 77%.
    So can you guide me what am i supposed to do?

    Reply
    • If you are from selected places where 55% is allowed, like Balochistan, Gilgit, etc. then you can apply on these marks. Otherwise you have to apply after improving your marks.

      Reply
  27. I have 58.34% marks in intermediate (ics) and 71.18% marks in Matric science
    i am eligible for any course????

    Reply
    • If your domicile is of selected areas where 55% marks in FA are allowed, then you can apply for long course.

      Reply
  28. hello sir, i wanted to apply on the bases of hope certificate of intermediate part 1 but due to some reasons i got 57% but my percentage in matric is 77%.
    and also i am from Balochistan
    so can u guide what to do?

    Reply
    • If you have domicile of Balochistan and other selected areas, then you can apply for 55% marks in FA for long course of PMA.

      Reply
  29. I was born in Canada but I live in Pakistan as a citizen , can I join PMA long course after getting the required marks in fsc? Also I wear glasses , so can I join. PMA long course?

    Reply
    • If you have Pakistani Nationality then yes you can join. However you will have to surrender your foreign nationality after successful selection in Pakistan Army.

      Reply
  30. Asalamualikum sir! I have completed my o levels from pre engineering and my equivalent percentage is 68 percent, I’m currently doing fsc pre engineering and I am in second year. My first year percentage is 68.36 percent. The issue is that my eye sight is not 6/6 and I wear glasses. So kindly let me know that are there any posts for females with fsc pre engineering in Pakistan army? Also, am I eligible for giving ISSB after the completion of my intermediate?

    Reply
    • For eye sight: You can apply if you have 6/6 vision with glasses.

      For applying, you have to check for advertisements and requirements when you’re applying, as they change from time to time and not every advertisement includes females seats.

      Females are not selected in fighting arms in Pakistan Army currently.

      Reply
  31. I got 65% in Matric .but 48% in Intermediate . Can i join Pak Army as a Commision Officer ? And I aslo wanna join Pak Special Service Group In future.

    Reply
  32. Pre medical of fsc student can apply for pak force my BMI is 10.3 age 18 height 5.4 and weight 60 so tell me I am feat or not please reply me

    Reply
    • Your bmi as per your weight and height is 22.7
      Where did you calculate it and found it to be 10.3?
      And are you applying for soldier or officer?

      Reply
  33. i had a surgery on my left ankle and have a rod placed there. will i be eligible to join the army with such condition? (i am fully fit and the surgery hasn’t affected my physical activities)

    Reply
    • You will be referred to surgeon or orthopaedics surgeon for opinion. For confirmation, you can visit a surgeon or orthopaedics surgeon in your nearest CMH for opinion before you apply.

      Reply
  34. hey sir i need your help baldly and within few hours.today is the last day of registration.i want to apply for L/c on the bases of BS, there age limit is 24 years and i am of 24years 1month and 20 days.Is there any relaxation ?i have heard from someone that they give relaxation up to 3 month.isn’t it

    Reply
  35. sir i have a question, i did my matric with 58.63 percent of marks ….can i still apply for pak army as a soldier.humble request that please reply.Warm regards

    Reply

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