Indian Navy SSC Officer Eligibility Criteria 2026, Check Age Limit & Educational Qualification

Indian Navy SSC Officer Eligibility Criteria 2026: The Indian Navy has recently released a new notification for the SSC Officer Recruitment 2026 (January 2027 Course), offering a prestigious opportunity for unmarried men and women to join as commissioned officers. The recruitment drive covers 260 vacancies across the Executive, Technical, and Education branches, with the online application window open from January 24 to February 24, 2026. Candidates must carefully review the branch-specific age limits—generally ranging from 19 to 25 years—and educational requirements, which typically include a BE/B.Tech with 60% marks or relevant postgraduate degree. Ensure you meet the medical and nationality standards before applying through the official portal at joinindiannavy.gov.in.

Indian Navy SSC Officer Eligibility Criteria 2026 Overview

The Indian Navy SSC Officer application process is open for unmarried male and female candidates for Short Service Commission (SSC) for courses commencing from January 2026 at Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala, Kerala. The major highlights of the Indian Navy SSC Officer Eligibility Criteria 2026 are tabulated below for the ease of the candidates.

Indian Navy SSC Officer Eligibility Criteria 2026

There are various parameters associated with the Indian Navy SSC Officer Eligibility Criteria 2026 including age limit, educational qualification, nationality, and other related factors. If candidates fail to fulfil any of the eligibility conditions or enter false details in their application form, then their candidature will be cancelled. Check the complete details of the Indian Navy SSC Officer Eligibility Criteria 2026 in terms of qualification, nationality, etc, shared below for reference purposes.

Indian Navy SSC Officer Age Limit 2026

The Indian Navy SSC Officer age limit is an important component of the eligibility criteria. Candidates must meet the prescribed age limit for different posts. Failing to meet this criterion will result in disqualification. Check the detailed Indian Navy SSC Officer age limit 2026 for all the posts tabulated below:

Indian Navy SSC Officer Educational Qualification 2026

Educational Qualification is crucial in the Indian Navy SSC Officer Eligibility Criteria 2026. Candidates who hold graduation/ post-graduation degree or are in the final year with at least 60% marks in aggregate or equivalent CGPA or those who have a degree in Engineering with 60% marks in aggregate or equivalent CGPA/System from any foreign university/ college/ institution are eligible to apply. Check the Indian Navy SSC Officer Educational Qualification 2026 for all the posts below:

Note: Candidates applying for the Education entry must have obtained at least 60% marks in class X and class XII, and at least 60% in English in class X or XII.

Indian Navy SSC Officer Eligibility Criteria 2026 for Merchant Navy Personnel

The Indian Navy SSC Officer Eligibility Criteria 2026 for Merchant Navy Personnel are shared below.

• Candidates with a Government of India, Ministry of Shipping & Transport Certificate of Competency (Foreign going) as Second Mate, Mate, or Master, born between 02 Jan 1996 and 01 Jul 2006, can apply for Executive Branch (General Service).

• Candidates with a 1st class Engineer of a steamship Certificate of Competency, born between 02 Jan 1996 and 01 Jul 2006, can apply for the Technical Branch (SSC Engineering).

Indian Navy SSC Officer Eligibility Criteria 2026 for Commercial Pilot License (CPL) Holders

Candidates with a valid CPL issued by DGCA (India), born between 02 Jan 2001 and 01 Jan 2007, are eligible for the Pilot entry.

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Indian Navy SSC Officer Eligibility Criteria 2026 for NCC Candidates

NCC 'C' certificate holders get a 5% relaxation in cut-off marks for shortlisting, subject to:

• Having an NCC ‘C’ certificate from the Naval/Army/Air Wing with a minimum 'B' grade.

• Serving at least two academic years in the Senior Division of NCC.

• ‘C’ certificate should not be dated before 01 Jan 2023.

Indian Navy SSC Officer Nationality 2026

Along with fulfilling the Indian Navy SSC officer eligibility criteria 2026 in terms of age, qualification, etc, candidates must ensure that they hold a certain nationality/citizenship when applying for the post. As per the official notification, unmarried male and female candidates must be citizens of India when applying for the Indian Navy SSC Officer Recruitment 2026.

Indian Navy SSC Officer Eligibility Criteria 2026 Miscellaneous

Some of the miscellaneous points associated with the Indian Navy SSC Officer Eligibility Criteria 2026 are shared below.

• NCC ‘C’ Naval/Army/Air Wing certificate with minimum ‘B’ Grade.

• Not worked less than two academic years in the Senior Division, Naval/Army/Air Wing of the NCC.

• The date of the ‘C’ certificate should not be prior to 01 Jan 2023.

• Aspirants must satisfy all the Indian Navy SSC Officer educational qualifications prescribed above before joining INA.

• Those who fail to fulfil the qualification will not be allowed to join INA, Ezhimala.

• All SSB-recommended aspirants must communicate their final results of their respective qualifying degrees to the Indian Navy at the email ID officer@navy.gov.in.

• Only one application can be submitted by the aspirant.

• The prescribed number of aspirants based on service requirements who have selected SSC (Pilot) entry will be taken into consideration for the SSB/CPSS/Aviation Medical Examination. They must go through the physical/medical standards (Height, leg length, etc) for this entry before choosing the option. Other aspirants will be taken into consideration for other preferences selected by them.

Indian Navy SSC Officer Eligibility Criteria 2026 Documents Required

All the candidates aspiring to apply for the Indian Navy SSC Officer recruitment must fill out the form with correct details regarding their age, qualification, etc. Failure to fulfil any of the Indian Navy SSC Officer eligibility criteria will lead to dismissal of their candidature. They are required to attach the following documents to prove their Indian Navy SSC Officer eligibility claims as shared below.

• Marks sheets up to the 5th & 7th semesters for regular and integrated BE/ B.Tech courses, respectively, and all semesters for other degree exams.

• Proof of date of birth (as per 10th and 12th certificate)

• CGPA conversion formula for BE/ B.Tech

• Merchant Navy certificate provided by Government of India, Ministry of Shipping and Transport

• NCC ‘C’ certificate given by the National Cadet Corps

• Latest passport-size color photograph in original JPG/TIFF format

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