The Directorate of Manpower Planning & Recruitment, Naval Headquarters, New Delhi has officially released the notification for Indian Navy Agniveer (Apprentice) Recruitment 2026 for the 01/2027 and 02/2027 batches under the Agnipath Scheme. The recruitment is open exclusively for unmarried Indian male candidates holding a 3-year Engineering or Electrical diploma from an AICTE-recognised Polytechnic Institute.
Applications are online only at joinindiannavy.gov.in from 05 June 2026 (10:00 hrs) to 29 June 2026 (17:00 hrs). The entry test is INET 2/2026. Selected Agniveers serve for 4 years with a monthly package starting at ₹30,000, rising to ₹40,000 by Year 4, plus a Seva Nidhi corpus of ₹10.04 Lakh and a ₹48 Lakh non-contributory life insurance cover. Training commences at INS Chilka, Odisha.
- Organisation: Indian Navy, Naval HQ
- Advertisement: INET 2/2026
- Apply: 05–29 June 2026
- Qualification: Diploma (Engg/Electrical)
- Gender: Unmarried Male Only
- Salary: ₹30,000–₹40,000/month
- Seva Nidhi: ₹10.04 Lakh
- Training: INS Chilka, Odisha
- Portal: joinindiannavy.gov.in
Quick Stats
- Last Date: 29 June 2026
- Batches: 01 & 02/2027
- Monthly Pay: ₹30k–₹40k
- Seva Nidhi: ₹10.04 Lakh
- Life Cover: ₹48 Lakh
- Service Tenure: 4 Years
1. Complete Recruitment Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Indian Navy, Directorate of Manpower Planning & Recruitment, Naval Headquarters, New Delhi |
| Post Name | Agniveer (Apprentice) — 01/2027 Batch & 02/2027 Batch |
| Advertisement | INET 2/2026 — Published in Employment News dated 6–12 June 2026 |
| Scheme | Agnipath Scheme — Govt. of India — Enrolled under Navy Act 1957 |
| Streams | Engineering (Marine, Mechanical, Mechatronics, etc.) & Electrical (Electrical, Electronics & Communication, etc.) |
| Gender & Marital Status | Unmarried Indian Male only — marriage not permitted during the entire 4-year tenure |
| Educational Qualification | Matriculation (10th) with min. 50% marks + 3-year Diploma from AICTE-recognised Polytechnic with min. 50% marks in Engineering/Electrical stream |
| Age — 01/2027 Batch | Born between 01 December 2004 and 31 May 2009 (both dates inclusive) |
| Age — 02/2027 Batch | Born between 01 May 2005 and 31 October 2009 (both dates inclusive) |
| INET 2/2026 Eligibility | Candidates born between 01 Dec 2004 and 31 Oct 2009 can appear for INET 2/2026 |
| Application Window | 05 June 2026 (10:00 hrs) to 29 June 2026 (17:00 hrs) — Online only at joinindiannavy.gov.in |
| Correction Window | 06 July 2026 (tentative) |
| Application Fee | ₹550 + 18% GST — Online payment only. CSC route: ₹80 + GST. No category waiver. |
| Stage I Exam (INET) | August 2026 (tentative) — CBT, 100 questions, 1 hour, negative marking |
| Induction — 01/2027 | December 2026 (tentative) — INS Chilka, Odisha |
| Induction — 02/2027 | May 2027 (tentative) — INS Chilka, Odisha |
| Service Tenure | 4 Years. Up to 25% of each batch may be offered permanent enrolment as Sailors (Regular Cadre) at discretion of Indian Navy |
| Monthly Package | ₹30,000 (Year 1) → ₹33,000 → ₹36,500 → ₹40,000 (Year 4); 70% in-hand, 30% to Corpus Fund |
| Seva Nidhi Corpus | ₹10.04 Lakh on completion (₹5.02L own + ₹5.02L Govt. contribution) — tax-exempt |
| Life Insurance | Non-contributory ₹48 Lakh cover; Ex-gratia ₹44 Lakh for service death; Disability: ₹44/25/15 Lakh |
| Official Website | joinindiannavy.gov.in |
2. Important Dates — Complete Recruitment Timeline
All dates are tentative. Exact dates will be published on the Candidate Registration Portal at joinindiannavy.gov.in. Check your dashboard and registered email regularly for updates.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Window OPEN — INET 2/2026 | 05 June – 29 June 2026 (17:00 hrs) |
| Correction Window | 06 July 2026 (tentative) |
| Stage I — INET 2/2026 Computer Based Test | August 2026 (tentative) |
| INET Result & Shortlisting for 01/2027 Batch | End Aug/Early Sep 2026 → Call-up letters: Sep 2026 |
| Stage II — PFT + Written Exam + Medical (01/2027 Batch) | October 2026 (tentative) |
| Induction at INS Chilka — 01/2027 Batch | December 2026 (tentative) |
| Shortlisting for 02/2027 Batch | February 2027 (tentative) |
| Stage II — PFT + Written Exam + Medical (02/2027 Batch) | March 2027 (tentative) |
| Induction at INS Chilka — 02/2027 Batch | May 2027 (tentative) |
⚠️ Important: All dates are tentative. Do not rely on third-party sources — check joinindiannavy.gov.in and your registered email regularly.
3. Eligibility Criteria — Education, Age & Marital Status
Educational Qualification
Required: Matriculation + 3-Year Diploma (both with minimum 50% marks).
- Matriculation (Class 10): Minimum 50% marks in aggregate from a Board recognised by the Ministry of Education, Government of India.
- 3-Year Diploma: Minimum 50% marks in aggregate from an AICTE-recognised Polytechnic Institute in one of the listed Engineering or Electrical streams.
Engineering Stream — Accepted Diploma Trades
| S.No. | Diploma Discipline (Engineering Stream) |
|---|---|
| 1 | Marine Engineering & Systems |
| 2 | Mechanical Engineering |
| 3 | Production / Automobile Engineering |
| 4 | Refrigeration & Air Conditioning (RAC) |
| 5 | Repair & Maintenance Engineering |
| 6 | Power Plant Engineering |
| 7 | Industrial / Production Maintenance Engineering |
| 8 | Machine / Manufacturing Technology |
| 9 | Mechatronics |
| 10 | Metallurgy |
| 11 | Instrumentation Engineering |
| 12 | Electronics Instrumentation & Control Engineering |
Electrical Stream — Accepted Diploma Trades
| S.No. | Diploma Discipline (Electrical Stream) |
|---|---|
| 1 | Electrical Engineering |
| 2 | Electronics & Communication Engineering |
| 3 | Instrumentation Technology |
| 4 | Electronics Engineering |
| 5 | Electrical & Electronics Engineering |
| 6 | Electronics Instrumentation & Control Engineering |
Age Limit — Batch-wise
| Batch | Date of Birth Window (Both Dates Inclusive) |
|---|---|
| 01/2027 Batch | 01 December 2004 to 31 May 2009 |
| 02/2027 Batch | 01 May 2005 to 31 October 2009 |
| INET 2/2026 Combined Window | 01 Dec 2004 to 31 Oct 2009 — appear once; shortlisted for respective batch at Stage II |
⚠️ Marital Status: Only unmarried Indian male candidates are eligible. Agniveers are strictly prohibited from marrying during the 4-year tenure. A candidate who marries during service, or who was found to be already married despite submitting an unmarried certificate, will be dismissed from service.
4. Pay Package, Seva Nidhi & Benefits
The monthly package increases each year. Of the total monthly package, 70% is paid in-hand and 30% is deposited into the Agniveer Corpus Fund. The Government matches the candidate’s corpus contribution rupee-for-rupee. On completion of 4 years, the entire corpus (candidate’s + Govt. share) is paid out as the Seva Nidhi package — tax-exempt. There is no gratuity and no pension entitlement.
| Year | Monthly Package | In-Hand (70%) | Corpus Deduction (30%) | Govt. Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ₹30,000 | ₹21,000 | ₹9,000 | ₹9,000 |
| Year 2 | ₹33,000 | ₹23,100 | ₹9,900 | ₹9,900 |
| Year 3 | ₹36,500 | ₹25,550 | ₹10,950 | ₹10,950 |
| Year 4 | ₹40,000 | ₹28,000 | ₹12,000 | ₹12,000 |
| Total Seva Nidhi | — | — | ₹5.02 Lakh | ₹5.02 Lakh |
Total Seva Nidhi Payout = ₹5.02 Lakh (Own) + ₹5.02 Lakh (Govt.) = ₹10.04 Lakh
Paid out tax-free on completion of 4-year tenure. No pension. No gratuity.
Additional Benefits
- Life Insurance: Non-contributory cover of ₹48 Lakh for the entire engagement period — no premium deducted.
- Death Ex-Gratia: One-time ex-gratia of ₹44 Lakh for death attributable to service, in addition to Seva Nidhi.
- Disability Compensation: ₹44 Lakh (100%), ₹25 Lakh (75%), or ₹15 Lakh (50%) based on disability percentage.
- Leave Entitlement: 30 days leave per year plus sick leave as per medical advice.
- Medical Facilities: Medical care at service hospitals + CSD (Canteen Stores Department) facilities during engagement.
- Allowances: Risk & Hardship, Dress, and Travel Allowances in addition to the base monthly package.
After 4 Years: Up to 25% of each batch will be offered the chance to apply for permanent enrolment as Sailors (Regular Cadre) in the Indian Navy — entirely at the Navy’s discretion. Agniveers cannot demand this as a right.
5. Exam Pattern — Stage I INET & Stage II Written Test
Separate papers are set for Engineering and Electrical entries. The exam is conducted in both Hindi and English.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| English & General Awareness | 25 | 25 | General |
| Science | 25 | 25 | Diploma Level |
| Mathematics | 25 | 25 | Diploma Level |
| Trade Specific (Diploma) | 25 | 25 | Diploma/Trade |
| Total | 100 | 100 | — |
Key Exam Rules:
- Duration: 1 hour; Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT), Multiple Choice, Bilingual (Hindi & English).
- Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer — avoid random guessing.
- Must pass each section individually AND in aggregate.
- Separate papers for Engineering and Electrical streams — choose your stream carefully at application stage.
- Candidates arriving 30 or more minutes after reporting time will NOT be permitted entry.
- NCC ‘C’ Certificate holders and Sponsor candidates are exempt from Stage I INET and receive direct call-up letters for Stage II.
6. Selection Process — Stage I to Final Induction
- Stage I — Indian Navy Entrance Test (INET 2/2026): Computer-based test of 100 questions in 1 hour. Sections: English & GA, Science, Maths, Trade-Specific. Negative marking 0.25 per wrong answer. Must clear both section-wise and aggregate cut-offs. State-wise merit prepared. NCC ‘C’ and Sponsor candidates directly proceed to Stage II.
- Shortlisting & Call-up Letters: Based on INET 2/2026 state-wise merit, candidates are shortlisted separately for the 01/2027 batch (Sep 2026) and 02/2027 batch (Feb 2027). Merit and cut-offs vary by state and by batch.
- Stage II — Physical Fitness Test (PFT): Qualifying is mandatory. Requirements: 1.6 km run in 6 minutes 30 seconds, 20 squats (Uthak Baithak), 15 push-ups, and 15 bent-knee sit-ups. Candidates who do not qualify PFT are not permitted to appear for the Stage II written exam.
- Stage II — Written Examination: Same format as INET (100 questions, 1 hour, negative marking), conducted only for PFT qualifiers. This is the final merit-determining written test.
- Recruitment Medical Examination: Minimum height 157 cm, uncorrected vision 6/12 each eye (correctable to 6/6), colour perception CP Pass. Permanent tattoos permitted only on the inner forearm and back of hand. Ear and body piercing not permitted.
- Pre-Enrolment Medicals & Induction at INS Chilka: Final medical examination and document verification at INS Chilka, Odisha before formal induction. If any details on the online application form do not match original documents, candidature is cancelled at this stage.
Physical standards summary: Run 1.6 km in ≤ 6:30 min | 20 Squats | 15 Push-ups | 15 Sit-ups | Height ≥ 157 cm | Vision 6/12 (Uncorrected).
7. How to Apply Online — Step-by-Step Guide
Applications are accepted online only at joinindiannavy.gov.in. No offline or postal applications are accepted. Apply well before the last date of 29 June 2026 (17:00 hrs).
- Visit Official Website & Register as AVR (Apprentice) — Go to joinindiannavy.gov.in. Click “Register” and select the category AVR (Apprentice). Fill in basic details to create your login credentials (Registration ID and Password). Note them down safely.
- Login & Select INET 2/2026 — Click Login as AVR (Apprentice) — INET 2/26. Select the correct stream (Engineering or Electrical) and batch preference. Fill the complete application form with personal, educational, and contact details. Verify every entry against your original documents.
- Upload Photograph (Live Capture via Webcam) — A live photograph is captured through your webcam while you fill the form — ensure you are in proper lighting with a plain background. Also upload a recent passport-size colour photograph taken not before May 2026, sized 10 KB to 50 KB, with the date printed at the bottom.
- Pay Application Fee — Pay ₹550 + 18% GST online via Net Banking, Debit Card (Visa/Master/RuPay), Credit Card, or UPI. Alternatively, apply through a Common Service Centre (CSC) at ₹80 + GST. Fee paid is non-refundable. Your admit card is issued only after successful fee payment.
- Submit & Print Confirmation — Review all details carefully before final submission. After submission, print the confirmation page and save a PDF copy. Also download your admit card for the INET exam after it is generated on the portal.
8. Documents Required — Online Application & INS Chilka Induction
Keep scanned copies ready for the online form. Carry original documents to INS Chilka at the time of induction. Any mismatch leads to cancellation of candidature.
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Matriculation Certificate & Marksheet | Class 10 — proof of DOB + 50% marks |
| Diploma Certificate & All Marksheets | 3-year AICTE diploma — all semester marksheets |
| Domicile/Residence Certificate | State domicile from competent authority |
| Recent Passport-Size Photographs | Taken after May 2026, date printed at bottom, 10–50 KB |
| Call-up Letter cum Admit Card | INET admit card + Stage II call-up letter |
| Unmarried Certificate | Self-declaration of unmarried status |
| NCC ‘C’ Certificate | If held — exempts from INET Stage I |
| Sponsorship Certificate | If applicable — direct Stage II exemption |
| Police Verification Form | Verified by Superintendent of Police of your jurisdiction |
⚠️ Critical: Fill the online application form with exactly the same details as in your original documents. Discrepancies found at INS Chilka during pre-enrolment verification will result in immediate cancellation of candidature, even after qualifying all earlier stages.
9. Official Links
- Apply Online / Official Portal — joinindiannavy.gov.in (INET 2/2026)
- Official Notification PDF — Agniveer (Apprentice) 01/2027 & 02/2027 Batch
10. Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the difference between the 01/2027 and 02/2027 batches — should I apply for both?
You apply once through INET 2/2026. Based on your date of birth, you will be considered for the appropriate batch. 01/2027 Batch: born between 01 Dec 2004 and 31 May 2009 — Stage II in Oct 2026, induction Dec 2026. 02/2027 Batch: born between 01 May 2005 and 31 Oct 2009 — Stage II in Mar 2027, induction May 2027. Candidates born between 01 May 2005 and 31 May 2009 fall within the overlap and may be considered for both batches based on performance and organisational requirements. Apply once via INET 2/2026 — the Navy’s merit process will determine batch allocation.
2. Can I apply if I have a 2-year diploma or ITI certificate instead of a 3-year diploma?
No. The official notification specifically requires a 3-year Diploma from an AICTE-recognised Polytechnic Institute with a minimum of 50% marks. A 2-year diploma or ITI certificate (even with NCVT/SCVT recognition) does not fulfil the educational qualification. ITI-qualified candidates may be eligible for other Indian Navy entries such as the Agniveer SSR or MR recruitment — check the respective notifications at joinindiannavy.gov.in.
3. What is the Seva Nidhi payout — how much do I actually receive after 4 years?
The Seva Nidhi payout on completing the 4-year tenure is approximately ₹10.04 Lakh (tax-exempt), made up of: your contribution (30% of monthly package across 4 years = ~₹5.02 Lakh) + Government match (equal contribution to the corpus = ~₹5.02 Lakh). This is a one-time corpus payout — there is no pension, no gratuity, and no provident fund beyond the Seva Nidhi. The corpus fund amount grows over 4 years as salary increases, and interest on the corpus is also accrued as per Govt. rules, so the final amount may be slightly higher.
4. What are the physical and medical standards to qualify for Stage II?
Physical Fitness Test (PFT) — must qualify all four: 1.6 km run in ≤ 6 minutes 30 seconds; 20 squats (Uthak Baithak); 15 push-ups; 15 bent-knee sit-ups.
Medical Examination key standards: Minimum height 157 cm; uncorrected vision 6/12 each eye (correctable to 6/6 with glasses); colour perception CP Pass (must not be colour blind); hearing normal; permanent tattoos allowed only on the inner forearm and back of hand; ear and body piercing not permitted; no systemic disease or deformity, BMI within normal range.
5. Is there any application fee concession for SC/ST or female candidates?
No. The official notification does not mention any category-wise fee concession. All candidates pay the same examination fee of ₹550 + 18% GST. Additionally, only unmarried Indian male candidates are eligible — female candidates cannot apply for this specific entry. The fee is non-refundable once paid, irrespective of whether you appear for the exam or not.
6. What happens after the 4-year Agniveer tenure ends? Is permanent enrolment guaranteed?
Permanent enrolment is not guaranteed. As per the Agnipath scheme, up to 25% of each batch will be offered the opportunity to apply for permanent enrolment as Sailors in the Regular Cadre of the Indian Navy. However, selection is entirely at the discretion of the Indian Navy based on organisational requirements, and Agniveers have no right to demand permanent enrolment. Those not selected for permanent enrolment receive the full Seva Nidhi payout and an exit certificate. Post-tenure, many Agniveers use the corpus, technical training, and defence service experience for civilian roles in PSUs, CPMFs, state police, and private sector technical positions.
7. What is INS Chilka and where is it located?
INS Chilka is the Indian Navy’s premier Basic Training Establishment (BTE) located near the Chilika Lake in Odisha. It is the primary induction and training centre for all Navy sailors including Agniveers. After document verification and pre-enrolment medical formalities at INS Chilka, inducted Agniveers undergo basic military and technical training. Following completion of basic training, they are posted to naval ships, establishments, and technical departments based on their stream (Engineering or Electrical) and performance.
8. Can I choose my exam centre for the INET, and can I change it later?
You give state preferences at the time of applying, but centre allocation is at the discretion of the Indian Navy. You may be allotted a centre different from your preference for administrative reasons. Once a centre is allocated, it cannot be changed. Plan your travel well in advance and ensure you report at least 30 minutes before the scheduled time — candidates arriving 30 or more minutes late are not permitted entry under any circumstances.
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