Religious Teacher Junior Commission Officer

What is the recruitment process for Religious Teacher Junior Commission Officer?

The recruitment for the year 2027 for Religious Teacher Junior Commission Officer will be carried out in the following phases:

1. Part I: Eligibility Criteria, Physical and Medical Standards.
2. Part II: Registration of Candidates through Join Indian Army Portal.
3. Part III: Online Common Entrance Examination.
4. Part IV: Recruitment Rally (Physical Fitness Test/Physical Measurement Test/Medical Examination).
5. Part V: Personal Interview.
6. Part VI: Final Merit and Call up for Training.
7. Part VII: Important Instruction of Candidates.

What are the eligibility criteria?

Age Limit:

• Civilian Candidates: 25-34 Years (as on 01 Jul 2027). Candidate born between 01 Jul 1993 to 01 Jul 2002 (both days inclusive) are eligible to apply.
• In-Service Candidates: Same age criteria as Civilian Candidates.

Note: Candidates need to produce Birth Certificate/10th Class marksheet at the time of preliminary document check at the time of Recruitment Rally.

What are the educational qualifications?

The selection of candidates will be carried out for RT JCO as per the qualitative requirement. The minimum educational qualification required is as under:

1. RT Pandit and Pandit (Gorkha) for Gorkha Regiment: Hindu Candidate with Shastri/ Acharya in Sanskrit from a UGC recognised University. In addition, the individual should have the mentioned religious qualification: 'Karam Kand' as one of the main/core subject during Shastri/Acharya, OR One year Diploma in 'Karam Kand'.
2. RT Granthi: Sikh Candidate with Graduation in any discipline from a UGC recognised University. In addition, the individual should have "Gyani" in Punjabi.
3. RT Maulvi: Muslim Candidate with Graduation in any discipline from a UGC recognised University. In addition, the individual should have Alim in Arabic or Adeeb-e-Mahir/ Urdu Mahir in Urdu.
4. RT Padre: Christian Candidate with Graduation in any discipline from a UGC recognised University. In addition, the individual should have been ordained priesthood by the appropriate ecclesiastical authority and be on the approved list of the local Bishop.
5. RT Budhist: Budhist Candidate with Graduation in any discipline from a UGC recognised University. In addition, the individual should have been ordained as Monk/Buddhist Priest by an Appropriate Authority. The term 'Appropriate Authority' will mean Head Priest of the Monastery where the person has been initiated into priesthood. The Head Priest should be in possession of Geshe (Ph.D) of Khanpa or Lopon or Rajbam with proper certificate from Monastery.

Note: The above mandatory educational qualification should be acquired by individuals from recognised universities. All the educational qualification criteria are common for In-service and Civil Candidates. BA Sanskrit/ MA Sanskrit are not valid qualifications; only a degree of Shastri/ Acharya from a UGC recognised university is applicable.

What are the minimum physical standards?

The minimum physical standards are as follows:

What are the medical standards?

A candidate should have robust physique and mental health. The chest should be well developed with a minimum 5 cm expansion. The candidate should have normal hearing in each ear and sufficient natural teeth (14 dental points) with healthy gums. Candidates should not have diseases like deformity of bones, hydrocele, varicose veins, or piles. Serving Combatants or Remustering candidates must be in medical category SHAPE-1. Remustering candidates will be exempted from the recruiting medical examination at the rally, but must submit a certificate indicating their medical category signed by the Commanding Officer of their unit.

What is the procedure for online registration?

Online registration is to be done through the Join Indian Army Portal only. Candidates need to log in to www.joinindianarmy.nic.in to check their eligibility and create a profile. Applications should be submitted only once in response to this notification. Candidates are required to have an active email ID and mobile number for communication. Candidates must upload only recent photographs. Candidates must indicate five choices for the exam centre. The Indian Army reserves the right to allot exam centres other than the choices given, depending on the number of candidates. Requests for change of exam centre or date of selection test will not be entertained. The Online Common Entrance Examination (CEE) will be conducted in Hindi, English, and 11 regional languages. Candidates must select their preferred language during registration.

What is the examination fee?

The examination fee is Rs 250/- to be paid online. Payment can be made through Maestro, Master Card, Amex, VISA, Rupay Cards (Credit & Debit), Internet Banking, or UPI. In case a candidate withdraws their application, the fee will be refunded if done within 48 hours post closure of the registration window. Duplicate, incomplete, or erroneously filled applications will be rejected.

How to submit the application?

In-service candidates need to register and apply on www.joinindianarmy.nic.in and appear for the Online Common Entrance Examination (CEE). They also need to apply as per the Pro forma given in Appendix 'A' and forward it to their respective Record Offices, duly approved by the Commanding Officer/Officer Commanding unit. The application routed through the Record Office should reach the Headquarter Recruiting Zone prior to the Recruitment Rally. The outer cover of the envelope should be superscribed "APPLICATION FOR JCO (RT)" in red ink.

What are the categories for recruitment?

The categories for Religious Teacher Junior Commissioned Officer (RT JCO) are:

• Pandit (Hindu candidates only)
• Pandit (Gorkha) for Gorkha Regiments (Hindu (Gorkha) candidates only)
• Granthi (Sikh candidates only)
• Maulvi (Sunni) (Muslim (Sunni) candidates only)
• Padre (Christian candidates only)
• Bodh Monk (Mahayana) for Ladakh Scouts (Budhist candidates only)

What is the exam pattern?

The online examination will consist of objective type questions and comprise two papers:

• Paper-I (General Awareness): Max Marks: 100, Total Questions: 50, Marks per Question: 02, Negative Marks: Nil, Time: 1 Hour.
• Paper-II (Specific to Religious Denominations as applied by the candidates): Max Marks: 100, Total Questions: 50, Marks per Question: 02, Negative Marks: Nil, Time: 1 Hour.

Total Time: 2 Hours.

What are the minimum passing marks?

Paper-I is a qualifying exam. Candidates must obtain 40% marks in Paper-I and Paper-II (Passing in both papers is compulsory). Successful candidates will be shortlisted for PFT/PMT/Medical Examination. Marks obtained in Paper-I will not be counted for the merit list.

What is the selection procedure?

The selection procedure includes the Online Common Entrance Examination (CEE), Physical Fitness Test (PFT), Physical Measurement Test (PMT), Medical Examination, and Personal Interview. The final selection will be based on the merit list drawn from the total marks obtained in Paper-II and the Interview.

What documents are required?

Candidates need to bring the following documents for the recruitment rally:

• Admit Card (Printed on good quality paper)
• Twenty (20) copies of unattested Passport size photographs (white background, not more than three months old; computerised/photocopied/photo shopped photographs will NOT be accepted).
• Education Certificates (Matric/Intermediate/Degree from a recognised School/College/Board/University). Provisional/online certificates must be signed by the head of the institution.
• Domicile Certificate with photograph (issued by Tehsildar/District Magistrate).
• Caste Certificate with photograph (issued by Tehsildar/District Magistrate).
• College Character Certificate (issued by the College Principal).
• Character Certificate (issued by Village Sarpanch/Municipal Corporation).
• Relationship Certificate (for SOS/SOEX/SOW/SOWW candidates).
• Affidavit (on Rs 10/- Non-Judicial Stamp Paper, duly attested by a notary).
• PAN Card & Aadhar Card.
• Police Character Certificate.
• Sarpanch/Nagar Sewak (Residence Proof).

What are the physical fitness tests?

The Physical Fitness Test (PFT) includes a 1.6 Km run to be completed within 08 minutes. Provisions for extra time are given for hilly terrain areas. Marks obtained in PFT will not be considered for the final merit.

What is the medical examination process?

Candidates who qualify in PFT and PMT will undergo a medical examination by the Army Medical Team. Candidates found medically unfit for weight criteria will be given 21 days to report for Review Medicals. Those declared unfit at the rally site will have an opportunity for a review by a specialist at a Military Hospital (MH)/ Base Hospital (BH)/ Command Hospital (CH).

What is the interview process?

Candidates shortlisted based on merit will appear for a Personal Interview. A minimum of 50% marks (50 out of 100) is required to qualify in the interview. For the Granthi selection, the ability to deliver Kirtan is a mandatory prerequisite.

What are the terms and conditions?

Selected candidates will be enrolled as JCO (RT) and will undergo Six weeks of Basic Training at BEG and Centre, Kirkee, followed by 11 weeks of training specific to their religious denominations at the Institute of National Integration (INI), Pune. On successful completion of training, they will be commissioned as Religious Teachers in the rank of Naib Subedar. Rejection can occur at any stage, including during training. All terms, conditions, vacancies, and selection procedures are subject to change. Only male candidates are eligible to apply.

What are the important instructions for candidates?

Details about qualifications, standards, and job specifications are available on www.joinindianarmy.nic.in. Animated videos on registration and exam procedures are also available. Candidates are advised to practice the online exam. They must carry a colour printout of their Admit Card and Aadhar Card for identification. No electronic gadgets are permitted at the exam centres. Helpdesk details are provided for registration queries. The effective date for determining age eligibility is 01 July 2027.

What about tattoos?

Permanent body tattoos are permitted only on the inner face of forearms and the reverse side of the palm/back of the hand, as per existing customs and traditions of tribal communities. Candidates must produce self-certification and a certificate from the DC/DM or SDM of the district/tehsil. Tattoos on any other part of the body are not acceptable.

What about performance-enhancing drugs?

The use of performance-enhancing drugs is strictly banned. Any candidate found using them will be debarred.

What is the disclaimer?

The terms and conditions are guidelines and will be amended from time to time. Indian Army reserves the right to increase/decrease exam centres, cancel the selection process, and debar candidates for malpractices. Registration data is final, and no changes will be permitted later. Any discrepancy will be resolved by referring to the English version of the notification.