The Indian Army has announced a recruitment drive for outstanding sportspersons for direct entry as Havildar and Naib Subedar (Sports) for the intake of SER NO 05/2025. This is a special opportunity for unmarried male and female candidates who have excelled in various sports to join the Indian Army.
Job Details
| Department | Indian Army |
| Employment Type | Permanent |
| Job Title(s) | Havildar (Sports), Naib Subedar (Sports) |
| Total Vacancies | Not specified |
| Application Start Date | Date of advertisement |
| Application End Date | 15 December 2025 |
| Location | Across India |
| Application Method | Offline (by post) |
| Official Site | joinindianarmy.nic.in |
Advertisement No.
DIRECT ENTRY HAVILDAR AND NAIB SUBEDAR (SPORTS) INTAKE SER NO 05/ 2025
Post and Vacancy Details
The Indian Army is recruiting outstanding sportspersons in the following disciplines:
| Sporting Discipline | Specific Event/ Position/Category |
| Athletics (Track & Field events) (Men) | 100M, 200M, 110M Hurdle, 400M, 800M, 1500M, 20KM Race Walk, Decathlon, 400M Hurdle, 3000M S/C, High Jump, Triple Jump, Long Jump, Javelin Throw, Shot Put, Discus Throw, Hammer Throw & Pole Vault |
| Archery (Men) | Compound & Recurve (Men) |
| Basketball (Men) | Point Guard, Forward, Power Forward & Centre |
| Boxing (Men) | All Olympic Weight Category |
| Diving (Men) | Spring Board & High Board |
| Football (Men) | Attacking Mid Fielder, Defensive Mid Fielder, Goal Keeper, Defender Centre back, Defender wing back |
| Fencing (Men) | Epee, Foil & Sabre |
| Gymnastics (Artistic) (Men) | All Rounder |
| Hockey (Men) | Striker, Mid Fielder, Defender (Drag Flicker) |
| Handball (Men) | Pivot, Right Back, Right Wing & Centre Back |
| Judo (Men) | – 66 Kg & – 81Kg |
| Kayaking & Canoeing (Men) | K-1 and C-1 |
| Kabaddi (Men) | Left Raider, All Rounder, Left & Right Corner and Left & Right Cover |
| Karate (Men) (Kumite) | 67 kg, 75 Kg and -84 Kg (Kumite) |
| Rowing (Men) | All Olympic & Asian Games Class |
| Swimming (Men) | 400M, 800M & 1500M (Freestyle) -Long distance. 200M & 400M (Freestyle) – Middle distance event, 50M & 100M (Freestyle) – Short Sprinter Event), 50M, 100M & 200M (Backstroke), 50M, 100M & 200M (Butterfly stroke), 50M, 100M & 200M (Breaststoke) |
| Sailing (Men) | Olympic & Asian Games Class |
| Shooting (Men) | 50M Rifle 3P, 10M Air Rifle, 10M Air Pistol, 25M Rapid Fire Pistol, Trap & Skeet |
| Taekwondo (Men) (Kyourgi) | Under 87 Kg (Kyourgi) |
| Volleyball (Men) | Setter, Blocker & Attacker |
| Wushu (Men) (Only Sanshou) | 48 Kg, 70 Kg and +90 Kg |
| Weight Lifting (Men) | All Olympic Weight Category |
| Wrestling (Men) | All Olympic Weight Category |
Salary Details
The pay and allowances for Direct Entry Havildar and Naib Subedar will be the same as applicable to existing Regular Serving Personnel of the Indian Army as per the Army Pay Rules, 2017, and subsequent amendments.
Educational Qualification
The minimum educational qualification for both Direct Entry Havildar and Naib Subedar is matriculation.
Age Limit
The age limit for enrolment is from 17 ½ to 25 years. Candidates born between 31 March 2001 and 01 April 2008 (both dates inclusive) are eligible to apply.
Selection Process
The selection process for the Indian Army Sports Quota recruitment includes the following stages:
- Short-listing of applications based on higher sports achievements.
- Selection trials for eligible shortlisted candidates, which will include a Physical Fitness Test, Physical Standards Test, and Skill Test.
- Medical examination for candidates who qualify in the trials.
How to Apply
- Download the application form from the official website: www.joinindianarmy.nic.in.[1]
- Print the application form on A4 size paper.
- Fill in the application form completely and affix your photograph and signature.
- Attach self-attested copies of your educational and sports achievement documents.
- Send the completed application form to the following address by post:
Directorate of PT & Sports
General Staff Branch
IHQ of MoD (Army)
Room No 747 ‘A’ Wing, Sena Bhawan
PO New Delhi -110 011
Instructions
- Candidates must be unmarried Indian male or female citizens.
- Selection in the Indian Army is fair, transparent, and based on merit only.
- The application form must be submitted as per the prescribed format; non-standard forms will be rejected.
- Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
- Candidates should bring their own sports gear and equipment for the selection trials.
- The use of performance-enhancing drugs is strictly banned.
Important Dates
| Application Submission Starts | From the date of advertisement |
| Application Submission Closes | 15 December 2025 |
Important Links
- Notification link- click here
- Application link – click here







