Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) Medical Officer Recruitment 2026: 120 Short Service Commission (SSC) Posts
The Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS), functioning under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India, has published the official notification inviting online applications from eligible Indian citizens (both male and female) for appointment as Medical Officers under the Short Service Commission (SSC). A total of 120 sanctioned vacancies have been announced, comprising 90 vacancies for male doctors and 30 vacancies for female doctors.
Selected medical professionals will be granted direct commissioned officer rank as Captain in the Indian Army, or equivalent rank in the Indian Navy (Surgeon Lieutenant) or Indian Air Force (Flight Lieutenant), in Level 10B of the Defence Pay Matrix with starting Basic Pay of ₹61,300 plus Military Service Pay (MSP) of ₹15,500 per month, along with Non-Practising Allowance (NPA), HRA, and armed forces perks.
Online registration commenced on 09 November 2026 and the closing date to apply and pay the processing fee of ₹200 is 18 November 2026. Candidates who passed final MBBS (Part I & II) in not more than two attempts, completed mandatory internship by 30 September 2026, and appeared in NEET PG 2025 or 2026 (or hold a recognized PG medical qualification) can apply online directly at join.afms.gov.in. Interviews will commence from 02 December 2026 onwards at Army Hospital (R&R), Delhi Cantt.
AFMS Medical Officer Recruitment 2026: Official Overview
| Recruiting Authority | Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS), Ministry of Defence |
| Post Title | Medical Officer (Short Service Commission / SSC) |
| Commission Type | Short Service Commission (Army Medical Corps - AMC) |
| Rank on Commissioning | Captain (Army) / Surgeon Lieutenant (Navy) / Flight Lieutenant (Air Force) |
| Total Vacancies | 120 Posts (Male: 90 | Female: 30) |
| Application Mode | Online via AFMS Official Portal (join.afms.gov.in) |
| Application Start Date | 09 November 2026 |
| Application Closing Date | 18 November 2026 |
| Interview Starting Date | 02 December 2026 onwards |
| Interview Venue | Army Hospital (Research & Referral), Delhi Cantt |
| Defence Pay Matrix | Level 10B (Basic ₹61,300 + MSP ₹15,500 + NPA + Allowances) |
| Application Fee | ₹200/- (Non-Refundable Processing Fee) |
| Official Website | join.afms.gov.in |
AFMS Medical Officer Recruitment 2026: Important Dates & Deadlines
Candidates must carefully record all critical milestone deadlines specified in the official six-page AFMS notification:
| Recruitment Milestone | Official Prescribed Date | Current Status / Key Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Online Application Portal Commencement | 09 November 2026 | Registration Live |
| Closing Date for Online Application Submission | 18 November 2026 | Strict Final Deadline |
| Compulsory Internship Completion Cut-Off Date | 30 September 2026 | Internship must be fully completed |
| Final PG Result Declaration Deadline (for PG Pursuing Doctors) | 18 November 2026 | Result must be declared on or before this date |
| Crucial Cut-Off Date for Age Reckoning | 31 December 2026 | Maximum age benchmark date |
| Interview Admit Card Availability | At least 1 week before Interview | Downloadable via Candidate Login |
| Physical Interview Starting Date | 02 December 2026 onwards | Army Hospital (R&R), Delhi Cantt |
* Note: In strict adherence to the official notification, no separate written examination or final merit release date is fixed in advance. Candidates will be notified individually regarding interview slots.
AFMS Medical Officer Vacancy Details: Male & Female Breakdown
A total of 120 Medical Officer vacancies have been advertised under the Short Service Commission. The distribution between male and female doctors is tabulated below:
| Post Cadre | Male Candidates | Female Candidates | Total Sanctioned Posts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Officer (Short Service Commission) | 90 | 30 | 120 |
| Total Vacancies | 90 | 30 | 120 Posts |
* Note: The official notification does not prescribe community-based (SC/ST/OBC/EWS) reservation quotas. Selection is governed on an all-India merit basis among eligible male and female candidates separately.
AFMS Medical Officer Eligibility Criteria: Academic & Technical Mandate
Candidates must fulfill the statutory eligibility benchmarks stipulated under the National Medical Commission (NMC) Act, 2019:
MBBS Degree & Two-Attempt Rule
- Citizenship: Must be an Indian citizen.
- Recognized Degree: Must possess an MBBS qualification included in the First/Second Schedule or Part II of the Third Schedule to the IMC Act, 1956, or recognized under the National Medical Commission Act, 2019.
- Two-Attempt Rule: The candidate must have passed the final MBBS examination (Part-I and Part-II) in not more than two attempts.
- NEET PG Appearance: Must have appeared in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET PG) anytime during the preceding two years, i.e., NEET PG 2025 or NEET PG 2026.
- Medical Registration: Must possess permanent medical registration from any State Medical Council, Medical Council of India (MCI), or National Medical Commission (NMC).
Recognized PG Degree / Diploma (MD/MS/DNB)
- Recognized PG Qualifications: Candidates holding recognized postgraduate medical qualifications (MD, MS, MCh, DM, or DNB) awarded by an Indian university or NBE/NMC are eligible.
- NEET PG Re-appearance Not Required: Civilian doctors holding a completed postgraduate degree are not required to appear for NEET PG again.
- Previous NEET PG Score Admissible: Their previously obtained NEET PG marks or percentile will be accepted and evaluated for shortlisting.
Compulsory Internship Completion & Ongoing PG Degree Guidelines
✓ Crucial Internship Deadline: 30 September 2026
Candidates must have successfully completed their compulsory rotating medical internship on or before 30 September 2026. Candidates whose internship completion falls on or after 01 October 2026 are strictly ineligible, and provisional certificates showing future completion dates will result in rejection.
⚠️ Candidates Currently Pursuing Postgraduate Degrees
Candidates currently undergoing postgraduate medical training must ensure that their final PG examination result is officially declared on or before 18 November 2026 (the closing date for online applications). If the final result is declared after 18 November 2026, their candidature as PG specialists will not be admitted. Civilian doctors with PG qualifications must produce original PG degree certificates or marks sheets for verification at the time of interview.
AFMS Medical Officer Age Limit & Date of Birth Benchmark
The decisive cut-off date for reckoning candidate age is 31 December 2026. Candidates must not have attained the specified upper age as on this benchmark date:
| Candidate Academic Level | Maximum Permissible Age | Prescribed Date of Birth Window |
|---|---|---|
| MBBS Degree Holders | 30 Years | Must have been born on or after 02 January 1997 |
| Postgraduate Degree Holders (MD / MS / DNB) | 35 Years | Must have been born on or after 02 January 1992 |
Official Age Policy Note: In strict compliance with the recruitment rules of the Armed Forces Medical Services, the notification does not provide category-based age relaxation (SC/ST/OBC). All candidates must fall within the statutory age brackets of 30 years (for MBBS) and 35 years (for PG) as on 31 December 2026.
AFMS Medical Officer Selection Process & NEET PG Shortlisting Formula
The selection procedure for grant of Short Service Commission is structured into four distinct, transparent phases:
Stage 1: NEET PG Shortlisting (200 Marks)
Applications complete in all respects are scrutinised and shortlisted based on calculated NEET PG marks. NEET PG percentile is treated as marks out of 100, then multiplied by two (Percentile × 2 = Calculated Marks out of 200). Separate merit shortlists are released for male and female doctors.
Stage 2: Interview by Board of Officers (50 Marks)
Shortlisted candidates appear for a personal interview before a designated Board of Officers at Army Hospital (R&R), Delhi Cantt from 02 December 2026 onwards to assess professional suitability, leadership attributes, and defence service aptitude.
Stage 3: Special Medical Examination Board (SMB)
Candidates qualifying in the interview undergo rigorous clinical and physical assessment by the Special Medical Board. Unfit candidates may appeal before the Appeal Medical Board (AMB) and Review Medical Board (RMB) under DGAFMS rules.
Stage 4: Final Merit List & Commissioning
The final composite merit list is prepared out of 250 marks (200 NEET PG + 50 Interview). Joining letters are issued strictly to medically fit candidates up to the sanctioned vacancy strength (90 male, 30 female).
Official Interview Travel Allowance (TA) Entitlement:
Candidates appearing for the AFMS interview for the first time are entitled to reimbursement of to-and-fro AC-III Tier or AC Chair Car rail fare (or Government non-AC bus fare for road journeys) for the shortest route from their normal place of residence to Delhi Cantt. Candidates residing within the municipal limits of Delhi/New Delhi are not entitled to TA.
AFMS Final Merit List Formulation & NCC Weightage Breakdown
Candidates must score a minimum of 50% marks in the interview (at least 25 out of 50 marks) to qualify for inclusion in the final merit list. The interview allocation is detailed below:
| Interview Assessment Head | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|
| Viva-Voce / Professional Interview | 47 |
| National Cadet Corps (NCC) 'C' Certificate | 3 |
| National Cadet Corps (NCC) 'B' Certificate | 2 |
| National Cadet Corps (NCC) 'A' Certificate | 1 |
| Total Interview Score | 50 Marks |
* NCC weightage is awarded strictly for the highest certificate held by the candidate. Composite merit = Calculated NEET PG Marks (out of 200) + Interview Score (out of 50) = 250 Marks.
AFMS Medical Officer Salary Structure (Defence Pay Matrix Level 10B)
Commissioned Medical Officers receive attractive pay and allowances in accordance with the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) Defence Pay Rules:
| Pay Component | Sanctioned Amount / Scale | Entitlement Terms |
|---|---|---|
| Defence Pay Matrix Level | Level 10B | Standard entry level for AFMS Medical Officers |
| Basic Pay | ₹61,300 per month | Fixed starting basic pay |
| Military Service Pay (MSP) | ₹15,500 per month | Admissible to all commissioned military doctors |
| Guaranteed Core Base (Basic + MSP) | ₹76,800 per month | Pre-allowance consolidated monthly base |
| Non-Practising Allowance (NPA) | 20% of (Basic Pay + MSP) | Compensatory allowance for private practice ban |
| Dearness Allowance (DA) | Prevailing Central Rates (50%) | Calculated on Basic Pay + MSP + NPA |
| House Rent Allowance (HRA) | 9% / 18% / 27% (X, Y, Z Cities) | Where government married accommodation is not provided |
| Transport Allowance (TPTA) | ₹3,600 – ₹7,200 + DA thereon | Based on city posting classification |
| Annual Dress Allowance | ₹25,000 annually | Paid in uniform maintenance grant |
Statutory Armed Forces Officer Entitlements:
Short Service Commission Tenure, Promotions & Permanent Commission Path
Tenure of Engagement (Up to 14 Years)
• Initial Tenure: The initial term of Short Service Commission is for five (5) years.
• Extensions: Extendable by another 9 years in two successive spells: first extension of 5 years and second extension of 4 years, subject to officer willingness, service record, medical fitness, and vacancy availability.
• Ex-AMC SSC Officers: Released AMC doctors may apply for fresh tenure if applied within 1 year of release. Officers who resigned or completed 10 years earlier cannot reapply.
Time-Scale Promotions & Permanent Commission
• Captain: Commissioned on entry.
• Major: Promoted after completion of 4 years of reckonable service.
• Lieutenant Colonel: Promoted after completion of 11 years of reckonable service.
• Departmental Permanent Commission (DPC): SSC officers are granted three chances to appear for the Departmental Permanent Commission examination (after 2 years and before 9½ years of service, with max 2 chances in initial 5 years).
How to Apply Online for AFMS Medical Officer Recruitment 2026: 11 Steps
Applications must be registered and submitted electronically through join.afms.gov.in between 09 November and 18 November 2026. Follow these exact steps:
- Access Official Portal: Visit the official web portal at join.afms.gov.in and navigate to the Medical Officer (Short Service Commission) portal.
- Initial Registration: Click on "NEW REGISTRATION" and enter your basic demographic credentials, active email address, and mobile number.
- Login Verification: Log in using your generated credentials and select the application form for AFMS SSC Medical Officer 2026.
- Demographic Information: Input personal data strictly matching your Class X High School certificate.
- Academic & Attempt Details: Enter MBBS marks and upload the mandatory MBBS Attempt Certificate (Part I & II passed in ≤ 2 attempts).
- Internship Particulars: Provide completion dates and upload the Internship Completion Certificate (completed on or before 30.09.2026).
- NEET PG Entrance Score: Enter your NEET PG 2025 or 2026 roll number, score, and percentile, and upload the valid scorecard.
- PG Qualification (If Applicable): Enter MD/MS/DNB details and upload degree/provisional certificate (result declared by 18.11.2026).
- Upload Photographs & Identity: Upload recent color passport photograph (< 100 KB, JPEG) and Class X/Birth certificate (< 200 KB, PDF).
- Online Processing Fee Payment (₹200): Pay the non-refundable processing fee of ₹200 through Net Banking, Credit Card, or Debit Card. Save your payment transaction reference number.
- Final Submission & Printout: Review all entered data, click "SUBMIT", and download/print at least three hard copies of the submitted application form.
Documents Required: Online Upload Checklist & Original Interview Verification
📤 Mandatory Online Uploads
- Recent passport-size color photograph (< 6 months old, JPEG, ≤ 100 KB).
- Class X Matriculation / Municipal Birth Certificate as proof of DOB (PDF, ≤ 200 KB).
- Final MBBS (Part I & II) Attempt Certificate (≤ 2 attempts).
- Compulsory Rotating Internship Completion Certificate.
- NEET PG Entrance Examination Scorecard (2025 or 2026).
- Postgraduate Medical Degree Certificate / Marksheet (if applicable).
- Aadhaar Card copy.
📋 Original Documents for Interview (With 2 Photocopies)
- Original Class X Matriculation Certificate / Birth Certificate.
- Original Aadhaar Card and Valid Photo ID Proof.
- Original Permanent Medical Registration Certificate (SMC/NMC).
- Original Internship Completion Certificate.
- Original MBBS Degree Certificate & Attempt Certificate.
- Original PG Degree Certificate / Marksheet (if applicable).
- Original NEET PG Scorecard.
- No Objection Certificate (NOC) from employer (if employed).
- NCC 'A', 'B', or 'C' Certificate (if applicable).
- Five (5) Original Attestation Forms duly completed and attested.
- Ten (10) recent passport-size color photographs.
Official AFMS Recruitment Contact & Technical Helpline
Directorate General Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS) Facilitation Desk:
• Telephone Helpline: 011-24199857
• Helpdesk Timings: 10:00 AM to 04:00 PM (Monday to Friday, excluding Gazetted Holidays)
• Official Application Portal: join.afms.gov.in
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