Last updated: 10 November 2026
Quick answer: Pakistan Army’s soldier recruitment is open right now for Soldier General Duty, Technical Trade, Military Police, Driver, Clerk, Cook, Sanitary Worker and JCO (Naib Khateeb). The official Pakistan Army recruitment website confirms that registration is open until 23 November 2026, both online on joinpakarmy.gov.pk and in person at Army Selection and Recruitment Centres. (Some news sites wrongly listed 16 November for online.) Don’t leave it to the last two days, when the portal and centres are at their busiest. The age limit for soldier trades is 17½ to 23 years as of 24 November 2026, and the minimum education is Matric (Intermediate for Clerk).
Joining as a soldier is the most direct way into the Army for a Matric or Intermediate pass. You get a permanent government job, free medical care for your family, accommodation, and the chance to rise to JCO rank and beyond through promotions and courses. This page covers exactly what you need for this intake, in plain words.
Soldier recruitment 2026 at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Posts | Soldier GD, Technical Trade, Military Police, Driver, Clerk, Cook, Sanitary Worker, JCO Naib Khateeb |
| Online last date | 16 November 2026 (joinpakarmy.gov.pk) |
| Manual last date | 23 November 2026 (at AS&RCs) |
| Age cut-off date | 24 November 2026 |
| Who can apply | Male citizens of Pakistan, AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan |
| Minorities | 2% quota reserved |
Education required for each post
| Post | Minimum education |
|---|---|
| Soldier General Duty | Matric |
| Soldier Military Police | Matric |
| Soldier Driver | Matric, plus a valid driving licence |
| Soldier Technical Trade | Matric (Science), C grade or above |
| Soldier Clerk | Intermediate, C grade or above (computer diploma preferred) |
| Soldier Cook | Middle (experienced cooks preferred) |
| Sanitary Worker | Uneducated to Primary |
| JCO Naib Khateeb | HEC-certified Dars-e-Nizami plus FA/FSc or equivalent (Hafiz-e-Quran and Arabic preferred) |
Age limit and relaxations
- Soldier trades: 17½ to 23 years on 24 November 2026.
- Sanitary Worker: 17½ to 35 years.
- Naib Khateeb: 20 to 28 years (serving personnel up to 35).
- Relaxation: 1 year for graduates, 2 years for legal heirs of shuhada or war-wounded, and 3 years for candidates with Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan or merged KP districts domicile.
Many boys are rejected at the counter because they are a few days over age. Check your exact age on 24 November 2026 with this free age calculator before you travel to the centre.
Height requirements
| Post | Minimum height |
|---|---|
| Soldier GD, Technical, Driver (general category) | 5 ft 6 in (167.5 cm) |
| Military Police | 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) |
| Clerk | 5 ft 3 in (160 cm) |
| JCO Naib Khateeb | 5 ft 3 in (160 cm) |
Lower height standards apply to candidates from some areas (for example Balochistan and certain hill districts). The recruiting staff will tell you if your district qualifies. Chest, weight and eyesight are checked at the medical.
How to apply
Option 1: Online (until 16 November 2026)
- Go to joinpakarmy.gov.pk and create an account with your CNIC and mobile number.
- Choose “Soldier” and then your trade (GD, Clerk, Technical and so on).
- Fill in your personal details, Matric/Inter marks and domicile carefully. Spelling must match your CNIC and certificates.
- Select your nearest Army Selection and Recruitment Centre. You can’t change it later.
- Submit, then log in again after a day or two to download your registration slip with your test date.
Option 2: Walk-in at an AS&RC (until 23 November 2026)
Go in person with your documents. Centres are in Gilgit, Peshawar, D.I. Khan, Bannu, Muzaffarabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Quetta, Khuzdar, Turbat, Pano Aqil, Hyderabad and Karachi. Reach early in the morning, because queues get long in the last week.
Documents to carry
- Original CNIC (smart card) plus a photocopy
- Original Matric (and Intermediate if applicable) certificates and mark sheets, plus attested copies
- Domicile certificate
- Recent passport-size photographs
- Driving licence (for Driver post)
- Dars-e-Nizami and HEC equivalence (for Naib Khateeb)
- Shaheed/war-wounded certificate, if claiming relaxation
Selection process
- Registration and document check at the AS&RC.
- Written test: an intelligence test (verbal and non-verbal) and an academic test at Matric level, with English, Mathematics, General Knowledge, Pakistan Studies and Islamiat. Clerk candidates also get Intermediate-level English and typing/computer basics.
- Physical test: a 1.6 km run plus push-ups, sit-ups and chin-ups. Train to run 1.6 km in under 8 minutes; it is the event most candidates fail.
- Medical examination: height, chest, weight, eyesight, flat feet, knock knees and general fitness.
- Interview by a recruiting officer.
- Final merit list and call-up for training at the regimental or corps training centre.
Soldier recruitment does not include ISSB. That is only for officer entries such as PMA Long Course. If you have Intermediate with 60% and are under 22, consider applying there too.
Preparation tips for the next two weeks
- Run every morning, starting with 2 km at an easy pace and adding one faster lap every few days.
- Do 3 sets of push-ups and sit-ups daily, and practise chin-ups on any bar you can find.
- Solve 30 intelligence questions a day on a timer.
- Revise Matric Maths basics: percentages, ratios, simple equations and area.
- Keep your documents in one plastic folder so nothing is left behind.
Warning: Army recruitment never asks for money for selection. Anyone who promises you a “confirmed seat” for a fee is a fraud. Confirm all dates on joinpakarmy.gov.pk or at your AS&RC.
Interested in the officer side or the other services? Read our guides on the ISSB test, joining the Navy as PN Cadet and joining PAF as GD Pilot.
Frequently asked questions
What is the last date to join Pak Army as soldier in 2026?
Online registration closes on 16 November 2026. Manual registration at Army Selection and Recruitment Centres is open until 23 November 2026.
What is the age limit for Pak Army soldier?
17½ to 23 years as of 24 November 2026, with relaxation of 1 year for graduates, 2 years for shuhada heirs and 3 years for Balochistan, GB and merged districts domicile.
What is the minimum height for Pak Army soldier?
5 feet 6 inches (167.5 cm) for General Duty, 5 feet 8 inches for Military Police and 5 feet 3 inches for Clerk. Lower standards apply to some areas.
Can I join Pak Army as soldier after Matric?
Yes. General Duty, Military Police, Driver and Technical Trade need Matric. Clerk needs Intermediate.
Is there ISSB for soldier recruitment?
No. Soldiers are selected through a written test, physical test, medical and interview at the Army Selection and Recruitment Centre.
Is there any fee for Pak Army soldier registration?
Pakistan Army does not sell seats. Follow only the official advertisement and joinpakarmy.gov.pk for any fee instructions, and never pay an agent.