Last updated: 9 November 2026
Quick answer: Online registration for PMA Long Course 159 opened on 14 September 2026 and closed on 23 October 2026 on joinpakarmy.gov.pk. Registered candidates now go through the initial computerised test, physical test, initial medical and interview at their Army Selection and Recruitment Centre (AS&RC), then ISSB, a final medical at CMH and final selection by GHQ. If you missed 159, the next window, PMA 160, has not been announced yet. Going by this year’s pattern (158 opened on 24 March 2026), expect it around March 2027.
PMA Long Course is the main road to a regular commission in the Pakistan Army. You train for two years at the Pakistan Military Academy, Kakul (Abbottabad), and pass out as a Second Lieutenant. Every year we see good candidates drop out not because they were weak, but because they didn’t know what came next or showed up unprepared. This page fixes that.
PMA Long Course 159 at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Course | PMA Long Course 159 (regular commission) |
| Registration window | 14 September to 23 October 2026 (closed) |
| Where | joinpakarmy.gov.pk or any AS&RC |
| Who | Unmarried male Pakistani citizens (incl. AJK and GB domicile) |
| Training | 2 years at PMA Kakul, Abbottabad |
| Commission | Second Lieutenant, Pakistan Army |
| Next course | PMA 160, expected around March 2027 (not yet announced) |
Eligibility for PMA Long Course
These are the criteria for 159. They have stayed almost the same for several courses, so you can use them to plan for 160 as well.
| Qualification | Minimum marks | Age limit |
|---|---|---|
| Intermediate (FA, FSc, ICS, I.Com, DAE or equivalent) | 60% (relaxed to 55% for candidates from specified areas such as AJK, GB and the merged districts) | 17 to 22 years |
| 2-year graduation (BA/BSc) | 60% in graduation | 17 to 23 years |
| 4-year graduation (BS/BBA/BSc Hons) | 60% or 2.5 CGPA | 17 to 24 years |
| Serving soldiers | Intermediate, 50% | 17 to 25 years |
- Height: at least 5 feet 4 inches (162.5 cm), with weight in proportion to height (BMI).
- Marital status: unmarried (serving soldiers above 20 may be married).
- Dual nationals can apply but must give up the other nationality if selected.
- Not eligible: anyone declared Not Recommended twice by ISSB/GHQ for this commission, previously declared medically unfit, or dismissed/discharged from service.
Age is where most candidates get caught. Even one extra day makes you ineligible. Work out your exact age on the course’s cut-off date with an online age calculator before you apply for any future course.
Step 1: Roll number slip and test date
After registration, your application shows up on joinpakarmy.gov.pk within a couple of days. Log in with the same CNIC and password, and download the roll number slip. It tells you the AS&RC, date and reporting time. Your AS&RC cannot be changed after registration, so if you have moved city, plan your travel early. Those who registered early in the window usually get earlier test dates.
AS&RCs are in Rawalpindi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, Multan, Karachi, Gilgit, Hyderabad, Faisalabad, D.I. Khan and Pano Aqil.
Step 2: The computerised initial test
The written test is taken on a computer at the AS&RC. It has two parts:
- Intelligence test: verbal (word analogies, series, coding, odd-one-out) and non-verbal (figure series, matching, completion). This is a screening test. Fail it and you are sent home the same day.
- Academic test: English, general knowledge, Pakistan Studies, Islamiat and basic Mathematics. Science-background candidates can expect some Physics/Maths questions in line with intermediate level.
The questions are easy one by one. The hard part is speed: you get well under half a minute per question. Practise with a timer, not with a book open in front of you.
Step 3: Physical test
Those who pass the written test go straight to physicals, often the same day. The standards for 159:
| Event | Standard |
|---|---|
| 1.6 km (1 mile) run | About 8 minutes (aim for under 8 to be safe) |
| Push-ups | 15 in 2 minutes |
| Sit-ups | 15 to 20 in 2 minutes |
| Chin-ups | 3 in 2 minutes |
| Ditch crossing | 7.4 ft x 7.4 ft, about 4 ft deep |
The run is where most boys fail. If you are not running now, start today with 2 km every morning and add one interval session a week.
Step 4: Initial medical and interview
The initial medical checks height, weight/BMI, eyesight, colour vision, flat feet, knock knees, carrying angle of the arms, hearing and general fitness. Small issues like ear wax or minor dental problems can be fixed before you go, so get a quick check-up from your family doctor. After the medical, an officer interviews you briefly at the AS&RC about your background and motivation.
Step 5: ISSB
Candidates cleared at AS&RC receive an ISSB call letter for Kohat, Gujranwala, Malir or Quetta. ISSB is four days of psychological tests, GTO tasks and an interview. This is where most PMA aspirants are filtered. We have written a full ISSB day-by-day guide with tips, so read that before you pack.
Step 6: Final medical at CMH and GHQ merit
Recommended candidates go for a detailed medical at the nearest Combined Military Hospital. Those declared fit are placed on GHQ’s merit list, and call-up letters for PMA Kakul are issued to the final selected cadets. Joining instructions tell you exactly what to bring.
Documents to keep ready at every stage
- Original Matric, Intermediate (and graduation) certificates and DMCs plus one attested set
- CNIC, or B-Form with father’s CNIC if under 18
- Six recent coloured photographs, three attested by a Grade 17+ officer
- Hope certificate if your result is awaited
- Domicile certificate
- “Not Recommended” letter from a previous attempt, if you are a repeater
Missed 159? Here is your plan for PMA 160
PMA Long Course registration normally opens twice a year. In 2026, 158 opened on 24 March and 159 on 14 September. If the pattern holds, 160 should open around March 2027. Use the gap:
- Check your age on the likely cut-off date now.
- Get your fitness to run 1.6 km in under 7 minutes 30 seconds.
- Do one timed intelligence test every day.
- Read a newspaper daily and keep a short current-affairs notebook.
- Bookmark this page. We update it the day 160 is announced.
Other ways in: graduates can look at the Graduate Course and Technical Cadet Course, and women can apply through the Lady Cadet Course. See our complete guide to every Pak Army entry and the TCC guide. If the Navy or Air Force also interests you, read our PN Cadet 2027 guide and PAF GD Pilot guide.
Note: Pakistan Army announces all official dates on joinpakarmy.gov.pk and in national newspapers. Always confirm there before you travel or pay for anything. Recruitment is free; nobody can sell you a “seat”.
Frequently asked questions
What was the last date for PMA Long Course 159 registration?
23 October 2026. Registration opened on 14 September 2026.
When will PMA 160 Long Course registration open?
It has not been announced yet. Based on the 2026 pattern, it is expected around March 2027.
What is the age limit for PMA Long Course?
17 to 22 years for Intermediate, 17 to 23 for 2-year graduates, 17 to 24 for 4-year graduates and 17 to 25 for serving soldiers.
What is the minimum height for PMA Long Course?
5 feet 4 inches (162.5 cm), with weight in proportion to height.
What is in the PMA initial test?
A computerised intelligence test (verbal and non-verbal) and an academic test covering English, general knowledge, Pakistan Studies, Islamiat and basic Mathematics.
Can married men apply for PMA Long Course?
No, civilian candidates must be unmarried. Serving soldiers above 20 may apply even if married.