Soldier (General Duty) is probably the most important part of the Indian Army. A large part of the Indian Army is made up of General Duty Soldiers.

They carry out crucial tasks in the departments of Arms or Services.

Indian Army Soldier (General Duty) Pay Scale-

Soldier(General Duty)

Starting salary is as follows:

Starting Pay: Rs. 15600 p.m. - Rs. 39100 p.m.
Grade Pay: Rs. 5400
Military Service Pay: Rs. 6000
Kit Maintenance Allowance: Rs. 400 p.m.
Transport Allowance Rs. 1600 p.m to Rs 3200 p.m.
Field Area Allowance Rs 25% of Basic Pay
Counter Insurgency Rs 6300 p.m.
High Altitude/Uncongenial Climate Rs. 5600 p.m.
Siachen Rs 14000 p.m.
Flying Pay Rs 9000 p.m.
Parachute Pay Rs 1200 p.m.
Special Forces Rs 9000 p.m.

Indian Army Soldier (General Duty) Eligibility criteria

SSLC / Matric with 45% marks in aggregate and 33% in each subject. No percentage required for higher qualification i.e. 10+2 and above.

Age limit –

17½ to 21 years.

Physical standards-

Height: Western Himalayan Region (166 cms), Eastern Himalayan Region (160 cms), Western Plains Region (170 cms), Eastern Plains Region (169 cms), Central Region (168 cms), Southern Region (166 cms).

Chest: Western Himalayan Region (77 cms), Eastern Himalayan Region (77 cms), Western Plains Region (77 cms), Eastern Plains Region (77 cms), Central Region (77 cms), Southern Region (77 cms).

Weight: Western Himalayan Region (48 Kg), Eastern Himalayan Region (48 Kg), Western Plains Region (50 Kg), Eastern Plains Region (50 Kg), Central Region (50 Kg), Southern Region (50 Kg).

Medical standards –

A candidate should have robust physique and good mental health.

Chest should be well developed having minimum 5 cms expansion.

Should have normal hearing with each ear and good binocular vision in both eyes. He should be able to read 6/6 in distant vision chart with each eye. Color vision should be CP – III (able to recognize white, red and green signal colors correctly as shown by Martin’s Lantern at 1.5 mtrs).

Should have sufficient number of natural healthy gum and teeth i.e. minimum 14 dental points.

Should not have diseases like deformity of bones, hydrocele and varicocele or piles.

Soldier General Duty for infantry should have 6/6 eye sight.

Final selection

The final selection will be merit based. Based on the marks scored by candidates in Physical Fitness Test, Medical Test and CEE, a merit list will be made.