The Army Ordnance Corps (AOC), under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India, has released the AOC Recruitment 2026 notification for 2,615 Group C civilian posts. This is one of the biggest defence-sector hiring drives of the year, open to candidates ranging from Class 10 pass to graduates. Below is a complete, easy-to-follow guide covering vacancy details, eligibility, important dates, salary, exam pattern, and the step-by-step application process.
What Is AOC Recruitment 2026?
The Army Ordnance Corps is a key logistics and supply arm of the Indian Army, responsible for the procurement, storage, and distribution of arms, ammunition, clothing, and other equipment during war and peacetime. Every year, the AOC Central Recruitment Cell (CRC) hires civilian staff to support its operations. The AOC Recruitment 2026 drive, released under advertisement number AOC/CRC/2026/AUG, aims to fill vacancies for five Group C posts: Tradesman Mate, Fireman, Junior Office Assistant (JOA), Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS), and Material Assistant.
AOC Recruitment 2026: Quick Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Army Ordnance Corps (AOC), Ministry of Defence |
| Advertisement No. | AOC/CRC/2026/AUG |
| Total Vacancies | 2,615 (tentative) |
| Posts | Tradesman Mate, Fireman, JOA, MTS, Material Assistant |
| Job Type | Group C, Central Government |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Website | aocrecruitment.gov.in |
Important Dates
- Notification released: 10 August 2026 (Employment News, 15–21 August 2026 edition)
- Online application starts: 24 August 2026
- Last date to apply online: 23 September 2026 (11:59 PM)
Some sources list the closing date as 22 September 2026, so candidates should always cross-check the exact deadline on the official AOC portal once the detailed advertisement is live, since figures in short notices are sometimes revised.
AOC Recruitment 2026 Vacancy Details (Post-wise)
The 2,615 vacancies (tentative and subject to change per the official notice) are distributed as follows:
| Post | Approximate Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Tradesman Mate | 1,799 |
| Fireman | 520 |
| Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) | 142 |
| Junior Office Assistant (JOA) | 104 |
| Material Assistant | 50 |
Tradesman Mate alone accounts for nearly 1,800 posts, making it the largest category in this recruitment cycle — and together with Fireman and MTS, Class 10-qualified candidates can compete for over 2,400 of the total vacancies.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
- Tradesman Mate: Class 10 (Matriculation) pass from a recognised board; an ITI certificate in a relevant trade is desirable.
- Fireman: Class 10 pass or equivalent qualification.
- MTS: Class 10 pass or equivalent, with 1 year of trade experience desirable for some sub-categories.
- JOA: Typically requires a 12th pass along with computer typing proficiency (candidates must qualify a typing test).
- Material Assistant: Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university.
Candidates should verify the exact qualification for their chosen post against the detailed notification, as requirements can vary slightly by category.
Age Limit
Based on the available notices:
- Tradesman Mate & Fireman: 18 to 25 years
- Material Assistant & JOA: 18 to 27 years
- MTS: Age limit as prescribed post-wise in the detailed notification
Age will be reckoned as on the closing date of application (23 September 2026, as per most sources). Standard age relaxation applies as per Government of India norms — 5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC, and 10–15 years for PwBD candidates, with additional relaxation for Ex-Servicemen. Candidates should confirm final age limit figures in the detailed PDF notification, as some short notices had not specified relaxation details at the time of release.
AOC Recruitment 2026 Salary
Selected candidates will be paid as per the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) Pay Matrix, along with admissible government allowances such as DA, HRA, and other benefits.
| Post | Pay Level | Pay Scale (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| Tradesman Mate / MTS | Level 1 | 18,000 – 56,900 |
| Fireman | Level 2 | 19,900 – 63,200 |
| JOA / Material Assistant | Higher Levels | Up to ₹92,300 (approx., post-dependent) |
Initial in-hand salary (basic pay plus allowances) is generally reported to be in the range of ₹26,000–33,000 per month for entry-level posts, though this can vary by location and applicable allowances.
Selection Process
The AOC Recruitment 2026 selection process is a multi-stage one, and candidates must clear each stage to move forward:
- Written Examination – Objective-type test.
- Physical Efficiency Test (PET) – Mandatory for physically demanding posts like Tradesman Mate and Fireman.
- Typing Test – Applicable only for the Junior Office Assistant (JOA) post.
- Document Verification
- Medical Examination
The final merit list is prepared after document verification, based on performance in the earlier stages.
Written Exam Pattern
- Total questions: 100 objective-type MCQs
- Total marks: 100
- Duration: 2 hours (120 minutes)
- Negative marking: 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer
- Sections: Reasoning, General Awareness, Numerical Aptitude, and English (25 questions/25 marks each)
Preparation Tips
- Practice previous years’ AOC or similar Group C exam papers to understand question difficulty.
- Revise basic arithmetic and reasoning concepts daily.
- Follow current affairs, especially defence and government-scheme news, for the General Awareness section.
- Brush up on basic English grammar rules.
- Candidates applying for physical posts should begin PET practice (running, and other standards as specified) well in advance.
How to Apply for AOC Recruitment 2026
- Visit the official AOC recruitment portal: aocrecruitment.gov.in
- Click on “Candidate Corner” and select “New Registration.”
- Register using your name, valid email ID, and mobile number to generate login credentials.
- Log in and fill in personal details, educational qualifications, and post preference(s).
- Upload scanned copies of your photograph, signature, and relevant certificates/marksheets.
- Review the application carefully using the preview option before final submission.
- Submit the form and download/print a copy for future reference.
Note: Candidates can apply for more than one post in this recruitment cycle, provided they meet the separate age and educational eligibility criteria for each role. Most sources indicate no application fee is charged for any candidate category, but this should be confirmed against the detailed notification.
Documents Required
- Recent passport-size photograph and signature (scanned copies)
- Class 10/12 marksheet and certificate
- Graduation certificate (for Material Assistant)
- ITI certificate, if applicable
- Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS), if applicable
- Ex-Servicemen/PwBD certificate, if applicable
- Valid ID proof
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: How many vacancies are there in AOC Recruitment 2026? A total of 2,615 Group C vacancies (tentative) have been announced across Tradesman Mate, Fireman, JOA, MTS, and Material Assistant posts.
Q2: When will the AOC Recruitment 2026 online application start? The application process begins on 24 August 2026 and continues until 23 September 2026.
Q3: What is the minimum qualification required? It depends on the post — Class 10 pass is sufficient for Tradesman Mate, Fireman, and MTS, while Material Assistant requires a bachelor’s degree.
Q4: Is there an application fee for AOC Recruitment 2026? Most official short notices indicate no application fee for any category, but candidates should verify this in the detailed notification.
Q5: Can I apply for more than one post? Yes, candidates can apply for multiple posts if they satisfy the age and educational eligibility for each post separately.
Q6: Where can I apply for AOC Recruitment 2026? Applications must be submitted online only through the official website: aocrecruitment.gov.in