The Specialist Commissioned Officers (SCO) entry scheme is designed for serving personnel who wish to transition into commissioned officer roles within the Indian Army. This entry allows soldiers to leverage their technical or specialized skills to serve in leadership positions, offering them a unique opportunity for career advancement.

Vacancies Per Course

The SCO scheme typically offers 100 vacancies per course, conducted twice a year.

Notification and Application Process

• The notification for the SCO entry scheme is published by the MP Directorate / AG's Branch through individual units, usually in April and July.
• The application process involves candidates applying through their respective units, following instructions laid out in the official notification.

Eligibility Criteria

Age

• Candidates must be between 30 to 35 years old.
• A minimum of five years of service is required to be eligible for the SCO entry.

Qualification

• Candidates should have completed at least Matriculation (Class 10) and hold a One-Year Diploma or above in their field.

Marital Status

• Both unmarried and married candidates are eligible to apply.

Selection Process

1. SSB Interviews: Shortlisted candidates are invited for the SSB interviews, where they will be assessed for leadership potential, psychological fitness, and overall suitability.
2. SSB Schedule:
   • For the January Course, the SSB is likely to be conducted in July/August.
   • For the July Course, the SSB is likely to take place in November/December.

Training Details

Training Academy

• The initial training is conducted at the AEC Centre & College, Pachmarhi and later at the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Gaya.

Duration of Training

• The training lasts for eight weeks at the AEC Centre & College, Pachmarhi, followed by one year at the OTA, Gaya.

Key Features

• The SCO entry scheme offers a career path for personnel who have specialized qualifications and wish to move into leadership roles in the Indian Army.
• The combination of training at AEC Centre & College, Pachmarhi and OTA, Gaya ensures that candidates are well-prepared for their future responsibilities.
• The training emphasizes both technical proficiency and military leadership, equipping candidates to take on various operational and administrative duties as commissioned officers.

The SCO scheme provides an excellent opportunity for experienced and skilled service personnel to take on more significant roles in the Indian Army. The rigorous selection process and specialized training ensure that the selected officers are well-prepared to lead and serve with distinction.