Psychological test made mandatory for Agniveer recruits from August 2025

In a significant shift in its recruitment approach, the Indian Army will introduce mandatory psychological testing for Agniveer candidates starting August 2025. The move marks a departure from a solely physical evaluation system to a more comprehensive assessment of mental and emotional fitness, reflecting the evolving demands of military service.

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The psychological evaluation, developed by the Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR) under the Ministry of Defence, aims to assess intellectual capability and stress-handling ability. The new test will debut in recruitment rallies across Gwalior, Chambal, and Bundelkhand districts in Madhya Pradesh.

Candidates will be required to complete a 15-minute online test after the initial 1600-meter race, which is the first phase of recruitment. A secure link to the psychological test will be sent to the candidates’ mobile phones. Only those who pass the assessment will proceed to subsequent stages of selection.

This marks the first time psychological screening is being implemented at the Agniveer level, a measure previously reserved for officer-level entries through NDA, CDS, and JCO routes. However, the format for Agniveer recruits differs from officer-level assessments.

The Army believes this initiative will better prepare soldiers to handle the psychological stresses of military life, while also helping to prevent future mental health-related issues within the ranks.