159 PMA Long Course 2026: Join Pakistan Army as a Commissioned Officer — Eligibility & Apply Online

The Pakistan Army 159 PMA Long Course 2026 provides eligible young men with an opportunity to join the Pakistan Army as a Regular Commissioned Officer.

Successful candidates undergo training at the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA), Kakul, and are commissioned as Second Lieutenants after completing the required training.

The registration deadline for the current intake has been extended to November 1, 2026, giving eligible candidates additional time to complete their applications.

Candidates should apply only through the official Pakistan Army recruitment website:

Official Join Pakistan Army Portal — joinpakarmy.gov.pk

The 159 PMA Long Course is open to eligible male Pakistani citizens, including candidates holding domicile of Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, subject to the prescribed eligibility conditions.

What Is the 159 PMA Long Course?

The PMA Long Course is one of the main entry routes for candidates seeking a Regular Commission in the Pakistan Army.

Candidates who successfully complete the selection process and training at PMA Kakul are commissioned as Second Lieutenants.

The training duration for the PMA Long Course is approximately two years.

The course is designed for candidates entering the Army after Intermediate or graduation, with different age and academic requirements depending on the candidate's qualification.

159 PMA Long Course 2026 — Important Details

Detail	Information
Course	159 PMA Long Course
Organization	Pakistan Army
Commission	Regular Commission
Rank After Training	Second Lieutenant
Gender	Male
Nationality	Pakistani
Marital Status	Generally unmarried
Training	PMA Kakul
Training Duration	Approximately 2 years
Registration Deadline	November 1, 2026
Application Mode	Online
Official Website	joinpakarmy.gov.pk

The available recruitment information confirms that the course leads to a Regular Commission and that candidates are trained at PMA Kakul before commissioning.

Who Can Apply for PMA Long Course 159?

The course is primarily open to male Pakistani citizens.

Candidates from Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan can also apply under the applicable conditions.

Civilian candidates are generally required to be unmarried.

However, married serving personnel of the Armed Forces who are above the specified age threshold may also be eligible under the relevant category.

Female candidates are not eligible for the PMA Long Course. Women interested in joining the Pakistan Army as officers should look for other officer-entry programmes specifically announced for women.

Academic Eligibility

Academic requirements depend on the candidate's qualification.

Intermediate Candidates

Candidates applying after FA, FSc or an equivalent qualification generally require:

Minimum 60% marks

The official recruitment information also provides a 55% marks relaxation for candidates from specified areas, subject to the relevant domicile and study requirements.

Therefore, the commonly circulated statement that "55% is enough for everyone" is not accurate.

Important:

60% is the general Intermediate requirement.

55% is applicable to specified areas/categories only.

Graduates Can Also Apply

Candidates who have completed graduation can apply under the relevant graduate categories.

Two-Year Graduation

Candidates with a two-year BA/BSc degree generally need:

• 60% marks in graduation

• 50% marks in FA/FSc

Four-Year Degree

Candidates with qualifications such as:

• BS

• BA (Hons)

• BBA

• BPA

can apply with the required 60% marks in graduation, subject to the applicable Intermediate and age conditions.

Age Requirements

The age requirement depends on the candidate's educational qualification.

The age is calculated according to the prescribed cutoff date of May 1, 2027.

Qualification / Category	Age
Intermediate / Equivalent	17–22 years
2-Year Graduates	17–23 years
4-Year Graduates	17–24 years
Serving Army Soldiers	17–25 years

The available recruitment information also indicates a limited three-month relaxation for some categories, while four-year graduates and serving Army soldiers have different rules. Candidates should verify their exact age eligibility through the official registration portal before applying.

Height and Physical Requirements

Candidates must also meet the prescribed physical standards.

Minimum Height

5 feet 4 inches (162.5 cm)

Weight must be appropriate according to the required Body Mass Index (BMI) standards.

Meeting the academic requirement alone does not guarantee eligibility because candidates must also clear the physical, medical and selection stages.

PMA 159 Registration Deadline

November 1, 2026

The registration deadline for the current PMA 159 intake has been extended to November 1, 2026 according to the latest available recruitment information.

Candidates who meet the eligibility requirements should complete their registration before the deadline.

Do not wait until the final day because technical problems, incomplete information or documentation issues can delay the application process.

How to Apply for PMA Long Course 159

Candidates should apply online through the official Pakistan Army recruitment website.

Step 1: Visit the Official Website

Open:

Join Pakistan Army — Official Recruitment Portal

Step 2: Select PMA Long Course

Find the registration option for 159 PMA Long Course.

Step 3: Enter Your Information

Candidates should provide their personal and academic information accurately.

This may include:

• CNIC/B-Form information

• Date of birth

• Domicile

• Educational qualification

• Examination marks

• Contact information

Step 4: Select the Relevant Army Selection & Recruitment Centre

Candidates will be required to follow the instructions provided by the recruitment portal regarding their selection centre and test schedule.

Step 5: Submit the Application

Review all information carefully before submitting.

Step 6: Download or Save Your Registration Information

Candidates should keep their registration details and roll-number information safely for the subsequent testing stages.

What Happens After Online Registration?

Registration is only the first stage.

Candidates who meet the initial eligibility requirements proceed through a selection process that can include:

Registration → Preliminary Test → Physical Test → Medical Examination → Interview → ISSB → Final Medical → GHQ Merit

The Inter Services Selection Board (ISSB) is the official selection institution responsible for assessing candidates for commissioning in Pakistan's Armed Forces.

For detailed information about the ISSB assessment and selection system, candidates can visit the:

Inter Services Selection Board (ISSB) — Official Website

Preliminary Selection Process

Candidates should prepare for multiple stages.

Written / Preliminary Test

The initial process includes written assessment, including English/Urdu-related testing according to the recruitment process.

Physical Test

Candidates must demonstrate the required physical fitness.

The preliminary selection process can include activities such as running, push-ups and sit-ups.

Medical Examination

Candidates must meet the prescribed medical standards.

Interview

Candidates who progress through the preliminary stages may face an interview at the relevant Army Selection & Recruitment Centre.

What Is ISSB?

ISSB stands for Inter Services Selection Board.

Candidates who successfully clear the initial Army recruitment stages are sent for further assessment through ISSB.

ISSB evaluates candidates through different psychological, group and interview-based activities designed to assess their suitability for military leadership.

Candidates should therefore prepare not only academically but also physically, psychologically and through communication and leadership development.

Candidates can review the official:

ISSB Selection System

for information about the assessment process.

PMA Long Course Training

Selected candidates undergo training at the Pakistan Military Academy, Kakul.

The training period is approximately:

2 Years

After successfully completing the required training and meeting all applicable standards, cadets are commissioned into the Pakistan Army as Second Lieutenants.

Can Students Waiting for Their Results Apply?

Candidates awaiting certain examination results may be able to apply under the result-awaiting/Hope Certificate provisions where applicable.

However, they must satisfy the prescribed marks and documentation conditions once their results are available.

Candidates should check the exact requirements displayed by the official registration portal before selecting the result-awaiting option.

A-Level Candidates

Candidates who have completed A-Level or an equivalent qualification may also be eligible subject to the prescribed requirements.

An IBCC equivalence certificate is required for determining the equivalent Pakistani qualification and marks.

Candidates can check the official:

IBCC — A-Level and O-Level Equivalence Information

for information about equivalence requirements.

Candidates should ensure that their equivalence documentation is available when required during the recruitment process.

Marks Relaxation for Specified Areas

A marks relaxation is available for candidates from certain specified areas.

The reported recruitment criteria include areas such as:

• Balochistan

• Former FATA / merged districts

• Gilgit-Baltistan

• Neelum District, AJK

• Kohistan

• Chitral

• Dir

• Balakot Tehsil of Mansehra

• Tharparkar

• Umerkot

• Rajanpur

• Specified areas of Cholistan

Candidates claiming the relaxation must satisfy the relevant domicile and educational conditions.

Is PMA Long Course 159 Only for Male Candidates?

Yes.

The PMA Long Course is currently advertised for male candidates.

Female candidates interested in joining the Pakistan Army should look for other officer-entry programmes specifically announced for women.

Is the Registration Fee Required?

Current recruitment information indicates that a registration and examination fee of Rs. 300 is associated with the application process, with payment instructions provided through the recruitment system.

Candidates should rely on the fee challan generated through the official Pakistan Army portal rather than paying an individual or an unofficial website.

Important Documents

Candidates should keep their educational and identification documents ready.

These can include:

• CNIC/B-Form

• Domicile

• Matric certificate

• Intermediate certificate/marks sheet

• Graduation documents, where applicable

• IBCC equivalence for A-Level candidates

• Recent photographs

• Other documents specified by the recruitment centre

Candidates should bring original documents and the required copies when appearing for the relevant recruitment stages.

Important Tips for Applicants

Apply Through the Official Website

Only use:

www.joinpakarmy.gov.pk — Official Pakistan Army Recruitment Portal

Avoid unofficial websites claiming to register candidates on their behalf.

Check Your Age Carefully

Age is calculated according to the prescribed cutoff date, not simply the date on which you submit the application.

Verify Your Marks

Select the correct academic category based on your qualification.

Prepare Physically

Do not wait until the test date to start physical preparation.

Keep Documents Ready

Incomplete documentation can create problems during the recruitment process.

Do Not Pay Unofficial Agents

No individual can guarantee selection into the Pakistan Army.

159 PMA Long Course 2026 — Quick Summary

Detail	Information
Course	159 PMA Long Course
Organization	Pakistan Army
Commission	Regular Commission
Rank	Second Lieutenant
Gender	Male
Marital Status	Generally unmarried
Intermediate Marks	60% general requirement
Specified Areas	55% relaxation may apply
Graduate Marks	60% graduation + applicable Intermediate requirement
Minimum Height	5'4" / 162.5 cm
Training	PMA Kakul
Training Duration	2 years
Registration Deadline	November 1, 2026
Application	Online
Official Portal	joinpakarmy.gov.pk