Indian Army makes psychological test mandatory for Agniveer recruits

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Tthe Indian Army has made psychological testing mandatory for Agniveers, shifting from physical evaluation to a more comprehensive assessment of candidates’ mental fitness.

Starting August 2025, candidates will be required to clear a 15-minute online psychological test in addition to the standard physical fitness requirements.

The new system will be introduced during Agniveer recruitment rallies in the Gwalior, Chambal, and Bundelkhand districts of Madhya Pradesh.

Developed by the Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR), under the Ministry of Defence, the test aims to evaluate the intellectual capability and stress-handling ability of potential recruits.

The move is intended to help identify individuals who can effectively cope with the psychological pressures of military service, reducing the likelihood of stress-related incidents in the future.

The psychological evaluation will follow the completion of the 1600-meter race, which is the first stage of the recruitment process. A link to the test will be sent to the candidates’ mobile phones. Those who fail to clear the test will be disqualified from advancing to the subsequent selection phases.

Until now, psychological testing was only part of the selection process for officers entering through the NDA, CDS, or JCO routes. This is the first time such screening is being applied to Agniveer-level recruits, though in a format different from that used for officers.