Join Pakistan Army: 159 PMA Long Course 2026 – Online Registration Open

Online registration for the 159 PMA Long Course is open on the Pakistan Army's official portal. This is the Army's commissioned-officer intake through the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Kakul — successful candidates train for two years at the Academy and are commissioned as Second Lieutenants. Registration runs from 14 September to 23 October 2026.

This guide covers who can apply, the eligibility criteria, the selection stages, and exactly how to register.

Quick Overview: 159 PMA Long Course 2026

Detail	Information
Organization	Pakistan Army (via PMA Kakul, Abbottabad)
Course	159 PMA Long Course
Outcome	Commission as Second Lieutenant after 2 years of training
Registration window	14 September – 23 October 2026
How to apply	Online at joinpakarmy.gov.pk or in person at AS&RCs
Last date	23 October 2026

Who Can Apply

• Male Pakistani citizens, including domicile holders of Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
• Unmarried candidates (serving armed forces personnel aged 20 and above may be married).

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification and Age Limit

Qualification	Age on 1 May 2027
Intermediate (FA/FSc or equivalent), minimum 60% marks	17–22 years
Intermediate with 55% marks — for Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, Chitral, Dir, Kohistan, Tharparkar, and Rajanpur domiciles	17–22 years
Graduates (2-year BA/BSc or equivalent)	17–23 years
4-year BS / BA Honours / BBA / BPA	17–24 years
Serving Army soldiers	17–25 years

A 3-month relaxation is admissible at both the upper and lower age limits for the intermediate category. No age relaxation applies to the graduate and serving-soldier categories beyond what is stated.

Physical Standards

• Minimum height: 5 feet 4 inches (162.5 cm).
• Weight: as per BMI/body-mass standards applied at the medical stage.

How to Register for 159 PMA Long Course — Step by Step

1. Visit the official portal at joinpakarmy.gov.pk and open the 159 PMA Long Course registration page — or visit your nearest Army Selection & Recruitment Center (AS&RC) in person.
2. Register online with your personal details exactly as they appear on your CNIC/B-Form and academic documents.
3. Note your roll/test details after registration and keep the confirmation safe.
4. Appear for the preliminary tests at your assigned AS&RC on the given date, carrying your original documents.

Documents You'll Need

• CNIC or B-Form (and CNIC once issued, as applicable)
• Academic certificates and detailed marks sheets (Matric, Intermediate, graduation as applicable)
• Domicile certificate
• Recent passport-size photographs
• NOC for serving personnel, where applicable

Selection Process

The 159 PMA Long Course selection runs in stages:

1. Preliminary tests at AS&RCs — written and intelligence tests (the preliminary phase runs 5 October – 15 December 2026), followed by physical tests, medical examination, and an interview.
2. ISSB — candidates who clear the preliminary stage appear before the Inter Services Selection Board for the 4-day selection battery.
3. Final selection and medical — on merit, followed by joining PMA Kakul for two years of military training.

Only candidates who clear each stage move to the next — prepare for every stage, not just the written test.

Important Instructions Before You Apply

• Registration closes on 23 October 2026 — the portal and AS&RCs stop accepting applications after that.
• Register only through joinpakarmy.gov.pk or an official AS&RC. Do not trust agents or unofficial websites claiming to register candidates.
• Enter your name, date of birth, and CNIC details exactly as on your official documents — discrepancies cause rejection at the verification stage.
• Keep checking the official portal for your test date and center; schedules are announced there.

Should You Apply? A Practical Take

The PMA Long Course is the premier route to a commission in the Pakistan Army, and the 159th course follows the standard, well-documented pattern — no surprises in the process, which is an advantage: every stage, from the AS&RC preliminaries to the ISSB, is described on the official portal and in the Army's own guidance.

Be realistic about two things. First, the academic bar (60% at intermediate) and the physical standards filter early — measure yourself honestly before registering. Second, the ISSB is a personality and leadership assessment, not an exam you can cram for; candidates who prepare only the written test routinely fall at this stage. If you are serious, start physical preparation now alongside your test prep.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the last date for 159 PMA Long Course registration?

23 October 2026. Registration opened on 14 September 2026.

How do I apply for the 159 PMA Long Course?

Online at joinpakarmy.gov.pk, or in person at the nearest Army Selection & Recruitment Center (AS&RC).

What is the minimum education required?

Intermediate (FA/FSc or equivalent) with at least 60% marks — 55% for candidates domiciled in Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, Chitral, Dir, Kohistan, Tharparkar, or Rajanpur. Graduates may also apply within their age brackets.

What is the age limit?

17–22 years on 1 May 2027 for intermediate candidates (with 3 months relaxation at the limits), up to 23 for 2-year graduates, 24 for 4-year degree holders, and 25 for serving soldiers.

What is the minimum height?

5 feet 4 inches (162.5 cm).

Can married candidates apply?

Candidates must be unmarried, except serving armed forces personnel aged 20 and above.

How many seats are available?

The Army does not publish a fixed number of seats for a PMA Long Course — selection is intake-based on merit through the ISSB process.

About the Pakistan Military Academy

The Pakistan Military Academy at Kakul, Abbottabad, is the Army's officer-training institution. PMA Long Course cadets undergo two years of military, academic, and physical training before being commissioned as Second Lieutenants in the Pakistan Army.

Selection Stages in Detail

• Written/Intelligence tests: the first filter at AS&RCs — verbal/non-verbal intelligence plus academic MCQs.
• Physical tests: running, push-ups, pull-ups, and related fitness assessments to Army standards.
• Medical: full medical examination against service standards.
• Interview: preliminary interview at the AS&RC.
• ISSB: the 4-day Inter Services Selection Board battery — psychological tests, group tasks, and interviews assessing officer-like qualities.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Registering through unofficial websites or paying agents — only joinpakarmy.gov.pk and AS&RCs are legitimate.
• Document mismatches (name spelling, date of birth) between your registration and your CNIC/academic records.
• Neglecting physical preparation until after the written test.
• Missing your assigned test date — schedules are posted on the official portal.
• Assuming the process ends at the written test — the ISSB is the decisive stage.

Why This Intake Matters

Each PMA Long Course is a fixed annual window — miss the 23 October deadline and the next opportunity is a full course cycle away. For FA/FSc graduates aiming at a military career, the 159th course is the current open door, and the published schedule (preliminaries 5 October – 15 December 2026) means preparation time is now, not later.

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