School of Artillery Devlali and Artillery Centre NRC Maharashtra Recruitment 2026 - Apply Offline for 06 Fireman, Syce And More Posts

The Headquarters School of Artillery, Devlali, under the aegis of the Indian Army, has issued an official recruitment notification inviting applications for 06 civilian posts across three categories: Fireman, Syce, and Saddler. This recruitment provides an excellent opportunity for eligible candidates to join the prestigious Indian Army in civilian capacities and contribute to the operational efficiency of one of the country's premier military training establishments. The positions are permanent in nature and come with attractive salary packages aligned with the 7th Central Pay Commission recommendations, along with comprehensive benefits typical of central government employment.

About School of Artillery Devlali

The School of Artillery, located in Devlali near Nashik in Maharashtra, stands as one of the oldest and most prestigious military training institutions of the Indian Army. Established in the 19th century, this institution has played a pivotal role in training artillery officers and personnel for over a century. The School of Artillery serves as the nodal center for artillery training in India, conducting numerous courses ranging from basic to advanced levels for officers and personnel of the Regiment of Artillery. The establishment maintains state-of-the-art facilities, modern equipment, and extensive training infrastructure spread across a vast campus. Working at this institution offers civilian employees a unique opportunity to be part of India's defense apparatus while enjoying job security, structured career progression, and the dignity associated with serving the nation's armed forces.

Detailed Post Information

The current recruitment encompasses three distinct categories of posts, each with specific responsibilities and qualification requirements. The Fireman position (02 vacancies) involves firefighting duties, emergency response, fire prevention activities, and maintaining firefighting equipment at the artillery center. Candidates will be trained in modern firefighting techniques and safety protocols. The Syce position (03 vacancies) pertains to the care, maintenance, and management of horses used in ceremonial and training activities at the artillery center. This role requires physical fitness and an affinity for working with animals. The Saddler position (01 vacancy) involves the maintenance, repair, and upkeep of horse saddles, harnesses, leather equipment, and related accessories. This specialized role requires craftsmanship skills in leather work and equipment maintenance.

Qualification Requirements

Educational qualifications vary based on the position applied for, reflecting the different skill sets required. For the Fireman post, candidates must have passed the 12th class (Intermediate) examination from a recognized board or equivalent qualification. Additionally, possession of a Heavy Motor Vehicle (HMV) driving license is mandatory, as the role involves operating firefighting vehicles. For the Syce position, candidates should have passed Matriculation (10th standard) or equivalent examination from a recognized board. The Saddler position also requires Matriculation or equivalent qualification along with demonstrated skills in leather work, saddlery, or related crafts. Candidates may need to demonstrate their practical skills during the selection process. All educational certificates must be from boards or institutions recognized by appropriate government authorities.

Age Criteria and Relaxations

Age limits are prescribed separately for each position in accordance with the category of employment. For the Fireman post, candidates must be between 18 and 27 years of age as on the closing date of the application window. For Syce and Saddler positions, the age bracket is 18 to 25 years. However, age relaxations are provided as per Government of India rules for reserved category candidates. Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates receive a relaxation of 5 years, while Other Backward Classes (OBC) candidates are eligible for 3 years of relaxation. Persons with Disabilities (PwD) get an additional 10 years of relaxation. Ex-servicemen candidates receive age relaxation as per the length of military service rendered plus 3 years, subject to a maximum limit. Candidates seeking age relaxation must produce valid certificates from competent authorities in the prescribed format at the time of document verification.

Salary Structure and Benefits

The positions offer competitive remuneration as per the 7th Central Pay Commission pay matrix. The Fireman post is placed in Level-2 of the pay matrix with a pay scale of ₹19,900 to ₹63,200 per month. The initial basic pay will be ₹19,900, which will increase through annual increments. Both Syce and Saddler positions are in Level-1 of the pay matrix with a pay scale of ₹18,000 to ₹56,900, starting at ₹18,000 basic pay. In addition to basic pay, employees are entitled to Dearness Allowance (DA) as per central government rates, which is revised twice annually. Other allowances include House Rent Allowance (HRA) or government accommodation, Transport Allowance, and other admissible allowances based on posting location. Employees also benefit from comprehensive medical facilities for themselves and dependents, contributory provident fund, gratuity, pension benefits, leave travel concession, and various welfare schemes provided to central government employees.

Application Process

The application process is offline, requiring candidates to submit physical applications through postal services. Candidates should prepare applications on plain paper in the prescribed format, which can be downloaded from the official Indian Army website (indianarmy.nic.in) or obtained from the Artillery Centre office. The application must contain complete personal details, educational qualifications, experience (if any), category information, and declaration. Applications should be accompanied by self-attested photocopies of all relevant documents including matriculation/12th certificates, mark sheets, date of birth proof (matriculation certificate), caste certificate (for reserved category candidates), domicile certificate, passport-size photographs, and HMV driving license (for Fireman post). No application fee is charged for this recruitment. Completed applications must be sent by ordinary post to: Headquarters School of Artillery, Devlali, Pin Code - 422401, Maharashtra. The envelope should be superscribed with "Application for the post of ______" mentioning the specific position applied for. Applications must reach the designated address within 28 days from the date of publication of the advertisement in the Employment News newspaper.

Selection Methodology

The selection process is designed to assess candidates' suitability comprehensively through multiple stages. Initially, all received applications will undergo scrutiny to verify eligibility regarding age, educational qualifications, and documentation completeness. Candidates meeting eligibility criteria will be shortlisted for further selection stages. The selection process typically includes a written examination testing general knowledge, mathematics, reasoning ability, and subject knowledge relevant to the post. For the Fireman position, questions related to firefighting, safety protocols, and vehicle operations may be included. Physical standards verification will be conducted to ensure candidates meet the required health and fitness parameters, including height, weight, chest measurements (for male candidates), and visual acuity. A practical skills test may be conducted, particularly for Syce and Saddler positions, to assess hands-on capabilities. Finally, shortlisted candidates will face a personal interview to evaluate communication skills, general awareness, and overall suitability. The final merit list will be prepared based on cumulative performance across all selection components. Merit lists will be category-wise, and selected candidates will be appointed subject to verification of original documents and medical examination.

Physical Standards

Candidates must meet prescribed physical standards to be eligible for appointment. For the Fireman post, male candidates should have a minimum height of 165 cm with a chest measurement of 80 cm (un-expanded) and 85 cm (expanded). Weight should be proportionate to height and age. For Syce and Saddler positions, minimum height of 157.5 cm is required for male candidates with proportionate weight. Female candidates (if applicable under reservation) have relaxed height standards as per government norms. Visual acuity standards require candidates to have normal vision (6/6 or correctable to 6/6) without color blindness. Candidates should be free from physical deformities, chronic diseases, or any condition that may interfere with efficient discharge of duties. Detailed physical standards will be available in the official notification. All candidates will undergo a medical examination by authorized medical practitioners, and fitness certification is mandatory before appointment.

Important Guidelines and Conditions

Candidates must note several important conditions before applying. Only Indian citizens are eligible for these positions. Candidates should carefully verify their eligibility regarding age, educational qualifications, and other criteria before applying, as ineligible applications will be summarily rejected. Providing false information or submitting fake documents at any stage will result in disqualification and debarment from future recruitments, and may also attract legal action. Candidates currently employed in government, semi-government, PSUs, or autonomous bodies must submit a No Objection Certificate from their current employer. The School of Artillery reserves the right to cancel or modify the recruitment process at any stage without assigning reasons. Canvassing in any form will lead to automatic disqualification. No correspondence will be entertained regarding application status or reasons for non-selection. Selected candidates will be subject to verification of character and antecedents by police authorities, and appointment is contingent upon satisfactory reports. The appointment will be governed by the rules and regulations applicable to civilian employees of the Indian Army. Candidates should regularly check the official website for updates, admit cards, and result notifications.