The selection of senior officers for the National Security and War Course 2026-27 has started. According to the office memorandum issued by the Establishment Division, the National Security and War Course will be started at the National Defense University (NDU) Islamabad from August 2026 and in this regard the Establishment Division has started the process of selecting officers.
All federal ministries, divisions and provincial governments have been directed to send the names of their eligible officers by November 25, 2025.
The nomination of officers from the Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS), Police Service of Pakistan (PSP) and Secretariat Group will be done by the Establishment Division, while the names of officers from other services or groups will be sent by the concerned ministries or departments. Nominations sent directly from any department or autonomous body will not be acceptable. Officers who are permanently posted in Grade 20 or its equivalent, are included in the promotion zone, and are not more than 55 years of age as on August 15, 2026, will be eligible for the course. Nominations will be made on the basis of seniority, high educational qualifications, and a recent medical report.
The Establishment Division has clarified that gender representation will be ensured in the course, and at least 6 to 8 female officers should be nominated, while the National Defense University will ensure the inclusion of at least 4 female officers.
Officers who are posted abroad, on long leave or against whom disciplinary proceedings are pending will not be nominated. However, officers against whom proceedings have been pending for more than a year may be considered.
It has been made mandatory to attach detailed biodata, service proforma, seniority list, medical report and disciplinary clearance certificate along with the nomination. The course fee has been fixed at Rs. 279,462 per person.
The fees of officers of the federal services will be paid by the Establishment Division, while the fees of officers of provincial governments and autonomous bodies will be paid by their respective institutions to the National Defense University. The Establishment Division has directed that permission to recall an officer from the course 15 days before the commencement of the course will be given only in extremely urgent circumstances, as per the approval of the Prime Minister.
Reporter: Baber Shahzad