The recruitment and selection drive for the fourth batch of the National Service Basic Training Programme officially began on 9 August and will run through 18 August, the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has announced.
In an exclusive interview with PSM News, Lieutenant Colonel Ibrahim Haleem of the MNDF revealed that the current process is specifically aimed at candidates who were unable to secure a place during the application period for the third batch.
“We are currently conducting the recruitment and selection process for the 4th batch of National Service. This process is being carried out extensively in Male’ and across the atolls. As part of this process, aptitude tests, interviews, physical tests, swimming tests, and health screenings are ongoing,” he explained.
The selection effort spans 13 regions nationwide, with six MNDF teams deployed to administer the assessments. Haleem praised the seamless coordination, thanking government institutions and local councils for their full cooperation and support.
Launched under the directive of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, the National Service Programme seeks to cultivate a responsible, Islam‑loving youth generation. Training encompasses moral and behavioural development, first aid, firefighting, self‑defence, and core military components.
Successful participants earn a Certificate of Completion for National Service Initial Training, a Level 3 Certificate in Civic Education and Leadership, Community Volunteer Firefighter and Basic First Aid certifications, and a Peer Education Training Programme certificate.
To date, basic training for the first two batches has been completed, while the third batch is presently underway. That cohort comprises 352 cadets from 112 islands—288 male and 64 female—underscoring the programme’s broad reach across the archipelago.