The Indian Army is one of the largest and most respected land forces in the world, offering young Indian citizens the honor of serving the nation while building a prestigious career. Through the Technical Graduate Course (TGC), the Indian Army specifically recruits engineering graduates into its officer cadre, granting Permanent Commission after successful training at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun. This entry scheme is designed to bring technically qualified talent directly into the Army's officer ranks, combining engineering expertise with military leadership training.
Why You Should Apply
This is a prestigious opportunity for unmarried male engineering graduates to secure a Permanent Commission in the Indian Army, with the added benefit of one-year ante-date seniority granted specifically to TGC entry officers for purposes of seniority, promotion, and pay increment. Beyond the honor of serving the nation, selected candidates receive a fixed stipend during training, followed by an attractive pay scale, Military Service Pay, numerous allowances, and comprehensive insurance coverage under the Army Group Insurance Fund — making this a financially secure and professionally prestigious career path for engineering graduates.
About the Post
Selected candidates will undergo approximately 12 months of pre-commission training at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, before being granted Short Service Commission on probation in the rank of Lieutenant, which subsequently converts to Permanent Commission on successful completion of training. Officers will be allocated to various Arms/Services of the Indian Army at the sole discretion of Integrated HQ of Ministry of Defence (Army), based on organizational requirements, prior to passing out from IMA.
Recruitment Overview
The Indian Army has released the notification for the 145th Technical Graduate Course (TGC-145), commencing in July 2027, inviting applications from eligible unmarried male Engineering Graduates for Permanent Commission in the Army. The recruitment covers 30 vacancies across various engineering streams including Civil, Computer Science, Electrical, Electronics, Mechanical, and Miscellaneous Engineering disciplines. The selection process involves online application, shortlisting based on cumulative percentage of marks, SSB (Service Selection Board) interview, and medical examination. Online applications will open on 30 September 2026 at 1500 Hrs and close on 29 October 2026 at 1500 Hrs.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Start Date | 30 September 2026, 1500 Hrs |
| Online Application Last Date | 29 October 2026, 1500 Hrs |
| Course Commencement | July 2027 |
| SSB Interview Date | To be communicated via registered email/SMS |
| Result/Merit List Date | Not mentioned |
Vacancy Details
| Core Engineering Stream | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Civil (and equivalent streams like Architecture, Construction Engineering) | 08 |
| Computer Science (and equivalent streams like IT, AI/ML, Data Science) | 06 |
| Electrical | 02 |
| Electronics (and equivalent streams like Instrumentation, Telecommunication) | 06 |
| Mechanical (and equivalent streams like Production, Industrial, Automobile, Aeronautical) | 06 |
| Miscellaneous Engineering Streams (Plastic Tech, Remote Sensing, Biomedical, Food Tech, Agriculture, Metallurgical, Textile, etc.) | 02 |
| Total | 30 |
Note: Vacancies are tentative and may be changed/re-appropriated depending on organisational requirements. Recommended candidates whose merit falls outside the allotted vacancies in their stream may be offered Short Service Commission (Tech) Course (Oct 2027), subject to availability of unutilised vacancies.
Eligibility Criteria
Age Limit: 20 to 27 years as on 01 July 2027, i.e., born not earlier than 01 July 2000 and not later than 30 June 2007.
Marital Status: Candidates must be unmarried; marriage during training is strictly prohibited and will lead to discharge and liability to refund all training expenditure to the Government.
Nationality: A candidate must be either (i) a citizen of India, or (ii) a subject of Nepal, or (iii) a person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, or specified East African countries with the intention of permanently settling in India. Candidates under categories (ii) and (iii) require a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India (except Gorkha subjects of Nepal).
Educational Qualification: BE/B.Tech/M.Sc. Computer Science in the notified Engineering streams listed under the vacancy table above. Candidates must have obtained their degree from a University/Institution recognized by an Act of Central or State Legislature in India, or deemed universities under UGC Act 1956, IIT Act 1961, AICTE Act 1987, NITSER Act 2007, or IIIT Act 2024. Candidates with foreign engineering degrees are NOT eligible to apply.
Final Year Appearing Candidates: Candidates in their final year of Engineering degree can apply, but must submit proof of passing the degree examination along with marksheets of all semesters/years by 01 July 2027. Such candidates are provisionally allowed to appear in SSB, subject to their cumulative percentage up to the 6th semester/3rd year being not below the approved cut-off. Candidates whose final year/semester results will be declared AFTER 01 July 2027 are NOT eligible to apply. Final year candidates will be inducted on an Additional Bond Basis for recovery of training costs, stipend, and pay/allowances if they fail to produce the requisite degree certificate.
Other Conditions:
- Candidates withdrawn, dismissed, removed, or invalided out from any Defence Training Academy on disciplinary, administrative, or medical grounds are NOT eligible.
- The date of birth accepted is only that recorded in the Matriculation/Secondary School Examination Certificate (or equivalent); no other age document will be accepted, and no subsequent change request will be entertained.
- Any variation between the engineering stream name on the degree certificate and that submitted in the online application will result in cancellation of candidature.
Physical Standards
Minimum physical standards that must be acquired BEFORE joining the training academy:
| Activity | Minimum Standard |
|---|---|
| 2.4 Km Run | 10 Minutes 30 Seconds |
| Push Up | 40 |
| Pull Up | 06 |
| Sit Up | 30 |
| Squats | Two Sets of 30 Repetitions |
| Lunges | Two Sets of 10 Repetitions |
| Swimming | Should know fundamentals of swimming |
Salary/Pay Scale
Fixed Stipend during Cadet Training (at IMA, Dehradun): Rs. 56,100/- per month (Starting Pay in Level 10 of Pay Matrix). On successful commissioning, pay is fixed in the First Cell of Level 10; the training period is not treated as commissioned service, but arrears of admissible allowances for the training period are paid.
Post-Commission Pay Scale (7th CPC):
| Rank | Level | Pay (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| Lieutenant | Level 10 | 56,100 – 1,77,500 |
| Captain | Level 10B | 61,300 – 1,93,900 |
| Major | Level 11 | 69,400 – 2,07,200 |
| Lieutenant Colonel | Level 12A | 1,21,200 – 2,12,400 |
| Colonel | Level 13 | 1,30,600 – 2,15,900 |
| Brigadier | Level 13A | 1,39,600 – 2,17,600 |
| Major General | Level 14 | 1,44,200 – 2,18,200 |
Additional Benefits: Military Service Pay (MSP) of Rs. 15,500/- per month fixed (for Lieutenant to Brigadier rank), Dearness Allowance as per civilian personnel rates, Dress Allowance of Rs. 20,000/- per year, Ration in Kind (Peace and Field Areas), Transport Allowance, Children Education Allowance (Rs. 2,250/- per month per child for 2 children), Hostel Subsidy (Rs. 6,750/- per month per child for 2 children), various Field Area/Hardship allowances depending on posting, and Army Group Insurance Fund (AGIF) coverage of Rs. 1.25 Crore.
Selection Process
- Shortlisting of Applications: Based on vacancy-to-call-up ratio for each engineering discipline/stream, with cut-off applied on cumulative percentage of marks up to the final semester/year.
- Allotment of Selection Centre & Dates: Shortlisted candidates select their SSB dates and centres on a first-come-first-serve basis (once selected, cannot be changed later, except at the discretion of Directorate General of Recruiting).
- Service Selection Board (SSB): Conducted at one of four centres — Prayagraj (UP), Bhopal (MP), Bengaluru (Karnataka), or Jalandhar (Punjab). The SSB is a two-stage selection procedure; candidates who clear Stage-1 proceed to Stage-2, while those who fail Stage-1 are returned the same day. Duration of SSB is a maximum of 5 days.
- Medical Examination: Conducted for candidates recommended after Stage-2; validity of SSB medical examination is 270 days.
- Merit List: Prepared stream-wise based on SSB interview marks. In case of a tie, the older candidate ranks higher; if age is also equal, the candidate with higher percentage in the qualifying degree ranks higher.
- Joining Letter: Issued to candidates within the merit list and stipulated stream-wise vacancies, subject to being declared medically fit.
Exam Pattern & Syllabus
Not applicable in the traditional sense — there is no written examination; selection is based on the SSB interview process (Stage-1 and Stage-2 testing) and merit list preparation based on academic percentage and SSB marks.
Application Fee
Not mentioned in the notification.
How to Apply
- Visit the official website www.joinindianarmy.nic.in.
- Click on 'Officer Entry Apply/Login' and then 'Registration' (skip if already registered).
- Fill the online registration form carefully, ensuring Aadhaar number and matriculation certificate details are ready, as both are mandatory for registration.
- After registration, click 'Apply Online' under Dashboard, go to 'Officers Selection Eligibility,' and click 'Apply' against Technical Graduate Course.
- Fill in the Application Form across segments: Personal Information, Communication Details, Education Details, and Previous SSB Details, clicking 'Save & Continue' at each step.
- Review the 'Summary of your information' page carefully, checking and editing entries as needed.
- Once satisfied with the correctness of details, click 'Submit' — note that no changes can be made after closure of the application window.
- Convert CGPA/Grades to Marks as per your University's formula for filling 'Marks obtained in Graduation'.
- Submit only ONE online application; multiple applications will lead to cancellation of candidature.
- Take two printed copies of the application (with Roll Number) 30 minutes after final closure of the online application on the last day.
- Submit the application within the window open from 30 September 2026 (1500 Hrs) to 29 October 2026 (1500 Hrs).
- If shortlisted, select your SSB date and centre promptly, as this is available on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Documents Required
Self-attested copies along with originals (DigiLocker certificates NOT accepted in lieu of originals) of: printed, signed application with self-attested photograph; Matriculation/Secondary School Examination certificate (for DOB, name, and parents' name proof); 12th class marksheet and certificate (or Diploma marksheet/certificate for Diploma holders); Engineering Degree/Provisional Degree (provisional degree not more than 6 months old at joining); marksheets of all semesters/years; CGPA-to-marks conversion certificate from the University; cumulative percentage certificate (for final year appearing candidates); certificate from Principal/Head of Institution confirming final year study status and expected result declaration by 01 July 2027 (for final year candidates); declaration of submission of degree proof by 01 July 2027 (for final year candidates); and documents related to civil verification.
Important Instructions
- Any mismatch between the engineering stream name on the degree certificate and the online application will lead to cancellation of candidature.
- Any variation in personal particulars (candidate's/parents' name) requires submission of an affidavit stating the variation.
- Candidates must carry ORIGINAL Degree/Provisional Degree and all semester/year marksheets for SSB.
- Candidates serving in the Armed Forces must inform their Commanding Officer in writing about their application, and carry a countersigned application to SSB.
- Candidates must disclose all material information (previous training, release/withdrawal/dismissal, medical invalidment, etc.) — suppression of material facts can lead to cancellation at any stage, even after commission.
- Travelling Allowance (AC-III Tier) is admissible only for candidates appearing for SSB for the first time for a particular type of commission; not admissible on subsequent applications.
- Candidates debarred from UPSC examinations, or arrested/convicted by a criminal court, or withdrawn from any Service Training Academy on disciplinary grounds, are not eligible.
- This notification is published in Hindi and English; in case of discrepancy, the English version will prevail.
- The entire cost of training at IMA is borne by the Government; however, Officer Cadets withdrawn for reasons other than medical grounds are liable to refund training costs at approximately Rs. 20,481.96/- per week (tentative).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. How many total vacancies are available under TGC-145? A1. There are 30 total vacancies across various engineering streams, including Civil (8), Computer Science (6), Electrical (2), Electronics (6), Mechanical (6), and Miscellaneous Engineering streams (2).
Q2. What is the last date to apply for TGC-145? A2. The online application window closes on 29 October 2026 at 1500 Hrs; it opens on 30 September 2026 at 1500 Hrs.
Q3. What is the age limit for TGC-145? A3. Candidates must be between 20 to 27 years as on 01 July 2027, i.e., born between 01 July 2000 and 30 June 2007.
Q4. Can married candidates apply for TGC-145? A4. No, this entry is specifically for unmarried male engineering graduates; marriage during training leads to discharge, and marrying after application but before joining also leads to cancellation of candidature.
Q5. What is the duration of training and type of commission granted? A5. Training lasts approximately 12 months at IMA Dehradun; candidates are granted Short Service Commission on probation initially, followed by Permanent Commission in the rank of Lieutenant on successful completion.
Q6. What is the stipend during training? A6. Officer Cadets receive a fixed stipend of Rs. 56,100/- per month during the entire training period at IMA, Dehradun.
Q7. Can final year engineering students apply? A7. Yes, final year students can apply, provided their final year/semester results are declared on or before 01 July 2027 and they meet the cumulative percentage cut-off requirements.
Important Links
- Official Website: https://www.joinindianarmy.nic.in
- Apply Online: https://www.joinindianarmy.nic.in (Officer Entry Apply/Login)
- Download Notification PDF: Available on the official website
- Official Notification: 145th Technical Graduate Course (TGC-145), Jul 2027
Conclusion
The Indian Army TGC-145 Recruitment 2026 offers unmarried male engineering graduates a prestigious opportunity to serve the nation as commissioned officers, combining technical expertise with military leadership at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. With attractive pay, allowances, and the honor of Permanent Commission, eligible candidates should complete their online application well before the deadline of 29 October 2026. For more such defence and government job updates, keep visiting certifica.in.