The Indian Army Technical Graduate Course 2025 Vacancies: Eligibility, Salary and Registration Date
Introduction
Indian Army is inviting applications for its 142nd Technical Graduate Course (TGC-142) starting in January 2026 at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun. Unmarried male engineering graduates (or final-year students meeting the conditions) from eligible categories can apply. Candidates must meet specific nationality, age, educational, and physical requirements as well as follow guidelines on document submission and application procedures.
Important Candidate Details
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Course Name | 142nd Technical Graduate Course (TGC-142) (Commencing January 2026) |
| Commission Type | Initially Short Service Commission on probation; later Permanent Commission upon successful completion |
| Candidate Profile | Unmarried male engineering graduates or final-year engineering students (with conditions regarding proof of passing the final examination) |
| Nationality | • Citizen of India • Subject of Nepal • Person of Indian origin from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African nations, or Vietnam (must attach certificate of eligibility except for Gorkha candidates) |
| Age Limit | 20 to 27 years on 01 Jan 2026 (Candidates born between 02 Jan 1999 and 01 Jan 2006 are eligible) |
| Educational Qualification | Passed the Engineering Degree course or in the final year (proof of passing must be submitted by 01 Jan 2026 and the final certificate within 12 weeks of joining) |
| Application Period | Opens on 30 Apr 2025 at 15:00 hrs; closes on 29 May 2025 at 15:00 hrs |
| Mode of Application | Online at www.joinindianarmy.nic.in |
| Application Fees | Zero |
| Training Duration | Approximately 12 months at IMA, Dehradun |
This table highlights the basic eligibility and application details every candidate must review before applying.
Vacancy Distribution by Engineering Stream
| Engineering Stream | Eligible Courses / Equivalents | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineering | Civil, Building, Structural Engineering, Construction Engineering & Management, Geo Informatics, Environmental Engineering, Civil Technology, etc. | 8 |
| Computer Science & IT | Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, 3-D Animation and Graphics, Advanced Computer Application, Computer and Communication Engineering, Networking, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Robotics & Automation, etc. | 6 |
| Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering, Electrical and Electronics (including power, instrumentation, and control aspects) | 2 |
| Electronics & Instrumentation | Electronics Engineering (including Power Electronics, Digital Techniques, Telecommunication, and Micro Electronics), Fibre Optics, Opto Electronics, Satellite Communication, and Instrumentation Engineering | 6 |
| Mechanical / Miscellaneous | Mechanical Engineering in its various forms – Production, Automobile, Industrial/Manufacturing, Mechatronics, Aerospace, Avionics, Workshop Technology, Architecture Engineering, Plastic Technology, Remote Sensing, Ballistics, Bio Medical Engineering, etc. | 8 |
| Total Vacancies | 30 |
Candidates must note that only those streams (and their acceptable equivalents) listed above are eligible. Any discrepancy in stream names or qualifications may lead to disqualification.
Minimum Physical Standards
| Activity | Minimum Standard |
|---|---|
| 2.4 Km Run | Complete within 10 minutes 30 seconds |
| Push Ups | 40 repetitions |
| Pull Ups | 6 repetitions |
| Sit Ups | 30 repetitions |
| Squats | 2 sets of 30 repetitions |
| Lunges | 2 sets of 10 repetitions |
| Swimming | Must know the fundamentals of swimming |
These clear physical standards must be achieved before appearing for the SSB interview.
Selection Procedure
| Stage | Action / Details |
|---|---|
| Shortlisting | Applications are evaluated based on the cumulative percentage of marks in the engineering course up to the final semester/year. A cutoff percentage is applied for each stream. |
| Centre Allotment | Shortlisted candidates receive an email with their selection centre details. They can then choose their SSB dates on a first-come, first-served basis (or by allotment by the Selection Centres). |
| SSB Interview | Candidates attend a five-day Service Selection Board (SSB) interview at centres in Prayagraj, Bhopal, Bengaluru, or Jalandhar. The interview is conducted by a psychologist, group testing officer, and interviewing officer. |
| Medical Examination | Candidates recommended after the SSB interview undergo a thorough medical examination according to the prescribed standards. |
| Final Selection | Final merit (stream-wise) is determined based on SSB marks (and age/academic criteria where required). Candidates who are medically fit and meet all criteria receive joining letters. |
Every stage is sequentially important, and candidates must complete each step to secure selection.
Commission and Training Details
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Commission Type | Selected candidates initially receive a Short Service Commission on probation as Lieutenant. On successful completion of training, they are granted Permanent Commission. |
| Rank at Joining | All selected candidates are commissioned as Lieutenants from the date of course commencement or on the reporting date at IMA, whichever is later. |
| Ante Date Seniority | One year of ante date seniority is granted to engineering graduates for seniority, promotion, and pay increment purposes. |
| Training Location | Training takes place at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. |
| Training Duration | Approximately 12 months. |
| Training Restrictions | During the training period, candidates must not marry or live with their parents/guardians. Any violation may result in discharge and mandatory refund of expenses. |
| Cost of Training | The government covers the full cost of training. If a candidate withdraws for personal reasons (other than a medical condition or reasons beyond their control), they must refund the training costs at a specified rate. |
The commission and training details emphasize that candidates commit to both the training period and the service conditions.
Rank and Promotion Criteria
| Rank | Promotion Criteria / Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Lieutenant | On Commission |
| Captain | After completion of 2 years of reckonable commissioned service |
| Major | After completion of 6 years of reckonable commissioned service |
| Lieutenant Colonel | After completion of 13 years of reckonable commissioned service |
| Colonel (Technical Stream) | After completion of 26 years of reckonable commissioned service |
| Brigadier | Based on service performance and fulfillment of required conditions |
| Major General | Promotion takes place after meeting service conditions and performance standards |
| Lieutenant General / HAG Scale | Promotion upon achieving the necessary criteria; further advancement to HAG+ Scale is subject to additional selection |
Promotions are based solely on commissioned service years and performance, without additional qualification requirements once the candidate has joined.
Pay and Allowance Structure
| Rank | Pay Level | Monthly Salary Range (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Lieutenant General (HAG Scale) | — | 1,82,200 – 2,24,100 |
| Lieutenant General (HAG+Scale) | Level 16 | 2,05,400 – 2,24,400 |
| VCOAS/Army Cdr / Lt Gen (NFSG) | Level 17 | 2,25,000 (fixed) |
| COAS | Level 18 | 2,50,000 (fixed) |
Along with the basic pay ranges shown above, appointments attract additional allowances and benefits as part of the armed forces’ compensation package.
Additional Financial Allowances & Benefits
| Allowance / Benefit | Description / Amount |
|---|---|
| Military Service Pay (MSP) | ₹15,500 per month (applicable for officers from Lieutenant to Brigadier) |
| Fixed Training Stipend | ₹56,100 per month during the training period at IMA |
| Dearness Allowance (DA) | Provided at rates similar to those applicable to civilian personnel and subject to revision |
| Technical Allowance | Tier-I: ₹3,000 per month Tier-II: ₹4,500 per month |
| Transport Allowance (TPTA) | Varies based on pay level and posting location (e.g., Higher TPTA cities may receive ₹7,200 per month + DA; other places get ₹3,600 per month + DA) |
| Children Education Allowance | ₹2,812.50 per month per child (for the two eldest surviving children between pre-class one and class 12) |
| Hostel Subsidy | ₹8,437.50 per month per eligible child (for the two eldest surviving children, as defined for hostel subsidy purposes) |
| Uniform / Dress Allowance | ₹25,000 per year (now included within the dress allowance scheme) |
| Army Group Insurance Fund (AGIF) | Coverage up to ₹1 Crore; a monthly subscription of ₹10,000 must be paid on a pre-paid basis; additional provisions apply for cases of disability as per guidelines |
These benefits are designed to support the financial and welfare aspects of service and are subject to periodic review and revision.
Documents Required for SSB Interview
| Document | Requirement / Note |
|---|---|
| Online Application Printout | A printout of the completed online application, duly signed and with a recent photograph affixed |
| Matriculation/Secondary School Certificate | Original certificate and marksheet showing date of birth, candidate’s name, and parent’s name (only this document is accepted for age and name verification) |
| 12th Class Certificate | Original certificate and marksheet for secondary education |
| Engineering Degree/Provisional Degree | Certificate from a recognized university; if in the final year, a provisional degree is acceptable provided it is not more than six months old and proof of passing is submitted by 01 Jan 2026 |
| Semester/Year Marksheets | Marksheets for all semesters/years of the engineering course |
| CGPA Conversion Certificate | Certificate issued by the Controller of Examination/Registrar explaining the conversion formula adopted by the university |
| University Certificate | Certificate confirming the cumulative percentage (especially for final-year candidates meeting the cutoff criteria) |
| Final Year Enrollment Proof | For final-year candidates only: a certificate from the institution’s head confirming that the candidate is in the final year and that results will be declared by or before the prescribed date |
| Civil Verification Documents | Government-issued ID proofs (e.g., Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, or Driving Licence) which must exactly match the details provided in the application |
Carrying all original documents along with self-attested photocopies is mandatory at the SSB interview. Failure to do so will result in cancellation of the candidature.
How to Apply
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | Visit the official website at www.joinindianarmy.nic.in. |
| Step 2 | Under “Officer Entry Apply/Login,” register (if not already registered). |
| Step 3 | Read the instructions carefully and then click on “Apply Online” under the Technical Graduate Course section to fill in your details. |
| Step 4 | Enter personal, communication, educational details, and any previous SSB experience information. |
| Step 5 | Save your progress after each section using the “Save & Continue” option before moving on. |
| Step 6 | Review the summary of your details carefully, and then click “Submit.” Remember, once submitted, changes cannot be made. |
| Step 7 | Print two copies of your application with the Roll Number appearing 30 minutes after the final closure time. These copies will be required at the SSB interview. |
Following these steps accurately is essential to avoid mistakes that could lead to disqualification.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the eligibility criteria for TGC-142?
Candidates must be unmarried male engineering graduates or final-year engineering students meeting the requirements. They need to be Indian citizens, subjects of Nepal, or persons of Indian origin (with the necessary eligibility certificate). Additionally, candidates must be between 20 and 27 years of age as on 01 Jan 2026 and meet the cutoffs in their academic marks.
How are the vacancies distributed among the engineering streams?
Vacancies are strictly allocated to approved engineering streams and their equivalent courses. Civil Engineering has 8 vacancies, Computer Science & IT has 6, Electrical Engineering has 2, Electronics & Instrumentation has 6, and the Mechanical/Miscellaneous category has 8 vacancies. In total, there are 30 vacancies available.
What physical standards must I meet for the SSB interview?
Candidates must be able to run 2.4 km in 10 minutes 30 seconds, complete 40 push ups, perform 6 pull ups, do 30 sit ups, complete two sets of 30 squats, and two sets of 10 lunges plus demonstrate basic swimming skills.
What are the stages in the selection process?
First, applications are short-listed based on academic performance. Shortlisted candidates receive an allotment for SSB interview centres (Prayagraj, Bhopal, Bengaluru, or Jalandhar) via email. Candidates then attend a five-day SSB interview followed by a medical examination. Final selection is based on SSB performance, academic marks, and overall merit.
What documents must I bring to the SSB interview?
You must bring the original and self-attested photocopies of your online application printout, Matriculation/Secondary School Certificate, 12th class certificate, Engineering Degree/Provisional Degree, all semester marksheets, the CGPA conversion certificate, the university certificate confirming cumulative marks, final year enrollment proof (if applicable), and any government-issued ID used for civil verification.
How do I complete the online application?
Begin by visiting www.joinindianarmy.nic.in, then register or log in as required. Fill in your personal, contact, and educational details as directed. Save your progress regularly, verify all details in the summary, and finally submit your application. After submission, print two copies with the Roll Number, which you must bring to the SSB interview.
