The Indian Army 10+2 Technical Entry Scheme (TES) is one of the most sought-after routes for young men to join the Army directly after Class 12 and earn a Permanent Commission as an officer. As on 3 July 2026, the application window for the TES-56 Course (January 2027 batch) has just closed on 12 June 2026. Interested aspirants should now set their sights on the next cycle, the TES-57 Course (July 2027 batch), whose notification is expected around October 2026 on the official portal. Kindly note that the Army conducts TES twice a year, so this is the ideal time to complete your JEE (Main) preparation and start SSB groundwork.
Overview
| Recruiting Body | Indian Army (Directorate General of Recruiting) |
| Post Name | Officer (Technical Entry Scheme, 10+2) |
| Category | Defence Jobs |
| Total Vacancies | 90 (Expected, based on the previous TES-56 cycle) |
| Job Location | All India (posting anywhere in India and abroad) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Website | joinindianarmy.nic.in |
Important Dates
| Notification Release | October 2026 (Expected) |
| Application Start Date | October 2026 (Expected) |
| Last Date to Apply | November 2026 (Expected) |
| SSB Interview | Early 2027 (Expected) |
| Admit Card / SSB Call-up | Intimated via email & SMS after shortlisting (Expected) |
Kindly note that the above dates are tentative and marked as Expected, drawn from the pattern of earlier cycles. For reference, the TES-55 (July 2026 batch) notification opened on 14 October 2025, and the TES-56 (January 2027 batch) window ran from 13 May to 12 June 2026. Exact TES-57 dates will be confirmed only through the official notification.
Vacancy Details
As per the previous cycle, the Indian Army offered approximately 90 provisional vacancies under the Technical Entry Scheme for unmarried male candidates. The number of seats for the upcoming TES-57 course is expected to be in a similar range, though it may vary as per the organisational requirement of the Army at the time of the official notification. These vacancies form a single all-India category with no state-wise or reservation-based split, and selection is purely merit-based. Candidates are advised to treat the figure of 90 as indicative until the fresh notification is published.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
Interested aspirants must have passed the 10+2 (Intermediate) examination or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics (PCM) from a recognised education board in India, securing a minimum aggregate of 60% marks in PCM taken together. Importantly, candidates must have appeared in JEE (Main) of the relevant year, as shortlisting for the SSB is based on JEE (Main) scores/percentile. Only unmarried male candidates are eligible to apply for this entry.
Age Limit
Candidates should be between 16½ and 19½ years of age as on the first day of the month of course commencement, as specified in the notification. For the earlier TES-56 (January 2027) course, candidates born between 01 July 2007 and 01 July 2010 (both dates inclusive) were eligible. The corresponding date-of-birth window for TES-57 will be notified officially. Kindly note that no age relaxation is admissible for TES; the age band is fixed for all categories as per the official notification.
Application Fee
There is no application fee for the Indian Army TES entry. The entire process is free of cost for all eligible candidates, with no charges for registration or form submission on the official portal. Candidates are advised to beware of any website or agent demanding money in the name of TES registration, as the Indian Army does not charge any fee for this recruitment.
Salary / Pay Scale
During the final year of pre-commission training at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, cadets receive a fixed stipend of Rs 56,100 per month. On commissioning as a Lieutenant, officers are placed in Pay Level 10, i.e. Rs 56,100 to Rs 1,77,500, along with Military Service Pay (MSP) and allowances. The approximate cost-to-company works out to around Rs 17–18 lakh per annum at entry level, apart from free medical facilities, canteen benefits, subsidised accommodation and a respectable pension.
Selection Process
The selection under the Technical Entry Scheme is carried out in the following stages:
- Shortlisting — Candidates are shortlisted for the SSB interview on the basis of their JEE (Main) score/percentile and a cut-off decided by the Army.
- SSB Interview — Shortlisted candidates undergo the five-day Services Selection Board (SSB) interview at an Army Selection Centre.
- Medical Examination — Candidates recommended by the SSB are put through a special medical board at a military hospital.
- Merit List & Joining — A final merit list is drawn from SSB-recommended, medically-fit candidates within the available vacancies, and joining letters are issued.
Exam Pattern & Syllabus Highlights
Unlike many entries, TES does not have a separate written exam conducted by the Army — instead, your JEE (Main) performance acts as the screening filter. The core evaluation happens at the SSB, which is spread over two stages across five days:
- Stage I (Screening): Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests, Picture Perception and Description Test (PPDT), and group discussion. Only screened-in candidates proceed further.
- Stage II: Psychology tests (TAT, WAT, SRT, SD), Group Testing Officer (GTO) tasks, a personal interview and the final conference.
For JEE (Main), aspirants should thoroughly cover the Class 11 and 12 Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics (PCM) syllabus prescribed by CBSE/NCERT, with a strong focus on accuracy and speed.
How to Apply Online
- Visit the official Indian Army recruitment website when the TES-57 notification is released.
- Click on the “Officer Entry Apply / Login” section and complete a one-time registration with your personal, academic and communication details.
- Log in and select the 10+2 Technical Entry Scheme (TES) application under the eligible entries.
- Fill in your 10+2 marks, PCM percentage, JEE (Main) details, and upload the required documents as per the given specifications.
- Verify all particulars carefully, submit the form, and take two printouts of the completed application for your records.
- Apply directly on the official portal: https://joinindianarmy.nic.in
Admit Card & Result
Since TES has no Army-conducted written exam, there is no conventional admit card. Instead, candidates who are shortlisted on the basis of JEE (Main) receive an SSB call-up letter / interview intimation through their registered email and SMS, and can also download it from the candidate login on the official website. The SSB result (recommended / not recommended) is declared at the Selection Centre itself, while the final merit list is published on joinindianarmy.nic.in after the medical examination. Candidates are advised to keep their registered mobile number and email active throughout the process.
Preparation Tips & Document Checklist
Since the next window opens only in a few months, this is the perfect time to prepare. Focus on scoring well in JEE (Main), build physical fitness (running, push-ups and endurance), stay updated with current affairs and defence news, and practise SSB tasks such as PPDT and group discussion. Kindly keep the following documents ready:
- Class 10 and 12 mark sheets and certificates (for date of birth and PCM marks)
- JEE (Main) score card / admit card
- Passport-size photographs and scanned signature
- Valid identity proof (Aadhaar / PAN)
- Domicile / residence certificate and caste certificate (if applicable)
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the TES-57 notification come?
The TES-57 (July 2027 batch) notification is expected around October 2026, based on the timeline of previous cycles. TES-56 has already closed, so aspirants should watch joinindianarmy.nic.in for the fresh notification.
Is JEE (Main) compulsory for Army TES?
Yes. Appearing in JEE (Main) is mandatory, as SSB shortlisting is done on the basis of the JEE (Main) score/percentile. Without a valid JEE (Main) attempt, candidates are not eligible.
Do TES officers get a Permanent Commission?
Yes. On successful completion of four years of training, candidates are granted a Permanent Commission as Lieutenant in the Army’s technical arms and services, along with an engineering degree.
Can girls or married candidates apply for TES?
No. The 10+2 Technical Entry Scheme is open only to unmarried male candidates who meet the age and educational criteria.
What is the training pattern under TES?
The training runs for four years — three years at a Cadet Training Wing (CME Pune, MCTE Mhow or MCEME Secunderabad) followed by one year of pre-commission training at IMA, Dehradun, leading to an engineering degree.
Important Links
Official Website / Apply Online
Disclaimer: The details given above, including dates and vacancies, are indicative and marked as expected wherever unconfirmed. Candidates are strongly advised to verify all information on the official website joinindianarmy.nic.in and to rely only on the official TES notification before applying.