The Indian Army, Directorate General of Recruiting, Integrated Headquarters of Ministry of Defence (Army), New Delhi, has issued the recruitment notification for the 145th Technical Graduate Course (TGC-145) commencing in July 2027 at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun. This premier commissioning opportunity invites unmarried male engineering graduates across specified disciplines to join the Indian Army as Permanent Commissioned Officers in the rank of Lieutenant. Eligible candidates can submit applications online at joinindianarmy.nic.in starting 30 September 2026 through 29 October 2026. Commissioned officers are placed in Pay Level 10 with a starting Basic Pay of Rs. 56,100 per month alongside Military Service Pay (MSP) of Rs. 15,500 per month.
Indian Army TGC-145: Course Architecture and Stream-Wise Vacancies
The 145th Technical Graduate Course offers 30 permanent commission vacancies across core engineering disciplines:
| Engineering Stream | Eligible Degree Specializations | Notified Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Civil / Building Construction | Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Building Technology | 07 Posts |
| Computer Science & IT | Computer Science, Information Technology, M.Sc Computer Science | 07 Posts |
| Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical, Industrial, Production, Automobile Engineering | 07 Posts |
| Electrical / Electrical & Electronics | Electrical, Electrical & Electronics, Power System Engineering | 03 Posts |
| Electronics & Telecom / Telecommunication | Electronics & Communication, Telecom, Applied Electronics | 04 Posts |
| Misc Engineering Streams | Aeronautical, Aerospace, Mining, Production Engineering | 02 Posts |
| Total Notified TGC-145 Vacancies | 30 Posts | |
Eligibility Standards and SSB Selection Process
Candidates must be unmarried male citizens aged between 20 and 27 years as on 01 July 2027 (born between 02 July 2000 and 01 July 2007, both dates inclusive). Final-year engineering candidates are eligible provided they produce proof of passing their engineering degree examination with all marksheets to the Directorate General of Recruiting by 01 July 2027.
| Selection Stage | Assessment Location | Evaluation Procedures |
|---|---|---|
| Shortlisting of Applications | IHQ of MoD (Army) | Cutoff percentage fixed stream-wise up to 6th semester marks for B.Tech |
| SSB Stage I (Day 1) | Prayagraj, Bhopal, Bengaluru, Jalandhar | Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test and Picture Perception & Discussion Test (PPDT) |
| SSB Stage II (Days 2 to 5) | Selection Centre | Psychological Tests (TAT, WAT, SRT, SD), GTO Ground Tasks, Interview, and Board Conference |
| Special Medical Examination | Designated Military Hospitals | Rigorous physical, optical, surgical, and biochemical fitness assessment |
| Pre-Commission Training | IMA Dehradun | 49 weeks of military training with full stipend of Rs. 56,100 per month |
Cutoff Benchmarks, Category Standards, and Evaluation Criteria
TGC entry is direct SSB without an initial written exam. Shortlisting relies purely on cumulative engineering percentage. Historically, the shortlisting cutoff benchmarks across semesters 1 to 6 range between 72% to 78% for Civil and Mechanical streams, and 76% to 82% for Computer Science and Electronics.
Recommendation at the SSB Interview is governed by the assessment of 15 Officer Like Qualities (OLQs) grouped under Effective Intelligence, Social Adjustment, Social Effectiveness, and Dynamic Attributes. Candidates who clear both Stage I and Stage II undergo a Medical Board examination. The final joining merit roster is compiled based solely on marks obtained at the SSB Interview, subject to medical fitness.
Aspirant Suggestions and High-Yield Preparation Priorities
- OIR and PPDT Discipline: Stage I screening drops nearly 60 percent of candidates on Day 1. Practice verbal and non-verbal reasoning tests daily to achieve a rating of OIR 1 or 2, and narrate your PPDT story with clarity without stuttering or dominating the group discussion.
- Technical Project Mastery: During the personal interview with the Interviewing Officer (IO), expect detailed technical questions regarding your final year engineering project, core design theories, and practical applications in defence systems.
- Physical Endurance: IMA training requires robust physical conditioning. Begin training for a 2.4 km run in 10 minutes, 15 push-ups, 6 chin-ups, and a 9-foot ditch jump well in advance of the SSB call.
- Cumulative CGPA Formula: When submitting your online application, ensure you convert CGPA to percentage using your university exact conversion formula. Misrepresenting your percentage to cross the cutoff leads to disqualification during document verification at the Selection Centre.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is there any application fee for Indian Army TGC-145 recruitment?
No. There is no application fee for the Indian Army Technical Graduate Course (TGC-145). Candidates can apply free of cost through the official website joinindianarmy.nic.in.
Are female candidates eligible to apply for TGC-145 entry?
No. The Technical Graduate Course (TGC-145) is open exclusively to unmarried male engineering candidates. Female engineering graduates can apply through Short Service Commission Tech (SSCW Tech) entries.
What rank and salary are granted upon commissioning from IMA Dehradun?
Gentlemen Cadets completing 49 weeks of training at IMA Dehradun are commissioned as Lieutenants in Level 10 of the Defence Pay Matrix (Rs. 56,100 to Rs. 1,77,500) with Military Service Pay (MSP) of Rs. 15,500 per month, plus Dearness Allowance, High Altitude Allowance, and free medical/ration entitlements.
Can candidates in their final year of B.Tech apply for TGC-145?
Yes. Final year engineering students can apply provided they have passed all semesters up to the 6th semester at the time of application and can submit the original degree certificate by 01 July 2027 at IMA Dehradun.
Where are the SSB Interview centres located for Indian Army TGC entry?
Shortlisted candidates are called for SSB testing at Selection Centres located in Prayagraj (UP), Bhopal (MP), Bengaluru (Karnataka), and Jalandhar (Punjab). Call-up letters are sent via email and SMS notification.