The Indian Army has released the official notification inviting applications from eligible unmarried male and female engineering graduates for the 66th Short Service Commission (Tech) Men and 37th Short Service Commission (Tech) Women course. The course is set to commence in April 2026 at the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai.
Additionally, applications are invited from widows of defence personnel for both technical and non-technical entries.
Key Details
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Indian Army |
| Course Name | SSC Tech 66 Men & SSCW Tech 37 Women |
| Total Vacancies | 379 |
| Men | 350 |
| Women | 29 |
| Widows of Defence Personnel | 2 (1 Tech + 1 Non-Tech) |
| Course Commencement | April 2026 |
| Training Location | OTA Chennai |
| Application Mode | Online only |
| Application Dates | 16 July to 14 August 2025 |
| Official Website | joinindianarmy.nic.in |
Eligibility Criteria
Nationality
Candidates must be:
- Citizens of India, or
- Subjects of Nepal, or
- Persons of Indian origin migrated from select countries (with required eligibility certificate).
Age Limit
- SSC(Tech)-66 Men and SSCW(Tech)-37 Women: 20 to 27 years (Born between 01 Apr 1999 and 01 Apr 2006).
- Widows of Defence Personnel: Up to 35 years.
Educational Qualification
- Engineering graduates or final year students in notified streams.
- Must submit proof of passing the degree and all marksheets by 01 April 2026.
- For widows:
- SSCW(Tech): BE/B.Tech in any stream.
- SSCW(Non-Tech): Graduation in any discipline.
Physical Standards
| Activity | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| 2.4 km Run | 10 min 30 sec | 13 min |
| Push Ups | 40 | 15 |
| Pull Ups | 6 | 2 |
| Sit Ups | 30 | 25 |
| Squats | 2 sets of 30 | 2 sets of 30 |
| Lunges | 2 sets of 10 | 2 sets of 10 |
| Swimming | Basic knowledge | Basic knowledge |
Vacancies by Engineering Streams
Below is a snapshot of some core streams and number of vacancies:
| Core Engineering Stream | Vacancies (Men) | Vacancies (Women) |
|---|---|---|
| Civil | 75 | 7 |
| Mechanical | 101 | 9 |
| Electrical | 33 | 3 |
| Electronics | 64 | 6 |
| Computer Science/IT | 60 | 4 |
| Others (Miscellaneous) | 17 | – |
For Widows of Defence Personnel:
- 1 vacancy in SSCW (Tech)
- 1 vacancy in SSCW (Non-Tech)
Selection Process
- Shortlisting: Based on cumulative marks till last semester/year.
- SSB Interview: At Allahabad, Bhopal, Bangalore, or Jalandhar.
- Medical Examination: For candidates recommended in SSB.
- Merit List: Final selection based on merit and medical fitness.
Training and Commission
- Duration: 49 weeks at OTA Chennai.
- Commission: Short Service Commission in the rank of Lieutenant.
- Ante Date Seniority: 1 year for engineering graduates (Not applicable to widows in Non-Tech).
- Post-training Award: PG Diploma in Defence Management & Strategic Studies.
Tenure and Service Conditions
- Initial engagement: 10 years (extendable by 4 years).
- Option for Permanent Commission (PC) in the 10th year.
- Release allowed after 5 years (conditions apply).
Pay and Allowances
| Rank | Pay Level | 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 |
- Military Service Pay: ₹15,500/month
- Stipend during training: ₹56,100/month
- Dress Allowance: ₹25,000/year
- Transport, Technical, Field Area, and Risk Allowances: As per rank and posting
Insurance and Benefits
- ₹1.25 Cr insurance coverage for cadets.
- AGIF subscription: ₹12,500/month.
- Disability benefits and ex-gratia applicable as per medical board assessment.
How to Apply
- Visit joinindianarmy.nic.in
- Register/Login under ‘Officer Entry’.
- Select SSC Tech course and fill the form carefully.
- Submit and take printout after 30 minutes of application closure.
For Widows: Apply offline with documents to Dte Gen of Rtg, AG’s Branch, IHQ of MoD (Army), West Block-III, RK Puram, New Delhi – 110066 by 29 Aug 2025.
This is a golden opportunity for engineering graduates to serve the nation as technical officers in the Indian Army. Candidates are advised to go through the notification thoroughly and ensure timely submission of applications with complete accuracy.
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