The Indian Army has released the notification for the 68th Short Service Commission (Technical) Course, inviting applications from eligible unmarried female engineering graduates for entry into the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Gaya, Bihar. The course will commence in April 2027.
Contents
Below is a complete breakdown of the notification for aspirants preparing to apply.
Key Highlights at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Type of Entry | Short Service Entry (Technical) SSC(T) – 68 |
| Open For | Unmarried Male Engineering Graduates |
| Age Limit | 20 to 27 years as on 01 Apr 2027 (born between 01 Apr 2000 and 31 Mar 2007) |
| Educational Qualification | Engineering Degree in notified streams |
| Total Vacancies | 350 (stream-wise breakup below) |
| Application Window | 09 July 2026 to 07 August 2026 |
| Selection Process | Application → Shortlisting → SSB → Medical → Merit List → Joining Letter |
| SSB Cut-off Announcement | First week of September 2026 |
| SSB Duration & Dates | Five-day SSB between October–December 2026 |
| Training Academy | Officers Training Academy (OTA), Gaya, Bihar |
| Duration of Training | 49 weeks (April 2027 to March 2028) |
| Stipend During Training | ₹56,100 per month |
| Rank After Training | Lieutenant |
| CTC on Commissioning | Approx. ₹17–18 lakh per annum |
| Type of Commission | Short Service Commission (SSC) |
| Minimum Engagement Period | 10 years |
| Maximum Engagement Period | 14 years |
| Option for Permanent Commission | After 10 years |
| SSB Interview Course | Enrol Here |
| SSB Interview Books Pack | Order Here |
Eligibility Criteria
Nationality
Candidates must be:
- A citizen of India, or
- A subject of Nepal, or
- A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, or East African countries (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia) or Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India (a Government of India eligibility certificate is required for these categories, except Gorkha subjects of Nepal).
Age Limit
- SSC (Tech)-68 Men: 20 to 27 years as on 01 Apr 2027 (Candidates born between 01 Apr 2000 and 31 Mar 2007, both days inclusive).
Marital Status
Open only to unmarried males.
Educational Qualification
- Candidates must have passed the required Engineering Degree, or be in the final year of an Engineering Degree course.
- Final-year candidates must be able to submit proof of passing by 01 April 2027, along with all semester/year marksheets, and produce the original degree certificate within 12 weeks of joining OTA.
- Candidates whose final year/semester results are declared after 01 April 2027 are NOT eligible to apply.
- Final-year candidates provisionally permitted to appear for SSB must maintain cumulative marks not below the approved cut-off up to the second-last year/semester, and later up to the final year — failing which candidature will be cancelled.
Important Notes for Applicants
- Mismatch in Engineering Stream: Any variation between the stream mentioned on the degree certificate/marksheet and the one submitted in the online application will lead to cancellation of candidature.
- Variation in Name: Any mismatch in the candidate’s name or parents’ names as per educational documents requires submission of an affidavit.
- Carry of Degree/Provisional Degree: Candidates must carry the degree/provisional degree and all semester/year marksheets to the SSB.
- Minimum Physical Standards required before joining the academy:
| Activity | Standard (Men) |
|---|---|
| 2.4 Km Run | 10 minutes and 30 seconds |
| Push-ups | 40 |
| Pull-ups | 06 |
| Sit-ups | 30 |
| Squats | 2 sets of 30 reps |
| Lunges | 2 sets of 10 reps |
| Swimming | Basic knowledge required |
Vacancy Breakup by Engineering Stream (Total: 350)
| Core Engineering Stream | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Civil (incl. Architecture, Building Construction & Technology) | 75 |
| Computer Science (incl. IT, AI/ML, Cyber Security streams) | 60 |
| Electrical | 33 |
| Electronics (incl. Instrumentation, Telecommunication, Avionics) | 64 |
| Mechanical (incl. Production, Automobile, Industrial, Aeronautical/Aerospace) | 101 |
| Miscellaneous | 17 |
Note: Only the specific equivalent streams notified in the official notification table are accepted. Any nomenclature mismatch results in cancellation.
Vacancies are tentative and subject to change based on organisational requirements.
Selection Procedure
The selection process follows these stages:
Application → Shortlisting → SSB → Medical Examination → Merit List → Joining Letter
- Shortlisting: Based on vacancy-to-call-up ratio per stream and cumulative percentage of marks. Cut-off percentages will be published in the first week of September 2026.
- Selection of SSB Centre & Dates: Once shortlisted, candidates log in to choose their SSB centre and dates on a first-come-first-served basis (choice window open for two weeks in September 2026). Once selected, this cannot be changed.
- SSB Centres: Prayagraj (UP), Bhopal (MP), Bengaluru (Karnataka), and Jalandhar (Punjab).
- SSB Process: A two-stage selection procedure lasting five days. Candidates who clear Stage 1 proceed to Stage 2; unsuccessful candidates are sent back on the same day.
- Medical Examination: Conducted for candidates recommended after Stage 2. SSB medical validity is 270 days from SMB date to PCTA joining date.
- Merit List & Joining Letter: Prepared stream-wise based on SSB marks. In case of tie, older candidates are ranked higher; if age is also tied, higher degree percentage decides the rank.
Training Details
- Academy: Officers Training Academy (OTA), Gaya, Bihar
- Duration: 49 weeks (April 2027 to March 2028), officially noted as 46 weeks excluding term break
- Stipend: ₹56,100 per month during training (Level-10 starting pay)
- Marriage Restriction: Candidates cannot marry during training, nor live with parents/guardians. Marrying during training leads to discharge and recovery of expenses.
- Academic Credential: On successful completion, cadets are awarded a “Post Graduate Diploma in Military Studies & Defence Management” by Magadh University, Bodh Gaya.
- Cost of Training Recovery: If a cadet resigns or is withdrawn (non-medical grounds), she must refund training costs at approximately ₹20,482.40 per week.
Commission, Rank & Career Progression
- Type of Commission: Short Service Commission, granted on probation as Lieutenant.
- Ante-Date Seniority: One year ante-date seniority granted from date of commission.
- Tenure: 10 years minimum, extendable to 14 years; option to seek release after 5 years (merit-based) or opt for Permanent Commission in the 10th year.
Promotion Criteria
| Rank | Criteria |
|---|---|
| Lieutenant | On commission |
| Captain | After 2 years reckonable commissioned service |
| Major | After 6 years |
| Lieutenant Colonel | After 13 years |
| Colonel (TS) | After 26 years |
| Colonel and above | Selection-based, subject to service conditions |
Pay, Stipend & Allowances
Pay Matrix (Post-Commissioning)
| Rank | Level | Pay (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| Lieutenant | 10 | 56,100 – 1,77,500 |
| Captain | 10B | 61,300 – 1,93,900 |
| Major | 11 | 69,400 – 2,07,200 |
| Lieutenant Colonel | 12A | 1,21,200 – 2,12,400 |
| Colonel | 13 | 1,30,600 – 2,15,900 |
| Brigadier | 13A | 1,39,600 – 2,17,600 |
Key Allowances
- Military Service Pay (MSP): ₹15,500/month (fixed) for Lieutenant to Brigadier
- Dress Allowance: ₹20,000 per year
- Transport Allowance: ₹7,200/month + DA (higher TPTA cities) or ₹3,600/month + DA (other places)
- Children Education Allowance: ₹2,250/month per child (two eldest children, Nursery to Class 12)
- Hostel Subsidy: ₹6,850/month per child (two eldest children)
- Field Area Allowances: Vary by risk/hardship category, ranging from ₹1,200 to ₹42,500 per month
- Army Group Insurance Fund (AGIF): Cover of ₹1.25 crore; monthly subscription of ₹12,500
Note: Allowances increase automatically by 25% each time Dearness Allowance crosses 50%.
How to Apply
- Visit www.joinindianarmy.nic.in
- Click ‘Officer Entry Appln/Login’ → ‘Registration’ (skip if already registered)
- Fill the registration form, then click ‘Apply Online’ under the Dashboard
- Select ‘Officers Selection – Eligibility’, then click ‘Apply’ against the Short Service Commission Technical Course
- Fill in Personal Information, Communication Details, Education Details, and Previous SSB details
- Review the ‘Summary of your information’ page carefully before clicking ‘Submit’
- Take two printouts of the application (with Roll Number) 30 minutes after final closure
Important: Aadhaar number and Matriculation certificate are mandatory for website registration. No changes can be made to the application after the closing date.
Documents to Carry to SSB (Self-Attested + Originals)
- Signed printout of application with photograph
- Class 10 and 12 certificates/marksheets
- Engineering Degree/Provisional Degree and all semester marksheets
- CGPA-to-percentage conversion certificate from the university
- Certificate confirming cumulative percentage up to relevant semester (for final-year candidates)
- Civil verification documents
Note: DigiLocker certificates are not accepted in place of originals unless accompanied by an authentication letter from the institution.
Other Important Points
- Candidates must apply for only one entry/discipline; multiple applications lead to cancellation.
- Candidates must have never been debarred by UPSC or convicted/arrested by a criminal court.
- Candidates withdrawn from NDA, IMA, OTA, Naval/Air Force Academy on disciplinary grounds are not eligible.
- Travelling Allowance (AC-III tier) is admissible only for the first SSB appearance for a given commission type.
- All queries must be raised only via the ‘Feedback/Query’ option on the official website, at least 3 days before the application closes.
- The notification is published in Hindi and English; the English version prevails in case of discrepancy.
For the most updated and legally valid information, candidates must always refer to the official notification on www.joinindianarmy.nic.in, as this article is intended for general awareness only.
