The Directorate General Territorial Army has invited applications from eligible Ex-Armed Forces Commissioned Officers for grant of commission in the Territorial Army as Officers. This opportunity allows experienced officers from the Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, and Territorial Army to don the uniform again and serve the nation on a part-time basis without giving up their primary civilian profession.
The Territorial Army operates on the concept of the citizen-soldier enabling individuals to contribute to national defence while continuing their civil careers. Service is not a full-time career and does not guarantee a regular pension. Only those who are gainfully employed or self-employed should apply.
Important Dates
- Submission of Application: 27 July 2026 to 26 August 2026
- Last Date of Receipt of Application: 26 August 2026
- Date of Interview: September 2026 (exact dates will be communicated later by email)
- Applications must reach the Directorate General Territorial Army by post only. Incomplete applications or those received after 26 August 2026 will be rejected without intimation.
Vacancies
Vacancies are as per organisational requirement (open to both male and female candidates). The number is subject to change based on the needs of the organisation.
Eligibility Conditions
Who Can Apply
Only Ex-Service Commissioned Officers of the three services (Army, Navy, Air Force) and Territorial Army are eligible.
Ex-Officers who have completed their tenure or had applied for premature retirement can apply. Officers who were removed, dismissed from service, or who opted for resignation are not eligible.
Serving members of the Regular Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, GREF, Para-Military Forces, and IAF forces are not eligible.
Nationality
- Citizen of India, or
- Subject of Nepal, or
- Person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, and the United Republic of Tanzania (formerly Tanganyika and Zanzibar) with the intention of permanently settling in India (subject to certificate of eligibility from the Government of India where applicable).
Gorkha subjects of Nepal and certain categories of persons who migrated from Pakistan before/after 19 July 1948 have specific provisions regarding the need for a certificate of eligibility.
Age Limits
Applicants must have attained the age of 18 years and must not have attained the age of 42 years on the date of application. The upper age limit may be relaxed at the discretion of the Chief of the Army Staff.
Educational Qualifications
Minimum graduation degree from a recognised university.
Physical & Medical Standards
A candidate must be physically fit in all respects and be in medical category S1H1A1P1E1.
Employment Status
The applicant must be employed or self-employed. Applications from those who are not gainfully employed will be treated as ineligible.
Selection Procedure
- Candidates will be screened by the Army Headquarters Selection Board (ASB) held at the Directorate General Territorial Army, New Delhi.
- Based on the total number of applications received and the vacancies to be filled, the DG TA reserves the right to fix a cut-off on the number of applicants to be called.
- Recommended candidates will undergo Medical Examination at the Armed Forces Clinic, New Delhi, followed by Police Verification for final selection.
- Eligible candidates found suitable will be intimated by email. If a candidate does not receive a call letter, the candidature is treated as invalid and cancelled.
- No request for change of interview date will be entertained.
Training
- Pre-Commission Training as provided under TA Rule 20A (amended vide SRO 65 dated 29 April 2023). Candidates shall be commissioned in the Territorial Army only on successful completion of this Pre-Commission Training.
- Two months’ Annual Training Camp (ATC) every year if not continuously embodied for six months in a Training Year (01 April to 31 March).
Terms and Conditions of Service
Nature of Service
Territorial Army is a part-time commitment with mandatory two months of training in a year (which can be extended as per organisational requirement). Service does not guarantee pension; pensionary benefits are linked to embodied service.
Commission
Commission is granted in the rank of Lieutenant, subject to meeting the requirements of TA Rule 20A.
Pay and Allowances
When embodied for training or military service, officers receive Pay and Allowances at rates similar to Regular Army Officers, along with Military Service Pay.
Pay Matrix (7th CPC)
| Rank | Level | Pay Matrix | Military Service Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lieutenant | 10 | ₹56,100 – 1,77,500 | ₹15,500 |
| Captain | 10B | ₹61,300 – 1,93,900 | ₹15,500 |
| Major | 11 | ₹69,400 – 2,07,200 | ₹15,500 |
| Lt Colonel | 12A | ₹1,21,200 – 2,12,400 | ₹15,500 |
| Colonel | 13 | ₹1,30,600 – 2,15,900 | ₹15,500 |
| Brigadier | 13A | ₹1,39,600 – 2,17,600 | ₹15,500 |
Once previous service is verified from the concerned PCDA (O), officers get ante-date seniority for pay and promotion. Previous full-pay commissioned service in the Regular Army, Navy, or Air Force counts towards the periods required for substantive promotion.
Substantive Promotion
- Lieutenant: On grant of commission
- Captain: 04 years of Commissioned Service
- Major: 08 years of Commissioned Service
- Lieutenant Colonel: 15 years of Commissioned Service
- Colonel: By Selection Grade (Time Scale at 28 years)
- Brigadier: By Selection Grade
Promotion Examinations
All Non-Departmental Territorial Army Officers are required to pass Part A, B, C & D Promotion Examinations within the prescribed time limits. Failure can lead to termination of commission or loss of seniority. Promotion Exam Part ‘A’ and ‘B’ are required for promotion to Major; Part ‘C’ and ‘D’ for Lieutenant Colonel.
Ex-officers who have already passed the corresponding promotion examinations in their previous service are exempted, provided supporting documents are produced.
Leave, Discipline & Medical Treatment
- Leave is admissible on embodiment as per existing rules.
- When embodied, officers are subject to the Army Act and the Rules and Regulations of the Regular Army read with Territorial Army Regulations. They are expected to conform to the customs and traditions of the service.
- Free medical treatment is provided for injury or disease suffered while on training or military service, on the same lines as the Regular Army.
Permanent Staff Appointments
A limited number of permanent staff appointments in Territorial Army units (tenure extendable up to a maximum of five years) may be offered to suitable TA Officers.
Pensionary Benefits
Territorial Army Officers are eligible for terminal gratuity on retirement provided they have completed a minimum of 4 years of aggregate embodied service. Disability and family pensions are also admissible under certain conditions.
Retirement Ages
- Major and below: 54 years of age
- Lieutenant Colonel / Colonel: 56 years or 04 years tenure in present rank, whichever is earlier, but not before 54 years of age
- Brigadier: 58 years or 04 years tenure in present rank, whichever is earlier, but not before 56 years of age
Liability for Service
Officers are liable to embodiment for military service with their units or with the Regular Army as per rules in force. They will not be required to serve beyond the limits of India except under a general or special order of the Government of India.
How to Apply
- Download the free Application Form IAF (TA-9) (Revised) Part-1 from www.indianarmy.nic.in.
- Fill the form completely in the candidate’s own handwriting.
- Submit the filled application along with photocopies of the Release Order and Release Medical Board Proceedings by Indian Post only to:
Directorate General Territorial Army (TA-4)
Integrated Headquarters of Ministry of Defence
4th Floor, ‘A’ Block
Ministry of Defence Office Complex
KG Marg, New Delhi – 110001
Applications from civilian candidates will be rejected without intimation.
Documents to be Produced at the Time of Interview (Original + Self-Attested Copies)
- Application Form (Part-2) downloaded from the official website and filled in own handwriting
- Release Medical Examination / Release Medical Board Proceedings
- Release Order / Certificate
- All educational qualification certificates (Matric onwards)
- Latest physical fitness certificate from a registered MBBS Doctor
- Identity proof with photographs (Voter ID / PAN Card / Passport / Driving Licence etc.)
- Domicile / Residential Address Proof
- Certificate for proof of age (Matric / Senior Secondary mark sheet & certificate)
- Service certificate from employer (Central Govt / UT / State / Semi-Govt / Private Sector) authenticated by Head of Office along with No Objection Certificate in the prescribed format
- For self-employed candidates: Affidavit on Non-Judicial stamp paper of minimum value (duly attested) stating nature of employment and annual income, along with photocopy of PAN card and self-certified character certificate
- Photocopy of PAN Card and Aadhaar Card
- Copy of Certificate / Reports of all Courses
- Discharge / Service Particular Booklet
- Latest Income Tax Return (ITR) / Form 16 & 16A (if employed)
- In case of name variation in documents: Copy of Gazette Notification or affidavit supported by newspaper cuttings
Candidates must produce all original certificates at the time of document check. Failure to do so will result in cancellation of candidature.
Important Certificates (Compulsory Formats)
The advertisement provides specific formats for:
- Certificate by candidates employed in Central/State/Semi-Govt/Private Sector (to be authenticated by Head of Office)
- Self-certified character certificate for self-employed personnel
- Affidavit for self-employed candidates regarding employment and annual income
- Certificate from private sector employers regarding difference in civil and military pay
Key Warnings & Instructions
- Candidates must ensure they fulfil all eligibility conditions. Admission at every stage is provisional.
- Furnishing false particulars or suppressing material information will lead to rejection or removal from the Territorial Army.
- The application form must be completed fully in words (no dashes or dots) and in the candidate’s own handwriting.
- Name must be written in full in block letters without initials, matching educational certificates and signature.
- Any attempt to enlist support for selection or suppress material information will disqualify the candidate.
- Candidates are required to inform the DGTA immediately of any change in employment during candidature and thereafter, along with a fresh NOC.
This notification provides a structured pathway for experienced commissioned officers to continue serving the nation through the Territorial Army while maintaining their civilian careers. Interested and eligible officers are advised to carefully go through the complete instructions, download the correct application form, and ensure timely submission by post before the closing date of 26 August 2026.
All details are as per the official advertisement issued by the Directorate General Territorial Army. Candidates should refer to the official website www.indianarmy.nic.in for the latest updates and the downloadable application forms.
