The Directorate General of Recruiting, Indian Army has officially released the notification for the 10+2 Technical Entry Scheme (TES-53 Course) commencing in July 2026. This prestigious scheme offers 90 Permanent Commission Lieutenant Officer positions in the Indian Army for young male candidates with Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry at 10+2 level alongside mandatory JEE (Mains) performance. Selected candidates receive fully sponsored 4-year engineering education (B.Tech) and direct commissioning as commissioned military officers.
This authoritative article outlines the JEE cutoff shortlisting criteria, training trajectory at Cadet Training Wings, pay scales, SSB interview stages, and step-by-step registration instructions.
Indian Army TES-53: Recruitment Overview
| Recruitment Feature | Official Details |
|---|---|
| Armed Force | Indian Army (Ministry of Defence) |
| Course Designation | 10+2 Technical Entry Scheme Course – 53 (TES-53) |
| Total Cadet Vacancies | 90 Permanent Commission Officer Vacancies |
| Rank upon Commissioning | Lieutenant (Pay Level 10: ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 + MSP ₹15,500/month) |
| Training Institutions | CTW CME Pune, CTW MCTE Mhow, and CTW MCEME Secunderabad |
| Degree Awarded | Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech in Mechanical, Electrical, Telecom, or Computer Engg) — 100% Free of Cost |
| Selection Methodology | JEE (Main) CRL Cutoff Shortlisting ➔ 5-Day SSB Interview ➔ Medical Examination |
| Official Portal | joinindianarmy.nic.in |
Eligibility Criteria: Educational Qualifications & Age Limit
- Educational Qualification:
- Must have passed 10+2 (Higher Secondary) Examination or its equivalent with a minimum aggregate of 60% marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) from recognized State / Central education boards.
- Mandatory JEE (Main) Requirement: Candidates must have appeared in JEE (Main) 2026. The Common Rank List (CRL) rank is the sole criterion for shortlisting for SSB interview calls.
- Age Limit & Marital Status:
- Age must be between 16½ years and 19½ years as of the first day of the month in which the course commences.
- Only unmarried male candidates are eligible. Marriage is not permitted during the 4-year training period.
Training Scheme & Engineering Degree
The total duration of training is 4 years, organized into two structured phases:
- Phase-I (Basic Military Training & Technical Phase – 3 Years): 1 Year military grooming at Cadets Training Wings (CME Pune / MCTE Mhow / MCEME Secunderabad) alongside 2 Years technical engineering coursework.
- Phase-II (Final Technical & Tactical Phase – 1 Year): Advanced engineering curriculum and pre-commission training at the respective Cadet Training Wing.
Upon successful completion of the 4-year course, cadets are awarded a recognized B.Tech Degree by Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and granted Permanent Commission in the rank of Lieutenant.
Stipend During Training & Officer Pay Scale
- Stipend during Cadet Training: ₹56,100/- per month (Pay Level-10 starting basic) during the final year of training.
- Pay upon Commissioning as Lieutenant:
- Basic Pay: ₹56,100/- to ₹1,77,500/- (Pay Level 10).
- Military Service Pay (MSP): ₹15,500/- per month fixed.
- Allowances: Flying Allowance, High Altitude Allowance, Dearness Allowance (DA), Kit Maintenance Allowance, and Transport Allowance.
5-Day SSB Interview & Selection Flow
- Shortlisting: Army HQ fixes the cutoff based on JEE (Main) Common Rank List (CRL), and shortlisted candidates receive call-up letters for SSB centres (Prayagraj, Bhopal, Bengaluru, or Jalandhar).
- Stage I (Day 1): Intelligence Test (OIR) and Picture Perception & Discussion Test (PP&DT). Screened-in candidates stay for Stage II.
- Stage II (Days 2 to 5): Psychological Tests (TAT, WAT, SRT, SDT), Group Testing Officer (GTO) indoor and outdoor tasks, Personal Interview, and final Board Conference.
- Medical Board: Recommended candidates undergo rigorous military medical examination at designated military hospitals.
How to Apply Online for Indian Army TES-53
- Visit joinindianarmy.nic.in.
- Click on Officer Entry Apply/Login and complete registration.
- Navigate to Apply Online and click on 10+2 Technical Entry Scheme (TES-53).
- Enter 10+2 PCM percentage details and valid JEE (Main) Application Number and CRL Rank.
- Upload scanned photograph, signature, and 10th/12th certificate proofs.
- Submit the online application (No application fee is charged by the Indian Army).
- Take two printouts of the submitted form with Roll Number for carrying to the SSB centre.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Is there any written exam conducted by the Army for TES-53?
No written examination is conducted. Shortlisting for the 5-day SSB interview is carried out directly on the basis of the candidate’s JEE (Main) CRL Rank.
Q2: Is the B.Tech degree education free for TES officers?
Yes, the complete 4-year engineering education, accommodation, messing, books, and uniforms are fully sponsored and funded by the Government of India.
Q3: Are female candidates eligible for Army TES?
Currently, the 10+2 Technical Entry Scheme (TES) is open exclusively to unmarried male candidates.
Q4: What is the service commitment / bond after commissioning?
Since officers receive Permanent Commission and fully funded engineering degrees, standard military service liability applies with lifelong pension and ex-servicemen benefits.
Ram Avtar is the Founder and Lead Career Analyst at Govt Results Alert. With over 6 years of experience analyzing Government Recruitment Notifications, SSC, Banking, and Railway examination patterns, he leads our fact-checking team to deliver authentic, timely, and verified job alerts directly from official government gazettes.
