Transforming 90 Science Students into Engineers and Army Officers at IMA Dehradun
The Army 10+2 Technical Entry Scheme (TES) 55 offers unique opportunity for 12th pass PCM students to join Indian Army as technical officers. This prestigious entry provides 4-year B.Tech degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University followed by 1-year training at Indian Military Academy Dehradun, commissioning as Lieutenant at age 21-22.
TES 55 Course Structure:
- 4-year B.Tech: JNU Delhi campus (Computer Science, Electronics, Mechanical, Civil streams)
- 1-year IMA training: Officer training at Indian Military Academy Dehradun (July 2030-July 2031)
- Total duration: 5 years from joining to commissioning as Lieutenant
- Stipend: ₹21,000/month during B.Tech (4 years), ₹56,100/month during IMA (1 year)
- All expenses covered: Hostel, mess, books, uniform, medical facilities (100% sponsored)
Eligibility Requirements:
- Educational: 10+2 with PCM minimum 60% aggregate marks from recognized board
- JEE Mains 2025: Mandatory appearance (no minimum marks/rank specified yet)
- Age: 16.5-19.5 years as on 01 July 2026 (born 02 Jan 2007 to 01 Jul 2010)
- Marital status: Unmarried male candidates only (must remain unmarried during training)
- Nationality: Indian nationals, Nepalese, Bhutanese citizens eligible
Course Allocation (90 Posts):
- Computer Science & Engineering: 25 posts (AI, cybersecurity, software development)
- Electronics & Communication: 25 posts (radar systems, communication technology)
- Mechanical Engineering: 20 posts (armored vehicles, artillery systems)
- Civil Engineering: 20 posts (infrastructure, bridges, field engineering)
Salary and Benefits:
- Training stipend: ₹21,000/month during B.Tech (₹10 lakh total over 4 years)
- IMA stipend: ₹56,100/month (Level-10 pay during training year)
- Post-commissioning: Lieutenant Level-10 (₹56,100-₹1,77,500 + MSP ₹15,500 + allowances)
- Total in-hand: ₹90,000-₹1,10,000/month as Lieutenant (all-inclusive)
- Housing: Free officers' mess accommodation, married quarters after Captain rank
TES provides ante-dated seniority of 4 years for technical expertise, ensuring faster promotions. Officers serve in Corps of Engineers, Signals, EME, Army Ordnance Corps managing Army's ₹3 lakh crore technical infrastructure and weapon systems.
Merit-Based Screening with Five-Day SSB Assessment Without Written Exam
The Army 10+2 TES 55 selection 2025 follows unique merit-based process combining JEE Mains 2025 rank, 12th percentage, and SSB interview performance. No separate written exam conducted—selection purely on academic merit and leadership potential assessed at SSB centers.
Shortlisting Criteria (Stage I):
- JEE Mains 2025 rank: Weightage 70% (all India rank considered, subject-wise cutoffs announced)
- 12th PCM percentage: Weightage 30% (minimum 60% mandatory)
- Composite score calculated: (JEE percentile × 0.7) + (12th % × 0.3)
- Expected JEE cutoff: All India Rank 50,000-80,000 (varies by stream and category)
- Shortlisting ratio: Approximately 10-12 candidates per vacancy called for SSB (900-1,000 total)
SSB Interview Process (5 Days):
- Day 1: Screening Test (OIR Test, PPDT—40% rejection rate at this stage)
- Day 2-4: Psychological Tests (TAT, WAT, SRT, SD), GTO Tasks (15 outdoor group activities)
- Day 5: Personal Interview (45-60 minutes with Board President), Conference (final board decision)
- Total marks: 200 (average 120-130 marks required for recommended status)
SSB Centers for TES 55:
- Allahabad (Prayagraj): SSB Allahabad for UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, MP candidates
- Bhopal: SSB Bhopal for MP, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Gujarat candidates
- Bengaluru: SSB Bangalore for South India (Karnataka, TN, AP, Telangana, Kerala)
- Kapurthala (Jalandhar): SSB Kapurthala for Punjab, Haryana, HP, J&K, Delhi, Rajasthan
Medical Examination Standards:
- Medical category: SHAPE-1 (highest physical standards for combat roles)
- Height: Minimum 157.5 cm (relaxable by 2.5 cm for hilly regions, tribals)
- Weight: Proportionate to height and age (BMI 18.5-25 acceptable range)
- Vision: 6/6 in better eye, 6/9 in worse (correctable to 6/6, myopia -3.5D to +3.5D allowed)
- No history: Chronic diseases, major surgeries, mental illness, color blindness
Final Merit List Preparation:
- Based solely on SSB interview marks (out of 200)
- Tie-breaker rules: Higher SSB marks > Higher 12th % > Better JEE rank > Older candidate
- 90 candidates selected + 20-30 waitlist (called if selections decline joining)
- Merit list published: February-March 2026 (post all SSB batches completion)
- Joining instructions: Issued 60 days before JNU course commencement (July 2026)
Application Process Timeline:
- Online registration: 14 Oct - 13 Nov 2025 (at joinindianarmy.nic.in)
- No application fee: Completely free process (unlike UPSC NDA which charges ₹100)
- Document upload: 10th/12th certificates, JEE scorecard, photograph, signature, Aadhaar
- Shortlist announcement: December 2025 (via email and official website)
- SSB calls issued: January-April 2026 (candidates can choose dates first-come-first-serve)
Candidates called for SSB receive rail/air fare reimbursement as per government rules. Free lodging and boarding provided during 5-day SSB stay. Average SSB success rate for TES: 15-18% (higher than NDA/CDS due to pre-screened academic merit pool).
₹56,100 Lieutenant Pay to ₹2,50,000 Colonel Scale with Ante-Dated Seniority Benefits
The Army TES officer compensation offers lucrative pay scales with Military Service Pay, technical allowances, and accelerated promotions. TES officers receive 4-year ante-dated seniority recognizing B.Tech degree, ensuring faster career progression compared to non-technical entries like NDA.
Rank-Wise Pay Structure (7th CPC):
- Lieutenant (Level 10): ₹56,100-₹1,77,500 (joining rank after IMA, 2 years tenure)
- Captain (Level 10B): ₹61,300-₹1,93,900 (promotion after 2 years, automatic)
- Major (Level 11): ₹69,400-₹2,07,200 (promotion 6-8 years service, 85% selection rate)
- Lt Colonel (Level 12A): ₹1,21,200-₹2,12,400 (13-15 years, 65% selection via confidential reports)
- Colonel (Level 13): ₹1,30,600-₹2,15,900 (18-20 years, 35% selection, command appointments)
Military Service Pay (MSP):
- All ranks: ₹15,500/month additional (uniform across Lieutenant to Colonel)
- Technical pay: Additional ₹6,000-₹10,000/month for specialized roles (cyber, AI, radar systems)
- Total effective basic: Lieutenant gets ₹71,600/month (₹56,100 + ₹15,500 MSP)
Allowances and Perks:
- Dearness Allowance: 50% of basic pay (₹28,050 for Lieutenant, revised bi-annually)
- Field Area Allowance: ₹4,200/month (modified field), ₹10,500 (high altitude Ladakh/Siachen)
- Transport Allowance: ₹7,200-₹16,200/month (city category X/Y/Z classification)
- House Rent Allowance: ₹5,400-₹27,000/month (if not in military accommodation)
- Kit Maintenance: ₹20,000/year for uniform upkeep and equipment
- Ration Allowance: ₹3,600/month (if not availing mess facilities)
Total Gross In-Hand (Lieutenant First Year):
- Basic + MSP: ₹71,600
- Dearness Allowance: ₹35,800
- Field/High Altitude Allowance: ₹10,500
- Transport Allowance: ₹10,000
- Total monthly: ₹1,27,900 (₹15.35 lakh annual CTC at age 22)
Career Progression Timeline (With Ante-Dated Seniority):
- TES commissioned: July 2031 (after 4-year B.Tech + 1-year IMA)
- Ante-dated seniority: 4 years (treated as commissioned July 2027 for promotions/pay)
- Captain promotion: July 2029 (effective, though actual commission 2031—automatic)
- Major promotion: July 2034 (6-8 years effective service, 85% selection rate)
- Lt Colonel: July 2040 (13-15 years effective, 65% selection via ACRs)
- Colonel: July 2047 (18-20 years effective, 35% selection, brigade/command roles)
Benefits Beyond Salary:
- Free accommodation: Officers' mess (bachelor), married accommodation Type-II/III/IV after Captain
- Medical facilities: Free treatment at Military Hospitals/Command Hospitals (self + family lifelong)
- Canteen facilities: CSD canteen (50-70% discount on groceries, electronics, vehicles)
- Leave: 60 days annual leave (30 privilege, 30 casual), additional 20 for remote postings
- Pension: 50% of last drawn pay after 20 years (₹60,000-₹1,00,000/month at retirement)
- Gratuity: ₹25-40 lakh lump sum on retirement (60 years retirement age)
- ECHS: Ex-Servicemen Health Scheme (lifelong medical coverage post-retirement for family)
Technical Specializations Available:
- Cyber warfare: National Cyber Coordination Centre (NCCC), Army Cyber Group (₹10,000 extra pay)
- Signal intelligence: Corps of Signals, tactical communication networks (border areas)
- Missile technology: BrahMos regiments, Agni/Prithvi maintenance (DRDO collaboration)
- Drone operations: UAV squadrons, surveillance systems (₹8,000 flying pay equivalent)
- IT infrastructure: Army HQ, Corps HQ network administration (₹6,000 tech allowance)
TES officers eligible for M.Tech sponsorship from IITs/IISc (full fee waiver, 2-year study leave with pay), foreign training at West Point USA, Sandhurst UK (6-12 months), Staff College Camberley/Wellington (mandatory for Lt Col promotion). Retirement corpus averages ₹1-1.5 crore ensuring post-service financial independence.
Driving ₹5 Lakh Crore Defense Modernization with 2000+ TES-Trained Technical Officers
The Army TES officers form the backbone of Indian Army's technical capabilities managing ₹3 lakh crore equipment inventory, operating 15,000+ communication nodes, maintaining 4,000+ tanks/artillery guns, and executing strategic infrastructure projects in Ladakh, Arunachal, Sikkim border sectors.
Corps Allocation for TES Officers:
- Corps of Engineers: Civil/Mechanical engineers (bridge construction, Bailey bridges, 200+ strategic projects)
- Corps of Signals: CSE/Electronics engineers (tactical communication, software-defined radios, cyber units)
- Corps of EME: Mechanical/Electronics engineers (tank/artillery maintenance, 15 EME battalions, 500+ workshops)
- Army Ordnance Corps: All streams (ammunition management, logistics, 50+ ordnance depots nationwide)
Key Technical Responsibilities:
- Infrastructure development: Build roads, bridges in Ladakh/North-East (DSDBO Road, Zojila Tunnel projects)
- Equipment maintenance: Oversee T-90 tanks, K-9 Vajra artillery, BrahMos missile system servicing
- Communication networks: Manage battlefield communication at Corps/Division level (encrypted tactical networks)
- Cyber defense: Operate Army Cyber Group, National Cyber Coordination Centre (NCCC) nodes
- R&D collaboration: Work with DRDO on Arjun MBT, Tejas LCA, Akash missiles integration
Operational Deployments:
- High-altitude posts: Siachen (18,000 ft), Ladakh LAC (14,000 ft)—30% TES officers deployed here
- Border infrastructure: DBO Road (255 km), Daulat Beg Oldie airstrip, 32 strategic bridges completed 2024
- Counter-insurgency ops: Assam, J&K, Manipur—technical support for field formations (drone surveillance)
- UN peacekeeping: Congo, Sudan, Lebanon—6-month rotations (₹2 lakh/month UN allowance additional)
Recent Achievements by TES Officers (2024):
- Ladakh infrastructure: 32 bridges completed (Shyok, Nubra valleys) enabling all-weather access
- Tank modernization: 500+ T-72 Ajeya tanks upgraded with thermal sights (EME workshops)
- Communication backbone: 5G tactical network deployed at LAC (150 nodes, Signals Corps project)
- Cyber security: Thwarted 2,000+ cyber attacks on Army networks (Army Cyber Group operations)
- Ordnance digitization: 100% inventory tracking via RFID (AOC digital transformation project)
Training and Specializations:
- 4-year B.Tech: JNU Delhi with semester exchange to MIT/Stanford (top 10 students annually)
- 1-year IMA: Military tactics, weapon handling, leadership at Indian Military Academy Dehradun
- Technical courses: Combat Engineer Course Roorkee, Signal Officer Course Jabalpur (mandatory)
- Foreign training: UK RMAS, USA West Point, France Saint-Cyr exchange programs (merit-based)
- M.Tech sponsorship: IIT Delhi/Bombay/Kanpur (2-year full-time, 100% fee waiver + stipend)
TES vs Other Army Technical Entries:
- TES (10+2 entry): 4-year B.Tech + 1-year IMA, age 16.5-19.5, ante-dated seniority 4 years
- TGC (graduate entry): Direct IMA 1 year, age 20-27, ante-dated seniority 1 year
- NDA (10+2 entry): 3-year NDA + 1-year IMA, age 16.5-19.5, no ante-dating, all-arms allocation
- TES advantage: Engineering degree + officer commission + 4-year seniority advantage (fastest track)
Atmanirbhar Bharat Contributions:
- Indigenous projects: 150+ TES officers deputed to HAL, BEL, DRDO (Arjun, Tejas, Akash development)
- Defense startups: 50+ TES officers founded iDEX-supported defense tech startups (drones, AI/ML solutions)
- Technology transfer: 200+ patents filed by TES officers (communication systems, vehicle technology)
- Training delivery: 100+ TES officers as faculty at NDA, IMA, Army War College (next-gen training)
Post-Retirement Career Opportunities:
- Defense PSUs: HAL, BEL, BEML, DRDO positions (₹30-50 LPA packages for ex-Army engineers)
- Private defense: L&T, Tata Advanced Systems, Bharat Forge, Mahindra Defence (₹40-60 LPA)
- Consultancy: NHAI, Railways infrastructure projects as technical advisors (₹5-10 lakh/project)
- Academia: IITs, NITs, defense colleges as visiting faculty (₹2-3 lakh/month)
- Entrepreneurship: Defense tech startups (20% retired TES officers become entrepreneurs)
TES scheme has produced 2,000+ technical officers since inception in 2006, with 95% retention rate (highest among all officer entries). Officers contribute to strategic projects like Atal Tunnel (9.02 km, world's longest at 10,000 ft), Sela Pass Tunnel (13,700 ft, Arunachal Pradesh), and Zojila Tunnel (14.15 km, J&K)—critical for all-weather border connectivity. Visit joinindianarmy.nic.in and sarkaariresult.org for updates as of 12:23 PM IST, October 14, 2025.