Wear the Uniform Straight After Class 12
If you’re a Class 12 student who dreams of becoming an Army officer and earning an engineering degree along the way, grab a few minutes for this one. The Indian Army has invited applications for 90 provisional vacancies under the 10+2 Technical Entry Scheme (TES-57), with training beginning in July 2027. You don’t have to wait for a college degree first. The scheme gives you four years of military and engineering training, and it leads to a Permanent Commission as a Lieutenant.
Dates to Keep in Mind
Registration starts today, so you can begin right away. The application window runs from 14 October 2026 and closes at 12:00 noon on 12 November 2026. The shortlisting cut-off is expected in the fourth week of November, and the SSB interviews are tentatively planned for February to March 2027. Since those later dates can change, check the official portal now and then so you don’t miss an update.
Can You Apply?
This entry is meant for a specific group. You need to be an unmarried male candidate who has passed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, scored at least 60% aggregate in those subjects and appeared in JEE Main 2026. Don’t treat the JEE requirement lightly. Even if you score 60% in PCM, that alone won’t get you an SSB call. And there’s one promise to be ready for: candidates must agree not to marry until their training is complete.
Age Limit
You should be between 16 years 6 months and 19 years 6 months on 1 July 2027. In simple terms, your date of birth must fall between 1 January 2008 and 1 January 2011, with both dates included. The Army takes your date of birth from your Class 10 certificate, and it can’t be changed later, so make sure you enter it correctly.
How You’ll Be Selected
There’s no separate written exam to prepare for. The Army shortlists candidates using the JEE Main 2026 Common Rank List. If you make it, you’ll go through a five-day SSB interview and a medical examination. The final merit list is based on your SSB marks, and joining depends on your medical fitness and the number of vacancies. The SSB is held at Prayagraj, Bhopal, Bengaluru and Jalandhar. Keep in mind that higher academic qualifications and an NCC background don’t earn you any extra merit weightage.
Training and Degree
Your four years are divided into two parts. You’ll spend three years at a Cadets Training Wing, which could be CME Pune, MCTE Mhow or MCEME Secunderabad, and then one year at the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun. At the end, you’ll receive an engineering degree. You’ll be asked for your preferences among the three wings, but the final allocation is the Army’s decision.
Stipend and Salary
During the first three years, there’s no stipend. In the IMA phase, you’ll receive Rs 56,100 per month. Once you’re commissioned as a Lieutenant, you move to Pay Level 10, which ranges from Rs 56,100 to Rs 1,77,500, plus allowances.
How to Apply
Visit the official Indian Army recruitment website and open the TES-57 application. Take your time with the form. You must enter your actual Class 12 PCM percentage up to two decimal places, without rounding it off. Submit only one application, because multiple applications can get your candidature cancelled. After the window closes, wait about 30 minutes and then download your application printout. Keep two copies, and carry one to the SSB interview.