Joining the Indian Army: Your Path as a Technical Graduate through the 142nd TGC (January 2026)

The esteemed Indian Army is offering a remarkable opportunity for unmarried male Engineering Graduates to join its ranks as Permanent Commissioned Officers. Applications are now being invited online for the 142nd Technical Graduate Course (142 TGC), set to commence in January 2026 at the prestigious Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun. This entry route provides a direct pathway to a respected officer position within the Indian Army, allowing talented engineers to serve the nation with distinction.

Initial Commission and Training

Upon selection for the 142nd TGC, candidates will initially be granted a Short Service Commission (SSC) in the rank of Lieutenant. This probationary period begins from the date the course commences or the date of reporting to the IMA, whichever occurs later. During this training phase, individuals will be entitled to the full pay and allowances that are admissible to a Lieutenant. It’s important to note that the full pay and allowances will continue after the successful completion of the 142nd TGC training. Following successful completion of this rigorous training at the IMA, these dedicated individuals will be granted a Permanent Commission (PC) in the Army, holding the rank of Lieutenant.

Vacancy Details for Engineering Streams

There are a total of 30 vacancies available for engineering graduates across various specializations. The breakdown of these vacancies by engineering stream is as follows:

Civil Engineering: 08 vacancies (including related disciplines)
Computer Science & Engineering / Computer Technology: 06 vacancies
Electrical Engineering: 02 vacancies
Electronics Engineering: 06 vacancies
Mechanical Engineering: 06 vacancies
Miscellaneous Engineering Streams: 02 vacancies (covering other related engineering disciplines)

Eligibility Criteria: Age and Education

To be eligible for the 142nd TGC, candidates must meet specific criteria. Regarding age, applicants must be between 20 and 27 years as of 01 January 2026. This means that candidates should have been born between 02 January 1999 and 01 January 2006 (both dates inclusive). In terms of educational qualification, candidates who have already passed their requisite Engineering Degree course or those who are currently in the final year of their Engineering Degree are eligible to apply for this opportunity.

Stipend and Pay Scale Upon Commissioning

During the training period, selected candidates will receive a stipend of ₹56100/- per month. Upon the successful completion of their training and subsequent commissioning as a Lieutenant, they will be placed in the 7th CPC Pay Level-10, with a pay scale ranging from ₹56100 to ₹177500. In addition to this, officers are also entitled to a Military Service Pay (MSP) of ₹15500/- per month.

How to Apply Online

Interested and qualified candidates are invited to submit their applications online through the prescribed format available on the official Indian Army Recruitment website: https://joinindianarmy.nic.in. The application window will be open from 30 April 2025 to 29 May 2025. This is the sole method for applying to the Indian Army’s 142nd Technical Graduate TGC Entry Course for Engineers.

Further Information and Application Submission

For more comprehensive details about this entry scheme, including specific instructions for filling out the online application form, candidates are advised to visit the same official Indian Army Recruitment website: https://joinindianarmy.nic.in. This platform serves as the central resource for all information related to the Indian Army’s 142nd Technical Graduate TGC Entry Course for Engineers commencing in January 2026.

This presents a significant opportunity for young, ambitious engineering graduates to embark on a fulfilling and prestigious career as officers in the Indian Army, contributing their technical skills to the service of the nation.