Indian Army 10+2 TES 57 (July 2027 Course) Recruitment — JEE Mains Mandate, SSB Interview & Salary Explained

The Join Indian Army official portal has activated the online application window for the highly prestigious 10+2 Technical Entry Scheme (TES-57) Course commencing in July 2027. If you are an engineering aspirant with a defense dream, this is the ultimate direct-entry route to secure a Permanent Commission as a Lieutenant in the Indian Army. The application portal went live on 14 October 2026 and will definitively close on 12 November 2026. With 90 vacancies up for grabs, here is everything you need to know about the mandatory JEE Mains rule, the 5-day SSB selection, and the army-sponsored B.Tech training framework.

The Ground Reality: You Cannot Bypass JEE Mains 2026

Historically, the TES entry allowed candidates to apply purely on the basis of their Class 12 PCM percentage. This is no longer the case. The Indian Army has fundamentally altered the shortlisting criteria. To be eligible for TES 57, appearing for JEE Mains 2026 is strictly mandatory. Your All India Rank (AIR) in the Joint Entrance Examination (Mains) 2026 will be the primary metric used to calculate the cutoff and shortlist candidates for the SSB Interview.

Eligibility Criteria: Educational & Age Limits

To avoid instant rejection during document verification at the Selection Centre, ensure you strictly meet both the educational and age cut-offs:

• Educational Qualification: You must have passed your 10+2 (Intermediate) examination or its equivalent with a minimum aggregate of 60% marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) from recognized education boards.
• Entrance Exam: A valid JEE Mains 2026 scorecard/rank is compulsory.
• Marital Status: Only unmarried male candidates are eligible to apply.

The Strict Age Window: The age limit is exceptionally narrow. You must be between 16½ and 19½ years of age. Practically, this means you must not be born before 01 January 2008 and not after 01 January 2011 (both dates inclusive).

The Training Structure & The ₹56,100 Stipend

Unlike standard NDA entry, the TES is a technical scheme where the Indian Army sponsors your 4-year engineering degree. The total training duration is 4 years:

1. Phase I (Basic Military Training): 1 Year at the Officer Training Academy (OTA), Gaya or designated military academies.
2. Phase II (Technical Training): 3 Years (Pre-Commission Training) at prestigious military engineering colleges like CME Pune, MCTE Mhow, or MCEME Secunderabad.

Financial Advantage: You are awarded a B.Tech degree from JNU upon completion. Furthermore, during the final year of your training, you will receive a fixed cadet stipend of ₹56,100 per month. Upon commissioning as a Lieutenant, your pay jumps to Level 10 (₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500) of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix, plus an additional Military Service Pay (MSP) of ₹15,500 per month and extensive flying/technical allowances.

The 5-Day SSB Interview (The Real Test)

There is no written exam conducted by the Army for this recruitment since your JEE rank acts as the filter. Shortlisted candidates will be called directly for the Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview. This is a grueling 5-day psychological and physical evaluation process divided into two stages:

• Stage I (Screening): Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and the Picture Perception & Description Test (PP&DT). Candidates who fail Stage I are eliminated and sent home on the very first day.
• Stage II (Evaluation): Psychology Tests, Group Testing Officer (GTO) Tasks, and a comprehensive Personal Interview.
• Medical Examination: Candidates recommended by the SSB undergo a strict military medical board examination taking 3 to 4 additional days.

Important Dates & Zero Application Fee

Application Fee: There is absolutely no application fee (₹0) for any candidate (General, OBC, SC, ST) to apply for the TES 57 entry. You simply need to register and submit your form online.

How to Apply Online Without Document Errors

1. Visit the official portal: joinindianarmy.nic.in.
2. Click on “Officer Entry Apply/Login” and complete your registration profile if you are a new user.
3. Fill in your personal details, and critically, enter your exact JEE Mains 2026 Application Number and Rank.
4. Enter your 10+2 PCM marks character-by-character as they appear on your official mark sheet. Any discrepancy will lead to disqualification at the SSB centre.
5. Upload a recent passport-size photograph and your signature.
6. Submit the form before 12 November 2026 and print two copies of the final application form containing your Roll Number. You must carry this hard copy to the SSB center if shortlisted.

Important Links

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is the UPSC NDA exam required for the Army TES 57 entry?
No. The Technical Entry Scheme (TES) does not require the NDA written exam. Shortlisting is done directly based on your JEE Mains 2026 score and your 12th PCM percentage.

Q2. Can candidates appearing for Class 12 board exams in 2027 apply?
No. You must have already passed your 10+2 examination with a minimum of 60% in PCM and possess a valid JEE Mains 2026 scorecard to apply for this entry.

Q3. Can female candidates apply for TES 57?
No. The Indian Army 10+2 Technical Entry Scheme is currently restricted only to unmarried male candidates.

Q4. What is the application fee for the TES 57 form?
There is zero application fee to submit the form online.