Indian Army – 66th Short Service Commission (Technical) Men (April 2026)
Organization: Indian Army
Course Name: 66th Short Service Commission (Tech) – Men (April 2026)
Training Academy: Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai / Pre-Commissioning Training Academy (PCTA)
Notification Source: joinindianarmy.nic.in
Overview
The 66th Short Service Commission (Tech) – Men is a recruitment drive for unmarried male engineering graduates to join the Indian Army as commissioned officers. This is a direct entry scheme without a written exam. Selection is based on academic performance and the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview. The course will begin in April 2026 at OTA, Chennai.
Important Dates
- Application Start: 24 July 2025 (1500 hrs)
- Last Date to Apply: 22 August 2025 (1500 hrs)
- SSB Interview: October 2025 – January 2026 (tentative)
- Course Commencement: April 2026
Vacancies
- Total Posts: 350 (Men only)
- Stream-wise distribution:
- Civil Engineering: 75 posts
- Computer Science Engineering: 60 posts
- Electrical Engineering: 33 posts
- Electronics Engineering: 64 posts
- Mechanical Engineering: 101 posts
- Miscellaneous Engineering Streams: 17 posts (includes Architecture, Production, Automobile; refer official notification for complete details)
Eligibility Criteria
Nationality:
- Citizen of India, subject of Nepal, or Person of Indian Origin (PIO) intending to permanently settle in India
Marital Status:
- Unmarried male candidates
Age Limit:
- 20–27 years as on 01 April 2026
- Born between 01 April 1999 and 31 March 2006
Educational Qualification:
- Passed B.E./B.Tech in notified engineering streams
- Final-year students may apply if they can submit proof of passing degree and marksheets by 01 April 2026
- Final degree certificate must be produced within 12 weeks of training commencement
- Discrepancy in engineering stream nomenclature cancels candidature
Physical Standards
- 2.4 Km Run: 10 min 30 sec
- Push-ups: 40
- Pull-ups: 6
- Sit-ups: 30
- Squats: 2 sets of 30 reps
- Lunges: 2 sets of 10 reps
- Swimming: Must know fundamentals
Selection Process
- Shortlisting of Applications: Based on aggregate engineering marks; stream-wise cut-off percentage applied
- SSB Interview: Five-day assessment at Allahabad, Bhopal, Bengaluru, and Kapurthala
- Stage I: Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) and Picture Perception & Discussion Test (PPDT)
- Stage II: Psychological tests, Group Testing Officer (GTO) tasks, and personal interview
- Medical Examination: For SSB-recommended candidates only
- Merit List: Based on SSB performance and medical fitness
Training and Commissioning
- Duration: 49 weeks at OTA, Chennai
- Stipend: ₹56,100 per month during training
- Commissioned Rank: Lieutenant (Short Service Commission)
- Degree Awarded: PG Diploma in Defence Management & Strategic Studies
- Service Tenure: Initial 10 years, extendable up to 14 years
- Permanent Commission: Considered after 10 years based on merit and vacancies
- Conditions: Candidates cannot marry during training; voluntary withdrawal requires refund @ ₹16,260/week
Pay & Allowances
| Rank | Level | Pay (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| Lieutenant | 10 | 56,100–1,77,500 |
| Captain | 10B | 61,300–1,93,900 |
| Major | 11 | 69,400–2,07,200 |
| Lt Colonel | 12A | 1,21,200–2,12,400 |
| Colonel | 13 | 1,30,600–2,15,900 |
| Brigadier | 13A | 1,39,600–2,17,600 |
| Major General | 14 | 1,44,200–2,18,200 |
| Lt General (HAG) | 15 | 1,82,200–2,24,100 |
| COAS | 18 | 2,50,000 (fixed) |
- Military Service Pay (MSP): ₹15,500/month
- Other Allowances: DA, Technical Allowance, Field Area, High Altitude, Siachen, Transport Allowance, Uniform Allowance, CEA (₹2,812/month per child), Hostel Subsidy (₹8,437/month)
How to Apply
- Apply online only at joinindianarmy.nic.in
- Register → Fill application → Upload photograph, signature, educational certificates → Submit
- Take a printout of the application for reference
- No application fee
Documents Required for SSB:
- Application printout
- Matriculation certificate (DOB & parents’ names)
- Class 12 certificate/marksheet
- Degree/Provisional degree (not older than 6 months)
- All semester marksheets
- CGPA-to-percentage conversion certificate (if applicable)
- Final-year proof of study & declaration (if appearing candidate)
Important Links
-
Apply Online for Job Vacancy – Registration | Login
-
Download Official Notification – SSC Tech 66 (Men) PDF
-
Official Website – joinindianarmy.nic.in
FAQs – Indian Army 66th SSC (Tech) Men (April 2026)
Q1: When does the application process start?
A1: The online application process starts on 24 July 2025 (1500 hrs).
Q2: What is the last date to apply?
A2: The last date to submit the application is 22 August 2025 (1500 hrs).
Q3: Who is eligible to apply for this course?
A3: Unmarried male candidates who are citizens of India, subjects of Nepal, or PIO intending to permanently settle in India. Age must be 20–27 years as on 01 April 2026, and candidates must have passed B.E./B.Tech or be in the final year.
Q4: How many total vacancies are available?
A4: There are 350 posts across Civil, Computer Science, Electrical, Electronics, Mechanical, and Miscellaneous Engineering streams.
Q5: Is there a written exam for selection?
A5: No, selection is based on engineering marks for shortlisting and SSB interview.
Q6: Where are the SSB interviews conducted?
A6: SSB interviews are conducted at Allahabad (UP), Bhopal (MP), Bengaluru (Karnataka), and Kapurthala (Punjab).
Q7: What is the duration of the training?
A7: Training is for 49 weeks at Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai.
Q8: What is the stipend during training?
A8: Candidates receive ₹56,100 per month during training.
Q9: What rank will be granted on successful completion?
A9: Candidates are granted the rank of Lieutenant on Short Service Commission.
Q10: Can candidates marry during training?
A10: No, candidates are not allowed to marry during training; doing so will cancel candidature.
Q11: What is the tenure of engagement?
A11: Initial SSC is 10 years, extendable up to 14 years, with consideration for Permanent Commission after 10 years.
Q12: Is there an application fee?
A12: No application fee is required.
Q13: How to apply online?
A13: Apply online at joinindianarmy.nic.in. First register, then login to fill the application, upload documents, and submit.
Q14: Which documents are required for SSB?
A14: Documents include:
- Printout of application
- Matriculation certificate (DOB & parents’ names)
- Class 12 certificate/marksheet
- Degree/Provisional degree (not older than 6 months)
- All semester marksheets
- CGPA-to-percentage conversion certificate (if applicable)
- Final-year proof of study & declaration (if appearing candidate)
Q15: Where can I download the official notification?
A15: Download the SSC Tech 66 (Men) notification PDF here.
Q16: Where can I apply online?
A16: Apply online using Registration | Login.
Q17: What is the official website of the Indian Army recruitment?
A17: Visit the official website: joinindianarmy.nic.in.