Territorial Army Instructions
INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES APPLYING FOR COMMISSION IN THE TERRITORIAL ARMY (CIVILIAN CANDIDATES)
General
1. Applications are invited from gainfully employed citizens for an opportunity of donning the uniform and serving the nation as Territorial Army Officers, based on the concept of enabling motivated young citizens to serve in a military environment without having to sacrifice their primary professions. You can serve the nation in two capacities — as a civilian and as a soldier. No other option allows you such an expanse of experiences.
2. The candidates applying for the examination should ensure that they fulfil all the eligibility conditions for the commission. Their candidature at all stages of the commissioning process will be purely provisional subject to satisfying the prescribed eligibility conditions. Mere issue of Admit Card to the candidate will not imply that his candidature has been finally cleared by the Territorial Army Directorate. Verification of eligibility conditions with reference to original documents will be taken up only after the candidate has qualified for Service Selection Board interview.
Conditions of Eligibility
3. Nationality. A candidate must be:
3.1 a citizen of India; or
3.2 a person who has migrated from Pakistan with the intention of permanently settling down in India; or
3.3 a subject of Nepal or of a Portuguese or a former French possession in India.
NOTE: The appointment of candidates in categories above will be subject to the issue of certificates of eligibility in their favour by the Government of India. Certificates of eligibility will not, however, be necessary in the case of candidates belonging to any of the following categories:
3.4 Persons who migrated to India from Pakistan after 18th July, 1948, and have ordinarily been resident in India since then.
3.5 Persons who migrated to India from Pakistan after 18th July, 1948 but before 30th September, 1948 and had got themselves registered as citizens within the prescribed period.
3.6 Gorkha subjects of Nepal.
3.7 Non-citizens who entered service under the Union before the commencement of the Constitution, viz. 26th January, 1950, and who have continued in such service since then. Any such persons who re-enter such service after a break, after the 26th January, 1950, will however, require certificates of eligibility in the usual way.
Age Limits
4. 18 to 42 years as on last day of filing of application.
4.1 Date of birth accepted only as entered in Matriculation/Secondary School Examination Certificate or equivalent.
4.2 Expression “Matriculation/Secondary School Examination Certificate” includes equivalent certificates.
4.3 If the certificate does not show date of birth, school records certified by competent authority may be accepted.
Note 1: Candidate should note that only date of birth as recorded in matriculation certificate will be accepted.
Note 2: Once date of birth has been claimed and entered in records no change will be allowed.
4.4 Provision exists for correction in exceptional circumstances subject to rules.
(Reference in document includes examination date mention: 12 Jul 2026)
Disclaimer: Date of holding examination is liable to be changed.
Note 3: Candidate should exercise due care while entering date of birth. If found incorrect, disciplinary action may be taken.
Educational Qualification
5. Minimum educational qualification for grant of TA commission is a degree from a recognized university and candidate should be gainfully employed.
Note: Decision of Army Headquarters as to eligibility or otherwise is final.
Physical Fitness
6. Candidate must be physically and medically fit in all respects.
6.1 Armed Forces require robust mental and physical health.
6.2 Armed Forces Medical Services ensure only medically fit individuals inducted.
6.3 Armed Forces personnel regardless of occupation specialty require basic general medical fitness.
6.4 Medical examinations carried out by Armed Forces Medical Services Medical Officers.
Medical Standards
7. Standards are general guidelines and subject to change.
8. Candidate should be medically fit, in good physical and mental health.
9. Good health, sound constitution, no disease/disability.
Candidate should have:
- No swellings/tumours/lymph nodes
- No skin disorders causing disability
- No hernia
- No significant disfiguring scars
- No arteriovenous malformations
- No head/face abnormalities affecting function
- No impairment of vision incl colour perception/field of vision
- No hearing impairment
- No speech impediment
- No congenital bone/cartilage anomalies causing disability
- No disease affecting throat/palate/tonsils
- No heart disease/hypertension/conduction disorders
- No active pulmonary tuberculosis
- No chronic lung disease
- No digestive/endocrine disorders causing disability
- No genito-urinary disability
- No active venereal disease
- No epilepsy/incontinence/mental disease
- No major musculoskeletal deformity
- Psychological abnormalities may cause rejection
Usual conditions leading to rejection include:
- Spine/chest/pelvis deformities
- Deformed limbs
- Major eye disorders
- Hearing/ear disorders
- Chronic skin conditions
- Nasal/deviated septum causing obstruction
Dental Conditions
34.1 Significant jaw pathologies.
34.2 Major jaw discrepancies.
34.3 Severe mouth opening limitation.
34.4 Potentially cancerous conditions.
34.5 Sub mucous fibrosis.
34.6 Poor oral health.
34.7 Loose teeth.
34.8 Recent maxillofacial surgery may render unfit.
34.9 Malocclusion interfering with mastication.
Chest
No tuberculosis or evidence of tuberculosis, lesions of lungs, heart skeletal lesions of chest wall.
Abdomen
No diseases of liver/kidney/pancreas etc.
Nervous system
No tremors, speech impediment, imbalance.
Skin
No severe skin disorders.
Height and Weight
39. Height requirement varies as per stream of entry. Weight proportionate to height.
(Tables provided in original pages 7–8 for heights 140 cm to 210 cm with age bands 17-20, 20+01 day-30 yrs, 30+01 day-40 yrs, above 40 years)
40. Additional criteria:
- Body Mass Index below 25
- Waist below 90 cm males and 80 cm females
- Normal biochemical metabolic parameters
40.4 Minimum male height 167 cm (certain hill candidates 152 cm)
40.5 Female minimum 152 cm (certain hill candidates 148 cm)
Investigations
41.1 Complete haemogram
41.2 Urine RE
41.3 Chest X-ray
41.4 USG abdomen and pelvis
Vision Standards
- Standards (Graduate/Post graduate entries etc):
- Uncorrected vision 6/6 & 6/6
- Myopia up to -5.50 D sph
- Hypermetropia +3.50 D sph
- Lasik/equivalent permitted
- Colour perception CP-II
LASIK conditions:
- Age more than 20 years at surgery
- Minimum 12 months post LASIK
- Corneal thickness >=460 micron
- Axial length <=26 mm
- Residual refraction within limits
- Normal healthy retina
- Normal corneal topography
- Radial keratotomy permanently unfit
Medical Examination Board
Medical Board conducted at AFMSF-2A.
Candidates may be declared fit/unfit.
Appeal Medical Board provision exists.
Female candidates examined by specialists.
Surgery-related timelines for fitness mentioned.
Submission of Application
Apply online via:
www.indianarmy.nic.in
Fee: Rs 500/-
Examination
Maximum time: 02 hours
Computer based test (CBT)
Qualifying marks
At discretion of Territorial Army Directorate.
Negative marking
0.33 for each wrong answer.
Objection management
Question challenges invited after exam for limited period.
Help line provided in notice.
Exam centers pan India.
Standard and Syllabus of Examination
| Paper | Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part 1 | Reasoning | 40 | 40 |
| Part 2 | General Knowledge | 30 | 30 |
| Part 3 | English | 30 | 30 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
Standard:
- Reasoning at matric level
- Others at graduate/university level
Syllabus
Reasoning
Sequences, logical conclusions, figures, letters etc.
General Knowledge
Current events, observation, scientific subjects.
English
Understanding English and workman-like use of words.
Procedure for Selection
- Application scrutiny
- Admit card issue
- Written exam
- Psychological aptitude test
- Intelligence test
- SSB procedures
- Merit based recommendation
Male and female separate merit.
Documents to Produce at SSB
- Application form IAF(TA)-9 revised part 2
- Educational certificates
- ID proof
- Proof of address
- Proof of age
- Gazette notification (if name change)
- Income proof / ITR
- Self employed affidavit where applicable
- Service certificate for employed candidates
- No objection certificate if applicable
Candidates to produce originals.
Use of unfair means = disqualification.
Mobile Phones & Smart Watches Banned
No phones, devices, communication gadgets allowed.
Violation can lead to cancellation and future debarment.
Pre-Commission Training
On successful completion:
- 21 days post commission leave.
- Mandatory annual training under rules.
- Two months annual training every year.
False information may disqualify candidate.
SALIENT TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
Conditions
Territorial Army is part time concept.
Not full time career.
No guarantee of pension same as embodied service.
Commission granted in rank of Lieutenant.
Pay Scales (7th CPC)
Lieutenant – Level 10
Captain – Level 10A
Major – Level 11
Lt Colonel – Level 12A
Colonel – Level 13
Brigadier – Level 13A
Military service pay applicable.
Posting:
Liable to serve anywhere in India and abroad.
Promotion Examination
Promotions subject to service conditions and exams.
Leave
Officers entitled leave laws applicable during embodiment.
Discipline
Subject to Army Act/Rules during embodiment.
Medical Treatment
Free medical treatment during training/military service.
Substantive Promotion Service Limits
Lieutenant – commission granted
Captain – 04 years
Major – 08 years
Lt Colonel –15 years
Colonel (Time Scale) –28 years
Colonel – by selection
Brigadier – by selection
Pensionary Benefits
Eligible for terminal gratuity after required embodied service.
Disability pension admissible under conditions.
Retirement
Major and below – 54 years
Lt Col/Colonel – 56 years or tenure conditions
Brigadier – 56 years or tenure conditions
Discharge
May be discharged as per law.
Liability for Military Service
Can be called for service beyond limits under special orders.
Conditions while enrolled
Subject to prescribed conditions.
Support of civil power / training / attachment with regular forces.
IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS FOR FILLING APPLICATION FORM
- Fill in own handwriting where required.
- No false particulars.
- Name exactly as educational certificates.
- False info can lead to rejection even later.
Certificates Formats Included
90.1 Certificate by candidates employed in Govt/Semi Govt duly authenticated.
Contains declaration regarding employer making candidate available for training/service.
90.2 Certificate by Self Employed Personnel (Self Certified)
Contains declarations:
- Good moral character
- Resident declaration
- Self-employed status
- Approx annual income
90.3 Certificate by candidates employed in Private Sector
Declaration that civil pay/service benefits protected during embodiment.
91.
Detailed instructions for appearing in Computer Based Test (CBT) given separately.
