The Indian Army has released the notification for the 144th Technical Graduate Course, popularly known as TGC 144. The course will commence in January 2027 at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. This entry is a major opportunity for unmarried male engineering graduates who wish to join the Indian Army as commissioned officers through the Permanent Commission route.
TGC is one of the most respected officer entries for engineering graduates because it allows technically qualified candidates to enter the Army’s technical arms and services without a written examination. Candidates are shortlisted on the basis of their engineering stream and academic performance, after which they are called for the Services Selection Board interview.
For TGC 144, the Indian Army has announced 30 vacancies across different engineering streams. The online application process started on 13 May 2026 and will remain open till 11 June 2026 at 1500 hours. Eligible candidates can apply through the official Indian Army recruitment website, joinindianarmy.nic.in.
What is TGC Entry in the Indian Army?
The Technical Graduate Course is a special entry scheme conducted by the Indian Army for engineering graduates. It is meant for candidates who have completed or are in the final year of their B.E. or B.Tech degree in notified engineering disciplines.
Selected candidates undergo training at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. After successful completion of training, they are granted Permanent Commission in the rank of Lieutenant. This makes TGC a highly preferred entry for engineering graduates who want a stable, challenging and prestigious career in uniform.
Unlike many other defence entries, TGC does not require a written examination. The main stages include application shortlisting, SSB interview, medical examination and final merit list. This makes academic performance and SSB preparation extremely important for aspirants.
TGC 144 Important Details
The TGC 144 course is scheduled to begin in January 2027 at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. The entry is open only to unmarried male engineering graduates. Candidates selected through this entry will undergo 12 months of training at IMA and will be commissioned as Lieutenants after successful completion.
The application window opened on 13 May 2026 and will close on 11 June 2026 at 1500 hours. A total of 30 vacancies have been notified for the course. Candidates must apply only through the official Indian Army website.
TGC 144 Age Limit
For TGC 144, candidates must be between 20 and 27 years of age as on 1 January 2027. As per the notification details, candidates should have been born between 1 January 2000 and 1 January 2007. Both dates are inclusive.
Candidates must carefully check their date of birth before applying. The date of birth recorded in the matriculation or equivalent certificate is generally considered final for eligibility purposes.
TGC 144 Educational Qualification
Candidates must have passed an engineering degree or must be studying in the final year of an engineering degree course. The degree should be in one of the engineering streams notified for TGC 144.
Final year engineering students are also eligible to apply, but they must be able to submit proof of passing their degree by 1 January 2027. Candidates who fail to produce the required educational documents within the prescribed timeline may lose their candidature.
Only eligible engineering disciplines mentioned in the official notification are accepted. Candidates should ensure that the name of their engineering stream matches the stream listed in the notification. Any mismatch or ambiguity in the branch name may lead to rejection during document verification.
TGC 144 Vacancies
The Indian Army has announced 30 vacancies for TGC 144. These vacancies are distributed among various engineering streams. Civil Engineering and equivalent streams have 8 vacancies. Computer Science, Information Technology and equivalent streams have 6 vacancies. Electrical, Electronics and Instrumentation streams have 2 vacancies. Electronics, Telecommunication and equivalent streams have 6 vacancies. Mechanical, Industrial, Aeronautical and equivalent streams have 6 vacancies. Other streams, including disciplines such as Architecture and Biomedical, have 2 vacancies.
These vacancies are provisional and may be changed depending on organisational requirements and training capacity. Candidates should apply under the correct engineering stream as per their degree.
TGC 144 Selection Process
The selection process for TGC 144 begins with the submission of the online application. After the application window closes, the Indian Army shortlists candidates based on the cut-off percentage fixed for each engineering stream.
The cut-off may vary from branch to branch depending on the number of applicants, academic performance of candidates and available vacancies. Final year candidates are usually shortlisted on the basis of marks obtained up to the sixth semester.
Shortlisted candidates are then allotted SSB interview centres. The SSB interview may be conducted at Prayagraj, Bhopal, Bengaluru or Jalandhar. The interview is conducted in two stages. Stage 1 includes screening tests, while Stage 2 includes psychological testing, group testing officer tasks, personal interview and conference.
Candidates who clear Stage 1 stay for the complete SSB process, while those who do not clear the screening stage are sent back on the same day. Candidates recommended by the SSB undergo a detailed medical examination. The final merit list is prepared on the basis of SSB marks, subject to medical fitness and available vacancies.
Training for TGC 144
Selected candidates will undergo 12 months of training at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. IMA is one of India’s premier military training institutions and has produced generations of officers for the Indian Army.
During training, candidates are shaped into officers through a combination of physical training, weapon training, field craft, tactics, leadership development, academic instruction and character building. The training is demanding and aims to prepare young engineering graduates for leadership roles in the Army.
After successful completion of training, candidates are commissioned as Lieutenants in the Indian Army. They are also granted one year of ante-date seniority for promotion and pay-related benefits.
Stipend, Pay and Allowances
During training, gentlemen cadets receive a stipend of ₹56,100 per month. After commissioning, officers are placed in Level 10 of the pay matrix, with pay ranging from ₹56,100 to ₹1,77,500. In addition, commissioned officers are entitled to Military Service Pay of ₹15,500 per month and other allowances as admissible.
Apart from salary, Army officers receive several benefits, including medical facilities, accommodation, travel concessions, canteen facilities, insurance cover, pensionary benefits as applicable, and opportunities for professional growth.
Physical and Medical Standards
Candidates applying for TGC 144 must be physically and medically fit as per the standards prescribed by the Indian Army. The notification highlights physical expectations such as a 2.4 km run in 10 minutes 30 seconds, 40 push-ups, 6 pull-ups, 30 sit-ups, squats, lunges and basic swimming ability.
Medical fitness is assessed during the medical examination after SSB recommendation. Candidates should ensure they are free from major medical issues and should maintain good physical fitness before appearing for the SSB interview.
How to Apply for TGC 144
Candidates must visit the official Indian Army recruitment website, joinindianarmy.nic.in. They should click on “Officer Entry Apply/Login” and complete the registration process. After logging in, candidates must select the TGC 144 entry and fill in the required details carefully.
Candidates should ensure that their personal details, educational qualifications, engineering stream, marks and contact details are entered correctly. After final submission, they should take two printouts of the submitted application form after the application window closes.
Only one application should be submitted by a candidate. Multiple applications or incorrect details may lead to cancellation of candidature.
Important Instructions for Candidates
Candidates must ensure that they meet all eligibility conditions before applying. Final year students should confirm that their university will declare results in time so that they can submit proof of passing by 1 January 2027.
Candidates should also ensure that the engineering stream mentioned in their degree is accepted under the official notification. Any mismatch in personal details, academic records or stream name can create problems during verification.
Aspirants who have previously been withdrawn from any military training academy on disciplinary grounds are not eligible to apply. Candidates should also preserve their application form and relevant documents for the SSB interview and further stages of selection.
How to Prepare for TGC 144 SSB Interview
Since TGC does not have a written examination, the SSB interview becomes the most important stage of selection. Candidates should focus on personality development, communication skills, current affairs, technical knowledge and overall awareness.
Engineering graduates should be prepared to answer questions related to their branch, final year projects, internships, practical applications of engineering concepts and reasons for joining the Indian Army. They should also be aware of the Army’s technical arms and how engineering knowledge can be used in military service.
Regular practice of psychological tests such as TAT, WAT, SRT and self-description can help candidates present their natural personality clearly. Group discussions, lecturette practice, command tasks and outdoor activities can help improve performance in GTO tasks.
Physical fitness is equally important. Candidates should build stamina, strength and confidence before appearing for SSB, as a fit and energetic personality creates a positive impression during the process.
Conclusion
The TGC 144 Notification 2026 is an excellent opportunity for engineering graduates who dream of joining the Indian Army as officers. With 30 vacancies, Permanent Commission, training at the Indian Military Academy and a direct route to the rank of Lieutenant, this entry offers a prestigious career path for technically qualified candidates.
Eligible aspirants should apply before 11 June 2026 and begin serious preparation for the SSB interview. TGC is not just a technical entry into the Army; it is a path of leadership, discipline, responsibility and service to the nation.
