SSC Tech 66 Men and SSCW Tech 37 Women Indian Army Recruitment

The Indian Army invites applications for the Short Service Commission (SSC) (Tech)-66 for Men and SSCW (Tech)-37 for Women, targeting engineering graduates and, for women, widows of defense personnel who died in harness. These notifications outline the path to becoming a commissioned officer, with training commencing in April 2026 at the Pre-Commissioning Training Academy (PCTA). This article provides an in-depth exploration of eligibility, application procedures, selection processes, training, and service conditions, ensuring candidates have a clear roadmap to this prestigious opportunity.

1. Introduction

The SSC (Tech)-66 Men and SSCW (Tech)-37 Women entries are designed to recruit technically qualified individuals for the Indian Army. The former is exclusively for unmarried male engineering graduates, while the latter includes unmarried female engineering graduates and widows of defense personnel. Both entries lead to a Short Service Commission, with successful candidates undergoing a 49-week training program at the Officers Training Academy (OTA). Key details are summarized below:

2. Eligibility Requirements

To qualify, candidates must meet stringent criteria regarding nationality, age, education, and physical fitness. Below is a detailed breakdown.

2.1 Nationality

• Common to Both:
  • Indian citizens.
  • Subjects of Nepal.
  • Persons of Indian origin who migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, or East African countries (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, Vietnam) with intent to settle permanently in India or Nepal.
  • Non-Indian citizens, except Gorkha subjects of Nepal, may need a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India.

2.2 Age Criteria

• SSC (Tech)-66 Men: Candidates must be aged 20–27 years as of 01 April 2026 (born between 01 April 1999 and 31 March 2006).
• SSCW (Tech)-37 Women: Age limit not specified in the provided document, but typically mirrors the men’s entry (20–27 years). Widows may have relaxed age criteria per Army policies.

2.3 Educational Qualifications

• Both Entries:
  • Candidates must hold an Engineering Degree or be in their final year.
  • Final-year students must provide proof of passing by 01 April 2026, including marksheets for all semesters/years.
  • Cumulative marks must meet the Army’s cut-off percentage; failure to comply results in candidature cancellation.
  • Candidates whose final exams are scheduled after 01 April 2026 are ineligible.
  • For final-year candidates, marks up to the 6th semester (Engineering), 8th semester (B. Architecture), or 2nd semester (M.Sc.) must meet the cut-off, and this must hold post-final results.
• SSCW (Tech)-37 Women (Widows):
  • Eligible for non-technical SSC entry if they meet the specified qualifications, which may not require an engineering degree.

2.4 Physical Standards

• SSC (Tech)-66 Men:
  • Fitness Requirements:
    • 2.4 km run in 10 minutes 30 seconds.
    • 40 push-ups.
    • 5 pull-ups.
    • 30 sit-ups.
    • Two sets of 30 squats.
    • Two sets of 10 lunges.
    • Basic swimming knowledge.
• SSCW (Tech)-37 Women: Physical standards not detailed in the document but are outlined at www.joinindianarmy.nic.in, tailored to women’s requirements.

3. Engineering Streams and Vacancies

• SSC (Tech)-66 Men: Vacancies are stream-specific, with only notified engineering streams and their AICTE-approved equivalents accepted (details not provided in the document).
• SSCW (Tech)-37 Women: Eligible streams include a range of computer science and related disciplines. A sample is shown below:

• Important: Stream nomenclature on the degree certificate/marksheet must match the application exactly, or candidature will be cancelled.

4. Application Procedure

4.1 Submission Guidelines

• Online Applications:
  • Men: Submit via the Army’s portal from 24 July 2025 to 22 August 2025.
  • Women: Apply online from 23 July 2025 to 21 August 2025.
  • Only one application per candidate is permitted; multiple submissions lead to disqualification.
• Accuracy:
  • Engineering stream names must align precisely with degree documents.
  • Discrepancies in candidate or parents’ names require an affidavit or government-issued proof (e.g., birth certificate, passport).
• Armed Forces Personnel: Must notify their Commanding Officer in writing and bring a countersigned application to SSB.

4.2 Documents for SSB

Candidates must present the following at the SSB interview, with self-attested copies and originals:

• Note: Missing documents result in immediate cancellation. Originals are returned post-verification.

4.3 Offline Applications (Widows, SSCW Only)

• Widows submit applications to:
  • Directorate General of Recruiting, AIT/GGO Section, AG’s Branch, Integrated HQ, Ministry of Defence (Army), West Block-III, R K Puram, New Delhi-110066.
• Deadline: 29 August 2025.
• Incomplete or late applications are rejected.

5. Selection Process

5.1 Application Shortlisting

• Based on cumulative percentage of marks up to the final semester/year, with stream-specific cut-offs.
• Final-year candidates are provisionally shortlisted if marks up to specified semesters meet the cut-off, subject to final results compliance.
• The call-up ratio depends on vacancies, set by the Directorate General of Recruiting.

5.2 SSB Interview

• Structure:
  • Stage 1: Unsuccessful candidates return the same day.
  • Stage 2: Includes medical examination for those who qualify.
• Selection Centre details are emailed to candidates.

5.3 Medical Examination

• Governed by standards at www.joinindianarmy.nic.in.
• Medical board proceedings are confidential, with no involvement from the Directorate General of Recruiting.

5.4 Merit List

• Compiled by engineering stream based on SSB performance.
• Ties are resolved by prioritizing older candidates.
• SSB qualification does not guarantee selection; only merit-listed candidates proceed.

6. Commission Details

• Initial Commission: Granted on probation as Lieutenant upon joining PCTA, with pay and allowances post-training.
• Confirmation: SSC (Technical) Lieutenant rank confirmed after training.
• Seniority:
  • Engineering graduates (both entries): One-year seniority from commissioning date.
  • Widows (SSCW Non-Tech): No seniority.
• Service Duration:
  • Mandatory 10 years, extendable by 14 years with eligibility and approval.
  • Release after 5 years possible with Army HQ approval, except for specialized course participants, who must repay training costs.
  • Permanent Commission eligibility may apply.

.7. Training

• Venue: Officers Training Academy (OTA).
• Duration: 49 weeks.
• Restrictions:
  • No marriage or cohabitation during training.
  • Marriage during training or post-application (before induction) leads to discharge and cost recovery.
• Funding: Fully government-sponsored.
• Withdrawal: Non-medical or personal reasons incur liability to refund training costs.
• Award: Post Graduate Diploma in Defence Management and Strategic Studies.
• Retention: Unsuitable officers may have their commission terminated within 6 months of confirmation.

8. Service Terms

• Arms/Services Allocation: Decided by Army HQ, non-negotiable.
• Global Service: Officers may serve worldwide as assigned.
• Release Options:
  • Apply for release after 5 years, subject to approval.
  • During extended tenure, release for civil jobs or business is restricted.
• Allowances:
  • Dress Allowance: ₹25,000 (includes uniform).
  • Defense-specific allowances enhanced (rate unclear due to document error).
• Training Costs: Recovered for personal withdrawals.

9. Important Notes

• Disciplinary Bars:
  • Candidates withdrawn from military academies (e.g., IMA, OTA) for disciplinary reasons are ineligible.
  • Criminal convictions or arrests lead to cancellation if discovered.
• Travel Allowance: AC-2 Tier rail/bus fare for first-time SSB candidates.
• Support: Queries via www.joinindianarmy.nic.in, prioritized if submitted 3 days before application closure.
• Data Integrity: Discrepancies in personal details or multiple applications result in cancellation.

Conclusion

The SSC (Tech)-66 Men and SSCW (Tech)-37 Women notifications offer engineering graduates and eligible widows a chance to serve in the Indian Army. With rigorous eligibility checks, precise documentation, and a competitive selection process, candidates must prepare thoroughly. The 49-week OTA training equips officers for technical roles, with opportunities for extended service or Permanent Commission. Visit www.joinindianarmy.nic.in for additional resources and updates.