The Indian Army has officially announced the 65th Short Service Commission Technical (SSC Tech) for Men and the 36th Short Service Commission Technical (SSCW Tech) for Women courses. These coveted positions provide engineering graduates and widows of defense personnel the chance to join the esteemed Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai, with training commencing in October 2025.
Eligibility Criteria
1. Nationality
Candidates must satisfy the following requirements:
- Indian citizens, subjects of Nepal or Bhutan.
- Tibetan refugees who migrated to India before January 1, 1962.
- Persons of Indian origin who migrated from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and certain African countries with the intention of permanent settlement in India.
2. Age Limit
- SSC Tech (Men and Women): 20 to 27 years as of October 1, 2025 (Born between October 2, 1998, and October 1, 2005).
- Widows of Defense Personnel: Maximum 35 years.
3. Educational Qualification
- For SSC Tech (Men and Women): Engineering Degree (completed or final year). Final-year candidates must submit proof of passing by October 1, 2025.
- For Widows of Defense Personnel:
- Non-Tech Entry: Graduation in any discipline.
- Tech Entry: B.E./B.Tech in any engineering stream.
Vacancies
The Indian Army offers diverse opportunities in various engineering streams.
SSC Tech (Men): 350 Vacancies
- Civil Engineering: 75
- Computer Science Engineering: 60
- Mechanical Engineering: 101
- Electrical Engineering: 33
- Electronics Engineering: 64
- Miscellaneous Streams: 17
SSCW Tech (Women): 29 Vacancies
- Civil Engineering: 7
- Computer Science Engineering: 4
- Mechanical Engineering: 9
- Electrical Engineering: 3
- Electronics Engineering: 6
For Widows of Defense Personnel
- Technical Entry: 1 (B.E./B.Tech)
- Non-Technical Entry: 1 (Graduation in any discipline)
Note: Vacancies are subject to change.
Selection Process
- Application Shortlisting
Applications will be shortlisted based on the cumulative percentage of marks obtained in the qualifying degree. - SSB Interview
Candidates undergo a 5-day interview at selection centers in Allahabad, Bhopal, Bengaluru, or Jalandhar. Stage 1 includes screening tests, and candidates who clear proceed to Stage 2. - Medical Examination
Shortlisted candidates must pass a comprehensive medical examination. - Final Merit List
Merit is determined based on SSB marks and vacancy availability in the respective streams.
Training
- Location: Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai.
- Duration: 49 weeks.
- Features:
- Fully government-sponsored.
- Award of Post Graduate Diploma in Defense Management and Strategic Studies.
- Marriage during training is prohibited.
Career Path and Pay Structure
Tenure and Progression
- Initial Tenure: 10 years, extendable by 4 years.
- Promotion Timeline:
- Lieutenant: Upon commissioning
- Captain: 2 years
- Major: 6 years
- Lieutenant Colonel: 13 years
Pay and Benefits
- Pay Scale: Starting ₹56,100 per month (Lieutenant rank).
- Military Service Pay (MSP): ₹15,500/month.
- Allowances: Field Area, Technical, Transport, and others.
- Additional Benefits: Children’s Education Allowance, Hostel Subsidy, and insurance cover of ₹1 crore.
Application Process
- Visit the official website joinindianarmy.nic.in.
- Register and complete the application with personal, educational, and supporting details.
- Upload necessary documents like:
- Mark sheets and certificates.
- Proof of CGPA conversion (if applicable).
- Submit the application within the stipulated window: 7th January 2025 to 5th February 2025.
Conclusion:
The SSC Tech 65 and SSCW Tech 36 notifications provide a gateway for engineering graduates and widows of defense personnel to embark on a fulfilling career in the Indian Army. This opportunity promises structured training, career progression, and exceptional pay benefits. For detailed information, visit the official website joinindianarmy.nic.in.
SSC Tech Eligibility Criteria
Nationality:
- Candidates must be citizens of India, subjects of Nepal, or persons of Indian origin who have migrated from specific countries with the intention of settling in India.
Age Limit:
- For SSC(Tech)-65 Men and SSCW(Tech)-36 Women:
- Age: 20 to 27 years as of 01 Oct 2025 (born between 02 Oct 1998 and 01 Oct 2005).
- For widows of Indian Armed Forces personnel who died in service:
- Maximum age: 35 years as of 01 Oct 2025.
Educational Qualifications:
- Candidates must have an Engineering Degree or be in the final year of an Engineering Degree course.
- Final-year candidates must submit proof of passing the Engineering Degree Examination with all mark sheets by 01 Oct 2025.
- Widows of defense personnel:
- SSCW(Tech): B.E./B.Tech degree required.
- SSCW(Non-Tech): Graduation degree in any discipline required.
- Final-year candidates must not have any backlogs at the time of application.
Mismatch in Stream:
- Any variation between the stream mentioned in the degree and the online application will result in cancellation of candidature.
SSC Tech Important Notes for Candidates
Variation in Name:
- If there is any variation in the candidate’s name or parents’ names on educational documents, an affidavit stating the variations must be submitted.
Degree/Marksheet:
- Candidates must submit their degree/provisional degree and all semester/year marksheets for the SSB.
Date of Birth:
- The date of birth recorded in the Matriculation/Secondary School Examination Certificate will only be accepted.
Final Year Appearing Candidates:
- Those whose final exams are scheduled after 01 Oct 2025 are not eligible.
- Candidates must submit proof of passing the degree by 01 Oct 2025 and ensure the cumulative percentage of marks is not less than the cut-off percentage.
- Final semester/year studying candidates will be provisionally allowed to appear in SSB if their cumulative percentage of marks meets the approved cut-off percentage.
SSC Tech Vacancies
Vacancies for SSC(Tech)-65 Men:
- Total: 350 across multiple engineering streams.
Vacancies for SSCW(Tech)-36 Women:
- Total: 29 across multiple engineering streams.
Vacancies for Widows of Defense Personnel:
- SSC(W)(Tech): 1 vacancy.
- SSC(W)(Non-Tech): 1 vacancy.
Note: Vacancies are tentative and subject to change. Only candidates with degrees in the specified engineering streams are eligible.
SSC Tech Engineering Streams and Equivalent Streams
Core Engineering Streams and Acceptable Equivalents:
- Civil Engineering: Includes Structural Engineering, Building Construction & Technology, Architecture.
- Computer Science Engineering: Includes Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology.
- Mechanical Engineering: Includes Production, Automobile, Aeronautical Engineering.
Note: Any variation between the nomenclature on the degree and the online application will result in cancellation of candidature.
SSC Tech Selection Procedure
- Shortlisting of Applications:
- Applications will be shortlisted by the Integrated HQ of MoD (Army) based on cut-off percentages.
- The cut-off will be applied to the cumulative percentage of marks obtained.
- SSB Interview:
- Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed at Selection Centers in Allahabad, Bhopal, Bengaluru, and Jalandhar.
- The SSB is a two-stage process. Candidates who fail in Stage-1 are returned the same day.
- Medical Examination:
- Candidates recommended by the SSB will undergo a medical examination.
- Final Selection:
- Candidates who clear the SSB and are declared medically fit will be issued joining letters based on merit and vacancy availability.
SSC Tech Training
- Selected candidates will train at the Officers Training Academy (OTA).
- Short Service Commission will be granted in the rank of Lieutenant from the commencement of the course.
- Training is at the government’s expense.
- A Post Graduate Diploma in Defence Management and Strategic Studies will be awarded upon successful completion of training.
- Marriage during training is not permitted. Candidates who marry will be discharged.
SSC Tech Service and Commission
- Tenure: Officers serve for ten years, with a provision for release after five years with approval. The tenure may be extended by four years.
- Permanent Commission (PC): Officers may be considered for PC in the 10th year of service.
- Ante-Date Seniority: Engineering Graduates of SSC (Technical) are granted one-year ante-date seniority from the date of commission (not applicable to widows selected for SSCW (NT) entry).
- Global Service: Officers are liable for service anywhere in the world.
- Arms/Services Allocation: Final allocation is at the discretion of Integrated HQ Ministry of Defence (Army).
SSC Tech Financial Aspects
- Pay Scale: The notification specifies the pay scale for various ranks, from Lieutenant to COAS.
- Military Service Pay (MSP):
- Officers (Lieutenant to Brigadier): ₹15,500 per month.
- Stipend During Training:
- ₹56,100 per month.
- Other Allowances:
- Includes Dearness Allowance, Para Reserve Allowance, Technical Allowance, Field Area Allowances, Risk and Hardship Allowances, Uniform Allowance, Ration in Kind, Transport Allowance, Children Education Allowance, and Hostel Subsidy.
-
Army Group Insurance Fund (AGIF):
- Cadets are insured for ₹1 Cr.
- Monthly subscription: ₹10,000.
SSC Tech How to Apply
-
Online Applications:
- Apply at www.joinindianarmy.nic.in.
- Aadhaar number and matriculation certificate are mandatory for registration.
- Fill in all required details and submit the application online.
- Print two copies of the application with the roll number after final closure.
-
Offline Applications (Widows of Defense Personnel):
- Last date: 20 Feb 2025.
Important Deadlines:
- Online application submission: 05 Feb 2025, 1500 HR.
Required Documents for SSB:
- Application form with photograph.
- Matriculation/Secondary School Examination Certificate and Marksheet.
- 12th class marksheet and certificate.
- Marksheets of all semesters/years.
- Certificate for CGPA/Grade conversion.
- Certificates for final-year appearing candidates.
- Documents related to civil verification.
Additional Information
- Candidates can apply for only one entry/discipline. Multiple applications will lead to cancellation of candidature.
- Serving Armed Forces personnel must inform their Commanding Officer.
- Travelling Allowance is provided for first-time SSB candidates.
- Merit lists are prepared based on SSB marks, age, and qualifying exam percentages.
- Candidates debarred from UPSC examinations or arrested/convicted by a criminal court are not eligible.
- Candidates withdrawn from service academies on disciplinary grounds are not eligible.