Army TES (Technical Entry Scheme) 10+2 is a unique route into the Indian Army's officer cadre directly after Class 12, without a written examination - selection is based on Class 12 PCM marks followed by the SSB Interview. Approximately 90 vacancies are notified twice a year. Selected candidates undergo 1 year of basic training at OTA Gaya, followed by a 3-year B.Tech at Military Colleges (CME Pune, MCEME Secunderabad, or MCTE Mhow), and finally 1 year of Young Officers training - total 5 years, after which they are commissioned as Lieutenants in the Corps of Engineers, Corps of Signals or EME.
Exam Pattern
Mode:Shortlisting by Class 12 PCM marks + 5-day SSB Interview
Duration:SSB Interview spans 5 days
Total Marks:Recommendation based on overall personality assessment (no marks revealed)
Marking Scheme:Either Recommended or Not Recommended; merit list of recommended candidates based on Class 12 PCM percentage + SSB performance
Sections
Stage 1 - Screening Test (OIR + PPDT)
Officer Intelligence Rating + Picture Perception Questions•Qualifying Marks
Join SSB coaching only if you can't self-prepare; many candidates clear without coaching
❓ FAQs
Is there a written exam for TES?
No. Army TES has no written entrance examination. Shortlisting is purely on Class 12 PCM marks; final selection is via the 5-day SSB Interview and medical.
What's the total training duration?
5 years total: 1 year at OTA Gaya (basic military training) + 3 years B.Tech at CME/MCEME/MCTE + 1 year Young Officers training. After this, the cadet is commissioned as a Lieutenant in a technical arm of the Army.
Do TES officers get a salary during training?
Yes. Cadets receive a fixed stipend (~Rs. 56,100/month from year 1 onwards under 7th CPC) during the 5-year training. After commissioning, the pay scale follows the regular Army Lieutenant grade.
Can I apply if I have less than 60% in PCM?
No. The minimum eligibility is 60% aggregate in PCM in Class 12. However, the actual shortlist cutoff is typically much higher (75-85%) based on the number of applicants and vacancies.