What is TES Entry in the Indian Army? A Detailed Overview

The 10+2 Technical Entry Scheme (TES) stands as a distinctive recruitment initiative by the Indian Army, dedicated to identifying and nurturing young aspirants for Technical Officer roles, ultimately offering them a coveted Permanent Commission in the Army. TES Entry scheme is strategically designed to attract individuals with technical expertise, preparing them to serve as commissioned officers. Unlike other entry exams such as NDA, CDS, AFCAT, etc., the TES examination, conducted twice a year by the Indian Army, skips a written test. Instead, eligible candidates meeting the basic criteria receive direct call letters for the SSB interview. Delve deeper into the intricacies of the TES entry in the Indian Army in the following sections.

Eligibility Criteria for the Army 10+2 Technical Entry Scheme (TES)

The Technical Entry Scheme (TES) exclusively accepts applications from unmarried male candidates who have completed their 12th grade with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) as their core subjects, securing a minimum of 60% marks in this stream. Additionally, applicants must have appeared for the JEE (Mains) examination. The age criterion for eligibility ranges between 16½ to 19½ years. This entry scheme caters exclusively to candidates aspiring to join the Army as technical officers.

Who can apply for the Army TES Entry?

• Only unmarried male candidates
• 12th passed with the PCM stream
• Minimum 60% marks in 12th PCM
• Must have appeared in JEE (Mains)
• Should be between 16½ – 19½ years

How is the TES entry different from the NDA exam?

Distinguishing between the National Defence Academy (NDA) and the Technical Entry Scheme (TES) reveals two distinct paths to join the Indian Armed Forces. While NDA welcomes candidates from various educational backgrounds, TES specifically seeks students who have studied Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) in the 10+2 standard. To enter NDA, students need to clear a written exam by UPSC, while TES entry doesn’t require this exam but mandates a minimum of 60% marks in the 12th PCM. NDA trains cadets for the Army, Air Force, and Navy, whereas TES is exclusively for the Indian Army. Additionally, NDA doesn’t require any specific additional qualifications, while TES demands that candidates clear the JEE (Mains) exam with a good rank.

Army 10+2 TES vs. NDA

Army 10+2 TES	NDA
Entry for Indian Army only.	Joint defense training (Army/Airforce/Navy).
No specific written exam.	Requires UPSC-written exam.
Only the PCM stream is eligible.	Both tech and non-tech can apply.
Only the 12th passed can apply.	Both 12th appearing or passed can apply.
A minimum of 60% in PCM in 12th is needed.	No minimum percentage in 12th is required.
JEE (Mains) is mandatory.	No such qualification is needed.
Conducted by the Indian Army.	Conducted by UPSC.
Focuses purely on technical streams.	The mix of tech and non-tech streams.
Only male candidates are eligible.	Both male and female are eligible.
Fewer seats available.	More seats are available.
A direct call letter for an SSB interview is issued upon meeting the required eligibility norms.	Clearing the written exam is mandatory to get a call letter for the SSB interview.

Selection and Training under the Army TES Entry

Upon being recommended by SSB, candidates get to choose three preferences for their Cadets Training Wings (CTWs): College of Military Engineering (CME) in Pune for Civil & Mechanical Engineering, Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (MCTE) in Mhow for IT & Telecom Engineering, and Military College of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering (MCEME) in Secunderabad for Electrical & Mechanical Engineering.

Cadets Training Wings (CTWs) and Associated Engineering Streams

Cadets Training Wings (CTWs)	Engineering Streams
College of Military Engineering (CME), Pune	Civil & Mechanical Engineering
Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (MCTE), Mhow	IT & Telecom Engineering
Military College of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering (MCEME), Secunderabad	Electronics and Mechanical Engineering

Training Details for TES Candidates

CTW	Parent Arm	Training Location
CTW CME, Pune	The Corps of Engineers	Pune
CTW MCTE, Mhow	The Corps of Signals	Mhow
CTW MCEME, Secunderabad	The Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME)	Secunderabad

College of Military Engineering (CME), Pune

• Parent Arm: Corps of Engineers
• Stream: Civil & Mechanical Engineering
• Training Location: Pune
• Phase I Duration: 3 years

Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (MCTE), Mhow

• Parent Arm: Corps of Signals
• Stream: IT & Telecom Engineering
• Training Location: Mhow
• Phase I Duration: 3 years

Military College of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering (MCEME), Secunderabad

• Parent Arm: Corps of Electronics & Mechanical Engineers
• Stream: Electronics and Mechanical Engineering
• Training Location: Secunderabad
• Phase I Duration: 3 years

The comprehensive 4-year training under the Technical Entry Scheme (TES) involves three years of phase-I training in the chosen engineering stream at the respective CTW, followed by one year of training at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, or a designated Pre-Commission Training Academy. Upon successful completion, candidates are conferred with an Engineering degree.

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How to Prepare for the Army 10+2 TES Entry?

For those aspiring for TES entry, securing over 60% marks in the 12th PCM stream is crucial. Additionally, strive to appear for and attain a good rank in the JEE (Mains) exam. The next crucial step is the SSB interview, which holds paramount importance in the TES entry process. To thoroughly prepare for TES entry, consider enrolling in Warriors’s 21-Day SSB Program, specifically designed for TES candidates. This comprehensive course is designed to prepare you extensively for the SSB interview, increasing your chances of a successful recommendation in your first attempt. Choose Warriors Defence Academy the best SSB Coaching in Lucknow for you TES Preparation.