The Technical Graduate Course (TGC) is an entry route for engineering graduates to join the Indian Army as Permanent Commission (PC) officers in the Corps of Engineers, Signals, EME (Electrical and Mechanical Engineers), and other technical arms. Unlike CDS, TGC has no written examination — candidates are directly shortlisted based on their engineering degree, final year marks, and notified stream eligibility, and are called for SSB interview. Selected candidates undergo 49 weeks of training at the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai or Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun.

The Indian Army notifies specific engineering streams for each TGC batch, typically including Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics & Communication Engineering, Computer Science Engineering, Information Technology, Chemical Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, and Architecture. The eligible streams vary slightly between batches. Candidates must hold a full-time BE/B.Tech degree (or equivalent) in one of the notified streams from a recognised university.

The SSB (Service Selection Board) for TGC is a comprehensive 5-day selection process. Day 1 is screening (OIR test and PPDT) — candidates not cleared are sent home. Days 2–4 for screened candidates involve Psychological Tests (TAT, WAT, SRT, SDT), Group Testing Officer Tasks (GD, GPE, HW, PGT, FGT, CT, IO, Command Task), and a Personal Interview. Day 5 involves a Conference. The SSB assesses 15 Officer Like Qualities and only candidates who demonstrate sufficient OLQs are "recommended."

Physical standards for TGC include minimum height of 157.5 cm for male candidates, weight proportionate to height (minimum 50 kg), and chest measurement of 77–82 cm with 5 cm expansion. Eyesight must be 6/6 in the better eye and 6/18 in the worse eye, correctable to 6/6 with glasses; myopia not exceeding -3.5 with astigmatism of -1.5. Candidates undergo a thorough medical examination at a Military Hospital after SSB recommendation.

TGC officers are commissioned as Lieutenants in the Indian Army with Permanent Commission, meaning they can serve until retirement (up to age 54–58 depending on rank). They receive full officer pay under the 7th Pay Commission, Military Service Pay, various allowances, accommodation, and full pension benefits. Technical officers in the Corps of Engineers and EME often get additional technical qualifications, deputation opportunities, and can apply for higher studies sponsorship through the Army.