Question 1

Who is eligible to apply for the Territorial Army Officer exam?

Accepted Answer

Employed civilians — whether in government service, private employment, or self-employed — aged between 18 and 42 years who hold a graduate degree from a recognised university are eligible. They must also meet physical standards: minimum height of 157.5 cm for general category, chest measurement of 77–82 cm, and weight proportionate to height. Serving defence personnel or ex-servicemen are not eligible for the Territorial Army officer entry through this route.

Question 2

What is the service commitment after selection in the Territorial Army?

Accepted Answer

Territorial Army officers are part-time soldiers who serve their country while continuing their civilian occupation. After selection and commissioning, officers are required to serve for a minimum of two months per year in training or operational duties. During wartime or national emergencies, TA officers can be embodied (called up) for full-time service alongside regular Army units. This unique dual-career model makes the TA attractive for patriotic civilians.

Question 3

What is the structure of the TA written examination?

Accepted Answer

The written examination consists of two papers, each carrying 50 marks, conducted over 120 minutes total. Paper I covers Reasoning and Elementary Mathematics, while Paper II covers General Knowledge and English. Questions are objective (MCQ) in nature. Candidates must qualify the written test before being called for the Service Selection Board (SSB) interview, which is the final stage of selection.

Question 4

What happens at the Territorial Army SSB interview?

Accepted Answer

The SSB interview for TA is similar to the regular Army SSB but condensed into a shorter format. It assesses Officer Like Qualities (OLQs) through psychological tests, group tasks, and personal interviews. Candidates recommended by the SSB are then sent for a medical examination at a Military Hospital. Only medically fit candidates are finally placed on the merit list for commissioning.

Question 5

What benefits do Territorial Army officers receive?

Accepted Answer

Territorial Army officers receive pay and allowances equivalent to regular Army officers during the period of embodied service. They are entitled to pension benefits after completing qualifying service, medical facilities at Military establishments, and Canteen Stores Department (CSD) privileges. Officers also receive the same rank and insignia as their regular Army counterparts, and distinguished service can lead to permanent absorption in the regular Army in special cases.

Year	Questions	Duration	Key Changes
2027	50	120 min	Latest pattern
2026	50	120 min	No major changes
2025	50	120 min	No major changes
2024	50	120 min	No major changes
2023	50	120 min	No major changes
2022	50	120 min	No major changes
2021	50	120 min	No major changes
2020	50	120 min	No major changes

Previous Year Papers & Mock Tests — TA Exam 2017–2027

Available Papers

2027 Mock Test

2026 Mock Test

2025 Mock Test

2024 Mock Test

2023 Mock Test

2022 Mock Test

2021 Mock Test

2020 Mock Test

Paper Pattern Over the Years

How to Use Previous Year Papers Effectively

Subject-wise Coverage Across Papers

Frequently Asked Questions

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