The Territorial Army (TA) is the secondary defense forces of the nation after the official regular army. As opposed to the full-time regular army, the Territorial Army comprises the soldiers that serve for a few months annually. The most important information about the Territorial Army services is that this is a part-time commitment towards serving the nation. It is not some full career option for anyone. Territorial Army Officers have to serve for a period of 1-2 months every year. It is not a regular occupation or employment source. So, it is like a part-time side job. Territorial Army comprises of several entities of forces who assist in different ways like:
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Currently, the strength of Territorial Army is over 50,000 personnel which consist of both Departmental and Non-Departmental Units:
Departmental Units | Non-Departmental Units |
---|---|
10 Ecological TA Battalions | 40 units of Infantry Battalion |
Indian Oil Corporation | Home and Hearth TA |
Indian Railways | Engineer TA |
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation | - |
Application Dates | For Civilians | For Ex-Servicemen |
---|---|---|
Release of the notification | Will be notified later | Will be notified later |
Date of the Application form | Will be notified later | 31st January, 2020 (last date) |
Date of the Examination | Written- Will be notified later | Interview- Will be notified later |
Date of the fee payment | Will be notified later | Will be notified later |
This year the assessment and selection process has been disrupted due to the Coronavirus pandemic all over the world. This has led to a delay in the release of the application for Civilians. This in turn has changed all the dates for the further recruitment process.
The fee for the application is INR 200, which was supposed to be released in May if not for Covid-19 breakout. The exam would have taken place in the month of July, but has been delayed because of the Coronavirus health emergency. The new dates will soon be out on the official website of the Territorial Army.
Not Eligible- The people who are currently serving in the Regular Army, Navy force, Air Force, Police, GREF (General Reserve Engineer Force), Para Military and other such forces are not allowed to apply for TA.
The application form is available at the official website of the Territorial Army https://www.jointerritorialarmy.gov.in/. The form has to be filled within the mentioned deadline only or you will lose the opportunity.
The online form available on the official website of the Territorial Army can be downloaded (free of cost). Then the following details and documents are needed:
The test will be conducted in 17 different cities of India, which are as follows:
Jaipur | Pune | Bengaluru |
Nagpur | Kolkata | Chandigarh |
Siliguri | Guwahati | Hyderabad |
Dimapur | Shimla | Jalandhar |
Hisar | Lucknow | Udhampur |
Patna | Srinagar | - |
The vacancies are notified by the TA according to their requirements for male or female candidates. The selection process, as mentioned above, is different for Civilian officers and Ex-servicemen, given as follows:
Step 1 - Screening stage (Written and Interview):
The candidates who have applied for the TA exam are called for the screening. This includes two types of exam. First is the Written Exam that will test Reasoning, Elementary mathematics, general knowledge and hold on the language. Second is the interview round, conducted by Preliminary Interview Board (PIB)
Step 2 - Service Selection Board (SSB) examination:
Selected candidates will have to give tests conducted by SSB.
Step 3 - Medical Examination:
Selected candidates will then have to go through proper health check-up and medical examination of the physical body will be conducted according to standards set by Military Hospital.
The Ex-servicemen will be tested by ASB (Army Headquarters Selection Board) held at Additional Directorate General Territorial Army, Integrated Headquarters of Ministry of Defense, ‘L’ Block, Church Road, New Delhi – 110 001. The candidates are then supposed to undertake a medical examination at the Armed Forces Clinic. Finally, after all these procedures, the last step is their verification.
This national level examination is conducted in two stages for two different categories:
For Civilians -
They can fill the online application form available on the official website. There are three stages to qualify one after the, which are as follows:
For Ex-servicemen -Only Interview
Name of the sections | Marks per section | Marks per Paper | Total marks of the Written Exam | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Paper 1 |
Logical Reasoning | 50 | 100 | 200 |
Elementary Mathematics | 50 | |||
Paper 2 |
General Knowledge | 50 | 100 | |
English Language | 50 |
Tip for the Paper 1- For this paper you can practice these types of questions from last year question papers available on the official website and many competitive exams books that are available in the market. Once you find the basic trick and formula for solving these MCQ’s, this part will seem very easy to you.
Reasoning questions are an important part of any competitive exam. Here also, this part of the paper will test the non-verbal logical capacity of the candidates through problem solving based on figures, statements, letters, patterns, diagrams, etc. This Critical reasoning exam is for testing the candidates’ ability to draw logical conclusions. This skill is important in everyday life also which makes it an inherent part of the exam. The subsections for the Logical Reasoning test are as follows:
Logical Problems | Number Series |
Analytical Reasoning | Cause and Effect |
Statement and Conclusion | Verbal Classification |
Puzzles | Verbal Classification |
Logical Deduction | Data Interpretation |
Blood Relations | Clocks |
Calendars | Alphanumeric Series |
Letter and Symbol Series | Statement and Argument |
This part of the paper consists of mathematics topics from primary and secondary level of school. This elementary level of mathematics and aptitude will test the candidates’ ability of problem solving and basic calculation sums.
Number sense and numeration | Profit and Loss |
Unitary Method | Geometry |
Mensuration | Algebra |
Trigonometry | Data Management |
Simple Equations | Problems on HCF and LCM |
Elementary Number Theory | Ratio and Proportion |
Time and Distances | Compound Interest |
Average | Boats and cisterns |
A good knowledge of general awareness has become important for every exam point of view. This part of the paper will test the candidates’ knowledge of the current affairs and basic familiarity with the social, economic and political situation in India and the world around. Keep yourself updated about the current affairs through good English newspapers and regularly watch informative news channels. This will even improve your reading, writing and understanding skills for the English paper as well.
Countries and Capital | Static GK |
International Events | Science and Technology |
Literature- Famous Books and Authors | Fiscal and Monetary Awareness |
Constitution of India | Inventions and Discoveries |
Indian Politics | Tourism |
Indian Geography | Famous days in History |
Sports | Art and Culture |
This section of the paper will test the candidates’ basic knowledge about English language, grammar, and Comprehension skills. This will include familiarity with elementary English grammar and other simple topics related to the language.
Synonyms | Antonyms |
Vocabulary | Fill in the blanks |
Comprehension Passages | Editing |
Jumbled Paragraphs | Omitting |
Sentence corrections | Error Spotting |
One-word substitutions | Spelling check |
Idioms and Phrases | Sentence Completion |
Passage Completion | Prepositions |
Active and Passive Voice | Sentence Arrangement |
Substitutions | Transformations |
The number of opening positions is still not notified. The vacancies for the posts (for both male and female) in the Territorial Army are released every year according to the need of the recruitment by the organization.
The cut off of Territorial Army will be displayed on the official website of the TA. It slightly varies from year to year as the following factors are taken into consideration:
The rank pay, entitlement to medals and honours, allowances, and several service benefits to the Territorial Army are provided as applicable in the case of the Regular Army. TA officers are also entitled to TA Decoration after completing 20 years. In fact, if the candidates do well and fulfil the required eligibility conditions, they can be promoted to the military rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Officers commissioned in Infantry TA may be called for the military for a longer duration depending on the requirement.
The pay scale mentioned is according to the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC):
Military Rank | Level | Pay Matrix | Military Service Pay |
---|---|---|---|
Lieutenant | Level 10 | Rs 56,100 - 1,77,500 | Rs 15,500 |
Captain | Level 10A | Rs 6,13,00-1,93,900 | Rs 15,500 |
Major | Level 11 | Rs 6,94,00 - 2,07,200 | Rs 15,500 |
Lt Colonel | Level 12A | Rs 1,21,200 - 2,12400 | Rs 15,500 |
Colonel | Level 13 | Rs 1,30,600- 2,15,900 | Rs 15,500 |
Brigadier | Level 13A | Rs 1,39,600-2,17,600 | Rs 15,500 |
The written exam is designed to check the candidates’ grasp of knowledge in the following subjects: Reasoning, Elementary Mathematics, General Knowledge and English. Pay attention to the following tips and guidance to score more in the Territorial Army 2020:
Without understanding the syllabus of the exam, you can never score good as you end up preparing in the wrong direction. Do a thorough study of the syllabus provided by the TA recruitment before starting your preparation.
It is highly important that you go through the detailed analysis of the last year question paper available on the official website of TA. This will enable you in learning the exam pattern and the important topics from where the questions are asked most frequently.
Practice by solving more and more mock test papers to boost your confidence and overcome the silly mistakes in the practice session only. Know the areas you are lacking in and work towards correcting them before the final exam.
Cracking even the toughest of the exams is not impossible if you are dedicated towards your study. You don’t need to study 24 hours a day to make it happen. What is required is discipline and the need to study and revise daily step by step.
Reasoning Ability:
Elementary Mathematics:
General Knowledge:
English Language:
So, if you are planning to appear for the Territorial Army 2020, then prepare with all your heart. There is no other job that will satisfy all your desires of having a challenging, adventurous, social status, prestige and quality of life. And, the pride, status, honour you will feel while wearing the uniform for your fellow countrymen has no other match. Good luck for your journey towards serving the nation!
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.