Complete Territorial Army Exam Guide
Your comprehensive resource for Territorial Army Exam preparation. Everything you need to know about eligibility, exam pattern, syllabus, preparation strategies, and more – all in one place.
Eligibility
Detailed criteria for aspirants
Syllabus
Complete subject-wise breakdown
Exam Pattern
Paper structure and marking scheme
Preparation
Strategies and study plans
Territorial Army Overview
The Territorial Army (TA) is a part of the Regular Indian Army that provides an opportunity for gainfully employed citizens to serve the nation as soldiers. The TA maintains and relieves the Regular Army from static duties and assists the civil administration in dealing with natural calamities and maintenance of essential services.
Note: The Territorial Army is not a profession, occupation or source of employment. It is only meant for those people who are already in mainstay civilian professions.
Citizen’s Army
The Territorial Army is often referred to as a ‘Citizen’s Army’ as its personnel maintain their civilian jobs while training part-time to be soldiers.
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Training Commitment
TA personnel undergo two months of basic training in the first year and two months of annual training every year including attachment to regular Army units.
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Diverse Roles
The TA has infantry and ecological battalions and also department units like Railway, Oil, and other public sector undertakings.
Learn MoreEligibility Criteria
To apply for the Territorial Army, candidates must meet specific eligibility requirements related to nationality, age, education, and employment status.
Nationality
A candidate must be a citizen of India to be eligible for the Territorial Army.
Age Limit
Candidate should be between 18 to 42 years of age on the date of application.
Educational Qualification
The candidate must be a graduate from any recognized university. Candidates who have passed the equivalent examination in the relevant stream are also eligible.
Employment Status
The candidate must be gainfully employed. Self-employed candidates need to provide proof of their profession and income.
Physical Standards
A candidate must be physically and medically fit in all respects. The physical standards are similar to those of the Regular Army.
The minimum height required is 157.5 cms. (with correlated weight) for men. For candidates from the North-Eastern region, Gorkhas, and other specified categories, the minimum height is 152.5 cms.
A candidate must be in good physical and mental health and free from any disease/disability. Specific vision standards apply, and color blindness is a disqualification.
Exam Pattern and Selection Process
The Territorial Army selection process consists of a written examination followed by an interview and medical examination for qualified candidates.
Written Examination
The written exam consists of two papers – Paper I (Reasoning and Elementary Mathematics) and Paper II (General Knowledge and English). Each paper is of 2 hours duration and carries 100 marks.
Interview (SSB)
Candidates who qualify the written exam are called for an interview by a Services Selection Board (SSB). This includes psychological tests, group tests, and an interview.
Medical Examination
Candidates who clear the SSB interview undergo a medical examination to ensure they meet the required physical and medical standards.
Final Selection
The final selection is based on the candidate’s performance in the written examination, SSB interview, and medical fitness.
Detailed Written Exam Pattern
| Paper | Subjects | Marks | Duration | Question Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | Reasoning and Elementary Mathematics | 100 | 2 Hours | Objective (MCQs) |
| Paper II | General Knowledge and English | 100 | 2 Hours | Objective (MCQs) |
Note: There is negative marking in the written examination. For each wrong answer, 0.5 marks will be deducted.
Detailed Syllabus
The Territorial Army exam syllabus covers a wide range of topics across two papers. Here’s a detailed breakdown:
Paper I: Reasoning and Elementary Mathematics
- Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning
- Analogies
- Similarities and Differences
- Space Visualization
- Problem Solving
- Analysis
- Judgment
- Decision Making
- Visual Memory
- Discrimination
- Observation
- Relationship Concepts
- Arithmetical Reasoning
- Verbal and Figure Classification
- Arithmetical Number Series
- Arithmetic: Number Systems, Computation of Whole Numbers, Decimals and Fractions, Relationship between numbers
- Fundamental Arithmetical Operations: Percentages, Ratio and Proportion, Averages, Interest, Profit and Loss, Discount
- Geometry: Familiarity with Elementary Geometric Figures and Facts
- Mensuration: Triangle, Quadrilaterals, Regular Polygons, Circle, Right Prism, Right Circular Cone, Cylinder, Sphere, Hemispheres
- Algebra: Basic Operations, Simple Factors, Remainder Theorem, Solutions of Quadratic Equations
- Trigonometry: Trigonometry, Trigonometric ratios, Standard angles
- Statistics: Collection and Tabulation of Statistical Data, Graphical Representation, Frequency Polygons, Histograms, Bar charts, Pie charts
Paper II: General Knowledge and English
- Current Events
- History of India
- Geography of India
- Indian Polity and Constitution
- Indian Economy
- General Science
- Environmental Issues
- Sports
- Awards and Honors
- Books and Authors
- Important Personalities
- Defense Related Matters
- National and International Affairs
- Spotting Errors
- Improving Sentences/Paragraphs
- Ordering of Sentences
- Ordering of Words in a Sentence
- Comprehension
- Synonyms and Antonyms
- Idioms and Phrases
- One Word Substitution
- Sentence Correction
- Fill in the Blanks
- Cloze Test
Preparation Strategy and Tips
Effective preparation is key to success in the Territorial Army exam. Here’s a comprehensive strategy to help you prepare efficiently:
Study Plan
Create a realistic study schedule that covers all subjects. Allocate more time to weaker areas while maintaining stronger ones.
View Sample Plan
Recommended Books
Choose the right study materials. Standard books for competitive exams are generally good for TA preparation.
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Mock Tests
Regular practice with mock tests helps improve speed, accuracy, and familiarizes you with the exam pattern.
Take TestSubject-wise Preparation Tips
- Focus on basic concepts from 10th standard mathematics
- Practice regularly to improve calculation speed
- Learn shortcuts and tricks for faster problem solving
- Concentrate on topics like percentage, ratio, average, and profit/loss
- Solve previous years’ question papers
- Practice different types of reasoning questions daily
- Develop logical thinking skills
- Learn to identify patterns quickly
- Time yourself while solving reasoning questions
- Focus on verbal and non-verbal reasoning both
- Read newspapers daily for current affairs
- Follow reliable news sources and magazines
- Focus on defense-related news and updates
- Study Indian history, geography, polity, and economy
- Make notes of important events and revise regularly
- Improve vocabulary by learning new words daily
- Practice grammar rules regularly
- Read English newspapers and magazines
- Solve previous years’ English question papers
- Focus on comprehension and error spotting
Pro Tip: Time management is crucial during the exam. Practice solving questions within the time limit to improve your speed and accuracy.
Cut-off Trends
Understanding previous cut-off trends can help you set a target score for the Territorial Army exam. Cut-offs vary each year based on factors like difficulty level and number of vacancies.
Factors Influencing Cut-off
- Number of vacancies
- Difficulty level of the exam
- Number of candidates appearing
- Average performance of candidates
- Reservation categories
General Cut-off Trends
| Category | Approximate Cut-off Percentage |
|---|---|
| General | 70-75% |
| OBC | 65-70% |
| SC | 60-65% |
| ST | 55-60% |
Note: These are approximate values based on previous trends. Actual cut-off percentages may vary in each examination cycle.
Recommended Books and Online Resources
Choosing the right study materials is crucial for effective preparation. Here are some recommended resources for Territorial Army exam preparation:
Recommended Books
| Subject | Book Title | Author/Publisher |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations | R.S. Aggarwal |
| Reasoning | A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal |
| English | Objective General English | S.P. Bakshi |
| General Knowledge | Manorama Yearbook | Mammen Mathew |
| General Knowledge | Lucent’s General Knowledge | Dr. Binay Karna & Manwendra Mukul |
Online Platforms
Official Website
The official Territorial Army website provides notifications, application forms, and updates.
Visit SiteOnline Test Series
Various platforms offer mock tests specifically designed for Territorial Army exam preparation.
ExploreCurrent Affairs Apps
Mobile applications that provide daily current affairs updates and quizzes.
Download90-Day Study Plan
A structured study plan can help you cover the entire syllabus systematically. Here’s a suggested 90-day study plan for Territorial Army exam preparation:
Phase 1: Foundation Building (Days 1-30)
- Week 1-2: Focus on basic concepts of Mathematics – Number System, Percentage, Ratio, Average
- Week 3: Cover Reasoning basics – Analogies, Classification, Series
- Week 4: Start English preparation – Grammar, Vocabulary, Comprehension
Allocate 2-3 hours daily for study during this phase. Focus on understanding concepts rather than memorization.
Phase 2: Advanced Learning (Days 31-60)
- Week 5-6: Advanced Mathematics topics – Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration
- Week 7: Complex Reasoning problems – Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Direction Sense
- Week 8: English practice – Error Spotting, Sentence Improvement, Cloze Test
- Week 9: Start General Knowledge – Current Affairs, History, Geography
Increase study time to 3-4 hours daily. Start solving chapter-wise practice questions.
Phase 3: Revision and Practice (Days 61-90)
- Week 10: Full-length mock tests (2-3 tests per week)
- Week 11: Analyze weak areas and focus on improvement
- Week 12: Revision of all subjects
- Final Days: Quick revision of formulas, concepts, and current affairs
Focus on time management during mock tests. Analyze each test thoroughly to identify areas needing improvement.
Customization: This is a general study plan. Adjust it according to your strengths, weaknesses, and available time. Give more time to subjects you find difficult.
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Start Your Territorial Army Journey Today
With the right preparation and guidance, you can achieve your goal of serving the nation through the Territorial Army. Begin your preparation today!