Territorial Army Soldier Recruitment 2026 has been announced by the 130 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army), KUMAON, for 69 Soldier positions across 10 distinct trades. This recruitment drive targets ex-servicemen of the Armed Forces and ex-women employees of the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF & CC) and the State Forest Department. The recruitment rally takes place from 03 to 08 August 2026 at Devkatiya Ground, Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, with document verification beginning on 03 August and physical/medical tests scheduled over the following days.
130 INF BN TA ECO KUMAON Recruitment Rally 2026 – Quick Summary
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | 130 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) Ecological, KUMAON |
| Post Name | Soldier (10 trades) |
| Total Vacancies | 69 |
| Reference Number | CBC 10120/11/0005/2627 |
| Eligible Candidates | Ex-servicemen (Armed Forces) and ex-women employees of the MoEF & CC / State Forest Department |
| Minimum Qualifying Service | 20 years in the MoEF & CC / State Forest Department (for ex-women employees) |
| Recruitment Rally Dates | 03 to 08 August 2026 |
| Rally Venue | Devkatiya Ground, Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand |
| Registration Mode | Online at www.130ta.com (direct reporting allowed if registration fails) |
| Application Fee | None |
| Official Website | https://www.130ta.com |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Document Verification | 03/08/2026 |
| Physical Test (Ex-servicemen Male) | 04/08/2026 |
| Medical Test & Interview (Shortlisted) | 05 to 08/08/2026 |
| Reporting Time (without online registration) | 06:00 hrs on 03/08/2026 |
Eligibility Criteria – Territorial Army Soldier Recruitment 2026
Territorial Army Soldier Recruitment 2026 is open only to two candidate categories: ex-servicemen of the Armed Forces and ex-women employees (including premature retirees) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change and the State Forest Department. Both groups must satisfy medical, character, and service conditions.
Basic Eligibility Summary: Ex-servicemen must be Indian domicile pension holders enrolled within 5 years of retirement, in SHAPE-I medical category with Exemplary or Very Good character. Ex-women employees must have completed 20 years of service in the MoEF & CC or the State Forest Department, hold valid domicile/Aadhaar documentation, and be free from civil or police cases.
| Eligibility Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Age | As per the enrolment window |
| Enrolment Window | Within 5 years of the date of retirement |
| Medical Category | SHAPE-I |
| Character | Exemplary or Very Good |
| Domicile | Indian nationals only |
| Service Requirement (Ex-women employees) | Minimum 20 years in the MoEF & CC or the State Forest Department |
| Legal Status | No involvement in civil or police cases |
Service Condition for Ex-women Employees: Ex-women employees of MoEF & CC and the State Forest Department must provide a certificate from their parent department confirming 20 years of service. This requirement does not apply to ex-servicemen.
Trade-wise Vacancy Breakdown
| Trade | Vacancies | Eligible |
|---|---|---|
| Soldier (General Duty) | 49 | Uttarakhand State Quota |
| Soldier (Chef Community) | 04 | All India Basis |
| Soldier (Washer Man) | 02 | All India Basis |
| Soldier (Tailor) | 02 | All India Basis |
| Soldier (Equipment Repairer) | 02 | All India Basis |
| Soldier (Hairdresser) | 03 | All India Basis |
| Soldier (Black Smith) | 01 | All India Basis |
| Soldier (Clerk) | 01 | All India Basis |
| Soldier (Carpenter) | 03 | All India Basis |
| Soldier (Housekeeper) | 02 | All India Basis |
| Total | 69 |
The Soldier (General Duty) trade accounts for 49 of the 69 vacancies and is restricted to candidates holding a Uttarakhand domicile. All other nine trades are open to eligible candidates across India.
Who Is Eligible for This Recruitment?
- Ex-servicemen of the Armed Forces: You have been discharged from the Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force, hold a valid pension payment order, and are within 5 years of your retirement date.
- Ex-women employees of MoEF & CC / State Forest Department: You have completed at least 20 years of service in the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change or any State Forest Department, including those who took premature retirement.
- Medical fitness: You are classified in the SHAPE-I medical category with Exemplary or Very Good character.
- Location advantage: If you are domiciled in Uttarakhand, you are also eligible for the 49 Soldier (General Duty) vacancies; all other trades are open to candidates from across India.
- Clean record: You have no pending civil or police cases and are willing to serve on an embodied (temporary) basis, not permanent government employment.
Selection Process – Territorial Army Soldier Recruitment 2026
The selection process for Territorial Army Soldier Recruitment 2026 spans six days at the single rally venue and differs based on candidate category (ex-servicemen male vs. ex-women employees).
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Online Registration (Pre-Rally) | Register at www.130ta.com per the eligibility criteria and terms of engagement, or plan to report directly on 03 August 2026 at 06:00 hrs with original documents if registration fails. |
| Document Verification (03 August 2026) | Original PPO/Discharge Book, domicile/Aadhaar, pension order, and character certificates are verified at Devkatiya Ground, Pithoragarh. |
| Physical Fitness Test (04 August 2026 – Ex-servicemen Male only) | 1.6 km run, pull-ups, 9 ft ditch jump, and balance test, assessed as per age criteria. |
| Interview & Proficiency Test (Ex-women employees only) | Interview conducted by the Board of Officers, plus a proficiency test in afforestation-related activity and nursery management. |
| Medical Examination (05 to 08 August 2026) | Candidates clearing the physical test or BOO assessment undergo a medical examination and final interview by the selection panel. |
| Merit-based Enrolment | Enrollment is merit-based and subject to the number of vacancies available in each trade at the time of selection. |
Documents Required – Territorial Army Soldier Recruitment 2026
For Ex-servicemen Male Candidates
- Pension Payment Order (PPO), original and photocopy
- Discharge Book
- Domicile Certificate or Aadhaar Card
- Eight copies of a colour photograph (passport size)
For Ex-women Employees of MoEF & CC and the State Forest Department
- Pension order, original and photocopy
- Service confirmation certificate from the parent department (confirming 20 years of service)
- Domicile Certificate or Aadhaar Card
- Eight copies of a colour photograph (passport size)
All documents must be original or certified photocopies where applicable. Carrying only photocopies of the PPO, discharge book, or pension order will result in rejection at document verification.
Engagement Terms & Important Details
This is not a permanent government employment position. Candidates accepted for enrollment are engaged on a temporary, embodied basis only for a period specified by the funding agency and unit headquarters. Engagement terms are as follows:
- Initial engagement period: 2 years, extendable by 1 year at a time, subject to satisfactory performance and unit requirement.
- Non-pensionable service: As per the Ministry of Defence letter No. PC to MF 68640/ECO/Gen/TA-2/513/US/D(GS-III)/2018 dated 30 October 2018, service in the Infantry Battalion (TA) Ecological units is not admissible to pension, increment, or gratuity.
- No permanent employment guaranteed: The organisation does not provide or promise permanent employment of any kind.
- No liability for accidents: Authorities conducting the rally are not responsible for any accident or injury to candidates during the recruitment rally or training.
Common Mistakes to Avoid – Territorial Army Soldier Recruitment 2026
- Mistaking this for permanent government employment: The notice explicitly states no permanent employment is guaranteed; engagement is only for the embodied period specified by the unit.
- Carrying photocopies instead of originals: Document verification demands original PPO, Discharge Book, and pension order; photocopies alone will result in rejection at the verification stage.
- Carrying fewer than eight photographs: Both ex-servicemen and ex-women employees must carry exactly eight colour photographs. Fewer will delay or deny verification.
- Missing the 5-year enrolment window as an ex-serviceman: You must be enrolling within 5 years from your discharge/retirement date. Applications beyond this window are ineligible.
- Skipping online registration without contingency: If www.130ta.com registration fails, you must still report in person on 03 August 2026 at 06:00 hrs with all documents; no extension is granted.
- Expecting pension or gratuity benefits: Service in Ecological units explicitly does NOT earn pension, increment, or gratuity per the 2018 Ministry of Defence directive.
- Underestimating the physical test for ex-servicemen: The 1.6 km run, pull-ups, 9 ft ditch, and balance test on Day 2 are assessed strictly as per age criteria. Be physically prepared.
- Forgetting the character certificate requirement: Your conduct must be Exemplary or Very Good, and you must not have any civil or police cases pending.
How to Register for Territorial Army Soldier Recruitment 2026
- Visit www.130ta.com and navigate to the online registration portal for the 130 INF BN TA ECO KUMAON Recruitment Rally 2026.
- Fill in your personal details, category (ex-serviceman or ex-woman employee), trade preference, and domicile information accurately.
- Upload a scanned copy of your Aadhaar Card or Domicile Certificate in the prescribed format (JPG, size under 500 KB).
- Upload a recent colour photograph in JPG format (size under 200 KB, dimensions 200×240 pixels minimum).
- Select your preferred trade from the list of 10 available Soldier trades.
- Review all details carefully and submit the registration form before the rally starts.
- Note your registration confirmation number and report to Devkatiya Ground on 03 August 2026 at 06:00 hrs with all original documents.
If online registration is not possible due to technical issues, candidates may report directly to the rally venue with all original documents as per the schedule. No advance registration confirmation is required in such cases.
What Happens After You Apply
- Online registration closes: Candidates must complete registration at www.130ta.com before 02 August 2026 or report directly on 03 August 2026.
- Document verification (03 August 2026): Your original PPO, discharge book, pension order, domicile, and character documents are verified at Devkatiya Ground, Pithoragarh, from 06:00 hrs.
- Physical fitness test (04 August 2026): Ex-servicemen male candidates who clear document verification proceed to the 1.6 km run, pull-ups, 9 ft ditch, and balance test, assessed as per age criteria.
- Interview and proficiency test: Ex-women employees undergo an interview by the Board of Officers and a proficiency test in afforestation-related activities on the specified dates.
- Medical examination and final interview (05 to 08 August 2026): Candidates who cleared the physical test or BOO assessment undergo medical examination and final interview by the selection panel.
- Merit-based enrollment: The board announces a merit list based on combined performance across all stages, and enrollment is finalised as per the number of vacancies available in each trade.
Important Links
| Particulars | Link |
|---|---|
| Download Official Notification PDF | Download Notification |
| Official Territorial Army Website | Visit Website |
| Official Rally Registration Portal | https://www.130ta.com |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Who is eligible to apply for the Territorial Army Soldier Recruitment 2026?
Ans. Only ex-servicemen of the Armed Forces and ex-women employees (including premature retirees) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change or the State Forest Department are eligible. Ex-servicemen must be within 5 years of retirement, while ex-women employees must have completed a minimum of 20 years of service in their parent department.
Q2. Is this a permanent government job or a temporary engagement?
Ans. This is a temporary, embodied engagement only. Candidates are hired for 2 years, extendable by 1 year at a time, subject to satisfactory performance and unit requirements. No permanent employment of any kind is guaranteed, and service does not earn a pension, increment, or gratuity.
Q3. What is the last date to complete online registration?
Ans. Online registration should be completed before 02 August 2026. However, candidates who fail to register online may report directly to the rally venue at Devkatiya Ground on 03 August 2026 at 06:00 hrs with all original documents.
Q4. What are the physical fitness test requirements for ex-servicemen male candidates?
Ans. Ex-servicemen male candidates must complete a 1.6 km run, pull-ups, a 9 ft ditch jump, and a balance test, all assessed as per age criteria. Candidates must be in good physical condition to pass these tests on 04 August 2026.
Q5. Are women candidates eligible to apply for the Soldier (General Duty) trade?
Ans. The notification specifies ex-women employees of the MoEF & CC and the State Forest Department as a separate category with their own selection procedure (interview and proficiency test instead of physical fitness test). Ex-women employees may apply for any of the 10 Soldier trades, but detailed criteria for gender-specific eligibility on individual trades should be verified in the official notification PDF.
Q6. What documents must I carry to the rally venue?
Ans. Ex-servicemen must carry the original PPO, Discharge Book, Domicile Certificate or Aadhaar Card, and eight colour photographs. Ex-women employees must bring the original pension order, service confirmation certificate from their parent department, Domicile Certificate or Aadhaar Card, and eight colour photographs. Photocopies are not accepted for document verification.
Q7. Is there an application fee for this recruitment rally?
Ans. No application or registration fee is charged. Candidates can complete online registration at www.130ta.com for free, and those reporting directly to the rally are also not required to pay any fee at the venue.
Q8. What is the salary or engagement payment for this position?
Ans. The notification does not specify a fixed monthly salary. Candidates are paid only for the period they are actually embodied (engaged in service), which depends on the requirements of the funding agency and the direction of the unit or higher headquarters. Service in Ecological units does not earn pension, increment, or gratuity as per the 2018 Ministry of Defence letter.
Your Next Step
Eligible ex-servicemen and ex-women employees must register online at www.130ta.com before 02 August 2026 or report directly to Devkatiya Ground, Pithoragarh on 03 August 2026 at 06:00 hrs with all original documents and eight colour photographs. After document verification, ex-servicemen male candidates will proceed to the physical fitness test on 04 August 2026, while ex-women employees will undergo an interview and proficiency assessment. Stay connected with our MyNaukriAlert job alert service for updates on merit lists, results, and future recruitment announcements from the Territorial Army and other organisations.
