The story of Lieutenant Saee Jadhav, the first woman Territorial Army (TA) officer to graduate from the Indian Military Academy (IMA), has ignited a fire among defense aspirants across India. Breaking a 93-year-old tradition, Saee proved that with the right preparation, even a single vacancy is enough to create history.
If you are a gainfully employed professional or a dedicated graduate looking to wear the olive green, here is your definitive guide to the Territorial Army 2025-26 exam.
Contents
Territorial Army Officer Exam Pattern 2026
To beat the competition, you must understand the battlefield. The TA exam is now moving towards a Computer Based Test (CBT) format.
| Section | Subject | Questions | Marks |
| Part 1 | Reasoning | 25 | 25 |
| Part 2 | Elementary Mathematics | 25 | 25 |
| Part 3 | General Knowledge | 25 | 25 |
| Part 4 | English | 25 | 25 |
| Total | 4 Subjects | 100 | 100 |
- Duration: 2 Hours
- Negative Marking: 0.33 for every wrong answer.
- Qualifying Marks: Usually 40% in each section and 50% aggregate.
📚 Top Recommended Books for TA Exam 2026
Using the right resources is what separated Saee Jadhav from thousands of other applicants. Here is the expert-recommended booklist:
1. Mathematics (Elementary Level)
- Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by R.S. Aggarwal: The “Bible” for math. Focus on Arithmetic, Geometry, and Mensuration.
- Fast Track Objective Arithmetic by Rajesh Verma: Excellent for learning time-saving shortcut tricks.
2. Reasoning (Verbal & Non-Verbal)
- A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal: Covers number series, syllogisms, and Venn diagrams—all frequent in TA papers.
- Analytical Reasoning by M.K. Pandey: Best for logical conclusions and statement-based questions.
3. General Knowledge & Current Affairs
- Lucent’s General Knowledge: Perfect for static GK (History, Geography, and Polity).
- Manorama Yearbook 2025: For a comprehensive wrap-up of national and international events.
- Monthly Magazines: Pratiyogita Darpan or Defense Adda247 for specific defense-related updates.
4. English Language
- Objective General English by S.P. Bakshi (Arihant): Highly recommended for error spotting, synonyms, and idioms.
- Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis: If you want to build an officer-level vocabulary from scratch.
🚀 3 Tips to Top the TA Merit List
- Analyze Previous Year Papers: The Territorial Army often follows a specific pattern. Solve the last 5 years of papers to understand which topics (like Trigonometry or Reading Comprehension) carry the most weight.
- Focus on “The Only Seat”: Saee Jadhav topped the merit list when there was only one vacancy for women. Don’t look at the number of posts; aim for 85+ marks to ensure your selection regardless of the quota.
- Prepare for the PIB Interview Early: Unlike other exams, the TA has a Preliminary Interview Board (PIB) before the SSB. Stay updated on your current profession, as they test how you balance your civilian job with military aspirations.
Join the Legacy
Whether you are the first in your family to join the army or a 4th-generation aspirant like Saee Jadhav, the journey starts with a single step: Right Preparation.
Are you ready to wear the uniform? Stay tuned to MySarkariNaukri.com for the official 2026 Territorial Army Notification release date!