130 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) Ecological Recruitment 2026 – 69 Vacancies for Ex-Servicemen and Forest Department Retirees

A fresh batch of 69 government seats has been announced for ex-servicemen and retired women employees of the forest department. The 130 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) Ecological, KUMAON has released a notification for 130 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) Ecological Recruitment 2026, inviting eligible candidates to participate in a recruitment rally at Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand. This is a unique rehabilitation engagement opportunity for pension-holding ex-armed forces personnel and ex-women employees of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) and State Forest Departments who have completed at least 20 years of service. The engagement is purely on a temporary, embodied basis for specific periods each year, offering a chance to continue contributing to ecological and afforestation initiatives.

Based on official notification by 130 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) Ecological, KUMAON. Verified: June 2026.

130 Infantry Battalion (TA) Ecological Eligibility Criteria 2026

This recruitment is specifically for retired personnel, not for fresh civilians. The engagement is categorized as rehabilitation service and does not count as regular Army or Territorial Army service for pension, increment, or gratuity purposes.

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130 Infantry Battalion (TA) Ecological Recruitment 2026 – Important Dates

130 Infantry Battalion (TA) Ecological Vacancy 2026 – Trade-wise Breakdown

Total vacancies announced are 69, spread across 10 different trades. The majority of seats are for Soldier (General Duty), which accounts for 49 out of 69 positions, making it the largest category.

Competition and Category Insight: Since this recruitment is open to ex-servicemen of all categories (UR, OBC, SC, ST) and ex-women employees from the forest department on an All India Basis, reservation is expected to be applied as per standard Government of India norms. With only 69 vacancies and eligibility restricted to pension-holding ex-servicemen and 20-year service forest department retirees, the applicant pool is likely to be limited but highly specialized. Expected competition level is MODERATE compared to large-scale Army recruitments, as the eligibility conditions automatically filter out a majority of aspirants. Ex-servicemen with exemplary service records and higher qualifications in trade-specific skills (e.g., carpenter, chef, clerk) will have an advantage. Candidates applying for General Duty (49 seats) face relatively better odds compared to niche trades like Black Smith or Clerk which have only 1 seat each.

130 Infantry Battalion (TA) Ecological Salary 2026 – In-Hand Pay and Allowances

The salary structure for this engagement is based on the pension already drawn by the ex-serviceman plus the embodied pay for the period of service in the Territorial Army Ecological Battalion. As per the notification, the service is treated as rehabilitation, not regular service, so pay is limited to the embodied period only.

Breakdown: Since pension is already a fixed monthly income for ex-servicemen, the embodied pay (approximately ₹15,000–₹25,000 for the embodied period depending on post) adds to the total. For ex-women employees of the forest department, a similar pension-plus-embodied-pay model applies. No NPS deduction is applicable for ex-servicemen as they are already drawing a pension. However, as per Government of India, Ministry of Defence letter No. PC to MF 68640/ECO/ Gen/TA-2/513/US/D(GS-111)/2018 dated 30 Oct 2018, service rendered in this battalion is not admissible to pension, increment, or gratuity. Therefore, the total monthly income is simply the pension already received plus the embodied pay for the months actually served. For a retired Havaldar with a basic pension of ₹30,000, plus embodied pay of ₹15,000, the approximate in-hand salary would be around ₹45,000 per month.

Comparison: Compared to regular Army re-employment which offers full pay and allowances (approx. ₹60,000–₹75,000 in-hand for similar ranks), this TA Ecological engagement offers less take-home pay due to the exclusion of DA, HRA, and increments. However, the advantage is that the pension continues uninterrupted, making it a supplementary income opportunity.

City-wise variation: Not applicable as the posting is at Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, a fixed location with no HRA variation.

130 Infantry Battalion (TA) Ecological Application Fee 2026

The notification does not specify any application fee for this recruitment. It is likely that no fee is required for ex-servicemen and forest department retirees. Candidates should confirm the same during the document verification process at the rally.

130 Infantry Battalion (TA) Ecological Age Limit 2026

The official notification does not specify a minimum or maximum age limit separately. However, the eligibility condition states that candidates should be enrolled within 5 years from the date of retirement. Therefore, the effective age limit depends on the candidate’s retirement age.

For example, if a candidate retired on 01 August 2021, they are within the 5-year window and eligible. If retirement was on 01 August 2019, they are beyond 5 years and not eligible. No additional relaxation is mentioned as this is a specialized engagement for retirees.

130 Infantry Battalion (TA) Ecological Qualification Requirements 2026

The notification does not specify educational qualifications for each trade. The primary eligibility is service-based: ex-servicemen must be pension holders, and ex-women employees must have 20 years of service in the forest department. For specific trades like Chef, Clerk, Carpenter, etc., the candidate must have relevant experience gained during their service in that trade.

Equivalence of qualifications is not relevant here, as the eligibility is solely based on previous service records. Final year candidates are not eligible because this is exclusively for retired personnel.

130 Infantry Battalion (TA) Ecological Selection Process 2026

The selection process is conducted entirely during the recruitment rally at Pithoragarh from 03 to 08 August 2026.

Stage 1: Document Verification (03 Aug 2026)

All candidates must report with original documents including PPO, Discharge Book, Domicile Certificate, Aadhaar, and service certificate (for women). Only candidates with complete documentation proceed to the next stages.

Stage 2: Physical Fitness Test (04 Aug 2026)

Ex-servicemen male will undergo a physical fitness test including 1.6 km run, pull-ups, 9 ft ditch, and balance as per age criteria. For ex-women employees, the physical test is replaced by a proficiency test in afforestation-related activity and nursery management, conducted by the Board of Officers (BOO).

Stage 3: Medical Test & Interview (05-08 Aug 2026)

Candidates shortlisted after physical/proficiency tests will undergo medical examination and an interview by the BOO. The medical category must be SHAPE-I.

Your first 7 days after applying:

1. Immediately verify your retirement date to ensure you are within the 5-year window.
2. Gather all original documents listed in the notification and make 8 photocopies.
3. Start light physical training if you are an ex-serviceman (for the 1.6 km run and pull-ups).
4. Ex-women candidates should brush up on nursery management and afforestation techniques.
5. Book travel arrangements to Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand well in advance.

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130 Infantry Battalion (TA) Ecological Syllabus 2026

How to Apply for 130 Infantry Battalion (TA) Ecological Recruitment 2026

Applications are accepted through both online and offline modes, with the rally being the final verification point.

1. Visit the official website www.130ta.com for online registration.
2. Read the full notification and eligibility criteria carefully.
3. Fill in your personal, service, and contact details accurately.
4. Upload your photograph and required documents (if online).
5. Complete the registration process and note down your registration number.
6. If unable to register online due to technical issues, report directly to the rally venue on 03 August 2026 at 0600 hrs.
7. Carry all original documents along with 8 copies of your photograph.
8. Report to Devkatiya Ground, Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand on the specified date.

130 Infantry Battalion (TA) Ecological Recruitment 2026 – Frequently Asked Questions

What is the approximate in-hand salary for 130 Infantry Battalion (TA) Ecological Recruitment 2026?

Approximately ₹40,000–₹55,000 per month combined (pension + embodied pay). The exact amount depends on your existing pension and the trade you are engaged in. This is supplementary to your regular pension.

What is the last date to apply for 130 Infantry Battalion (TA) Ecological Recruitment 2026?

The rally reporting date is 03 August 2026 at 0600 hrs. Candidates can register online before this date, but offline reporting is also allowed on the same day with all documents.

What are the total vacancies and post names for this recruitment?

Total 69 vacancies across 10 trades: Soldier (General Duty) – 49, Chef – 04, Washer Man – 02, Tailor – 02, Equipment Repairer – 02, Hair Dresser – 03, Black Smith – 01, Clerk – 01, Carpenter – 03, House Keeper – 02.

What is the minimum educational qualification required?

No specific educational qualification is mentioned. Eligibility is based on service experience – ex-servicemen pension holders and ex-women employees with 20 years of service in MoEF&CC/State Forest Department.

What is the age limit and relaxation for this post?

Age is determined by retirement date. Candidates must be within 5 years of retirement as of 03 August 2026. No further relaxation is specified.

What is the application fee for 130 Infantry Battalion (TA) Ecological Recruitment?

No application fee is mentioned in the notification. It is likely free for all eligible candidates.

What is the selection process for this recruitment?

Selection includes document verification (03 Aug), physical fitness test for males or proficiency test in afforestation for women (04 Aug), followed by medical test and interview (05-08 Aug).

Can ex-servicemen with less than 20 years of service apply?

No, the notification specifically mentions “Ex-servicemen India Domicile (Pension holder only)” with no minimum service requirement in the armed forces, but they must hold a pension. The 20-year condition is explicitly for ex-women employees of the forest department.

Is the engagement permanent or temporary?

It is temporary and on an embodied basis. Initial engagement is for two years, extendable by one year at a time based on performance and requirement. No permanent employment is promised.