⚠️ This job notification closed on 17 Jul 2026.

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🏛️ Government Job Alert
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Section Officer Recruitment 2026: 60 Deputation Vacancies
Ministry of External Affairs
📍
Location
All India
📅
Last Date
17 Jul 2026
💼
Salary
Level 8/10 of the Pay Matrix (7th CPC)
Ministry of External Affairs - Section Officer Official Notification Poster & Schedule

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Section Officer Recruitment 2026: 60 Deputation Vacancies

Ministry of External Affairs — PSP Division

Rajesh Kumar Sharma
By Rajesh Kumar Sharma • 25 Jun 2026
Sarkari Naukri Central Government Jobs 📍 All India Expired
Listen to this page इस पेज को सुनें
⏱️ ~3 min audio summary • English / हिंदी
Recruitment Application Window Concluded
Deadline: 17 Jul 2026
🔔 Notice: Applications for this position have concluded. Looking for active vacancies? Explore Latest Central Government Jobs Jobs →
👥 Total Vacancies 60 Posts
📍 Job Location All India
💰 Salary / Pay Level 8/10 of the Pay Matrix (7th CPC)
🎯 Selection Mode Scrutiny of applications forwarded through proper channel
🎓 Detailed qualification, age limit & exam pattern: View Eligibility Table ↓
📋

Age Eligibility & DOB Range for Section Officer

Cut-off Date: 17 Jul 2026 — Candidates must be between 26 to 36 years (General category). Category-wise relaxation and exact DOB boundaries are shown below.

Category Min Age Max Age Relaxation DOB Must Be Between
General (UR) 26 yrs 36 yrs — 18 Jul 1990 to 17 Jul 2000
EWS 26 yrs 36 yrs — 18 Jul 1990 to 17 Jul 2000
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) 26 yrs 39 yrs +3 yrs 18 Jul 1987 to 17 Jul 2000
SC (Scheduled Caste) 26 yrs 41 yrs +5 yrs 18 Jul 1985 to 17 Jul 2000
ST (Scheduled Tribe) 26 yrs 41 yrs +5 yrs 18 Jul 1985 to 17 Jul 2000
PwD (General) 26 yrs 46 yrs +10 yrs 18 Jul 1980 to 17 Jul 2000
🧮

Check Your Age Eligibility — Interactive Calculator

Prescribed Age: 26–36 Years (As on 17 Jul 2026)

⚡ Instant Validation
Cut-off date reference: Official Notification (17 Jul 2026) Check Eligibility for Other Exams →
💰

Expected In-Hand Salary for Section Officer — Pay Level 8 (Grade Pay ₹4,800)

This post carries Pay Level 8 (Grade Pay ₹4,800) under the 7th Central Pay Commission with entry-level basic pay of ₹47,600/month. Below is the estimated monthly in-hand salary across all three city classifications (DA at 50% included).

Component X-City (Metro) Y-City (Town) Z-City (Rural)
Basic Pay ₹47,600 ₹47,600 ₹47,600
Dearness Allowance (50%) ₹23,800 ₹23,800 ₹23,800
HRA ₹14,280 (30%) ₹9,520 (20%) ₹4,760 (10%)
Transport Allowance (+ DA) ₹5,400 ₹2,700 ₹2,700
Gross Monthly Pay ₹91,080 ₹83,620 ₹78,860
Total Deductions (NPS, CGHS, etc.) −₹8,050 −₹8,050 −₹8,050
✨ Estimated In-Hand Salary ₹83,030 ₹75,570 ₹70,810

Estimates based on 7th CPC Pay Matrix with current DA rate (50%). Actual salary may vary based on posting location, additional allowances, and individual deductions. Use the interactive calculator below for detailed city-wise breakdown.

💰

7th Pay Commission In-Hand Salary Explainer

Pay Level 8 (Grade Pay ₹4,800) • Starting Basic: ₹47,600/month

DA 50% Included
Select Posting City Tier (Affects HRA & TA):
➕ Monthly Earnings (Gross Pay)
Basic Pay: ₹47,600
Dearness Allowance (DA 50%): +₹23,800
House Rent Allowance (HRA 20%): +₹9,520
Transport Allowance (TA + DA): +₹2,700
Total Gross Monthly Pay: ₹83,620
➖ Monthly Deductions
NPS Tier-1 (10% of Basic+DA): -₹7,140
CGHS, CGEGIS & PT: -₹910
Total Deductions: -₹8,050
Estimated In-Hand Monthly Salary
₹75,570
Net credited to bank account every month
📌

Executive Summary & Key Facts

Verified Fact Sheet

The Ministry of External Affairs has issued an official recruitment notification for Section Officer, announcing a total of 60 vacancies located in All India. The online application window opens on 22 May 2026 and closes on 17 July 2026. To be eligible, applicants must hold Serving Central Government Officer in Level 8/10 and be within the prescribed age limit of Max 56 years as of 2026-01-01, with category relaxation applicable as per government guidelines. Selected candidates will receive an approved pay scale of Level 8/10 of the Pay Matrix (7th CPC). The selection procedure comprises Scrutiny of applications forwarded through proper channel. For complete guidelines, syllabus breakdown, and official notification PDF, refer to the verified information below on ApplySarkariJob.

Official Notification Verified
Cross-checked against official board announcement & verified by ApplySarkariJob Editorial Board. Sourced from www.mea.gov.in ↗

📅 Section Officer - Important Dates & Schedule

Section Officer Schedule & Deadlines
Application Start22 May 2026
Last Date to Apply
17 Jul 2026

📋 Section Officer - Eligibility Criteria & Vacancy Overview

Section Officer Eligibility, Qualifications & Details
Post NameSection Officer
Total Vacancies60
QualificationServing Central Government Officer in Level 8/10
Age LimitMax 56 years as of 2026-01-01
SalaryLevel 8/10 of the Pay Matrix (7th CPC)
Application FeeN/A
Selection ProcessScrutiny of applications forwarded through proper channel

📝 Section Officer - Detailed Notification Guide

Overview of MEA Section Officer Recruitment 2026

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), PSP Division, has issued a formal notification for the recruitment of 60 Section Officers (or equivalent) across 20 Regional Passport Offices (RPOs) in India. This opportunity is exclusively for serving Central Government officers who meet the prescribed criteria for deputation. It is a prestigious opportunity to work in a vital administrative role within the passport issuance and consular service infrastructure of the Government of India.

Key Highlights

  • Organization: Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), PSP Division
  • Total Vacancies: 60 Posts (3 per RPO across 20 locations)
  • Nature of Appointment: Deputation (Initial 2-year tenure)
  • Pay Level: Level 8/10 of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix
  • Mode of Application: Offline (Through Proper Channel)

Vacancy Distribution by Location

The 60 vacancies are distributed equally across 20 regional offices. Each location holds 3 vacancies:

RPO LocationsVacancies
Amritsar, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Cochin, Coimbatore, Guwahati, Jalandhar, Kozhikode, Madurai, Mumbai, Nagpur, Panaji, Pune, Srinagar, Surat, Trichy, Trivandrum, Vijayawada, Vishakhapatnam3 per RPO (60 Total)

Eligibility Criteria

This is a deputation-based recruitment; therefore, candidates must meet strict eligibility standards:

  • Service Status: Must be a regular employee of the Central Government.
  • Pay Scale: Must hold an analogous post in Level 8 or 10 of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix.
  • Age Limit: The maximum age for candidates is 56 years as of 1 January 2026.
  • Discipline: No pending disciplinary or vigilance cases.
  • Service Record: No major or minor penalties imposed in the last 10 years.

How to Apply

Candidates must ensure their application is processed through their current administrative head. The application should include:

  1. The prescribed Annexure-I pro-forma (filled in duplicate).
  2. Attested copies of ACRs/APARs for the last 5 years (duly attested by a Group A officer).
  3. Cadre clearance and Vigilance clearance certificate.
  4. Any record of previous punishments, if applicable.

Important Note: While an advance copy may be sent via email to [email protected], only applications submitted through the proper channel will be considered valid.

Important Instructions for Applicants

  • Full Term Mandatory: The deputation is initially for two years. Premature repatriation is generally not permitted except in exceptional circumstances.
  • Incomplete Applications: Avoid common mistakes like failing to attach attested ACRs or neglecting the signature/stamp of the Head of Department. These will lead to automatic rejection.
  • Preference: Applicants can state a preference for up to 3 RPO stations in the application form.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Q: Who is eligible for this deputation? A: Only serving Central Government officers in Pay Level 8/10 are eligible.
  • Q: Is there an application fee? A: No, there is no application fee for this deputation vacancy.
  • Q: Can I apply if I am in a state government job? A: No, this is restricted to Central Government employees.
  • Q: What is the last date to apply? A: The deadline for forwarding applications through the proper channel is 17 July 2026.
  • Q: Is advance copy sufficient? A: No, an advance copy is for information only. The hard copy through the proper channel is mandatory.

❓ Section Officer Frequently Asked Questions

What is the last date to apply for Ministry of External Affairs Section Officer?

The last date to submit online application forms for Ministry of External Affairs Section Officer is 17 July 2026. Candidates are advised to submit applications before the closing date.

How many vacancies are available in Ministry of External Affairs Section Officer recruitment?

A total of 60 vacancies have been officially announced for Section Officer across various categories.

What is the educational qualification required for Section Officer?

Candidates must possess: Serving Central Government Officer in Level 8/10 as specified in the official notification.

What is the age limit for Ministry of External Affairs Section Officer?

The prescribed age limit is Max 56 years as of 2026-01-01. Category-wise age relaxations apply as per government rules.

What is the salary or pay scale for Ministry of External Affairs Section Officer?

The pay scale for Section Officer is Level 8/10 of the Pay Matrix (7th CPC) along with applicable allowances as per organizational guidelines.

How can I apply online for Ministry of External Affairs Section Officer?

Eligible candidates can apply online by visiting https://www.mea.gov.in or clicking the direct Apply Online link provided on this page, completing the registration, and uploading the required documents.

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🔗 Section Officer - Official Notification & Quick Links

Reviewed & Fact-Checked By
RK
Rajesh Kumar Sharma
Senior Career Consultant

Rajesh Kumar Sharma is a seasoned career consultant with over 12 years of experience in the Indian government recruitment sector. He has helped thousands of aspirants navigate the complex world of Sarkari Naukri, specializing in SSC, UPSC, and Banking examinations.

📝 862 articles published · View all posts →

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