Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Section Officer Recruitment 2026: 60 Deputation Vacancies
Ministry of External Affairs — PSP Division
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)
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
Executive Summary & Key Facts
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.
📅 Section Officer - Important Dates & Schedule
| Application Start | 22 May 2026 |
|---|---|
| Last Date to Apply |
17 Jul 2026
|
📋 Section Officer - Eligibility Criteria & Vacancy Overview
| Post Name | Section Officer |
|---|---|
| Total Vacancies | 60 |
| Qualification | Serving Central Government Officer in Level 8/10 |
| Age Limit | Max 56 years as of 2026-01-01 |
| Salary | Level 8/10 of the Pay Matrix (7th CPC) |
| Application Fee | N/A |
| Selection Process | Scrutiny 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 Locations | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Amritsar, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Cochin, Coimbatore, Guwahati, Jalandhar, Kozhikode, Madurai, Mumbai, Nagpur, Panaji, Pune, Srinagar, Surat, Trichy, Trivandrum, Vijayawada, Vishakhapatnam | 3 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:
- The prescribed Annexure-I pro-forma (filled in duplicate).
- Attested copies of ACRs/APARs for the last 5 years (duly attested by a Group A officer).
- Cadre clearance and Vigilance clearance certificate.
- 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.