Recruitment Overview & Institutional Background
The Centre for Management Development (CMD), an autonomous institution under the Government of Kerala, has released an official recruitment notification (Advt. No. CMD/TDB/03/2026) on behalf of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB). Under this drive, applications are invited from qualified and experienced professionals for 2 contractual posts of Project Manager to lead the Project Management Unit (PMU) for Enterprise Digital Transformation.
Detailed Vacancy & Eligibility Breakdown
Selected officers will be stationed in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, steering critical IT infrastructure modernization, software delivery, and governance workflows across temple administration frameworks. Candidates seeking senior leadership roles in the state can also review the KINFRA Project Management Executive Recruitment 2026 recruitment details or explore all latest Kerala Government Jobs currently open for applications.
Eligibility Criteria, Experience & Age Limits
Candidates must fulfill stringent educational and technical leadership requirements before applying online. Every qualification must be acquired through a regular, full-time study program from a recognised university or board.
- Prescribed Educational Qualifications: B.E./B.Tech in Computer Science & Engineering, Information Technology, Electronics & Communication Engineering, or Electrical & Electronics Engineering; OR Master of Computer Applications (MCA); OR M.Sc. in Computer Science / Information Technology.
- Minimum Experience Requirement: A minimum of 12 years of post-qualification experience in software development or enterprise IT project delivery. Out of this, at least 5 years must be in a dedicated role as Project Manager, Programme Manager, or Delivery Manager.
- Upper Age Limit: Candidates must not exceed 50 years as on 1 October 2026.
- Category-Wise Age Relaxation: As per the official notification terms, no age relaxation is applicable to any category for this recruitment cycle.
- Nationality & Domicile: Applicants must be citizens of India.
Mandatory Board Requirement: In accordance with statutory norms governing the Travancore Devaswom Board, only candidates professing the Hindu religion are eligible to apply for these posts.
Aspirants wishing to evaluate alternative degree-based public sector vacancies can also check more Graduate jobs in Kerala across multiple autonomous boards and departments.
Remuneration & Contractual Service Terms
The Project Manager positions are offered on a contractual basis for an initial term of 2 years or until the completion of the digital transformation project, whichever occurs earlier. Depending on project requirements and satisfactory candidate performance, the engagement may be extended for one further term.
- Monthly Remuneration: Fixed consolidated pay ranging from Rs. 1,50,000 to Rs. 1,80,000 per month, determined based on leadership experience and evaluation.
- Annual Increment: A performance-linked increment of 10% will be granted in the second year of tenure subject to satisfactory assessment.
- Headquarters: The primary posting is based at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
Selection Methodology & Evaluation Stages
The recruitment methodology is designed to assess technical architecture depth, enterprise project handling capability, and strategic vision. The selection committee will conduct evaluation across five defined stages:
- Stage 1: Application Screening: Verification of primary eligibility conditions, complete document submission, and religion criteria.
- Stage 2: Criteria-Based Screening: Shortlisting applicants based on the depth of managerial experience, enterprise platforms handled, and post-qualification years.
- Stage 3: Written Test: Assessment of core domain knowledge and IT program management fundamentals (if mandated based on applicant volume).
- Stage 4: Skill Test / Proficiency Test: Evaluation of hands-on technical problem-solving, project scheduling, and software lifecycle design.
- Stage 5: Personal Interview: Final evaluation of technical competence, team leadership, and domain aptitude before the board.
Key Schedule & Application Fee Details
The online registration window opens on 17 October 2026 and closes sharply on 21 October 2026 at 05:00 PM. Given the short application window of five days, eligible technical professionals are strongly advised to complete the online portal submission well before the deadline.
There is no application fee prescribed in the notification for any category of applicants (General, OBC, SC, ST, or EWS). Candidates can submit their applications without any payment transactions.
Step-by-Step Online Application Walkthrough
Candidates must submit their applications strictly through the official portal of the Centre for Management Development. Follow these operational steps to avoid rejection:
- Step 1: Access the Portal: Navigate to the official website at cmd.kerala.gov.in.
- Step 2: Locate Notification: Open the notification tab and select the link corresponding to Notification No. CMD/TDB/03/2026 - Project Manager.
- Step 3: Registration & Data Entry: Fill in personal credentials, educational qualifications from regular full-time courses, and complete employment history.
- Step 4: Upload Required Files: Upload the passport photograph, official signature, degree certificates, and detailed experience documents within the stipulated file sizes.
- Step 5: Review & Submit: Verify that all details are accurate, submit the form before 21 October 2026 (05:00 PM), and retain a saved PDF copy and printout of the final application.
Essential Documents Checklist
Keep scanned soft copies of all original testimonials ready before accessing the registration interface. Ensure that each file conforms to official upload standards:
- Identity Proof: Valid government-issued photo identity card (Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, PAN Card, or Driving License).
- Photograph: Recent passport-sized color photograph in JPG format (maximum file size 200 kB).
- Signature: Scanned full signature on white paper using blue or black ink in JPG format (maximum file size 50 kB).
- Degree Certificate: Original or Provisional Degree Certificate (mark sheets and consolidated scorecards will not be accepted).
- Equivalency Certificate: Issued by a competent university or board authority if the degree nomenclature differs.
- Experience Proof: Formal experience certificate or employer affidavit detailing designation, dates of service, nature of project tasks, and core responsibilities.
Crucial Candidate Advisories & Common Pitfalls
CMD follows a strict document scrutiny system. Candidates should take note of the following critical guidelines to prevent outright disqualification during screening:
- Religious Eligibility: Applications from candidates not professing the Hindu religion cannot be considered due to statutory provisions governing Devaswom recruitments.
- No Mark Sheet Uploads: Do not upload semester mark lists or consolidated grade sheets in place of the final or provisional degree certificate.
- Experience Validation: Only post-qualification experience backed by clear employer certificates showing specific managerial designations will count towards the 12-year requirement.
- Hard Cutoff: The registration portal will close promptly at 05:00 PM on 21 October 2026. Incomplete submissions or drafts left unsaved will lapse automatically.
