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:

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 2026-01-01.
• 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 2026-07-17.
• Q: Is advance copy sufficient? A: No, an advance copy is for information only. The hard copy through the proper channel is mandatory.