The latest Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Recruitment 2026 has been announced for Section Officer or equivalent posts on Deputation basis in 20 Regional Passport Offices (RPOs)! Published vide No. CDR-II/575/02/2025 dated 22-05-2026 by PSP Division, MEA, this vacancy circular offers 60 posts (03 Section Officers per RPO across 20 RPOs) for eligible Central Government Officers. Officers working in any Ministry/Department/Office of the Central Government and holding analogous posts in Level 8/10 of the Pay Matrix on regular basis can apply through proper channel latest by 17-07-2026. Find all details about the MEA Section Officer Deputation new vacancy 2026, including eligibility, application procedure, and vacancy circular PDF here.
Ministry of External Affairs Section Officer Deputation Recruitment 2026 Notification PDF
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), PSP Division, New Delhi has officially released Vacancy Circular No. CDR-II/575/02/2025 dated 22/05/2026 for appointment of 60 Section Officers or equivalent (in Level 8/10 of Pay Matrix) on deputation basis in 20 Regional Passport Offices (RPOs) across India. The circular includes complete details on post-wise vacancies, RPO-wise distribution, eligibility criteria, desirable qualifications, age limit, pay & allowances, and application instructions. Eligible Central Government Officers are strongly advised to read the full circular before applying through proper channel.
Ministry of External Affairs Section Officer Deputation Recruitment 2026 Overview
MEA is filling up 60 Section Officer or equivalent posts on deputation basis across 20 Regional Passport Offices in India, last date for forwarding applications 17 July 2026.
| Organization Name | Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), PSP Division, New Delhi |
| Circular No. | No. CDR-II/575/02/2025 dated 22/05/2026 |
| Post Name | Section Officer or equivalent |
| Pay Level | Level 8/10 of the Pay Matrix (as per 7th CPC) |
| Total Vacancies | 60 posts (03 Section Officers per Regional Passport Office × 20 RPOs) |
| Nature of Appointment | Deputation (not regular/permanent appointment) |
| Period of Deputation | Initially for 2 years; extendable as per extant rules. Serving the full deputation term is mandatory — premature relieving will not be considered except in rare or exceptional circumstances. |
| Job Location | Any of the 20 Regional Passport Offices (RPOs) across India (as per Annexure-II). Selected officers may be required to travel within India. |
| Application Mode | Offline — through proper channel in prescribed pro-forma (Annexure-I) |
| Last Date for Forwarding Applications | 17-07-2026 |
| Advance Copy Email | [email protected] |
| Official Website | https://www.mea.gov.in |
MEA Section Officer Deputation Recruitment 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Date of Circular | 22/05/2026 |
| Age Calculated As On | 01-01-2026 |
| Last Date for Forwarding Applications through Proper Channel | 17-07-2026 |
| Advance Copy Submission (Email) | On or before 17-07-2026 at [email protected] |
MEA Section Officer Deputation Recruitment 2026 - Vacancy Details
A total of 60 vacancies have been announced for the post of Section Officer or equivalent at Level 8/10 of Pay Matrix, distributed as 03 posts per Regional Passport Office across 20 RPOs in India. The list of 20 RPOs is as per Annexure-II of the circular.
| S. No. | Regional Passport Office (RPO) | No. of Posts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amritsar | 03 |
| 2 | Bengaluru | 03 |
| 3 | Bhubaneswar | 03 |
| 4 | Chennai | 03 |
| 5 | Cochin | 03 |
| 6 | Coimbatore | 03 |
| 7 | Guwahati | 03 |
| 8 | Jalandhar | 03 |
| 9 | Kozhikode | 03 |
| 10 | Madurai | 03 |
| 11 | Mumbai | 03 |
| 12 | Nagpur | 03 |
| 13 | Panaji | 03 |
| 14 | Pune | 03 |
| 15 | Srinagar | 03 |
| 16 | Surat | 03 |
| 17 | Trichy | 03 |
| 18 | Trivandrum | 03 |
| 19 | Vijayawada | 03 |
| 20 | Vishakhapatnam | 03 |
| Total | 60 | |
MEA Section Officer Deputation Recruitment 2026 - Eligibility Criteria
This is a deputation vacancy — only serving Central Government Officers are eligible. Applications from individuals not in Central Government service will not be considered. Only those applications that are complete in all aspects and forwarded through proper channel will be considered. While forwarding the applications, it must be verified and certified that particulars furnished by the officer are correct. It must also be confirmed that in the event of selection for appointment, the officer shall be relieved on immediate basis.
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Essential Eligibility Criteria | Officers working in any Ministry/Department/Office of the Central Government and holding analogous posts in Level 8/10 of the Pay Matrix on regular basis will be considered eligible against the corresponding post. |
| Job Description | To work within the jurisdiction of any of the 20 Regional Passport Offices across India as per Annexure-II of the circular. Selected officers may be required to travel within India. |
| Disciplinary/Vigilance Status | No disciplinary case should be either pending or contemplated against the officer; no major or minor penalty should have been imposed on the officer during the last 10 years; integrity must be beyond doubt. |
Desirable Criteria
| Sl. No. | Desirable Quality / Experience |
|---|---|
| (i) | Good managerial and interpersonal skills. |
| (ii) | Ability to liaise effectively with other organizations/Ministries/Departments/think tanks. |
| (iii) | Good noting and drafting skills and communication abilities. |
| (iv) | Previous service as Section Officer or equivalent in Ministries/Departments/Attached/Subordinate offices in the Government of India. |
| (v) | Previous experience of handling issues relating to Administration & Establishment, Policy, Court Cases, RTI, Finance & Accounts, Audit, and Public Dealing in Government of India. |
MEA Section Officer Deputation Recruitment 2026 - Age Limit
The maximum age limit for appointment on deputation shall not exceed 56 years as on 01-01-2026. No minimum age has been specified — the officer must be a serving Central Government employee.
| Category | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| All eligible Central Government Officers (Deputation) | Maximum 56 years as on 01-01-2026 |
MEA Section Officer Deputation Recruitment 2026 - Pay & Allowances
Pay and allowances for the deputation posting will be admissible as per the guidelines of Department of Personnel and Training's O.M. No. 6/8/2009-Estt. (Pay II) dated 17.06.2010 as amended from time to time.
| Post | Pay Level | Pay & Allowances |
|---|---|---|
| Section Officer or equivalent (Deputation) | Level 8/10 of Pay Matrix (as per 7th CPC) | As per DoPT O.M. No. 6/8/2009-Estt. (Pay II) dated 17.06.2010 and amendments thereto |
MEA Section Officer Deputation Recruitment 2026 - Selection Process
Selection will be based on scrutiny of applications forwarded through proper channel. Only complete applications forwarded through the proper channel will be considered. While forwarding, the Head of Department must verify and certify that the particulars furnished by the officer are correct and confirm that if selected, the officer shall be relieved on immediate basis. It is mandatory to serve the full deputation term — premature relieving will not be considered except in rare or exceptional circumstances.
Stage 1 - Application Forwarding through Proper Channel
Interested officers must submit their application in the prescribed pro-forma (Annexure-I) through their Head of Department/Ministry/Cadre Controlling Authority. Applications not forwarded through proper channel will not be considered. Advance copies may be mailed to [email protected] — however, only applications forwarded through proper channel will be processed.
Stage 2 - Scrutiny and Selection
Received applications will be scrutinized for eligibility. Selection will be made by the Competent Authority of MEA based on the officer's service record, ACRs/APARs, Cadre Clearance, Vigilance Clearance, and other documents submitted with the application. Candidates may be required to state their preference of up to 3 RPO stations in the application form.
Competition Level Analysis for MEA Section Officer RPO Deputation 2026
Since this is a deputation vacancy from Central Government, competition is limited to serving Central Government Officers at Level 8/10 of the Pay Matrix — a well-defined and relatively focused pool. With 60 vacancies across 20 RPOs spread pan-India, interested officers have the opportunity to express preference for up to 3 RPO stations. The desirable criteria strongly favour officers with prior experience in Sections dealing with Administration & Establishment, RTI, Finance, Audit, and public dealing — making CSS (Central Secretariat Service) officers and those from similarly structured Departments particularly well-placed. Officers with clean vigilance and service records and those who have handled passport or public services-related work will have an edge.
The 2-year deputation period (extendable as per rules) and the mandatory requirement of serving the full term should be carefully considered by officers before applying. Serving at an RPO involves significant public dealing and field-level administrative work — distinct from typical Secretariat/Ministry desk work — which officers should factor into their decision.
Who should NOT apply for MEA Section Officer RPO Deputation 2026?
- Officers who are not currently working in any Ministry/Department/Office of the Central Government — this is exclusively a deputation vacancy for serving Central Government employees; private sector or state government employees are not eligible.
- Officers who are not holding analogous posts in Level 8/10 of the Pay Matrix on a regular basis — ad hoc, temporary, or contract appointment holders are not eligible.
- Officers who have crossed 56 years of age as on 01-01-2026.
- Officers against whom disciplinary cases are pending or contemplated, or who have had major or minor penalties imposed in the last 10 years — the Head of Department certification is mandatory and such officers cannot be cleared.
- Officers whose Cadre Controlling Authority will not grant Cadre Clearance for the deputation.
- Officers who are not willing to be posted at any of the 20 RPO locations across India — the posting location depends on vacancy and preference given, but final posting is at MEA's discretion.
- Officers who may require premature repatriation — serving the complete deputation term is mandatory except in rare/exceptional circumstances; officers who foresee such a requirement should not apply.
- Officers who cannot be relieved on immediate basis upon selection — the forwarding Ministry/Department must confirm immediate relieving as a condition for forwarding.
Common mistakes / What to check before applying MEA Section Officer RPO Deputation 2026?
- Not forwarding through proper channel — applications not forwarded through the proper channel (Head of Department) will be summarily rejected regardless of eligibility; advance email copy alone is not sufficient.
- Submitting an incomplete application — only complete applications in all aspects will be considered; missing any of the mandatory enclosures (ACRs/APARs, Cadre Clearance, Vigilance Clearance, penalty details, Bio-data in prescribed pro-forma) will lead to rejection.
- Not using the prescribed pro-forma (Annexure-I) — applications in any other format will not be considered.
- Not getting ACRs/APARs for last 5 years attested on each page by a Group A Officer — unattested or partially attested ACRs/APARs are not acceptable.
- Not mentioning 3 RPO preferences in the application form (Field No. 15) — officers should carefully indicate their preferred RPO stations from the list of 20 in Annexure-II.
- Sending advance copy email but not forwarding the hard copy through proper channel — the advance email copy is for information only; the official application must travel through proper channel.
- Not confirming the age eligibility as on 01-01-2026 (must not exceed 56 years) before applying — officers who crossed 56 years by 01-01-2026 are ineligible.
- Not ensuring the Head of Department's certification at the bottom of the application pro-forma is complete with signature and stamp — this certification is mandatory.
How to Apply for MEA Section Officer RPO Deputation 2026
Eligible and interested Central Government Officers must apply in the prescribed pro-forma (Annexure-I of the Circular). The complete application form must be sent through proper channel to the address below latest by 17-07-2026. An advance copy may also be mailed to [email protected] — however, only applications complete in all aspects and forwarded through proper channel will be considered.
Documents to be Submitted along with Application (through Proper Channel):
- Application in prescribed pro-forma (Annexure-I) — in duplicate copy, signed by the volunteering officer and forwarded through proper channel with due Cadre Clearance
- Up-to-date copies of ACRs/APARs for the last 5 years — duly attested on each page by a Group A Officer
- Cadre Clearance from the Cadre Controlling Authority
- Vigilance Clearance
- Details of minor/major penalty imposed on the officer by the Competent Authority for the last 10 years (if any)
- Statement of Bio-data in prescribed pro-forma (Annexure-I) — in duplicate copy, signed by the volunteering officer
Information to be filled in the Application Pro-forma (Annexure-I):
- Name & Designation
- Date of Birth
- Gender
- Educational Qualifications
- Mobile No. and E-mail ID
- Service/Batch
- Details of employment in chronological order (Department/Institution/Organization, Post held, From–To, Scale of Pay and basic, Nature of duties performed)
- Details of current employment
- Basic Pay & Pay Level
- Details of courses/training programmes attended (if any)
- Details of publications (if any)
- Languages known
- Details of previous ex-cadre deputation (if any)
- Preferences of RPOs (3 stations in order of preference)
- Additional information in support of suitability for the post (if any)
- Remarks
The application must be accompanied by the certification by the Head of Department (with stamp) confirming that: particulars furnished are correct; no disciplinary case is pending or contemplated; no major or minor penalty was imposed during the last 10 years; integrity is beyond doubt.
Send Application to: Administrative Officer (Cadre), PSP Division, MEA, Room No. 26, Patiala House, New Delhi.
For queries: Contact AO (PSP-Cadre), PSP Division, MEA. Email: [email protected]
Important Instructions for MEA Section Officer RPO Deputation 2026 Candidates
- This is a deputation vacancy — only serving Central Government Officers holding analogous posts in Level 8/10 of the Pay Matrix on regular basis are eligible.
- It is mandatory to serve the full deputation term. Premature relieving will not be considered except in rare or exceptional circumstances.
- Applications must be forwarded through proper channel — applications not sent through proper channel will not be considered.
- The forwarding Ministry/Department must verify and certify that particulars furnished by the officer are correct and must confirm that if selected, the officer shall be relieved on immediate basis.
- Only applications complete in all aspects will be considered — incomplete applications will be rejected.
- ACRs/APARs for the last 5 years must be duly attested on each page by a Group A Officer.
- Officers must state their preference of up to 3 RPO stations from the list of 20 in Annexure-II.
- Advance copies may be mailed to [email protected] — but this alone does not constitute a valid application.
- Pay and allowances will be admissible as per DoPT O.M. No. 6/8/2009-Estt. (Pay II) dated 17.06.2010 and amendments.
- Selected officers may be required to travel within India.
- The last date for forwarding applications through proper channel is 17-07-2026.
MEA Section Officer RPO Deputation Recruitment 2026 - Important Links
- Application Pro-forma (Annexure-I): Click here
- Advance Copy Email: [email protected]
- Official Notification PDF: Click here
- Official Website: Click here
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