ChPA Deputy Chief Mechanical Engineer Recruitment 2026

ChPA Deputy Chief Mechanical Engineer Recruitment 2026: Overview

Chennai Port Authority (ChPA), a Major Port under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, is filling the post of Deputy Chief Mechanical Engineer (Mechanical) — a Deputy Head of Department role in its Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (M&EE) Department, which looks after the port's cranes, dredgers, cargo-handling machinery and mechanical infrastructure. The post is being filled through the Composite Method, a route that combines promotion, deputation and absorption. This follows a series of Ministry directives issued between 2020 and 2021 that standardised how all Major Ports fill Deputy HoD-level posts, replacing port-specific advertisement drives with a common process that every Major Port now runs under Ministry oversight. Only serving officers of other Major Port Authorities (except Kamarajar Port Limited) who meet the prescribed qualifications and experience can apply — this is not an open recruitment for the general public.

Service Conditions and Caveats

• Eligible applicants: Officers currently serving in Major Port Authorities other than Kamarajar Port Limited, holding an analogous post or the post of Superintending Engineer (Mechanical/Electrical) or an equivalent post in the M&E discipline.
• Appointing and disciplinary authority: The Central Government (Secretary, Shipping) holds appointing and disciplinary powers for this Deputy HoD-level post, not the individual Port.
• Ministry oversight: Chennai Port Authority can run the selection process locally, but must obtain the Ministry's approval on the Departmental Promotion Committee's recommendation before issuing the appointment order.
• Merit requirement: Selection is by merit, and the officer's overall grading in ACRs/APARs for the assessment period must not be below "Very Good".
• Vigilance clearance: Applicants must be vigilance-clear, with no major or minor penalty in the last ten years and no pending disciplinary or criminal case.
• Release timeline: The parent Port must relieve the selected officer within 30 days of appointment, failing which the officer is deemed relieved automatically after that period.
• Debarment clause: An officer who withdraws candidature after being selected by the Services Selection Committee is barred from applying for any Deputy HoD-level post across Major Ports for two years.

Application Submission Notes

You cannot apply directly — your application has to be forwarded by your current Port to the Secretary, Chennai Port Authority, Rajaji Salai, Chennai – 600001, along with attested ACR/APAR copies for the last five years, a vigilance/administrative clearance certificate, a No Objection Certificate from your parent Port, and a service-particulars proforma. Applications reaching after the closing date, or missing any required enclosure, will not be considered, so coordinate with your Port's HR office well in advance.

• Oversee maintenance and repair of the port's mechanical machinery, cranes and cargo-handling equipment
• Plan and monitor dredging and marine mechanical operations
• Supervise engineering staff in the Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Department
• Prepare technical specifications and cost estimates for new equipment and repairs
• Ensure compliance with safety standards and statutory inspection requirements
• Coordinate procurement and inventory of spare parts and equipment
• Review maintenance schedules and downtime reports to improve equipment reliability
• Assist the Chief Mechanical Engineer in departmental planning and budgeting