MEA Consultant (D&ISA) Recruitment 2026

About This Job

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has released notification for 1 Consultant post in the Disarmament and International Security Affairs (D&ISA) Division. Candidates who hold a Doctoral degree in disarmament and international security, or are retired Government of India employees (Pay Level 14 or above), can apply by email or registered post. Last date to apply is 24 April 2026. The pay goes up to Rs. 18 lakh per annum.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Consultant (D&ISA) Recruitment 2026 - 1 Post

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India, has invited applications for 1 Consultant position in its Disarmament and International Security Affairs (D&ISA) Division, New Delhi. The D&ISA Division handles India's policy on nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation, arms control, outer space security, maritime security, and emerging strategic technologies. This is a contract-based engagement for 1 year, extendable based on performance and requirement. Experienced researchers, academics, and retired senior government officials working in international security and strategic affairs should apply.

Who Can Apply?

Option 1: Doctoral Degree Holders

• Qualification: You need a Doctoral degree (Ph.D) with specialisation in disarmament and international security from a recognised institution in India or abroad.
• Experience: Minimum 5 years of work experience in think-tanks, academia, or similar organisations dealing with disarmament and international security.
• Age: You must be at least 32 years old but not more than 56 years as on 24 April 2026.

Option 2: Retired Government of India Employees

• Qualification: You should be a retired Government of India employee with Pay Level 14 or above (as per 7th CPC) at the time of superannuation.
• Experience: Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in disarmament and international security matters.
• Age: You should not be more than 63 years old as on 24 April 2026.

Additional Requirements

• Nationality: Only Indian nationals can apply.
• Language: You need strong written and spoken communication skills in English.

Age Limit

• For Ph.D holders: 32 to 56 years as on 24 April 2026
• For retired Government employees: up to 63 years as on 24 April 2026

Salary

• The pay will depend on your experience and profile, subject to a maximum of Rs. 18 lakh per annum (before tax deductions).
• For retired Government officials, pay will follow the prevailing norms of the Department of Expenditure.
• Note: This is a contractual engagement. No Provident Fund, Pension, Gratuity, HRA, or Medical benefits are provided.
• Paid leave at the rate of 1.5 days per completed month of service.
• Travel, accommodation, and per-diem costs for official travel will be covered by the Ministry.

Selection Process

Selection will be done in the following stages:

1. Application Review: MEA will review all applications received by the deadline.
2. Shortlisting: Eligible candidates will be shortlisted based on qualifications and experience.
3. Interview / Written Test: Shortlisted candidates will be called for an interview or written test. The date, time, and venue will be shared via email.

No TA/DA will be paid for attending the interview. You will need to make your own travel arrangements.

How to Apply

You can apply through either of these two modes:

Mode 1: By Email (Online)

1. Download the application proforma (Annexure I) from the official notification PDF at mea.gov.in.
2. Fill in the application form completely.
3. Attach all supporting documents (educational certificates, experience proof, etc.).
4. Send an email to aopfsec@mea.gov.in with the subject line clearly mentioning your name and the position you are applying for.

Mode 2: By Registered Post (Offline)

1. Download and fill the application proforma (Annexure I) from the notification.
2. Attach all supporting documents.
3. Send the application by registered post in an envelope labelled “Application for the position of Consultant in the D&ISA Division of Ministry of External Affairs”.
4. Post to: Under Secretary (PF&PG), Ministry of External Affairs, Room No. 4071, Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan, 23-D, Janpath, New Delhi-110011.

Incomplete applications or those without supporting documents will be rejected.

Important Dates

• Notification Date: 01 April 2026
• Last Date to Apply: 24 April 2026 (by 5:30 PM)

• Monitor developments in disarmament, non-proliferation, arms control, nuclear policy, outer space, maritime security, and emerging technologies
• Prepare research-based inputs and policy briefs on international, regional, and national security issues
• Report on conferences, seminars, and events attended on strategic affairs topics
• Assist in organising important meetings and programmes conducted by the D&ISA Division
• Handle documentation and analysis related to strategic and security policy matters
• Work closely with senior officials on India's positions in multilateral forums on disarmament
• Carry out any other tasks assigned by the Head of Division