MEA Section Officer Recruitment 2026 — 60 Posts

About This Job

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is filling 60 Section Officer (or equivalent) posts on deputation basis in its 20 Regional Passport Offices (RPOs) across India. If you are a serving Central Government officer holding an analogous post in Pay Level 8 or Level 10, you can apply. The deputation is initially for two years. Your application must be forwarded through proper channel and reach MEA by 17 July 2026.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Section Officer Recruitment 2026 - 60 Posts

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), PSP Division, has issued a circular (No. CDR-II/575/02/2025) to appoint 60 Section Officers or equivalent on deputation in 20 Regional Passport Offices, with 3 officers per office. This is a deputation posting, not a direct or permanent recruitment — only officers already serving in the Central Government on a regular basis can apply. The selected officers will handle passport-related administration at the assigned RPO.

Who Can Apply?

This vacancy is open only to serving Central Government officers. You are eligible if:

• You work in the Central Secretariat Service (CSS), Armed Forces Headquarters (AFHQ), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Railway Board Secretariat Service (RBSS), or the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation.
• You hold an analogous post in Pay Level 8 or Level 10 of the Pay Matrix on a regular basis.

Desirable:

• Good managerial, interpersonal, noting and drafting skills
• Experience working as a Section Officer in a Ministry / department / attached or subordinate office
• Previous experience in administration, policy, court cases, RTI, finance, audit, or public dealing

Age Limit

• The maximum age for appointment on deputation is 56 years as on the closing date.

Salary

• The post carries pay in Pay Level 8 or Level 10 of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix.
• Pay and allowances on deputation are admissible as per the DoPT guidelines (O.M. No. 6/8/2009-Estt. (Pay II) dated 17.06.2010, as amended).

Selection Process

There is no written exam. Selection is done by the MEA based on:

1. Screening of applications: Only complete applications forwarded through proper channel with all documents are considered.
2. Document and eligibility check: ACRs/APARs for the last five years, cadre clearance, vigilance clearance, and integrity certificate are verified.
3. Final selection: Suitable officers are selected by the competent authority for deputation to the assigned RPO.

How to Apply

1. Fill the bio-data in the prescribed pro-forma (Annexure-I of the circular) and list your 3 preferred Regional Passport Offices.
2. Get the application forwarded through proper channel by your parent department, with a duly signed and stamped forwarding letter.
3. Attach up-to-date copies of ACRs/APARs for the last five years, cadre clearance, vigilance clearance, and details of any minor/major penalty in the last 10 years.
4. Send the complete application to: Section Officer (PSP-Cadre), PSP Division, MEA, Room No. 26, Patiala House, New Delhi.
5. An advance copy may be emailed to sopspcadre@mea.gov.in, but only applications forwarded through proper channel will be considered.
6. Make sure your application reaches MEA by 17 July 2026.

It is mandatory to serve the full deputation term; premature relieving is allowed only in rare circumstances.

Important Dates

• Circular Date: 22 May 2026
• Application Start: 22 May 2026
• Last Date to Forward Application: 17 July 2026

• Work in the assigned Regional Passport Office handling passport-related administration
• Handle noting, drafting, and file processing as a Section Officer
• Manage administration, finance, audit, and public dealing matters
• Handle RTI applications and court case matters when assigned
• Liaise effectively with other offices, ministries, and departments
• Supervise office staff and ensure timely completion of work
• Maintain records and prepare reports as required by the office head