The Government of India, Cabinet Secretariat has released Advertisement No. 02/2026 for direct recruitment to 250 posts of Deputy Field Officer (Technical), also written as DFO Technical. The notification was published in the Employment News (17 to 23 October 2026 issue). Applications are invited from Indian Nationals who hold a valid GATE Score Card. The post is in Level-7 of the Pay Matrix, Group ‘B’, Non-Gazetted, with the initial posting at New Delhi. The application is offline only, and it must reach the department on or before 15 November 2026.
Important Note: Three things to keep in mind before applying. First, this is an offline application sent by ordinary post, not an online form, and the notification does not mention an online application link, so the last date of 15 November 2026 is the date by which your envelope must be received, not posted. Second, you can apply for only one subject, and your GATE paper must match that subject, so check the subject and GATE code table before you fill in the form. Third, the GATE score must be valid, meaning you must have qualified in GATE 2024, 2025 or 2026 in the notified subject, so an old score will not work.
Cabinet Secretariat DFO Technical Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Government of India, Cabinet Secretariat |
| Advertisement No. | 02/2026 |
| Post Name | Deputy Field Officer (Technical) |
| Type of Recruitment | Direct recruitment of Indian Nationals with a valid GATE Score |
| Pay Level | Level-7 in Pay Matrix |
| Post Category | Group ‘B’, Non-Gazetted |
| Total Vacancies | 250 (tentative) |
| Application Mode | Offline, by ordinary post |
| Last Date for Receipt of Applications | 15 November 2026 |
| Selection Process | GATE Score and Interview |
| Place of Posting | New Delhi (initial); field postings with All India Transfer liability |
| Official Website | cabsec.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Published in Employment News | 17 to 23 October 2026 issue |
| Application Start Date | Not specified in the notification |
| Last Date for Receipt of Applications | 15 November 2026 |
| Interview Date, Time and Centre | Not specified; shortlisted candidates will be informed by e-mail |
Vacancy Details
The notification lists subject-wise vacancies, which it describes as tentative. The subject-wise figures add up to the total of 250. The notification does not give a category-wise (reservation) breakup.
| S. No. | Subject | Vacancies | Corresponding GATE Paper | GATE Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| a | Computer Science / Information Technology | 112 | Computer Science and Information Technology | CS |
| b | Electronics and / or Communication / Telecommunication | 112 | Electronics and Communication Engineering | EC |
| c | Data Science / Artificial Intelligence, or Computer Science with specialization in Data Science / Artificial Intelligence | 10 | Data Science and Artificial Intelligence | DA |
| d | Physics | 5 | Physics | PH |
| e | Mechanical Engineering | 4 | Mechanical Engineering | ME |
| f | Civil Engineering | 3 | Civil Engineering | CE |
| g | Chemistry | 2 | Chemistry | CY |
| h | Mathematics | 1 | Mathematics | MA |
| i | Statistics | 1 | Statistics | ST |
| Total | 250 |
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility is checked as on the closing date. Candidates must meet the age limit, the educational qualification and the valid GATE Score requirement. They must also clear the character and antecedent verification and the medical examination.
- The applicant must be an Indian National.
- The applicant must have qualified in the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) and hold a valid GATE Score Card.
- A valid GATE Score means the candidate achieved qualifying cut-off marks in GATE 2024, 2025 or 2026 in the notified subjects.
- A candidate can apply for only one subject out of the notified subject codes.
- The combination of the educational qualification and the GATE paper must match the subject table above.
Educational Qualification
A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Technology, or a Master’s degree in Science, in one of the subjects in the vacancy table, from a recognised University or Institution. The GATE paper in the valid Score Card must correspond to the subject applied for.
Age Limit
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Maximum Age | Not exceeding 30 years |
| Minimum Age | Not specified in the notification |
| Age Relaxation | Relaxable for SC, ST, OBC, Central Government Employees and Ex-Servicemen, as per Central Government orders in force |
| Age Calculated As On | Closing date (15 November 2026) |
The notification does not give the number of years of relaxation for each category.
Application Fee
The application fee is not specified in the notification.
Salary
The post is in Level-7 of the Pay Matrix. As per the notification, the total initial monthly emoluments, including all allowances, will be approximately Rs. 1,00,000 for a posting at New Delhi. The notification does not give the pay-scale range for Level-7.
Selection Process
Selection is based on the GATE Score and an Interview, subject to the candidate meeting the eligibility criteria, character and antecedent verification, and a medical examination.
- All applications received by the closing date that meet the eligibility criteria are arranged in order of merit on the basis of valid GATE Score, for each subject separately.
- Candidates are shortlisted on the basis of valid GATE Score, in a number five times the number of vacancies, and called for Interview.
- Final selection is based on GATE Score and Interview.
- Selected candidates are subject to character and antecedent verification and a medical examination, as per the Central Government guidelines for Group ‘B’ posts.
The notification does not give the marks or weightage for the GATE Score and the Interview.
How to Apply for Cabinet Secretariat DFO Technical Recruitment 2026
The notification describes an offline process. It does not mention an online application link.
- Choose one subject out of the notified subjects and note the corresponding GATE subject code.
- Fill in the Application Form for the post of Deputy Field Officer (Technical) in Cabinet Secretariat (Government of India), printed with the notification. The form must be typed on A-4 size paper and filled in English capital (block) letters using black or blue ink only.
- Do not leave any column blank. Affix a self-attested recent passport-size coloured photograph, and sign the declaration with the date and place.
- Attach the self-attested copies of all required documents.
- Put the application form and documents in an envelope and send it by ordinary post to: Post Bag No. 001, Lodhi Road Head Post Office, New Delhi-110003.
- Make sure the application reaches the address on or before 15 November 2026.
Information Asked in the Application Form
- Subject applied for, subject of B.E./B.Tech./M.Sc., and the corresponding GATE subject code
- Name, nationality, gender, address for correspondence (state and PIN code clearly), and native place
- Mobile number and email ID (both mandatory), with alternate contact details
- Aadhaar number, father’s name, mother’s name, date and place of birth, age as on the closing date, and religion
- Category (General, SC, ST, OBC, Ex-Serviceman, Central Govt. Employee or Others), with a self-attested copy of the certificate when claiming age relaxation
- Length of Defence Service for ex-servicemen, with a self-attested copy of the discharge summary
- Marital status and, if married, the spouse’s name, religion and nationality
- Educational qualifications from matriculation onwards, with marks in percentage or CGPA
- GATE details: year of passing, roll number, subject paper and code, GATE score, marks out of 100, and the date till which the Score Card is valid
- Employment details, if employed, with a self-attested copy of the NOC from the employer
- Declaration that you fulfil the eligibility conditions and have not submitted any other application for this selection
Documents Required
Send the duly filled-in Application Form along with self-attested copies of the following.
- Mark-sheets and certificates (hard copy) of Matriculation, 10+2, and B.E./B.Tech./M.Sc.
- Birth Certificate or other relevant document in support of age (Matriculation Certificate, Passport, Driving Licence or PAN Card)
- Valid GATE Score Card
- Caste Certificate (Annexure-I or Annexure-II), for age relaxation, if applicable
- NOC from the present employer, if applicable
- Undertaking (Annexure-III) and discharge certificate, in case of ex-servicemen
- Two recent passport-size coloured photographs, with name and date of birth on the back
- Self-attested copy of the Aadhaar Card
Annexures Printed with the Notification
| Annexure | Format | Required From |
|---|---|---|
| Annexure-I | Format for SC/ST Certificate | SC/ST candidates claiming age relaxation |
| Annexure-II | Certificate for Other Backward Classes applying for posts under the Government of India | OBC candidates claiming age relaxation |
| Annexure-III | Undertaking by Ex-Servicemen | Ex-servicemen |
| Annexure-IV | Certificate for Central Government Civilian Employees seeking age relaxation | Central Government civilian employees |
ST candidates belonging to Tamil Nadu should submit the caste certificate only from the Revenue Divisional Officer. The OBC certificate must also certify that the candidate does not belong to the Creamy Layer. Annexure-IV is filled by the Head of the Office or Department and certifies the pay scale and 3 years of regular service in the grade as on the closing date.
Important Instructions
- Applications without a photograph or the required certificates and information will not be entertained. Unsigned or incomplete applications will be rejected.
- Persons in Government service must submit their applications through their respective office, and should enclose the Annexure-IV certificate from the Competent Authority if claiming age relaxation.
- The job involves field postings with All India Transfer liability.
- The date, time and centre of the interview will be sent to shortlisted candidates by e-mail.
- The Cabinet Secretariat reserves the right to cancel or withdraw the recruitment process, or revise the number of vacancies, at any stage without assigning any reason.
- If any information is found incorrect at any stage, the candidature or appointment is liable to be cancelled or terminated without notice.
Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Website (Cabinet Secretariat) | Click Here |
The official notification and the application form are printed in the Employment News (17 to 23 October 2026 issue, pages 48 and 49). Candidates should read the notification there, or on the official website, before applying.
Cabinet Secretariat DFO Technical Recruitment 2026 – FAQs
Q1. What is Cabinet Secretariat DFO Technical Recruitment 2026?
✅ It is the direct recruitment of Indian Nationals with a valid GATE Score to the post of Deputy Field Officer (Technical) in the Cabinet Secretariat, under Advertisement No. 02/2026. The post is in Level-7 of the Pay Matrix, Group ‘B’, Non-Gazetted.
Q2. How many vacancies are available?
✅ There are 250 tentative vacancies across Computer Science/IT (112), Electronics and Communication (112), Data Science/AI (10), Physics (5), Mechanical (4), Civil (3), Chemistry (2), Mathematics (1) and Statistics (1).
Q3. What is the last date to apply?
✅ The application must reach the department by 15 November 2026.
Q4. What is the qualification required?
✅ A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Technology, or a Master’s degree in Science, in a notified subject, along with a valid GATE Score Card for 2024, 2025 or 2026.
Q5. What is the age limit?
✅ Not exceeding 30 years as on the closing date, with relaxation for SC, ST, OBC, Central Government Employees and Ex-Servicemen as per Central Government orders.
Q6. How can I apply?
✅ Fill in the application form printed with the notification, attach self-attested documents and two photographs, and send it by ordinary post to Post Bag No. 001, Lodhi Road Head Post Office, New Delhi-110003. The notification does not mention an online application.
Q7. What is the selection process?
✅ GATE Score and Interview. Candidates are shortlisted in a number five times the vacancies, based on valid GATE Score. Selection is subject to character and antecedent verification and a medical examination.
Q8. What is the salary?
✅ The post is in Level-7 of the Pay Matrix, with total initial monthly emoluments of approximately Rs. 1,00,000 including all allowances, for a posting at New Delhi.
Q9. Where is the posting?
✅ The initial posting is at New Delhi, with field postings and All India Transfer liability.
Disclaimer
The information above is compiled from the official Cabinet Secretariat Advertisement No. 02/2026 for Deputy Field Officer (Technical). Candidates must verify all eligibility, application and document requirements directly from the official notification and cabsec.gov.in before applying. This article is for informational purposes only.
