Cabinet Secretariat DFO Technical Recruitment 2026: The Cabinet Secretariat has announced the DFO Technical Recruitment 2026 notification for 250 posts. Eligible candidates interested in this recruitment can check the official notification for details regarding educational qualifications, age limit, selection process, salary, and application instructions. The application process is offline, so candidates should carefully read the notification, complete the application form in the prescribed format, attach the required documents, and submit it to the designated address within the specified deadline. Applicants are advised to verify all eligibility conditions and important dates before applying.
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Introduction to Cabinet Secretariat DFO Technical Recruitment 2026
The Cabinet Secretariat under the Government of India has announced one of the most prestigious technical recruitment drives of 2026 through Advertisement No. 02/2026 for the post of Deputy Field Officer (Technical). This recruitment opens 250 tentative vacancies across critical technical disciplines including Computer Science, Electronics, Data Science, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Chemistry, Mathematics and Statistics. Working in the Cabinet Secretariat offers unmatched career security, exposure to high-level national security and policy coordination work, and the prestige of serving at the heart of the central government machinery.
The post belongs to Group B Non-Gazetted category in Level-7 of the 7th Central Pay Commission Pay Matrix, with initial monthly emoluments approximately Rs 1,00,000 when posted in New Delhi, inclusive of all allowances. Candidates with a valid GATE score from 2024, 2025 or 2026 stand a strong chance of securing this highly sought-after position that combines technical expertise with administrative responsibility. Applications are accepted strictly offline by ordinary post, and the last date for receipt of applications is 15 November 2026. Given the limited number of seats in specialised streams and the competitive nature of GATE-based shortlisting, aspirants are strongly advised to prepare their documents meticulously and submit applications well before the closing date to avoid any last-minute postal delays.
Overview Table of Cabinet Secretariat DFO Technical Recruitment 2026
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India |
| Post Name | Deputy Field Officer (Technical) |
| Total Vacancies | 250 (Tentative) |
| Advertisement Number | 02/2026 |
| Application Mode | Offline (by Ordinary Post) |
| Online Registration Dates | Not Applicable (Offline only) |
| Application Period | 17 October 2026 to 15 November 2026 |
| Last Date for Receipt of Applications | 15 November 2026 |
| Selection Process | Shortlisting based on GATE Score followed by Interview |
| Official Website | cabsec.gov.in |
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Post-wise Vacancy Details for Deputy Field Officer (Technical) 2026
The Cabinet Secretariat has distributed the 250 tentative vacancies across nine technical disciplines. Computer Science/Information Technology and Electronics/Communication/Telecommunication together account for the bulk of opportunities with 112 posts each, reflecting the high demand for digital and communication specialists within the organisation. Data Science and Artificial Intelligence has been allocated 10 posts, while the remaining core science and engineering streams have comparatively fewer seats. Candidates must carefully match their academic qualification and GATE paper code with the exact subject they wish to apply for, as applications for more than one subject are not permitted. The subject-wise vacancy distribution is as follows:
| Subject / Discipline | Vacancies | Corresponding GATE Paper & Code |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science / Information Technology | 112 | Computer Science and Information Technology (CS) |
| Electronics and/or Communication / Telecommunication | 112 | Electronics and Communication Engineering (EC) |
| Data Science / Artificial Intelligence (or CS with specialisation in Data Science/AI) | 10 | Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DA) |
| Physics | 5 | Physics (PH) |
| Mechanical Engineering | 4 | Mechanical Engineering (ME) |
| Civil Engineering | 3 | Civil Engineering (CE) |
| Chemistry | 2 | Chemistry (CY) |
| Mathematics | 1 | Mathematics (MA) |
| Statistics | 1 | Statistics (ST) |
| Total | 250 | — |
These figures are tentative and may be revised by the Cabinet Secretariat depending on administrative requirements. Candidates belonging to reserved categories should note that the official notification does not provide a detailed category-wise (UR/OBC/SC/ST/EWS) breakup of vacancies. Reservation will be applied as per the prevailing Central Government rules at the time of final selection. The concentration of posts in Computer Science and Electronics streams makes these disciplines highly competitive, while the single-digit vacancies in Physics, Mechanical, Civil, Chemistry, Mathematics and Statistics demand exceptional GATE scores for shortlisting.
Comprehensive Eligibility Criteria for Cabinet Secretariat DFO Technical Posts
Educational Qualification
To be eligible for the Deputy Field Officer (Technical) post, candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Technology (B.E./B.Tech) or a Master’s degree in Science (M.Sc) in one of the nine notified subjects from a recognised University or Institution. The degree subject must precisely correspond to the discipline for which the candidate is applying. In addition to the academic qualification, every applicant must hold a valid GATE Score Card of 2024, 2025 or 2026 in the matching GATE paper code. For example, a candidate applying under Computer Science/Information Technology must have a valid GATE score in CS paper, while an Electronics aspirant requires a valid EC paper score. Candidates with degrees in related specialisations such as Computer Science with Data Science/AI specialisation may apply under the Data Science/Artificial Intelligence category provided they possess a valid GATE DA score.
The degree must have been awarded by a university recognised by the University Grants Commission or an institution of national importance. Provisional degree certificates are acceptable at the time of application, but final degree certificates will be required during document verification. Candidates are advised to ensure that their GATE score is not only valid for the year but also meets the qualifying cut-off prescribed by GATE for that particular paper and category.
Age Limit and Relaxations
The maximum age limit for all candidates is 30 years as on the crucial cut-off date of 15 November 2026. This means candidates must not have been born earlier than 16 November 1996. The minimum age is generally understood to be 18 years, though the notification emphasises the upper age ceiling. Age relaxation is admissible as per the extant Central Government rules for the following categories:
- Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST): 5 years
- Other Backward Classes (OBC – Non-Creamy Layer): 3 years
- Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD): 10 years (15 years for SC/ST PwBD and 13 years for OBC PwBD)
- Ex-Servicemen: As per the rules applicable to Central Government civilian posts
- Central Government civilian employees with three years continuous service: Up to 5 years
Candidates claiming age relaxation must possess valid supporting certificates issued by the competent authority in the prescribed format. The age calculation is strictly with reference to 15 November 2026, and any discrepancy in date of birth recorded in the matriculation certificate and the application form will lead to rejection. Candidates who have already crossed the maximum age limit even after applicable relaxation are not eligible to apply.
Application Fee and Payment Mode
One of the most candidate-friendly aspects of the Cabinet Secretariat DFO Technical Recruitment 2026 is that no application fee is charged from any category of candidates. Whether the applicant belongs to General, OBC, EWS, SC, ST, PwBD or is a woman candidate, the application process is completely free of cost. There is no requirement to pay any examination fee, processing fee or postal charges beyond the ordinary postal charges for sending the application form.
Since the entire process is offline, candidates need not worry about online payment gateways, credit/debit cards, net banking or UPI. The absence of any fee removes a significant financial barrier and encourages a larger pool of eligible technical graduates and postgraduates to apply. Applicants are still advised to retain proof of postage (ordinary post receipt) as evidence of timely submission, as late applications received after 15 November 2026 will not be considered under any circumstances.
Reservation Policy
Although the official advertisement does not publish a detailed category-wise vacancy matrix, the Cabinet Secretariat will implement reservation as per the guidelines of the Government of India for Central Civil Services. Vacancies will be reserved for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes (Non-Creamy Layer), Economically Weaker Sections and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities in accordance with the prescribed percentages. Horizontal reservation for PwBD candidates will be applied across all vertical categories. Women candidates do not receive any special vertical reservation but may benefit from horizontal quotas if applicable under specific disability categories.
Candidates belonging to reserved categories must submit self-attested photocopies of valid caste/community/income and asset certificates in the format prescribed by the Central Government. Failure to produce the required certificates at the time of interview or document verification will result in the candidate being treated as belonging to the Unreserved category, subject to fulfilment of all other eligibility conditions. The final allocation of reserved vacancies will be decided after the interview stage based on the merit list prepared separately for each subject.
Cabinet Secretariate DFO Tech Salary, Stipend and Pay Scale Details
The Deputy Field Officer (Technical) post in the Cabinet Secretariat is placed in Level-7 of the 7th Central Pay Commission Pay Matrix. The basic pay starts at Rs 44,900 per month. When all admissible allowances such as Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance applicable to New Delhi, Transport Allowance and other entitlements are added, the total initial monthly emoluments for a candidate posted in New Delhi work out to approximately Rs 1,00,000.
Selected candidates also become eligible for annual increments, promotion avenues under the Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme, Central Government Health Scheme medical facilities, Leave Travel Concession, and contribution to the National Pension System. The post carries All-India transfer liability, so HRA rates will vary according to the city of posting after the initial New Delhi assignment. Overall, the compensation package offers strong financial stability and long-term career growth typical of Group B Non-Gazetted central government positions.
Cabinet Secretariate DFO Tech Selection Process
Selection for the Cabinet Secretariat Deputy Field Officer (Technical) posts is conducted in a transparent multi-stage process that does not involve a separate written examination conducted by the organisation. In the first stage, all applications received by the closing date are scrutinised for eligibility. Eligible candidates are then shortlisted strictly on the basis of their valid GATE scores of 2024, 2025 or 2026 in the corresponding paper. Shortlisting is done subject-wise, and the number of candidates called for interview is ordinarily limited to five times the number of vacancies in that particular discipline. In the second stage, shortlisted candidates appear for a personal interview.
The interview assesses domain knowledge, analytical ability, communication skills and overall suitability for the responsibilities of a Deputy Field Officer. After the interview, a merit list is prepared by combining the GATE score and interview performance as per the weightage decided by the Cabinet Secretariat. The final stage comprises document verification, character and antecedent verification, and a medical examination as per the standards prescribed for central government Group B posts. Only candidates who clear all these stages are offered appointment.
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Cabinet Secretariate DFO Tech Exam Syllabus and Exam Pattern
There is no separate written examination conducted by the Cabinet Secretariat for this recruitment. The entire shortlisting process rests on the candidate’s performance in the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE). Therefore, candidates must thoroughly prepare the official GATE syllabus of the paper corresponding to the subject they have chosen. For Computer Science and Information Technology (CS), the syllabus covers Engineering Mathematics, Digital Logic, Computer Organization, Programming and Data Structures, Algorithms, Theory of Computation, Compiler Design, Operating Systems, Databases and Computer Networks. For Electronics and Communication Engineering (EC), key areas include Networks, Electronic Devices, Analog Circuits, Digital Circuits, Signals and Systems, Control Systems, Communications and Electromagnetics. Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DA) focuses on Probability and Statistics, Linear Algebra, Calculus, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence and Data Science concepts. Physics (PH), Mechanical Engineering (ME), Civil Engineering (CE), Chemistry (CY), Mathematics (MA) and Statistics (ST) candidates must follow the respective GATE paper syllabi published by the organising institute.
GATE itself is a computer-based test of three hours duration consisting of 65 questions for a total of 100 marks, with negative marking applicable for wrong answers in multiple-choice questions. Since the Cabinet Secretariat uses the GATE score for shortlisting, a high percentile or score above the qualifying cut-off in the relevant paper is essential. Candidates are strongly advised to download the latest GATE information brochure and practise previous years’ papers of their chosen subject.
Step-by-Step How to Apply for Cabinet Secretariate DFO Tech Recruitment 2026?
The application process for Cabinet Secretariat DFO Technical Recruitment 2026 is completely offline. Candidates must follow these steps carefully:
- Download or carefully note the prescribed application format published in the official notification appearing in the Employment News issue of 17–23 October 2026.
- Type the entire application form on plain A-4 size paper using black or blue ink in capital (block) letters. Do not leave any column blank.
- Affix a recent passport-size colour photograph (self-attested) in the space provided and sign the declaration in the prescribed manner.
- Attach self-attested photocopies of all required documents: matriculation certificate for date of birth, degree/provisional degree certificate and mark sheets, valid GATE score card of 2024/2025/2026, caste/community certificate (if applicable), disability certificate (if applicable), and any other supporting documents.
- Place the completed application form and enclosures in a suitable envelope. Super-scribe the envelope with “Application for the post of Deputy Field Officer (Technical) – Subject: (mention the subject)”.
- Send the application only by ordinary post to the following address: Post Bag No. 001, Lodhi Road Head Post Office, New Delhi – 110003.
- Ensure that the application reaches the above address on or before 15 November 2026. Applications received after the closing date will be rejected.
- Retain the ordinary post receipt as proof of timely submission. No acknowledgement will be issued by the Cabinet Secretariat.
Candidates are cautioned not to send applications by registered post, speed post, courier or any other means, as only ordinary post is accepted.
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Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Short Notice / Preliminary Announcement | 13 October 2026 |
| Notification Publication in Employment News | 17–23 October 2026 |
| Start of Offline Application Process | 17 October 2026 |
| Last Date for Receipt of Applications | 15 November 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | Not Applicable (No Fee) |
| Admit Card / Interview Call Letter | To be intimated to shortlisted candidates via email/post |
| Tentative Interview Dates | To be notified later |
All dates are subject to change. Candidates must regularly check the official website of the Cabinet Secretariat for any updates regarding interview schedules or additional instructions.
Important Links
| Particulars | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Notification PDF Download | Check Employment News |
| Offline Application Form | Offline Application Form |
| Official Website Home Page | Official Web Portal |
| Latest Govt Jobs Page | Visit for Latest Govt jobs here |
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Conclusion
The Cabinet Secretariat Deputy Field Officer (Technical) Recruitment 2026 presents a rare and prestigious opportunity for engineering and science graduates holding valid GATE scores to join one of the most important organisations of the Government of India. With 250 vacancies spread across high-demand technical streams and an attractive Level-7 pay package, this recruitment offers both professional challenge and long-term career security. Candidates are urged to prepare their application forms meticulously, ensure all documents are in order, and dispatch the completed application well before the last date of 15 November 2026. Early submission by ordinary post will help avoid any risk of late receipt. Stay updated by regularly visiting the official website of the Cabinet Secretariat.
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FAQs
1. Is there any application fee for Cabinet Secretariat DFO Technical Recruitment 2026?
No. The Cabinet Secretariat has not prescribed any application fee for any category of candidates. The entire process is free of cost.
2. Can I apply for more than one subject?
No. A candidate is permitted to apply for only one notified subject. Multiple applications will lead to rejection of all applications submitted by that candidate.
3. Which GATE years are accepted?
Only valid GATE score cards of 2024, 2025 or 2026 in the corresponding paper code are accepted. Older GATE scores are not valid for this recruitment.
4. What is the age limit cut-off date?
The crucial date for calculating age is 15 November 2026. Candidates must not exceed 30 years of age on this date, subject to admissible relaxations.
5. How will I know if I am shortlisted for the interview?
Shortlisted candidates will be informed through email and/or post. The Cabinet Secretariat does not publish a general list of shortlisted candidates on the website in advance.
6. Is there any provision for application correction?
Since the process is offline, no correction window is available. Candidates must fill the form carefully. Errors discovered later cannot be rectified.
7. What documents are mandatory with the application?
Self-attested copies of date of birth proof, educational certificates, GATE score card, and category certificates (if claiming reservation) must be enclosed. Incomplete applications are rejected.
8. Where should the application be posted?
Applications must be sent by ordinary post only to Post Bag No. 001, Lodhi Road Head Post Office, New Delhi – 110003.
9. Will there be a written examination?
No separate written examination is conducted by the Cabinet Secretariat. Shortlisting is done solely on the basis of GATE scores followed by an interview.
10. What is the place of posting?
Initial posting is at New Delhi. However, the post carries All-India transfer liability, and selected officers may be posted anywhere in India as per organisational requirements.
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Disclaimer
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article has been compiled from publicly available sources and the Employment News notification for the convenience of candidates. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the details are subject to change. Candidates are strongly advised to verify all information, including eligibility criteria, vacancy numbers, important dates and application procedure, from the official notification and the Cabinet Secretariat website (cabsec.gov.in) before applying. The publishers of this article shall not be responsible for any loss or inconvenience arising from reliance on the information presented here.
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