Press Council of India ASO Recruitment 2026: Apply Offline for Assistant Section Officer Posts

Opening an exceptional career opportunity in the statutory media regulatory sector, the Press Council of India (PCI) has officially released its recruitment notification for the post of Assistant Section Officer (ASO). Eligible graduate and postgraduate youth across India looking for a prestigious central establishment job can apply through the prescribed offline process. Interested candidates must download the application format, assemble the necessary educational testimonials and application fee instruments, and deliver their completed forms to the Press Council’s headquarters in New Delhi on or before the closing deadline of October 26, 2026.

Check Eligibility Criteria: Educational Qualifications and Age Limits

Candidates must satisfy the basic qualification parameters and age benchmarks as laid out in the official recruitment guidelines:

• Basic Educational Qualification: Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized central or state university.

• Preferred Additional Qualifications: Preference in selection will be extended to candidates holding a postgraduate degree, a degree in Law (LLB), a qualification in Journalism or Mass Communication, or demonstrable proficiency in an Indian language other than Hindi.

• Prescribed Age Bracket: The minimum age limit is fixed at 20 years, while the maximum upper age limit cannot exceed 30 years as of the cut-off date. Standard age relaxations will be granted to reserved categories in accordance with central government rules.

Two-Stage Selection Process and Pay Band Details

The selection mechanism and pay scale for the Assistant Section Officer cadre follow standard central administrative patterns:

• Two-Tier Examination Scheme: The recruitment framework involves a structured two-stage examination process comprising Tier I (preliminary screening) and Tier II (descriptive and skill assessment).

• Final Merit Placement: Candidates who successfully achieve the qualifying cut-off marks across both written tiers will be placed on the final merit roster for document verification and appointment.

• Pay Scale and Emoluments: Selected candidates will be appointed in the pre-revised Pay Band-2 scale of ₹9,300–₹34,800 with a Grade Pay of ₹4,200 (corresponding to Level 6 of the 7th CPC), along with central allowances as applicable to PCI employees.

Step-by-Step Offline Application Guidelines and Postal Address

Because the application mode is strictly offline, candidates must follow the procedural submission steps accurately:

• Form Download and Enclosures: Candidates must download the standardized application form from the official Press Council of India website, complete all candidate details legibly, and enclose self-attested copies of educational certificates, date of birth proof, and category certificates.

• Application Fee and Demand Draft: A non-refundable application fee of ₹100 must be remitted via Demand Draft drawn in favor of Account Number 52142907714, State Bank of India, Scope Complex Delhi Branch (IFSC Code: SBIN0020511), Ground Floor, Core 6 Scope Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003. Candidates belonging to SC, ST, PwBD, Women, and Ex-Servicemen categories are completely exempted from fee payments.