The Press Council of India (PCI) has officially released the Press Council of India ASO Recruitment 2026 notification (F.No. 1/6/2020-PCI (Admn.) (Part-III)) on 26.09.2026. In continuation of the Vacancy Circular dated 18.05.2024, the examination conducted on 04.05.2025 and the subsequent Cancellation vide Notice dated 18.06.2026, applications are hereby again invited from eligible Indian citizens to fill the vacancies for the post of Assistant Section Officer (Group ‘B’, Non-Gazetted) in the Press Council of India. A total of 3 vacancies have been announced, including UR-02 and OBC-01.
Press Council of India ASO 2026: Overview
The Press Council of India ASO Recruitment 2026 provides an excellent opportunity for graduates to join a prestigious statutory autonomous body under the Government of India. Below is a detailed overview with all key information for aspirants.
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| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruitment Organization | Press Council of India (PCI) |
| Post Name | Assistant Section Officer (ASO) (Group B Non-Gazetted) |
| Total Vacancy | 03 |
| Pay Scale | Level – 6 (Pre-revised PB-2 Rs. 9,300-34,800 + G.P. Rs. 4200/-) |
| Notification Date | 22.09.2026 |
| Category | Press Council of India ASO Notification 2026 |
| Official Website | presscouncil.nic.in |
Press Council of India ASO Vacancy 2026
The Press Council of India ASO Recruitment 2026 includes a total of 3 vacancies. Below is a detailed table showing the category-wise distribution of seats available for applicants.
| Post Name | Vacancy | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Section Officer (ASO) | 03 (UR-2, OBC-1) | Any Graduate + Typing |
Press Council of India ASO Recruitment 2026 Notification
The Press Council of India ASO Recruitment 2026 Notification is provided below for candidates’ reference. This notification contains complete details about vacancies, eligibility criteria, application process, important dates, and selection procedure. Aspirants can refer to it to ensure they meet all requirements before applying.
Download Press Council of India ASO 2026 Short Notification PDF
Detailed Notice PDF
Press Council of India ASO Apply Offline 2026
The Press Council of India ASO Apply Offline 2026 process is open for all eligible candidates. All candidates who had applied earlier in response to the Advertisement Notice dated 18.05.2024 and were issued Admit Cards for the examination conducted on 04.05.2025 shall be eligible to appear in the direct recruitment examination for the aforesaid posts of Assistant Section Officer (ASO) in PCI, irrespective of the upper age limit prescribed for fresh applications.
Such candidates shall, however, submit a fresh application in the prescribed proforma indicating therein the Roll No. allotted to them for the examination conducted on 04.05.2025. They shall be exempted from payment of the examination fee for reappearing in the said examination.
How to Apply for Press Council of India ASO 2026?
Candidates applying for the Press Council of India ASO Recruitment 2026 must complete the process offline only. Candidates must fill in the application in the prescribed proforma and submit it along with the required documents. The application should be sent to the Press Council of India, Soochna Bhawan, 8 CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003.
| Step | Procedure |
|---|---|
| 1 | Download the prescribed application proforma from the official notification. |
| 2 | Fill in all required personal, educational, and category details. |
| 3 | Attach self-attested copies of all required documents. |
| 4 | Affix a recent passport-size photograph on the application form. |
| 5 | Pay the application fee of Rs. 100/- through Demand Draft, Cheque or Online Payment. |
| 6 | Attach a copy of the payment receipt (UTR no.) with the application form. |
| 7 | Submit the application to the Press Council of India, Soochna Bhawan, 8 CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003. |
| 8 | Candidates who applied earlier in response to the Advertisement Notice dated 18.05.2024 must submit a fresh application indicating their Roll No. allotted for the examination conducted on 04.05.2025. |
Press Council of India ASO Application Fee 2026
| Category of Applicant | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General/OBC | Rs. 100/- |
| SC/ST/Women/PwBD/Ex-servicemen | Exempted |
Press Council of India ASO Eligibility 2026
The Press Council of India ASO Recruitment 2026 has defined clear eligibility criteria for all candidates. Applicants must meet requirements related to age and educational qualifications. Only candidates fulfilling these conditions can successfully apply for the post.
Press Council of India ASO Age Limit 2026
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Age Limit | 20-30 years |
| Age Relaxation | The upper age limit for the post is relaxable as per extant orders of Government of India |
| Crucial Date | The crucial date of age limit is reckoned with reference to the closing date of submission of application |
| Date of Birth Proof | The Date of Birth as recorded in the Matriculation/Secondary Examination certificate or an equivalent certificate only will be accepted |
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Press Council of India ASO Educational Qualification 2026
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum Qualification | Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized University/Institute. |
| Preferred/Desirable Qualification | (i) Post Graduate degree from a recognized University or (ii) Degree in Law from a recognized University or (iii) Degree/Diploma in Journalism/Mass Communication or (iv) Knowledge of additional Indian language apart from English/Hindi. |
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Press Council of India ASO Selection Process 2026
The scheme of examination includes an Objective Type (Tier-I) and a Descriptive Type (Tier-II) examination. The Tier-II examination is qualifying in nature.
Tier-I: Objective Type (200 Questions)
| Part | Paper | Total Questions | Total Marks | Sectional Cut-Off | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | General Intelligence and Reasoning | 50 | 50 | 40% for UR, 35% for OBC | 150 Minutes |
| II | General Awareness | 50 | 50 | ||
| III | Mathematical Abilities/Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | ||
| IV | English Comprehension | 50 | 50 |
Note: There will be a negative marking penalty of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer. Candidates will be required to secure the minimum qualifying marks in each of the four sections of the Tier-I Examination separately. Shortlisting for the subsequent Tier-II Examination will be subject to achieving the qualification threshold in each individual section of the Tier-I examination.
Tier-II: Descriptive Type (Qualifying Nature)
| Scheme of Examination | Maximum Marks | Cut-off | Time Allotted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Descriptive paper in English or Hindi (Writing Ability and Critical Analysis through Essay/Precis/Letter/Application etc.) | 100 | 65% for UR, 60% for OBC | 60 Minutes |
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FAQs
Q1. What is the last date to apply for Press Council of India ASO 2026?
Ans: The last date to apply is as per the official notification. Candidates are advised to refer to the official notification for the exact last date.
Q2. How can I apply for Press Council of India ASO 2026?
Ans: Candidates must fill in the application in the prescribed proforma and submit it along with the required documents to the Press Council of India, Soochna Bhawan, 8 CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003.
Q3. How many vacancies are there in Press Council of India ASO Recruitment 2026?
Ans: A total of 3 vacancies are available, including UR-02 and OBC-01.
Q4. What is the eligibility for Press Council of India ASO 2026?
Ans: Candidates must have a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized University/Institute. The age limit is 20-30 years, with relaxation as per extant orders of Government of India.
Q5. Is there an application fee for Press Council of India ASO 2026?
Ans: Yes, the application fee is Rs. 100/- for General/OBC candidates. SC/ST, Women, Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) and Ex-servicemen (ESM) are exempted from payment of fee.
Q6. What is the selection process for Press Council of India ASO 2026?
Ans: The selection process includes an Objective Type (Tier-I) examination of 200 questions and a Descriptive Type (Tier-II) examination of 100 marks. The Tier-II examination is qualifying in nature.
Q7. What is the pay scale for Press Council of India ASO 2026?
Ans: The pay scale is Level-6 (Pre-revised PB-2 Rs. 9,300-34,800 + G.P. Rs. 4200/-).
