02 vacancies are the target for retired Deputy Secretary and Under Secretary level officers in the latest Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW) recruitment drive, effective from February 18, 2026. The engagement offers a one-year contract based at Lok Nayak Bhawan, New Delhi, focusing on running the pensioners’ portal and related outreach programs.
Official Order Issued: Circular No. 26020/28/2019-Admin.I-Part(1)-6863 published by DoPT and DoPPW on 18.02.2026.
DoPPW Consultant Recruitment 2026 Guidelines
The engagement specifically targets retired personnel at the DS/US level from Central Government Ministries, PSUs, Public Sector Banks, and CAPFs. Selected candidates will handle the nationwide Digital Life Certificate (DLC) campaign, organize pre-retirement counseling, and manage the technical upgradation of the CPENGRAM portal. The role also demands the integration of the Pensioners’ Portal with Bhavishya to ensure auto-populated data for Central Civil Pensioners.
Pay Structure and Statutory Limitations
The remuneration for these consultants is strictly fixed for the entire tenure. Unlike regular serving employees whose Dearness Allowance fluctuates based on the Labour Bureau tabulations of the CPI-IW data, consultants receive no DA. Even as the AICPIN index (using Base Year 2016) registers continuous inflation adjustments, the consolidated consultant pay remains static. The baseline for fixing this pay stems from the 7th CPC pay matrix. Any future structural changes to consultant hiring policies and compensation caps across departments would require the explicit approval of the Ministry of Finance and the Cabinet Committee, completely independent of the standard Pay Commission Secretariat recommendations.
Remuneration Formula and Pay Fixation Rules
The government applies two distinct calculation methods depending on the retiree’s parent organization. For officers retiring from Central Government or autonomous bodies with a Central DA pay scale, the formula is straight Last Pay Drawn minus Basic Pension plus Transport Allowance. The TA is capped at the rate applicable at the time of retirement, excluding any DA component.
CDA vs PSU Calculation Logic
For retired employees of PSUs or Public Sector Banks not holding a Central DA pay scale, the calculation changes entirely. The equivalent level of their post in the Central Government is ascertained first. The notional pay is then arrived at by taking the mean of Cell-1 and Cell-10 of that corresponding Pay Level. The final remuneration is exactly 50% of this calculated mean.
In practice, many DDOs miscalculate the equivalent notional pay for PSU retirees by taking the last drawn PSU basic instead of mapping the mean of Cell-1 and Cell-10 of the Central Pay Matrix, triggering audit recovery notices months later.
| Category (DS/US Level) | Calculation Formula | Expected Monthly Pay (Example) | Projected Annual Gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Govt (Level 11) | Last Pay – Pension + TA | Rs 49,750 (Basic 85k, Pension 42.5k, TA 7.2k) | Rs 5,97,000 |
| Central Govt (Level 12) | Last Pay – Pension + TA | Rs 54,250 (Basic 94k, Pension 47k, TA 7.2k) | Rs 6,51,000 |
| PSU/Bank (Level 11 Equivalent) | 50% of (Cell 1 + Cell 10 Mean) | Rs 38,775 (Mean of 67,700 and 87,400) | Rs 4,65,300 |
Eligibility Exclusions and Edge Cases
The circular establishes rigid boundaries for application. Candidates must possess preferably three years of experience in pension matters, personnel administration, IT systems, or websites. The engagement operates strictly on a hire and fire basis, entirely dependent on work performance. While serving staff continuously track the 8th pay commission fitment factor 2026 latest news today, retired officers returning as consultants operate under DoE OM dated 09.12.2020, entirely isolated from new wage revisions.
Who is Not Covered?
Eligible for Engagement:
Retired Level 11 Officers
Retired Level 12 Officers
Equivalent PSU/Bank Retirees
Strictly Excluded:
Officers aged 63 or older as on 31.12.2025
Retirees from Level 1 to Level 10
Officers claiming HRA (No HRA payable)
Application Procedure and Required Documents
Applicants must submit their paperwork within 15 days from the issue date of the circular. Submissions go directly to The Under Secretary (Admn.I), DOPPW, 3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan, Khan Market, New Delhi-110003. Digital submissions are accepted via email at nagender.kumar@nic.in.
How to Apply Before the Deadline
- Download the prescribed Proforma for inviting applications.
- Attach a self-attested copy of the PPO.
- Include the Last Pay Certificate and Bank Details.
- Provide copies of Aadhaar Card and PAN Card.
What is the age limit for DoPPW consultants in 2026?
Applicants must be less than 63 years of age as on 31.12.2025 to be eligible for this engagement.
How is remuneration calculated for PSU retirees joining DoPPW?
The remuneration is fixed at 50 percent of the notional pay, which is calculated by taking the mean of Cell-1 and Cell-10 of the corresponding Central Government Pay Level.
Will I get Dearness Allowance on the consultant pay?
No. The official guidelines explicitly state that no Dearness Allowance and no House Rent Allowance shall be payable during the consultancy tenure.
What is the last date to apply for this DoPPW vacancy?
Applications must be received within 15 days from the date of issue of the circular, which is dated February 18, 2026.
हिंदी सारांश
पेंशन और पेंशनभोगी कल्याण विभाग ने रिटायर हो चुके उप सचिव और अवर सचिव स्तर के अधिकारियों के लिए दो पदों पर भर्ती निकाली है। यह नियुक्ति एक साल के अनुबंध पर होगी और इसके लिए आवेदन अठारह फरवरी दो हजार छब्बीस से पंद्रह दिनों के भीतर जमा करने होंगे। इस पद के लिए अधिकतम आयु सीमा इकतीस दिसंबर दो हजार पच्चीस तक तिरसठ वर्ष से कम होनी चाहिए। चयनित सलाहकारों को फिक्स वेतन मिलेगा और इसमें महंगाई भत्ता या मकान किराया भत्ता शामिल नहीं होगा।
