Post-qualification experience is calculated from the date your qualifying degree or certificate was awarded, not from when you started working. For example, if your degree was awarded on 15 June 2021 and the cut-off is 01 August 2026, the experience window starts from 15 June 2021. Any experience before your qualifying degree is not counted as post-qualification experience in central government and PSU recruitments.

Valid experience includes permanent, temporary, contractual, or deputation service in a recognized organization. It must be in a relevant field as specified in the notification and supported by an experience certificate on official letterhead with joining date, designation, and nature of work. Internship, apprenticeship, and training periods are generally not counted unless specifically mentioned.

Most PSU and government notifications require experience in a relevant field but do not always require it to be continuous. NSIC, NPS Trust, and CDAC accept combined experience from multiple employers with certificates from each. Banks like PNB SO require experience as on the cut-off date and may require current employment in that field.

The cut-off date is always in the official notification, with phrases like "experience as on" or "should have X years experience as on [date]". Common cut-off dates are 01 January, 01 April, or 01 August of the recruitment year. If the notification says 3 years experience as on 01 August 2026, you must have completed exactly 3 years by that date.

Freelance and self-employment experience is rarely accepted for government and PSU recruitments. Organizations like NSIC, NPS Trust, and BHEL require experience from registered companies with valid PF, ESI, or other documentary proof. Some bank SO notifications may accept self-employment for professionals like Chartered Accountants supported by tax returns or bar council registration.

Required documents: Experience certificate on company letterhead mentioning designation, period of service, and nature of work. Appointment letter showing joining date. Relieving letter if no longer employed. Salary slips or bank statements. EPF passbook or UAN statement as supporting proof. For self-employed: CA certificate, GST registration, or professional body membership certificate.