Press Council of India New Delhi ASO Recruitment 2026 – Apply Offline for 3 Assistant Section Officer Posts

Vacancies: 3 · Posts: 1 designation · Type: Regular Government Service · Mode: Offline · Fee: ₹100 (UR/OBC); Nil (SC/ST/Women) · Apply: 26 Sep 2026–by ~26 Oct 2026 · Salary: Level-6 (₹35,400–₹1,12,400) · Selection: Tier-I CBT + Tier-II Descriptive + DV · Location: New Delhi

After the Press Council of India cancelled the Assistant Section Officer exam held on 04 May 2025, the statutory press regulator has reopened the same three New Delhi seats. The fresh vacancy circular, F.No. 1/6/2020-PCI (Admn.) (Part-III), continues the 18 May 2024 advertisement rather than creating a new cadre.

Press Council of India (PCI), a statutory body under the Press Council Act, 1978, linked to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, is recruiting three Group B Non-Gazetted Assistant Section Officer posts at Soochna Bhawan, Lodhi Road, New Delhi. Two seats are Unreserved, and one is reserved for OBC.

Applications are offline only. The form must reach Room No. 346 within 30 days of the advertisement in Employment News (issue dated 26 September–2 October 2026). Most listings treat 26 October 2026 as the working last date. Indian citizens with a recognised bachelor’s degree who are 20–30 years old on that cut-off can apply; earlier 2025 admit-card holders follow a separate age-and-fee route.

⚠️ Application Alerts

• The envelope must reach the Under Secretary (Administration), Room No. 346, by the last date. A postmark on 26 October 2026 is not enough if the packet arrives late.
• Date note: the circular is tied to Employment News, 26 September–2 October 2026. Confirm the exact receipt deadline printed in that issue before you post the fee.
• Candidates who applied against the 18 May 2024 notice and received an admit card for the 04 May 2025 exam must send a fresh form and write the old Roll No. They do not pay the fee again.
• Super-scribe the envelope exactly: “APPLICATION FOR THE POST OF ASSISTANT SECTION OFFICER (ASO) – DIRECT RECRUITMENT”.

📋 Official Source Chain

• Official notice: Vacancy Circular F.No. 1/6/2020-PCI (Admn.) (Part-III), dated 26 September 2026 — Download the PCI ASO 2026 vacancy circular
• Official application route: Offline only — Annexure-I bio-data to the Under Secretary (Administration), Room No. 346, 3rd Floor, Soochna Bhawan, 8 CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003
• Official updates page: presscouncil.nic.in/Openings.aspx
• Last checked: 27 September 2026, 2:01 PM IST

Also Read: UPSC Recruitment 2026 – Apply Online for 13 Law Officer, Assistant Legislative Counsel, JTO and Cardiology Posts

Who Should Apply? (Quick Eligibility Check)

• BA / B.Sc / B.Com / BBA / BCA (any discipline) from a recognised university or institute + computer typing 30 wpm in English or 25 wpm in Hindi → Assistant Section Officer – 3 posts (UR 2, OBC 1)
• Preferred (gives weightage, not required): MA / M.Sc / M.Com / MBA; LLB; degree or diploma in Journalism / Mass Communication; knowledge of an Indian language other than English and Hindi
• Earlier PCI ASO applicants who received an admit card for the 04 May 2025 exam → same 3 posts, irrespective of the 30-year upper age limit, fee exempt, fresh form mandatory with the 2025 Roll No.
• OBC (non-creamy layer) with a valid Annexure-II certificate → the 1 reserved ASO seat
• Serving Central / State Government or PSU staff → may apply through proper channel or with an NOC ready for document verification

Who cannot apply

• Persons who are not Indian citizens
• Fresh UR applicants older than 30 years as on the closing date (the 2025 admit-card exemption does not cover new applicants)
• OBC creamy-layer candidates claiming the reserved seat

Important Dates

Date note: Employment News is dated 26 September–2 October 2026. Confirm the exact last date printed in that issue and on the PCI openings page before you despatch the form.

Quick Overview – PCI ASO Recruitment 2026

• Organisation: Press Council of India (PCI)
• Sector: Information and Broadcasting/press regulation
• Recruitment name: Assistant Section Officer (Direct Recruitment)
• Notification Number: F.No. 1/6/2020-PCI (Admn.) (Part-III)
• Job Location: Soochna Bhawan, 8 CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003
• Official Website: Press Council of India openings page
• Posts / Vacancies: 1 designation, 3 vacancies (UR 2, OBC 1)
• Job Type: Regular Government Service (Group B, Non-Gazetted)
• Pay: Level-6 of the 7th CPC (₹35,400–₹1,12,400)
• Age: 20–30 years as on the closing date; GoI relaxation applies; 2025 admit card holders are exempt from the upper limit
• Qualification: BA / B.Sc / B.Com / BBA / BCA (any discipline) + computer typing 30 wpm in English or 25 wpm in Hindi
• Application mode: Offline (Annexure-I)
• Last Date: Within 30 days of the Employment News advertisement (working date used: 26 October 2026)
• Apply Offline: PCI ASO 2026 vacancy circular with Annexure-I
• Notification PDF: Download Press Council of India ASO Recruitment 2026 circular
• Selection: Tier-I objective paper → Tier-II descriptive paper (qualifying) → document verification

What Posts Are Available? – PCI Vacancy & Eligibility 2026

Only one designation is on offer. The three seats sit inside a small statutory secretariat, not the Central Secretariat Service cadre.

Preferred, not mandatory: postgraduate degree; LLB; Journalism / Mass Communication degree or diploma; an additional Indian language besides English and Hindi.

✅ Confirmed: 3 direct-recruitment ASO seats, Level-6, New Delhi posting, offline Annexure-I. ❓ Not specified in extracts used here: exact probation period, bond, and whether typing is a pre-appointment test or a condition to be cleared after joining. Verify both from the circular.

What Is the Age Limit?

Date of birth is accepted only from the Matriculation / Secondary certificate.

Examples: ✅ A 29-year-old UR candidate born on 27 October 1996 — eligible (within the 30-year limit as on 26 October 2026). ❌ A 31-year-old UR candidate born on 26 October 1995 — not eligible (exceeds the 30-year maximum by 1 year), unless that candidate holds a 04 May 2025 PCI ASO admit card.

Use our Age Eligibility Calculator to check instantly.

What Is the Assistant Section Officer Salary in New Delhi?

PCI places the ASO post in Level-6 of the 7th Central Pay Commission (pre-revised PB-2 ₹9,300–₹34,800 + Grade Pay ₹4,200). Basic pay on appointment is ₹35,400.

This is an illustrative estimate using current central DA and Delhi HRA rates, not a figure printed in the circular. Actual take-home depends on the DA in force at joining, NPS or other deductions, and the appointment order. Run the numbers on the 7th CPC Salary Calculator. This calculator provides an indicative estimate. The official formula in the notification/institute rules prevails.

Allowances beyond DA and HRA are “as admissible” in the circular. Hostel, canteen or leased housing is not promised in the notice.

What Is the Application Fee?

Payment modes listed across the circular write-ups: Demand Draft, cheque, or online credit to State Bank of India, SCOPE Complex, Delhi, Account No. 52142907714, IFSC SBIN0020511. Attach the UTR / DD/cheque copy to Annexure-I.

PwBD and Ex-servicemen fee status is not uniform across every listing. Check the circular before paying or skipping the fee.

How to Apply?

There is no online portal for this recruitment. One complete paper packet must reach PCI.

1. Open the PCI ASO 2026 vacancy circular and print Annexure-I (bio-data).
2. Fill the form in BLOCK letters. Affix a recent passport-size photograph.
3. If you sat the 04 May 2025 exam, write that Roll No. on the fresh form.
4. Pay ₹100 where payable. Keep the UTR / DD/cheque proof.
5. Attach self-attested copies of date-of-birth proof, degree certificates, category certificate (Annexure-II for OBC), fee proof, and a self-addressed envelope if the circular asks for one.
6. Serving government / PSU staff should send the form through proper channel or keep the NOC ready for verification.
7. On the envelope, write: APPLICATION FOR THE POST OF ASSISTANT SECTION OFFICER (ASO) – DIRECT RECRUITMENT.
8. Send by Speed Post or Registered Post to:

The Under Secretary (Administration)
Room No. 346, Press Council of India, 3rd Floor
Soochna Bhawan, 8, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road
New Delhi – 110003

Suggested (not stated as a circular rule): post the packet at least a week before 26 October 2026 so Room 346 actually receives it.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Treating the last date as a posting date instead of a receipt date at Room 346.
• 2024/2025 applicants skipping the fresh form or leaving the old Roll No. blank.
• Paying ₹100 online and forgetting to staple the UTR slip.
• Using a generic “PCI Recruitment” envelope line instead of the prescribed ASO superscription.
• Treating Journalism / Law / PG as mandatory and not applying with only a bachelor’s degree.

भारतीय प्रेस परिषद नई दिल्ली एएसओ भर्ती 2026 – 3 सहायक अनुभाग अधिकारी पदों के लिए ऑफलाइन आवेदन

भारतीय प्रेस परिषद ने नई दिल्ली स्थित सूचना भवन में सहायक अनुभाग अधिकारी के 3 पद फिर से खोले हैं। यह 18 मई 2024 के विज्ञापन का जारी सिलसिला है। 4 मई 2025 की परीक्षा 18 जून 2026 के नोटिस से रद्द हो चुकी है। रोजगार समाचार के विज्ञापन से 30 दिनों के भीतर आवेदन कमरे संख्या 346 तक पहुँच जाना चाहिए। सूचीबद्ध कार्यकारी अंतिम तिथि 26 अक्टूबर 2026 है।

कौन आवेदन कर सकता है? मान्यता प्राप्त विश्वविद्यालय से स्नातक (बीए / बीएससी / बीकॉम / बीबीए / बीसीए) आवश्यक है। कंप्यूटर पर अंग्रेजी 30 शब्द प्रति मिनट या हिंदी 25 शब्द प्रति मिनट टाइपिंग भी लिखी गई है। आयु 20 से 30 वर्ष है। 4 मई 2025 के एडमिट कार्ड वाले उम्मीदवार ऊपरी आयु सीमा से मुक्त हैं, लेकिन नया फॉर्म और पुराना रोल नंबर दोनों चाहिए। ओबीसी का एक आरक्षित पद है।

वेतन और चयन क्या है? वेतन लेवल-6 है, मूल वेतन ₹35,400। दिल्ली एक्स-श्रेणी का शहर है, इसलिए अनुमानित इन-हैंड लगभग ₹66,000–₹67,500 प्रति माह बैठता है। चयन टियर-1 वस्तुनिष्ठ परीक्षा, टियर-2 वर्णनात्मक पेपर और दस्तावेज़ जाँच से होगा। टियर-2 क्वालीफाइंग बताया गया है।

आवेदन कैसे करें? ऑनलाइन पोर्टल नहीं है। परिपत्र से अनुलग्नक-I भरें, फीस का प्रमाण लगाएँ, लिफाफे पर निर्धारित शीर्षक लिखें, और स्पीड पोस्ट से यह पता भेजें: अवर सचिव (प्रशासन), कमरा संख्या 346, भारतीय प्रेस परिषद, तृतीय तल, सूचना भवन, 8 सीजीओ कॉम्प्लेक्स, लोधी रोड, नई दिल्ली – 110003। अद्यतन presscouncil.nic.in पर देखें।

How Are Candidates Selected?

Selection is a chain of stages, not a single mark sheet.

1. Tier-I – Objective paper (200 questions, 200 marks). Four parts of 50 questions / 50 marks each: General Intelligence and Reasoning; General Awareness; Mathematical Abilities / Quantitative Aptitude; English Comprehension. Duration listed as 150 minutes in one detailed write-up and 2 hours in others. Negative marking: 0.25 for each wrong answer. Sectional qualifying marks cited: 40% UR, 35% OBC, required separately for shortlisting to Tier-II.
2. Tier-II – Descriptive paper (100 marks, 60 minutes). Essay / précis / letter / application in English or Hindi. Cited as qualifying: 65% UR, 60% OBC.
3. Computer typing of 30 wpm in English or 25 wpm in Hindi is stated in the circular family. Listings disagree on timing: some place it as a selection-stage test; at least one states it must be passed within two years of joining, with no further increment until then. Treat the circular as the authority.
4. Document verification against Annexure-I and certificates.
5. Medical examination appears in some listings and is not uniformly quoted. Confirm from the PDF.

No interview stage is mentioned in the current circular extracts. Selection rests on the written papers, the typing condition as printed, and verification.

Exam city and date are not printed in the extracts. Expect a later admit card notice on the PCI website.

Why Does Press Council of India, New Delhi Matter?

Press Council of India is the statutory watchdog set up under the Press Council Act, 1978. It hears complaints against the press, frames norms for newspapers and news agencies, and advises the Central Government on press freedom. The office works from Soochna Bhawan, Lodhi Road, New Delhi.

An ASO here is a secretariat desk role: files, noting, hearing-related paperwork, and coordination with the Council secretariat. It is not a reporter or editor post. Candidates searching “PCI ASO recruitment”, “Press Council of India vacancy New Delhi” and “ASO Level-6 Delhi” are usually targeting a small, stable central civilian seat rather than a mass SSC pipeline.

The honest limit is scale. Three seats in one building mean a thin promotion pyramid and almost no all-India transfer map. Work stays close to media-law files; it will not look like a district posting or a CSS ministry wing. Read more on the Press Council of India organisation page, the Information and Broadcasting sector hub, and Delhi government jobs.

The SahisarkariJobs.in Analyst’s Take

This is a three-seat statutory-body ASO, not the CSS Assistant Section Officer stream that candidates reach through SSC CGL, and not the larger scientific-secretariat ASO drives such as CSIR. Those routes offer more seats and a wider posting map. PCI offers one office, Level-6 pay, and a file-based press-regulation desk.

Best fit: graduates already in Delhi-NCR who want a regular Group B central seat without an SSC-scale applicant flood, plus 2025 PCI ASO admit-card holders who can re-enter without the 30-year cap.

Better to pass if: you need a large cadre, frequent promotions, or All-India transfer options. Three vacancies after a cancelled 2025 paper also mean the calendar can slip again. Candidates hunting Level-7 CSS ASO pay should keep SSC CGL as the main track.

Practical tip: If you hold the 04 May 2025 Roll No., write it on page one of Annexure-I and skip the ₹100 fee. A fresh form without that number can land you in the new-applicant age-and-fee bucket.

Also Read: Maitreyi College Delhi Non-Teaching Recruitment 2026 – Apply Online for 52 Lab Attendant, Junior Assistant & Other Posts

What Documents Are Required?

• Annexure-I filled in BLOCK letters with photograph
• Matriculation / Secondary certificate (date of birth)
• Bachelor’s degree certificate and marksheets
• OBC non-creamy-layer certificate in Annexure-II, if claiming the reserved seat
• Fee proof (UTR / DD/cheque) where payable
• 04 May 2025 Admit Card / Roll No. proof for earlier applicants
• NOC or proper-channel forwarding for serving employees
• Self-addressed envelope if the circular lists one
• Identity proof matching the form

Document alert: OBC candidature stays provisional until the caste certificate is verified. A creamy-layer certificate will not hold the reserved seat.

What Happens After Selection?

1. PCI shortlists on Tier-I merit among those who also clear the Tier-II qualifying bar.
2. Document verification is held against the Annexure-I packet at Soochna Bhawan.
3. Medical fitness, if the call letter asks for it, is completed before the offer is issued.
4. An appointment order for Level-6 ASO is issued for the New Delhi office.
5. Joining formalities, identity card and section allotment follow at Soochna Bhawan.
6. Confirmation after probation, if a probation clause is in the appointment order (the circular extracts used here do not print the probation length).
7. Computer typing at 30 wpm English or 25 wpm Hindi must be cleared as printed in the circular; one listing ties increment stoppage to failure within two years of joining.

Promotion path beyond ASO is not described in this circular. Do not assume a CSS-style ASO-to-Section Officer ladder.

Contact & Helpline

Postal (applications and correspondence)
The Under Secretary (Administration)
Room No. 346, Press Council of India, 3rd Floor
Soochna Bhawan, 8, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road
New Delhi – 110003

Updates: presscouncil.nic.in/Openings.aspx
Results archive: presscouncil.nic.in/Results.aspx

A recruitment cell phone number and email are not printed in the circular extracts used for this article. Use the Room 346 address for written queries.

⚠️ Contact details sourced from the official notification/website. Verify before contacting. NEVER pay any money over the phone or to any person claiming to offer job assistance. Report fraud to cybercrime.gov.in.

Important Links – PCI ASO Recruitment 2026

FAQs – PCI ASO Recruitment 2026

What is the last date to apply for PCI ASO 2026?

26 October 2026 is the working date used across current listings. The circular itself says “within 30 days of publication in Employment News” (26 September–2 October 2026). The packet must reach Room 346. No extension is announced as of 27 September 2026.

What is the age limit for PCI ASO?

20–30 years as of the closing date for fresh applicants. Reserved-category relaxation follows Government of India orders; the circular does not print a final OBC or SC/ST maximum. Candidates who hold a 04 May 2025 admit card are not bound by the 30-year cap.

Is there an exam for PCI ASO, or is it interview-based?

Yes, there is an exam. Tier-I is a 200-mark objective paper with 0.25 negative marking. Tier-II is a 100-mark descriptive paper treated as qualifying. No interview stage is mentioned in the current circular extracts. Document verification follows the written papers.

What is the salary of a PCI Assistant Section Officer?

Level-6, basic ₹35,400, scale ₹35,400–₹1,12,400. In New Delhi (X-class, 30% HRA) the illustrative in-hand figure is about ₹66,000–₹67,500 a month after NPS-style deductions, using DA at 60%. That in-hand range is calculated, not printed in the circular.

Can final-year students apply for this recruitment?

The extracts require a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university or institute. They do not say result-awaited candidates may apply. Safer to apply only if the degree is in hand by the closing date, unless the PDF clearly allows a later cut-off.

Is PCI ASO a permanent government job?

Yes. This is direct recruitment to a Group B Non-Gazetted sanctioned post in a statutory central body. It is not a contractual or apprenticeship seat. Pension scheme and probation length are not spelt out in the extracts; read the appointment order for those terms.

Can candidates from other states apply for PCI recruitment?

Yes. The circular invites eligible Indian citizens. No Delhi or state domicile condition is stated. Posting is at Soochna Bhawan, New Delhi, so relocation is on the candidate.

Where will I be posted if selected as PCI ASO?

New Delhi. The office address in the circular is Soochna Bhawan, 8 CGO Complex, Lodhi Road. No other station is listed for these three seats.

Will there be a typing test for this ASO post?

The circular requires computer typing of 30 wpm in English or 25 wpm in Hindi. Listings are split on whether that test is part of selection or must be passed within two years of joining. Read the PDF before you plan only for Tier-I.

What are the disadvantages of a Press Council ASO post?

The trade-off is size. Three seats in one New Delhi office mean limited promotion visibility and no all-India cadre map. The 2025 paper was also cancelled, so the calendar is not risk-free. Level-6 pay is lower than CSS ASO Level-7 through SSC CGL.

Is a Press Council job worth applying for besides SSC CGL?

Yes, if you want a small statutory-body desk and can live in Delhi. No, if your target is the large CSS ASO cadre. PCI does not replace SSC CGL; it is a parallel, much smaller door with its own offline form and two-tier paper.

Do central secretariat staff get housing in Delhi on this post?

Not specified in this notice. The circular lists Level-6 pay and admissible allowances. Do not assume general-pool housing or a hostel seat from this advertisement.

What documents do I need for PCI document verification?

Annexure-I, Matriculation for age, degree certificates, OBC Annexure-II if claimed, fee proof, and the 2025 Roll No. if you are a repeat applicant. Serving staff should keep an NOC ready. Carry originals plus self-attested copies.

Final Checklist – Is This the Right Job for You?

• You meet the age and educational criteria as on the closing date (or you hold a 04 May 2025 PCI ASO admit card).
• You are comfortable with Regular Government Service at a three-person ASO strength in New Delhi.
• You can put the Annexure-I packet in Room 346 before the receipt deadline.
• You are prepared for the most demanding stage: Tier-I objective paper with 0.25 negative marking and sectional cut-offs.
• You understand the posting pattern (Soochna Bhawan, New Delhi only) and can serve there.

📄 Source: Official vacancy circular released by the Press Council of India under F.No. 1/6/2020-PCI (Admn.) (Part-III), dated 26 September 2026, continuing the 18 May 2024 advertisement after the 18 June 2026 cancellation. The details above are drawn from that circular as published on presscouncil.nic.in.