Press Council of India (PCI)

Key Highlights

• Total Vacancies: 03 Positions (02 Unreserved, 01 OBC Non-Creamy Layer).
• Application Timeline: 26 September 2026 to 26 October 2026.
• Educational Eligibility: Bachelor's Degree in any discipline with computer proficiency.
• Pay Scale: 7th CPC Pay Matrix Level-6 (₹35,400 to ₹1,12,400).
• Exam Pattern: Tier-I Objective (200 Marks) + Tier-II Descriptive (100 Marks) + Typing Test.

Vacancy Breakdown & Pay Matrix

Review the category distribution and salary structure for the Assistant Section Officer post:

Complete Examination Scheme & Structure

The selection process consists of three sequential testing phases followed by document scrutiny:

• Stage 1 (Tier-I): Objective Written Test (200 Questions, 200 Marks, 2 Hours Duration).
• Stage 2 (Tier-II): Descriptive Paper assessing Drafting and Writing Skills (100 Marks).
• Stage 3: Computer Typing Test (Qualifying nature: 30 wpm English or 25 wpm Hindi).
• Stage 4: Document Verification and Final Medical Examination.

Tier-I Objective Examination Pattern

Full Subject-Wise Syllabus (Topic-by-Topic)

Review the exhaustive, topic-level syllabus prescribed for each test component:

1. General Intelligence & Reasoning (50 Marks)

• Analogies & Classification: Semantic, symbolic, number, and figural analogies.
• Logical Deductions: Syllogisms, statement-arguments, and statement-conclusions.
• Series: Number series, letter series, and alphanumeric sequencing.
• Coding & Decoding: Operations on substitution, letter shifting, and symbol matrix.
• Spatial Skills: Spatial orientation, paper folding/cutting, and pattern completion.
• Analytical Reasoning: Blood relations, direction sense test, and seating arrangement.
• Decision Making: Problem solving, visual memory, and critical data evaluation.

2. General Awareness (50 Marks)

• Current Events: National and international developments in the last 12 months.
• Indian Polity & Constitution: Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles, and Parliamentary affairs.
• Press Council of India Mandate: Press freedom, media ethics, and Press Council Act, 1978.
• History & Culture: Ancient, medieval, and Indian National Movement.
• Geography: Physical, social, and economic geography of India and neighboring nations.
• Economic Science: Indian economy, budget allocations, inflation, and fiscal policies.
• General Science: Everyday scientific concepts, environment, ecology, and research.

3. Quantitative Aptitude (50 Marks)

• Number Systems: Computation of whole numbers, decimals, fractions, and LCM/HCF.
• Arithmetic Operations: Percentages, Ratio and Proportion, and Unitary methods.
• Averages & Interest: Average, Simple Interest, and Compound Interest calculations.
• Commercial Math: Profit and Loss, Discounting, Partnership, and Mixture/Alligation.
• Time & Motion: Time and Work, Pipes and Cisterns, and Time, Speed & Distance.
• Mensuration: Areas and perimeters of 2D planes, volumes of cylinders, cones, and spheres.
• Data Interpretation: Bar charts, pie diagrams, tables, and line graphs.

4. English Language & Comprehension (50 Marks)

• Vocabulary Building: Synonyms, Antonyms, Homonyms, and Spelling error detection.
• Grammar Fundamentals: Parts of speech, subject-verb agreement, and correct tense usage.
• Sentence Structure: Sentence correction, improvement of phrases, and voice conversion.
• Direct & Indirect Speech: Narration rules and sentence transformation.
• Idioms & Phrases: Popular idioms, proverbs, and one-word substitutions.
• Comprehension Passages: Paragraph evaluation, cloze tests, and inference-based queries.

5. Tier-II Descriptive Paper (100 Marks)

• Essay Writing: 250-300 words essay on governance, media accountability, or social issues.
• Précis Writing: Condensation of official passages into one-third concise length.
• Official Drafting: Office Memorandum, official letters, and administrative noting.
• Comprehension: In-depth passage review with subjective analytical questions.

Computer Typing Test Requirements

Qualified applicants from written phases must prove requisite typing speeds on personal computers:

• English Typing Speed: Minimum 30 words per minute (w.p.m.).
• Hindi Typing Speed: Minimum 25 words per minute (w.p.m.).
• Candidates are also required to demonstrate proficiency within the designated probation timeline.

Age Limit Guidelines & Special Age Exemption

The standard age bracket for candidates is 20 to 30 years as of the application closing date. Standard age relaxations apply for reserved category applicants as per Government of India guidelines:

• OBC Candidates: 3 years upper age relaxation (up to 33 years).
• SC / ST Candidates: 5 years upper age relaxation (up to 35 years).
• PwBD Candidates: 10 years upper age relaxation.

Application Fee & Mode of Payment

Applicants must remit the non-refundable application fee via Demand Draft or Indian Postal Order:

The Demand Draft or Indian Postal Order must be drawn in favour of "Secretary, Press Council of India" payable at New Delhi.

Step-by-Step Offline Application Instructions

Candidates must carefully complete the application proforma published in the official notification:

1. Download the official application format from the Press Council of India website.
2. Fill in all entries neatly in capital letters using blue or black ballpoint pen.
3. Affix a recent passport size photograph signed across by the candidate.
4. Enclose self-attested photocopies of educational certificates, date of birth proof, and caste certificates.
5. Attach the original Demand Draft or IPO of ₹100 (if applicable).
6. Enclose two self-addressed envelopes with requisite postal stamps.
7. Super-scribe the outer envelope in bold letters: "APPLICATION FOR THE POST OF ASSISTANT SECTION OFFICER (ASO) – DIRECT RECRUITMENT".
8. Send the completed dossier by Speed Post or Registered Post to the designated address.

Postal Submission Address: