Chennai Port Authority Secretary (HoD) Recruitment 2026

Chennai Port Authority Secretary (HoD) Recruitment 2026 — 1 post by absorption

The Chennai Port Authority (ChPA), Administrative Office, No. 1, Rajaji Salai, Chennai - 600 001, has invited applications for 1 post of Secretary (HoD), Category-I Ports, Class I (HOD). This is NOT an open recruitment. The post is filled by absorption through the composite method from the officers of Major Port Authorities (failing absorption, by deputation; failing both, by direct recruitment, as per the Recruitment Rules). Only serving officers of Major Port Authorities — and, for deputation, officers of Government, Semi-Government, PSU or Autonomous Bodies other than Major Port Trusts — are eligible.

The vacancy itself is likely to fall vacant with effect from 1 May 2027, and the crucial date for determining eligibility is 1 May 2027. The Recruitment Rules in Annexure-I carry the footnote that the RR is yet to be notified.

Pay

Rs. 1,00,000 to Rs. 2,60,000 (Revised). After completion of 3 years regular service in the post, the officer is elevated to Rs. 1,20,000 to Rs. 2,80,000, subject to fulfilling the conditions in the Ministry's guidelines and approval of the Central Government.

Who can apply

Essential: (i) a degree from a recognised university; (ii) seventeen years' experience in executive cadre in the field of General Administration, Personnel, Industrial Relations, etc., in an Industrial, Commercial or Government Undertaking. Desirable: a Post Graduate degree or diploma in Personnel Management, Industrial Relations, Social Work, Labour Welfare or allied subjects, or a Degree in Law from a recognised university or institution.

For absorption through the composite method: officers holding posts in the scale of pay of Rs. 80,000–2,20,000 with 3 years regular service in the grade, OR officers holding analogous posts or posts of Secretary and equivalent posts in General Administration or HRD in the scale of pay of Rs. 1,00,000–2,60,000 (Revised) with 2 years regular service, OR officers holding posts of Sr. Dy. Secretary and equivalent posts in General Administration or HRD in the scale of pay of Rs. 80,000–2,20,000 and above with 5 years regular service in Government, Semi Government, PSUs or Autonomous Bodies (other than Major Port Trusts).

The Recruitment Rules' upper age limit of 45 years applies to direct recruitment only. This filling is by absorption, and no age limit is stated for absorption candidates — do not read 45 years as the age limit for this vacancy.

Fee

No application fee is stated anywhere in the 6-page document. Do not assume any fee.

Selection and how to apply

Selection is by merit. The overall grading in the ACRs or APARs must not be below "Very Good", APARs for the last five years must not be below the "Very Good" bench mark, and the officer must be clear from the vigilance angle, with the recommendation of the Port Chairperson and approval of the Ministry. An officer who withdraws candidature after selection by the Service Selection Committee is liable for debarment from future selection to HoD-level posts in all Major Port Authorities for two years.

Applications are accepted ONLY through the Online Application Portal (OAP) of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways — https://onlinevacancy.shipmin.nic.in. No application other than through OAP shall be accepted. The candidate must submit the printout of the application uploaded in OAP to the administrative Port for onward forwarding. The Ports must forward the application with documents (copies of ACRs/APARs for the last 5 years, 2021-22 to 2025-26, duly attested by an officer not below the rank of Dy. HoD on each page; attested photocopies of all certificates and proof of educational qualification, present and past work experience and pay scale; NOC from the respective Port; certificate by the Head of Office, Annexure-II; undertaking not to withdraw candidature; vigilance and administrative clearance, Annexure-III; two recent passport-size colour photographs in a sealed envelope) before 24 December 2026, superscribing "Application for the post of Secretary, Chennai Port Authority". Advance-copy applications received by the Port are not considered unless the proper-channel application reaches within 15 days of the last date.

Note: 24 December 2026 is the date by which Ports must forward the applications; the letter states no separate OAP deadline.