Press Council of India ASO Recruitment 2026: 3 Vacancies, Eligibility, Salary, Exam Pattern, Syllabus and How to Apply

The Press Council of India (PCI) has released a fresh Vacancy Circular 2026 for recruitment to the post of Assistant Section Officer (ASO). The recruitment is being conducted for 3 vacancies under the post of Assistant Section Officer, Group 'B' Non-Gazetted.

The latest vacancy circular is a continuation of the earlier recruitment process initiated through the vacancy circular dated 18 May 2024. The examination for the earlier recruitment was conducted on 4 May 2025, and the result was subsequently published on 18 June 2026. The Press Council of India has now invited applications from eligible candidates for the available vacancies.

The post carries the pre-revised pay scale of PB-2, ₹9,300–34,800 with Grade Pay of ₹4,200. Candidates who meet the prescribed educational qualification and age requirements can apply through the prescribed application process.

This article covers the Press Council of India ASO Recruitment 2026, including vacancies, eligibility criteria, age limit, salary, application fee, selection process, Tier 1 exam pattern, Tier 2 descriptive examination, syllabus and how to apply.

Press Council of India ASO Recruitment 2026 Overview

Press Council of India ASO Vacancy 2026

According to the vacancy circular, there are 3 vacancies for the post of Assistant Section Officer.

The category-wise vacancy distribution is:

The vacancy position is based on the current requirement of the Press Council of India and is subject to the conditions mentioned in the recruitment circular.

Since the number of vacancies is small, candidates should carefully check their eligibility and submit the application correctly within the prescribed time.

Important Information for Candidates Who Applied Earlier

This recruitment is connected with the earlier vacancy circular dated 18 May 2024.

Candidates who had previously applied in response to that advertisement and were issued admit cards for the examination held on 4 May 2025 are also required to follow the instructions in the latest vacancy circular and submit a fresh application where applicable.

Candidates should therefore not assume that their earlier application automatically carries forward. The latest circular should be followed for consideration against the vacancies covered under the current recruitment.

Press Council of India ASO Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must meet the prescribed educational qualification and age requirements for the Assistant Section Officer post.

Educational Qualification

The minimum educational qualification is:

Bachelor's Degree from a recognized University or Institution.

The circular also mentions the following qualifications as desirable:

• Post Graduate Degree from a recognized University, or
• Degree in Law from a recognized University, or
• Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism/Mass Communication, or
• Knowledge of an additional Indian language apart from English and Hindi.

A candidate who possesses the minimum bachelor's degree qualification can therefore apply, while the additional qualifications mentioned above can be useful as desirable qualifications.

Candidates should ensure that their degree is from a recognized university or institution.

Age Limit for PCI ASO Recruitment 2026

The prescribed age limit for the Assistant Section Officer post is:

Minimum Age: 20 Years

Maximum Age: 30 Years

The maximum age limit is relaxable according to the applicable Government of India rules.

The circular also states that the crucial date for determining age is the prescribed closing date of application.

Candidates belonging to reserved categories should carefully check the applicable age-relaxation provisions before applying.

Press Council of India ASO Salary

The Assistant Section Officer post carries the pre-revised pay scale of PB-2 ₹9,300–34,800 plus Grade Pay of ₹4,200.

The recruitment circular specifically mentions this pre-revised scale for the post.

The actual salary received by a selected employee can include applicable allowances and deductions according to the rules in force at the time of appointment.

Because the notification itself uses the pre-revised pay structure, candidates should not assume a particular in-hand salary without checking the applicable current government pay rules.

Press Council of India ASO Application Fee

The application fee for the recruitment is:

₹100

Candidates belonging to the following categories are exempted from payment of the application fee:

• SC
• ST
• Women
• Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD)
• Ex-Servicemen (ESM)

The fee is payable through the methods specified in the vacancy circular.

Candidates should follow the prescribed payment instructions carefully and retain proof of payment.

Press Council of India ASO Selection Process

The selection process consists of two examination stages:

Tier 1 – Objective Type Examination

Tier 1 is an objective-type examination consisting of 200 questions for 200 marks.

Tier 2 – Descriptive Type Examination

Tier 2 is a descriptive examination and is qualifying in nature.

Candidates must qualify in the required sections/stages before being considered for the subsequent selection process.

An important point for candidates is that Tier 2 is qualifying only, while the final merit list is prepared on the basis of the marks obtained in Tier 1, subject to fulfillment of the other conditions prescribed in the recruitment circular.

Press Council of India ASO Tier 1 Exam Pattern

The Tier 1 examination consists of four sections.

The total duration of the examination is:

150 Minutes

There is also negative marking of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer.

Therefore, candidates should focus on accuracy along with speed while preparing for the examination.

Tier 1 Minimum Qualifying Marks

The circular specifies the following minimum qualifying marks for Tier 1:

Candidates must qualify in the required sections and meet the prescribed conditions to progress to the next stage.

Merely obtaining the minimum qualifying marks does not automatically guarantee selection.

Press Council of India ASO Tier 2 Exam Pattern

Tier 2 is a Descriptive Type Examination.

The examination is designed to assess:

• Writing ability
• Comprehension ability
• Analytical skills
• Knowledge of the prescribed syllabus

The maximum marks are:

100 Marks

The duration is:

60 Minutes

The descriptive paper can be written in English or Hindi, subject to the conditions prescribed in the recruitment circular.

Tier 2 is qualifying in nature.

The circular specifies the minimum qualifying requirement for Tier 2 as:

• 65% for UR candidates
• 60% for OBC candidates

Candidates should therefore not ignore Tier 2 even though it does not contribute to the final merit score.

Final Merit List

The recruitment rules specify that the Tier 2 examination is qualifying in nature.

The final merit list is prepared primarily on the basis of the marks obtained in Tier 1, subject to the candidate fulfilling the minimum qualifying requirements and other conditions of recruitment.

In case candidates obtain equal aggregate marks, the circular provides tie-breaking rules based on examination performance.

Candidates should therefore focus strongly on Tier 1 preparation because it plays the major role in determining merit.

# Press Council of India ASO Syllabus 2026

The Tier 1 syllabus consists of four major areas:

1. General Intelligence and Reasoning

The reasoning section tests the candidate's ability to understand patterns, relationships and logical problems.

The syllabus can include areas such as:

• Analogies
• Similarities and differences
• Space visualization
• Spatial orientation
• Problem solving
• Analysis
• Judgment
• Decision making
• Visual memory
• Observation
• Relationship concepts
• Arithmetical reasoning
• Verbal and figure classification
• Arithmetic number series
• Non-verbal series
• Coding-decoding
• Statement conclusion
• Syllogistic reasoning
• Venn diagrams
• Embedded figures
• Pattern folding
• Punched hole patterns
• Figural classification
• Classification
• Mirror images
• Water images
• Arrangement of figures

Candidates should practice reasoning questions regularly because speed can make a significant difference in a timed objective examination.

2. General Awareness

The General Awareness section is designed to test the candidate's general knowledge and awareness of current events.

The syllabus can cover:

• Current affairs
• History
• Geography
• Indian polity
• Economy
• Culture
• Scientific research
• Important national developments
• General knowledge related to society and the surrounding environment

Candidates should combine static General Knowledge preparation with current affairs revision.

3. English Language and Comprehension

The English section covers language fundamentals and comprehension.

Topics mentioned in the syllabus include:

• Vocabulary
• Grammar
• Sentence structure
• Synonyms
• Antonyms
• Correct usage
• Spotting errors
• Fill in the blanks
• Idioms and phrases
• One-word substitutions
• Sentence improvement
• Active and passive voice
• Direct and indirect speech
• Shuffling of sentence parts
• Shuffling of sentences
• Cloze test
• Comprehension passage

Candidates should regularly practice grammar questions and reading comprehension to improve accuracy.

4. Mathematical Abilities / Quantitative Aptitude

The quantitative section covers fundamental arithmetic and mathematical concepts.

Important areas include:

• Number System
• Whole Numbers
• Decimals
• Fractions
• Fundamental arithmetical operations
• Percentage
• Ratio and Proportion
• Square Roots
• Averages
• Simple Interest
• Compound Interest
• Profit and Loss
• Discount
• Partnership
• Time and Work
• Time and Distance
• Algebra
• Basic identities
• Elementary surds
• Linear equations
• Geometry
• Elementary geometric figures
• Triangles
• Congruence
• Similarity
• Circles
• Tangents
• Mensuration
• Trigonometry
• Statistical charts
• Tables
• Histograms
• Frequency polygons
• Bar diagrams
• Pie charts
• Mean
• Median
• Mode

Regular numerical practice is important because the section contains 50 questions and has a fixed time limit.

# How to Prepare for Press Council of India ASO Exam

Candidates preparing for the Press Council of India Assistant Section Officer Exam 2026 should first understand the complete syllabus and divide their preparation into four Tier 1 subjects.

Start with the areas in which you are relatively weak and gradually increase your timed practice.

For Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude, solve questions regularly rather than studying only theoretical concepts.

For English, focus on grammar, vocabulary, comprehension and sentence-based questions.

For General Awareness, create a revision routine that combines static subjects and current affairs.

Practice Previous Year Questions

Previous year questions can help candidates understand the style and difficulty of questions expected in competitive examinations.

Practice questions topic-wise initially and then move toward full-length timed tests.

Practice Time Management

Tier 1 contains 200 questions and the total examination duration is 150 minutes.

Candidates therefore need to maintain a balance between speed and accuracy.

Because incorrect answers result in a 0.25 mark deduction, randomly attempting questions can affect the final score.

Prepare for Tier 2

Do not wait until after Tier 1 to start preparing for descriptive writing.

Practice:

• Essay writing
• Analytical writing
• Comprehension
• Short descriptive answers
• Structured arguments
• General writing ability

Improving writing speed and organizing your answer logically can help during a one-hour descriptive examination.

# How to Apply for Press Council of India ASO Recruitment 2026

The application process for this recruitment is based on the prescribed application form and is not a conventional online recruitment process.

Candidates should download/use the prescribed application format attached to the vacancy circular.

Step 1: Read the Vacancy Circular

Carefully read the complete recruitment notification and understand:

• Qualification
• Age
• Vacancy
• Fee
• Examination
• Documents
• Application procedure

Step 2: Fill the Application Form

The application form requires details such as:

• Name
• Father's name
• Mother's name
• Gender
• Date of birth
• Age
• Nationality
• Educational qualification
• Address
• Category
• Experience
• Contact details

Candidates should fill the form carefully and use block letters wherever specified.

Step 3: Attach Educational Documents

Attach self-attested copies of the required certificates and supporting documents.

These can include:

• Matriculation certificate
• Graduation certificate
• Marksheets
• Desirable qualification certificates
• Category certificate
• Experience certificate, if applicable
• Proof of date of birth
• Other relevant documents

Step 4: Attach Photograph

The application form requires a recent passport-size photograph in the manner specified by the notification.

Step 5: Pay the Application Fee

Eligible candidates who are not exempted should pay the prescribed ₹100 application fee using the method specified in the notification.

Step 6: Prepare the Envelope

The circular specifies that the envelope should be clearly superscribed with:

"APPLICATION FOR THE POST OF ASSISTANT SECTION OFFICER (ASO) – DIRECT RECRUITMENT"

Step 7: Send the Application

The completed application along with the required documents should be sent to:

Under Secretary (Administration) Press Council of India Soochna Bhawan 8, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road New Delhi – 110003

Candidates should use the prescribed mode of dispatch and retain proof of sending the application.

Application Deadline

The vacancy circular states that eligible and interested candidates should submit their applications within 30 days from the date of publication of the short notice in Employment News.

Candidates should therefore check the publication date of the short notice and calculate the deadline accordingly rather than relying only on unofficial websites.

Documents Required

Candidates should keep the following documents ready:

• Filled application form
• Recent passport-size photograph
• Proof of date of birth
• Graduation certificate
• Graduation marksheets
• Desirable qualification documents, if applicable
• Category certificate
• OBC certificate in the prescribed format, where applicable
• Experience certificate, if any
• Proof of application fee payment
• Copy of relevant admit card from the previous examination, where applicable
• Other documents required under the notification

Important Instructions for Candidates

Candidates should carefully read the general instructions provided in the vacancy circular.

Applications that are incomplete, unsigned, without the required documents or not submitted in the prescribed manner may be rejected.

Candidates must also ensure that the information submitted in the application is correct.

The Press Council of India reserves the right to cancel recruitment or modify the recruitment process according to the conditions specified in the notice.

Candidates called for the written examination should bring the documents and identity proof prescribed by the recruitment authority.

Original certificates are required at the appropriate stage for verification.

Press Council of India ASO Recruitment 2026: FAQs

How many vacancies are available for Press Council of India ASO Recruitment 2026?

There are 3 vacancies for Assistant Section Officer.

What is the age limit for PCI Assistant Section Officer?

The prescribed age limit is 20 to 30 years, with applicable relaxation as per Government of India rules.

What is the qualification for Press Council of India ASO?

Candidates should have a Bachelor's Degree from a recognized University or Institution. Additional qualifications such as a postgraduate degree, law degree, postgraduate diploma in journalism/mass communication or knowledge of an additional Indian language are listed as desirable.

What is the salary of Press Council of India Assistant Section Officer?

The post carries the pre-revised pay scale of ₹9,300–34,800 with Grade Pay ₹4,200.

What is the application fee?

The application fee is ₹100. SC, ST, women, PwBD and Ex-Servicemen candidates are exempted from payment of the fee.

How many questions are there in Tier 1?

Tier 1 contains 200 objective-type questions for 200 marks.

What is the duration of Tier 1?

The duration is 150 minutes.

Is there negative marking?

Yes. 0.25 marks are deducted for each wrong answer in Tier 1.

What is the Tier 2 exam?

Tier 2 is a 100-mark descriptive examination designed to assess writing ability, comprehension, analytical skills and knowledge of the prescribed syllabus.

Is Tier 2 counted in the final merit?

Tier 2 is qualifying in nature. The final merit list is prepared on the basis of the marks obtained in Tier 1, subject to the applicable recruitment conditions.

Can candidates who appeared in the earlier examination apply?

Candidates who had applied earlier and were issued admit cards for the examination held on 4 May 2025 should follow the latest vacancy circular and submit a fresh application where required.

Conclusion

The Press Council of India Assistant Section Officer Recruitment 2026 provides an opportunity for eligible graduates to apply for the Group B Non-Gazetted ASO post. The latest vacancy circular announces 3 vacancies, including 2 vacancies for UR candidates and 1 vacancy for OBC candidates.

The minimum qualification is a bachelor's degree, while qualifications such as postgraduate study, law, journalism/mass communication or knowledge of an additional Indian language are mentioned as desirable. The age limit is 20 to 30 years, subject to applicable relaxation.

The selection process consists of an Objective Tier 1 examination and a Descriptive Tier 2 examination. Tier 1 carries 200 marks and covers General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, Mathematical Abilities/Quantitative Aptitude and English. Tier 2 carries 100 marks and is qualifying in nature.

Candidates interested in the PCI ASO Recruitment 2026 should carefully check the vacancy circular, complete the prescribed application form, attach the necessary documents and submit the application within the specified time. Since the application process is based on the prescribed offline format, candidates should pay particular attention to the address, envelope superscription and document requirements before dispatching the application.