V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority has announced Class I and II recruitment for three posts through direct recruitment: Law Officer Grade I, Assistant Director (Research) and Fire Cum Assistant Safety Officer. The process is online, and the official recruitment PDF lays out the post-wise qualifications, pay scales, fee structure, exam pattern and selection steps.
This recruitment is not a simple form-only process. The authority has provided a structured selection process involving an online examination followed by interview for shortlisted candidates. The notification also includes different exam structures for each post, negative marking, English as the test medium and post-specific age limits.
One point applicants should note carefully is the date update trail. The original advertisement PDF shows the application period from 10 March 2026 to 09 April 2026, but the official careers page now shows a corrigendum and displays 30 April 2026 as the last date. Because of that, candidates should use the careers page as the latest checkpoint and read both the recruitment PDF and the corrigendum listing before final submission.
Recruitment Overview
VOCPA has invited online applications for three direct recruitment posts under Class I and II categories. The posts are Law Officer Grade I, Assistant Director (Research) and Fire Cum Assistant Safety Officer. All three vacancies are listed as unreserved in the official advertisement.
The recruitment is being conducted by V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority through an online application process. The authority has also stated that no other mode of application will be accepted.
Important Dates and Deadline Update
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Advertisement Date | 10 March 2026 |
| Online Registration Start Date | 10 March 2026 |
| Original Online Registration Closing Date in PDF | 09 April 2026 |
| Online Examination Date | Will be informed later |
| Latest Last Date Displayed on Official Careers Listing | 30 April 2026 |
The official recruitment PDF shows 09 April 2026 as the closing date, but the official careers listing currently displays a corrigendum and shows 30 April 2026 as the last date. Candidates should rely on the latest official careers page update and check the corrigendum before applying.
Post-wise Vacancy Details
| Post Name | Vacancies | Reservation | Pay Scale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Law Officer Grade I | 1 | UR | Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 1,60,000 |
| Assistant Director (Research) | 1 | UR | Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 1,60,000 |
| Fire Cum Assistant Safety Officer | 1 | UR | Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 1,40,000 |
| Total | 3 | - | - |
The two Class I posts are Law Officer Grade I and Assistant Director (Research). Fire Cum Assistant Safety Officer is the Class II post in this notification.
Eligibility Criteria for Each Post
The eligibility conditions differ significantly by post, so candidates should check the post they intend to apply for rather than relying on the general recruitment title.
| Post | Essential Qualification | Desirable or Additional Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Law Officer Grade I | Degree in Law from a recognised university | Two years executive experience in legal establishment of industrial, commercial or government undertakings; postgraduate degree in Law |
| Assistant Director (Research) | Degree in Economics or Statistics or Mathematics from a recognised university or institution | Two years executive experience in data collection, compilation, interpretation, field surveys or investigation; knowledge of computer operations; postgraduate degree or diploma in Economics, Statistics, Mathematics, Operational Research or allied subjects |
| Fire Cum Assistant Safety Officer | Graduateship examination of Institute of Fire Engineers, London, or B.Sc. with Chemistry as a main subject, or B.E. Fire recognised by AICTE and Nagpur University; Divisional Fire Officers' Course or Advance Diploma Course from National Fire Service College, Nagpur; heavy vehicle driving licence | At least 5 years service in a fire service organisation in an industrial town in a rank not below Station Officer; prescribed medical standards; knowledge of swimming |
Age Limit and Relaxation
| Post | Age Limit | Cut-off Basis in Advertisement |
|---|---|---|
| Law Officer Grade I | Maximum 30 years | As on 09 April 2026 |
| Assistant Director (Research) | Maximum 30 years | As on 09 April 2026 |
| Fire Cum Assistant Safety Officer | Minimum 30 years and maximum 45 years | As on 09 April 2026 |
The advertisement also includes age relaxation provisions for existing VOC Port Authority employees, employees of other major ports and eligible ex-servicemen as per the applicable rules. If a candidate applies under unreserved category, category-based age relaxation will not apply for that application.
Salary and Benefits
The official advertisement provides pay scale and approximate present emoluments.
| Post Group | Basic Pay Scale | Approximate Monthly Emoluments |
|---|---|---|
| Law Officer Grade I and Assistant Director (Research) | Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 1,60,000 | About Rs. 93,500 plus HRA if not residing in VOC Port quarters |
| Fire Cum Assistant Safety Officer | Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 1,40,000 | About Rs. 74,800 plus HRA if not residing in VOC Port quarters |
Other admissible allowances apply as per authority rules. The pay revision note is also mentioned in the official advertisement.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| SC, ST, PwD candidates, VOCPA employees and other Major Port Authority employees | Rs. 100 as intimation charges only, plus 18% GST |
| All other candidates | Rs. 475 including application fee and intimation charges, plus 18% GST |
The official notice says the fee is non-refundable. Bank transaction charges for online payment are to be borne by the candidate separately.
Selection Process
The recruitment process includes an online test followed by interview for shortlisted candidates. VOCPA states that shortlisted candidates from the online test will be called for interview in a ratio of 1:5, or in such ratio as decided by the competent authority.
Final selection is based on overall performance in the online examination and interview. The authority also states that original document verification is mandatory, and candidature can be cancelled if required documents are not produced or do not meet the eligibility conditions.
Online Exam Pattern
The test pattern varies by post. The medium of the online test is English, and the advertisement provides for negative marking of one-fourth of the marks allotted for each incorrect answer.
| Post | Exam Structure | Total Marks | Total Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Law Officer Grade I | General Knowledge, English Knowledge, Logical Reasoning, Numerical Ability, Subject Knowledge Objective and Subject Knowledge Subjective | 120 | 135 minutes |
| Assistant Director (Research) | General Knowledge, English Knowledge, Logical Reasoning, Numerical Ability and Subject Knowledge Objective | 120 | 120 minutes |
| Fire Cum Assistant Safety Officer | General Knowledge, Logical Reasoning, English, Numerical Ability, Fire Protection and Safety Objective and Subjective | 100 | 120 minutes |
The online examination date is not specified in the advertisement and is to be informed later through the official website or registered communication channels.
How to Apply Online
- Visit the official VOCPA website and go to the careers section.
- Open the Class I and II recruitment entry and read the advertisement and corrigendum carefully.
- Proceed through the official online application link provided on the VOCPA website.
- Fill the application form with the correct personal, educational and category details.
- Upload the required documents and complete the online fee payment.
- Submit the application and keep a copy of the form and fee receipt for future use.
VOCPA has clearly stated that applications must be submitted through the online mode only. Candidates should keep their email ID and mobile number active throughout the recruitment process.
Documents and Admit Card Requirements
For the online examination, candidates will need a valid admit card, original photo identity proof matching the application details and a photocopy of the same identity proof. At the interview stage, shortlisted candidates must produce original documents along with self-attested photocopies in support of eligibility and identity.
The advertisement also says the online examination centre details will be shown in the admit card, and the examination date will be notified later. Candidates should monitor the official website regularly for call letters and further instructions.
What Is Confirmed and What Needs a Final Check
| Status | Details |
|---|---|
| Confirmed in official advertisement PDF | Post names, number of vacancies, post-wise eligibility, pay scale, age limits, fee structure, selection process, exam pattern, negative marking and original application dates from 10 March 2026 to 09 April 2026 |
| Needs final check from official careers page and corrigendum | The currently displayed last date of 30 April 2026 and any other date-related revisions linked through the corrigendum on the official careers page |
If you are applying now, do not rely only on the original PDF dates. Use the official VOCPA careers page as the final checkpoint for the latest deadline and corrigendum-linked update.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many vacancies are there in VOCPA Class I and II Recruitment 2026?
There are 3 vacancies in total: 1 each for Law Officer Grade I, Assistant Director (Research) and Fire Cum Assistant Safety Officer.
What is the latest last date to apply for VOCPA Recruitment 2026?
The original advertisement shows 09 April 2026, but the official careers listing currently displays 30 April 2026 along with a corrigendum. Candidates should verify the careers page before applying.
What is the qualification for the Law Officer Grade I post?
The essential qualification is a degree in Law from a recognised university.
Is there an online test in VOCPA Recruitment 2026?
Yes. The selection process includes an online test followed by interview for shortlisted candidates.
Is there negative marking in the VOCPA online exam?
Yes. The official advertisement provides for negative marking of one-fourth of the marks allotted for each incorrect answer.
What is the application fee for General category candidates?
Candidates other than SC, ST, PwD, VOCPA employees and other Major Port Authority employees have to pay Rs. 475 plus 18% GST.
What is the age limit for Assistant Director (Research)?
The maximum age is 30 years as per the official advertisement, using 09 April 2026 as the age reference date.