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Home India Ministry of Labour and Employment Notifications Recruitment Rules for the post of Economic Officer... (Official PDF)
Date: 18th August 2026 Category: Extra Ordinary Jurisdiction: India, Central Government

Recruitment Rules for the post of Economic Officer

Issued by Ministry of Labour and Employment

Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Labour and Employment on 18th August 2026. Classified under Extra Ordinary.

Executive Summary & Key Takeaways

Executive Summary The document notifies the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Economic Officer Group ‘B’ Post Recruitment Rules, 2026, superseding the 2005 rules. It defines the recruitment methods, qualifications, and service conditions for six Economic Officer posts at Pay Level 7. These rules come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette, August 18, 2026.

Key Points / Main Content

  • Post Details and Classification

    • Number of Posts: 6 (subject to variation based on workload).
    • Classification: General Central Service, Group ‘B’, Gazetted, Non-Ministerial.
    • Pay Scale: Pay Level 7 in the matrix (₹44,900–₹1,42,400).
  • Recruitment Methods and Probation

    • Recruitment Ratio: 50% by direct recruitment and 50% by promotion.
    • Probation Period: Two years for direct recruits, including a mandatory two-week induction training program.
    • Failing Promotion: If the promotion quota cannot be filled, the vacancies are to be filled by deputation, including short-term contracts.
  • Eligibility for Direct Recruitment

    • Age Limit: Maximum 30 years (relaxable by 5 years for government servants). The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) determines the crucial date for age calculation.
    • Educational Requirements: A Post Graduate degree in Economics, Business Economics, Applied Economics, or Econometrics. Alternatively, a Post Graduate degree in Mathematics, Statistics, or Commerce with Economics as a graduation-level subject.
    • Experience: Two years of experience in the collection, compilation, and analysis of data related to labour matters.
  • Promotion and Deputation Criteria

    • Promotion: Available to Investigator Grade-II (Level 6) with five years of regular service and completion of mandatory training in data analysis and statistical software.
    • Deputation: Open to Central Government officers holding analogous posts or those with five years of regular service in Level 6. The maximum age for deputation is 56 years.
    • Tenure: The period of deputation in another ex-cadre post shall ordinarily not exceed three years.
  • Administrative Provisions and Governance

    • UPSC Consultation: Consultation with the UPSC is mandatory for direct recruitment and when relaxing any rule provisions.
    • Disqualification: Individuals with more than one living spouse or those who have entered into bigamous marriages are disqualified unless specifically exempted by the Central Government.
    • Committee Composition: The Departmental Promotion and Confirmation Committees consist of the Joint Secretary (Administration) as Chairman, the Director/Deputy Secretary (Administration), and the Joint Director (Directorate General of Employment).

Impact Analysis

Prospective Candidates (Direct Recruits) Impact: They are subject to specific age limits and specialized educational requirements focusing on economics and labour data experience. Action Required: Applicants must ensure they possess the required Post Graduate degree and two years of relevant professional experience before applying through the UPSC.

Investigator Grade-II Employees (Feeder Category) Impact: These employees have a structured promotion path to a Level 7 Gazetted post. Action Required: To qualify for promotion, they must complete five years of regular service and successfully finish the mandatory two-week training in data collection and statistical software.

Ministry of Labour and Employment Impact: The Ministry is responsible for managing the updated recruitment ratio and establishing the specified Departmental Promotion and Confirmation Committees. Action Required: The Ministry must coordinate with the UPSC for direct recruitment and ensure the mandatory induction and statistical training programs are available for both recruits and promotees.

Key Entities Referenced

Ministry of Labour and Employment, Economic Officer Group ‘B’ Post Recruitment Rules, 2026: The primary regulatory framework governing the recruitment, classification, pay levels, and eligibility criteria for the post of Economic Officer. Ministry of Labour and Employment: The primary government department responsible for implementing these recruitment rules for Economic Officer positions. Union Public Service Commission: The central regulatory body required for consultation regarding direct recruitment, candidate qualification relaxations, and age-limit determinations. Economic Officer Recruitment Rules, 2005: The previous set of recruitment regulations that are superseded and replaced by the newly notified 2026 rules. Article 309 of the Constitution: The constitutional provision providing the legal authority under which the President of India frames these recruitment rules.
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रजिस्ट्री स.ं डी.एल.- 33004/99 REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99 सी.जी.-डी.एल.-अ.-19082026-275575 CG-DxLx-xEG-I1D9H0x8x2x0 26-275575 xxxGIDExxx असाधारण EXTRAORDINARY भाग II—खण् ड 3—उप-खण्ड (i) PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (i) प्राजधकार स ेप्रकाजित PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY स.ं 672] नई दिल्ली, मगं लवार, अगस्ट्त 18, 2026/श्रावण 27, 1948 No. 672] NEW DELHI, TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2026/SHRAVAN 27, 1948 श्रम एव ं रोिगार मत्रं ालय अजधसचू ना नई दिल्ली, 18 अगस्ट् त, 2026 सा.का.जन. 738(अ).— राष्ट्रपजत, संजवधान के अनच्ु छेि 309 के परन्तुक द्वारा प्रित्त िजियों का प्रयोग करते हुए और श्रम एव ंरोिगार मंत्रालय, आर्थिक अजधकारी भती जनयम, 2005 का अजधक्रमण करते हुए, श्रम एव ंरोिगार मंत्रालय म ें आर्थिक अजधकारी के पि पर भती की पद्धजत का जवजनयमन करने के जलए जनम्नजलजखत जनयम बनाते ह,ैं अथाित:् - 1. सजं िप्त नाम और प्रारंभ.- (1) इन जनयमों का संजिप्त नाम श्रम एव ंरोिगार मंत्रालय, आर्थकि अजधकारी समूह 'ख' पि भती जनयम, 2026 ह।ै (2) य ेरािपत्र म ें प्रकािन की तारीख को प्रवृत्त होंगे। 2. पिों की सख्ं या, वगीकरण और वते न मट्रै रक्स म ें स्ट्तर.- उि पि की संख्या, उसका वगीकरण और वेतन मैट्ररक्स म ें उसका स्ट्तर वह होगा िो इन जनयमों के उपाबद्ध अनुसूची के स्ट्तंभ(2) स े (4) म ेंजवजनर्ििष्ट ह।ै 3. भती की पद्धजत, आय-ु सीमा और अन्य अहति ाएं आदि.- उि पि पर भती की पद्धजत, आय-ु सीमा, अहति ाए ं और उससे संबंजधत अन्य बातें वे होंगी िो उि अनुसूची के स्ट्तंभ (5) स े (13) म ेंजवजनर्ििष्ट ह।ै 4. जनरहति ा.- वह व्यजि — (क) जिसन े ऐसे व्यजि स,े जिसका पजत या जिसकी पत्नी िीजवत ह,ै जववाह दकया ह ैया जववाह की संजविा की ह;ै या 6370 GI/2026 (1)2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(i)] (ख) जिसने अपने पजत या अपनी पत्नी के िीजवत रहत े हुए दकसी व्यजि स े जववाह दकया ह ै या जववाह की संजविा की ह ै उि पि पर जनयुजि का पात्र नहीं होगा: परन्त ुयदि केन्रीय सरकार का यह समाधान हो िाता ह ेदक ऐसा जववाह ऐस ेव्यजि और जववाह के अन्य पिकार को लाग ूस्ट्वीय जवजध के अधीन अनज्ञु ेय ह ैऔर ऐसा करन ेके जलए अन्य आधार ह ैंतो वह दकसी व्यजि को इस जनयम के प्रवतिन स े छूट िे सकेगी। 5. जिजथल करन ेकी िजि.- िहा ाँकेन्रीय सरकार की यह राय ह ैदक ऐसा करना आवश्यक या समीचीन ह,ै वहा ाँवह उसके जलए िो कारण ह ैंउन्ह ेंलेखबद्ध करके तथा संघ लोक सेवा आयोग स ेपरामि िकरके इन जनयमों के दकसी उपबंध को दकसी वगि या प्रवगि के व्यजियों की बाबत, आिेि द्वारा जिजथल कर सकेगी। 6. व्यावजृ त्त.- इन जनयमों की कोई बात, ऐसे आरिण, आयु-सीमा म ें छूट और अन्य ट्ररयायतों पर प्रभाव नहीं डालगे ी, जिनका केन्रीय सरकार द्वारा इस संबंध म ें समय-समय पर िारी दकए गए आिेिों के अनसु ार अनुसूजचत िाजतयों, अनुसूजचत िनिाजतयों, और अन्य जविेष प्रवगि के व्यजियों के जलए उपबंध करना अपेजित ह।ै अनसु चू ी पि का नाम पिों की सख्ं या. वगीकरण। चयन पि सीध ेभती दकए िान ेवाल ेव्यजियों के जलए आय ु वते न मट्रैरक्स म ेंस्ट्तर अथवा अचयन सीमा। पि (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) आर्थिक 6(2026) * कायिभार के साधारण केंरीय सवे ा, समहू 'ख', वेतन स्ट्तर-7 चयन पि तीस वषि से अजधक नहीं (केंरीय सरकार द्वारा अजधकारी। आधार पर पट्ररवतिन रािपजत्रत, अननसु जचवीय। (44,900-1,42,400 िारी अनुिेिों या आिेिों के अनुसार, सरकारी दकया िा सकता है। सेवकों के जलए 5 वषि तक जिजथल की िा सकती रुपय)े है। नोट:आय-ुसीमा अवधाट्ररत करने के जलए जनणाियक तारीख, संघ लोक सेवा आयोग द्वारा जवज्ञाजपत होगी। सीधी भती दकए िान ेवाल ेव्यजियों के जलए अपजेित िजैिक और अन्य अहति ाएं। (7) अहति ाएं:दकसी मान्यता प्राप्त जवश्वजवद्यालय या संस्ट्थान से अथििास्त्र या व्यवसाय अथििास्त्र या अनुप्रयुि अथििास्त्र या अथिजमजत में स्नातकोत्तर जडग्री; अथवा दकसी मान्यता प्राप्त जवश्वजवद्यालय या संस्ट्थान से गजणत या सांजख्यकी या वाजणज्य में स्नातकोत्तर जडग्री और स्नातक स्ट्तर पर एक जवषय के रूप में अथििास्त्र का अजनवायि अध्ययन होना चाजहए। अनभु व: श्रम मामलों से संबंजधत आंकडों के संग्रह या संकलन और जवश्लेषण में िो वषि का अनुभव। ट्रटप्पण 1: उम्मीिवारों के अन्यथा अहकि होने की जस्ट्थजत में, जलजखत रूप में कारणों का उल्लेख करते हुए संघ लोक सेवा आयोग द्वारा जववेकानुसार अहति ा में छूट िी िा सकती है। ट्रटप्पण 2: अनुसूजचत िाजत अथवा अनुसूजचत िनिाजत के उम्मीिवारों के मामल ेमें, अनुभव से संबंजधत अहति ा (अहति ाएं) के संबंध में, संघ लोक सेवा आयोग के जववेक पर, जलजखत रूप में ििि दकए िाने वाले कारणों से, छूट योग्य है/हैं, यदि चयन के दकसी भी स्ट्तर पर संघ लोक सेवा आयोग की यह राय ह ै दक आरजित ट्ररजियों को भरने के जलए उसके जलए अपेजित अनुभव रखने वाले इन समुिायों के पयािप्त संख्या में उम्मीिवार का उनके जलए उपलब्ध होना संभव नही है।[भाग II—खण् ड 3(i)] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 3 सीधी भती दकए िान ेवाल ेव्यजियों के पट्ररवीिा अवजध, यदि कोई हो। भती की पद्धजत: भती सीधी होगी या पिोन्नजत द्वारा,या जलए जवजहत आय ु और ििै जणक प्रजतजनयजुि/आमले न द्वारा तथा जवजभन्न पद्धजतयों द्वारा भरी िान े वाली अहति ाएं पिोन्नत व्यजियों की ििा म ें ट्ररजियों का प्रजतितता। लाग ूहोगी या नहीं?. (8) (9) (10) िो वषि (i) सीधी भती द्वारा पचास प्रजतित। (ii) पिोन्नजत द्वारा पचास प्रजतित और जिसके न हो सकने नोट: केंरीय सरकार द्वारा जनधािट्ररत पट्ररवीिा लागू नहीं अवजध को सफलतापूविक पूरा करने के जलए िो पर, प्रजतजनयुजि द्वारा अल्पकाजलक संजविा सजहत। सप्ताह का अजनवाय िप्रवेिन प्रजििण सफलता पूविक पूरा करना होगा। पिोन्नजत/प्रजतजनयजुि/आमले न द्वारा भती की ििा म,ें व ेश्रजेणया ंजिनस ेपिोन्नजत/प्रजतजनयजुि/ आमले न दकया िाएगा। (11) पिोन्नजत: वेतन मैट्ररक्स में वेतन स्ट्तर -6 (₹35,400-1,12,400) में अन्वेषक ग्रेड-II में 5 वषि की जनयजमत सेवा और श्रम मामलों से संबंजधत डेटा के संग्रह या संकलन और जवश्लेषण में िो सप्ताह का अजनवायि प्रजििण दकया हो तथा सांजख्यकीय जवश्लेषण के जलए जवजभन्न सॉफ्टवेयर का प्रजििण सफलतापूविक पूरा दकया हो। ट्रटप्पण: िहााँ ऐसे कजनष्ठ व्यजियों के संबंध में, जिन्होने अपनी अहकि या पात्रता सेवा पूरी कर ली है, प्रोन्नजत के जलए जवचार दकया िा रहा हो, वहााँ उनके ज्येष्ठ व्यजियों के संबंध में भी जवचार दकया िाएगा परन्तु यह तब िब दक उसके द्वारा की गई ऐसी अहकि या पात्रता सेवा, अपेजित अहकि या पात्रता सेवा के आध ेसे अजधक से या िो वषि से, उनमें से िो भी कम हो, कम न हो और उन्होने अपने ऐसे कजनष्ठ व्यजियों सजहत, जिन्होंने ऐसी अहकि या पात्रता सेवा पहले ही पूरी कर ली है, अगली उच्चतर श्रेणी में प्रोन्नजत के जलए अपनी पट्ररवीिा की अवजध सफलतापूविक पूरी कर ली हो। प्रजतजनयजुि: केंरीय सरकार के अधीन अजधकारी:- (क) (i) िो अपने मूल संवग िया जवभाग में जनयजमत आधार पर सििृ पि धारण करते हो; अथवा (ii) मूल संवग िया जवभाग में वेतन मैट्ररक्स में वेतन स्ट्तर-6 (₹35,400-1,12,400) या इसके सििृ जनयजमत आधार पर जनयुजि के पश्चात उस श्रेणी में पााँच वषि की सेवा पूरी की हो; और (ख) जिनके पास कॉलम (7) के अधीन सीधी भती वालों के जलए अपेजित िैिजणक अहति ाएं और अनुभव हो। ट्रटप्पण 1: पोषक प्रवगि के ऐसे जवभागीय अजधकारी, िो प्रोन्नजत की सीधी पंजि में ह,ै प्रजतजनयुजि पर जनयुजि के जलए जवचार दकए िाने के पात्र नहीं होंगे। इसी प्रकार, प्रजतजनयुि व्यजि प्रोन्नजत द्वारा जनयुजि के जलए जवचार दकए िाने के पात्र नहीं होंगे। ट्रटप्पण 2: प्रजतजनयुजि की अवजध, जिसके अंतगित केंरीय सरकार के उसी या दकसी अन्य संगठन या जवभाग में इस जनयुजि से ठीक पहले धाट्ररत दकसी अन्य काडर- बाह्य पि पर प्रजतजनयुजि की अवजध है, साधारणतया 3 वषि से अजधक नहीं होगी। ट्रटप्पण 3: प्रजतजनयुजि द्वारा जनयुजि के जलए अजधकतम आय ुसीमा आवेिन प्राप्त करने की अंजतम तारीख को 56 वषि से अजधक नहीं होगी।.4 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(i)] यदि जवभागीय पिोन्नजत सजमजत मौििू ह,ै तो उसकी सरं चना क्या ह।ै (12) समहू 'ख' जवभागीय पिोन्नजत सजमजत (पिोन्नजत के सबं धं म ें जवचार करन े के समहू 'ख' जवभागीय स्ट्थायीकरण सजमजत (स्ट्थायीकरण पर जवचार करन े हते )ु, जलए), जिसम ेंजनम्नजलजखत होंग े जिसम ेंजनम्नजलजखत िाजमल ह:ैं (1) संयुि सजचव (प्रिासन) - (अध्यि); (1) संयुि सजचव (प्रिासन) -(अध्यि); (2) जनिेिक / उप सजचव (प्रिासन) - (सिस्ट्य); (2) जनिेिक / उप सजचव (प्रिासन) - (सिस्ट्य); (3) संयुि जनिेिक (रोिगार महाजनिेिालय) - (सिस्ट्य)। (3) संयुि जनिेिक (रोिगार महाजनिेिालय) - (सिस्ट्य)। दकन पट्ररजस्ट्थजतयों म ेंभती करन ेम ेंसघं लोक सवे ा आयोग स ेपरामि िदकया िाएगा। (13) सीधी भती करते समय, संघ लोक सेवा आयोग से परामिि करना आवश्यक है। [फा. स. ं ए-12018/01/2025-प्रिा.I] डॉ. महरें कुमार, संयुि सजचव MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT NOTIFICATION New Delhi, the 18th August, 2026 G.S.R. 738(E).—In exercise of the powers conferred by the proviso to article 309 of the Constitution and in supersession of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Economic Officer Recruitment Rules, 2005, the President hereby makes the following rules regulating the method of recruitment to the post of Economic Officer in the Ministry of Labour and Employment, namely:- 1. Short title and commencement.- (1) These rules may be called the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Economic Officer Group ‘B’ Post Recruitment Rules, 2026. (2) These rules shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette. 2. Number of posts, classification and level in pay matrix.- The number of the post, its classification and the level in the pay matrix attached thereto, shall be as specified in columns (2) to (4) of the Schedule annexed to these rules. 3. Method of recruitment, age-limit and other qualifications, etc.- The method of recruitment, age-limit, qualifications and other matters connected thereto shall be as specified in columns (5) to (13) of the said Schedule. 4. Disqualification.- No person – (a) who has entered into or contracted a marriage with a person, having a spouse living, or (b) who, having a spouse living, has entered into or contracted a marriage with any person, shall be eligible for appointment to the said post: Provided that the Central Government may, if satisfied that such marriage is permissible under the personal law applicable to such person and the other party to the marriage and that there are other grounds for so doing, exempt any person from the operation of this rule. 5. Power to relax.- Where the Central Government is of the opinion that it is necessary or expedient so to do, it may, by order, for reasons to be recorded in writing and in consultation with the Union Public Service Commission, relax any of the provisions of these rules with respect to any class or category of persons.[भाग II—खण् ड 3(i)] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 5 6. Saving.- Nothing in these rules shall affect reservation, relaxation of age-limit and other concessions required to be provided for the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes and other special categories of persons in accordance with the orders issued by the Central Government from time to time in this regard. SCHEDULE Name of No. of posts. Classification. Pay Level Whether Age limit for direct post. in Pay selection recruits. Matrix. post or non- selection post. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) Economic 6(2026) * Subject to General Central Service, Pay level- Selection Not exceeding thirty years Officer. variation dependent Group ‘B’, Gazetted, Non- 7 post (Relaxable for Government on workload. Ministerial. (₹44,900- servants upto five years in 1,42,400) accordance with instructions or orders issued by the Central Government) Note: The crucial date for determining the age-limit shall be as advertised by the Union Public Service Commission. Educational and other qualifications required for direct recruits. (7) Qualification: Post Graduate degree in Economics or Business Economics or Applied Economics or Econometrics from a recognised university or institute; or Post Graduate Degree in Mathematics or Statistics or Commerce from a recognised university or institute and must have studied Economics as a subject at graduation level. Experience: Two years experience in collection or compilation and analysis of data related to labour matters. Note 1: Qualifications are relaxable at the discretion of the Union Public Service Commission, for reasons to be recorded in writing, in the case of candidates otherwise well qualified. Note 2: The qualification(s) regarding experience is/are relaxable at the discretion of the Union Public Service Commission, for reasons to be recorded in writing in the case of candidates belonging to the Scheduled Castes or the Scheduled Tribes if at any stage of selection the Union Public Service Commission, is of the opinion that sufficient number of candidates from these communities possessing the requisite experience are not likely to be available to fill up the vacancies reserved for them. Whether age and educational Period of probation, if any. Method of recruitment, whether by direct qualifications prescribed for direct recruitment or by promotion or by deputation/ recruits will apply in the case of absorption and percentage of the vacancies to be promotees. filled by various methods. (8) (9) (10) Two years (i) Fifty percent by direct recruitment. (ii) Fifty percent by promotion, failing Note: There shall be a which by deputation (including short- mandatory induction training term contract). Not applicable. of two weeks duration for successful completion of the probation as prescribed by the Central Government. In case of recruitment by promotion/deputation/absorption, grades from which promotion/deputation/absorption to be made.6 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(i)] (11) Promotion: Investigator Grade-II in pay level-6 (₹35,400-1,12,400) in Pay Matrix with five years regular service in the grade and have successfully completed mandatory training of two weeks in collection or compilation and analysis of data related to labour matters and training of various software for statistical analysis. Note: Where juniors who have completed their qualifying or eligibility service are being considered for promotion, their senior would also be considered provided they are not short of the requisite qualifying or eligibility service by more than half of such qualifying or eligibility service or two years, whichever is less and have successfully completed their probation period for promotion to the next higher grade along with their juniors who have already completed such qualifying or eligibility service. Deputation: Officers under the Central Government:- (A) (i) holding analogous posts on regular basis in the parent cadre; or Department; or (ii) with five years service in the grade rendered after appointment thereto on a regular basis in pay level-6 (₹35,400- 1,12,400) in the Pay Matrix or equivalent in the parent cadre or Department; and (B) possessing the educational qualifications and experience required for direct recruits under column (7). Note 1: The Departmental officers in the feeder category who are in the direct line of promotion shall not be eligible for consideration for appointment on deputation. Similarly, the deputationists shall not be eligible for consideration for appointment by promotion. Note 2: The period of deputation including the period of deputation in another ex-cadre post held immediately preceding this appointment in the same or some other organisation or Department of the Central Government shall ordinarily not exceed three years. Note 3: The maximum age limit for appointment by deputation shall not be exceeding fifty six years as on the last date of receipt of applications. If a Department Promotion Committee exists, what is its composition. (12) Group ‘B’ Departmental Promotion Committee (for Group ‘B’ Departmental Confirmation Committee (for considering promotion) consisting of: considering confirmation) consisting of: (1) Joint Secretary (Administration) - (Chairman); (1) Joint Secretary (Administration) - (Chairman); (2) Director / Deputy Secretary (Administration) (2) Director / Deputy Secretary (Administration) - (member); - (member); (3) Joint Director (Directorate General of (3) Joint Director (Directorate General of Employment ) Employment) - (member). - (member). Circumstances in which Union Public Service Commission to be consulted in making recruitment (13) Consultation with Union Public Service Commission is necessary while making direct recruitment. [F. No. A-12018/01/2025-Adm.I] Dr. MAHENDRA KUMAR, Jt. Secy. Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064 and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.

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