Andaman and Nicobar Administration, Secretariat, Sri Vijayapuram
Last Date: 05 July 2026

Applications for the Andaman and Nicobar Administration Combined Higher Secondary Level Examination 2026 open on June 15, 2026, and close on July 5, 2026. Vide Advertisement No. 02/HSL/2026, the A&N Administration is filling 716 vacancies across 38 posts in more than 20 departments, ranging from the Secretariat and Environment and Forests to Shipping Service, Port Management, and Agriculture. The examination will be conducted in Tablet Based Test mode at designated centres across the Islands; the exam date will be announced separately through the official website.

Andaman Nicobar Combined Higher Secondary Level Recruitment: Quick Overview

Andaman Nicobar Combined Higher Secondary Level Recruitment: Quick Intro

Most government exams are from one department and hire for one kind of job. The A&N Administration does it a bit differently. This CHSL exam collects vacancies from many departments across the whole Union Territory and one exam decides everything. The Islands are also seeing more government activity now with the Great Nicobar Development Project moving ahead, so the need for staff across departments has gone up. One candidate can end up at a Secretariat desk job, another as a Forester in South Andaman's forests, and another as a Marine Radio Operator on a government ship between islands, all from the same exam.

This 2026 cycle is bigger than what A&N has usually released under CHSL in recent years. Earlier notifications from this administration had fewer posts and mostly covered a smaller range of departments. This time, maritime jobs, agricultural field roles, and Secretariat clerical posts are all sitting under one exam. For candidates living on the Islands and watching UT government jobs closely, this is a better-than-usual window.

Within the 716 vacancies, one post dominates everything else i.e., Lower Grade Clerk under the A&N Secretariat has 426 seats, which is almost 60 percent of the total 716 vacancies. If you do well in the TBT and keep this post as your first preference, you are going after the biggest seat pool in this entire recruitment. The other 37 posts are sharing just 290 seats, and many of them have less than five openings individually.

Vacancy Details

The 716 posts cover two group classifications and a wide salary range. Here is the complete post-wise breakup across all 38 positions:

Two posts are classified as Group B (Non-Gazetted): Master 1st Class with 26 vacancies and Chief Engine Driver Sea  with 11 vacancies, both under the Directorate of Shipping Service. These two posts carry Pay Level 6 and come with a different age ceiling than the rest. The remaining 36 posts are all Group C.

An important point to note: ST and OBC reservations here apply only to candidates who are LOCAL residents of the A&N Islands as defined under specific Island-specific provisions. Mainland candidates with central-list ST or OBC certificates cannot claim reserved-category benefits in this recruitment and with 280 OBC seats and 42 ST seats in the batch, this changes the realistic competition picture substantially for anyone applying from outside the Islands. 

Two posts are specifically for female candidates: Gram Sevika (Post 212/26) with 4 vacancies and Sales Girl (Post 219/26) with 1 vacancy. Female candidates interested in these roles should include them in their preference selection.

Application Fee

The application fee is Rs. 100, payable through net banking, VISA, Mastercard, RuPay, credit or debit card, or UPI and QR code. Female candidates, ST candidates, and persons with benchmark disability are fully exempt. There is no fee refund provision mentioned anywhere in the notification, and since candidature is accepted only provisionally at the application stage, paying the fee does not amount to scrutiny confirmation.

Age Limit

The minimum age for all posts is 18 years as on the closing date, July 5, 2026. For Group B posts (Master 1st Class and Chief Engine Driver), the upper limit is 30 years for both male and female candidates. For Group C posts, it is 33 years for males and 38 years for females.

Female candidates have a notably generous age bracket for Group C. The base ceiling is 38 years, which extends further with category relaxations. 

Educational Qualification

Most of the posts in this recruitment require a 12th-grade pass from a recognized board as the entry point, although qualifications vary by post. While a 12th-grade pass is the baseline, some technical roles require specific certifications, diplomas, or specialized training.

Clerical and administrative posts like Lower Grade Clerk, LDC, Depot Clerk, Typist, Typist-Cum-Clerk, Village Level Worker, Patwari, and Sales Girl need 12th pass along with a typing speed of 35 words per minute in English or 30 wpm in Hindi on computer. Stenographer posts at all three institutions (Secretariat, Environment and Forests, and Municipal Council) require shorthand at 80 wpm, with the actual test conducted at 100 and 120 wpm, and advance increments are available for those who qualify at higher speeds even during the recruitment stage itself. Computer education is listed as desirable for most of these roles.

Field and science posts (Laboratory Assistant under two departments, Forester, Agriculture Field Assistant, Soil Conservation Field Assistant, Sub-Inspector of Fisheries, and Veterinary Compounder) all need 12th pass in Science stream with relevant subjects like Biology. The Forester post additionally requires clearing a physical endurance test and meeting anthropometric standards before appointment, and the Veterinary Compounder also needs a diploma in Animal Husbandry or Veterinary Pharmacy of at least two years duration from a recognized institute.

IT Analyst (Post 224/26) and Computer Assistant Gr-A (Post 232/26) these two posts have a broader eligibility. Candidates with a three-year diploma in Computer Engineering after 12th, post-diploma in Computer Application, or even a 12th pass with a one-year recognized certificate course in computer applications are eligible. More importantly, candidates with BE or B.Tech in Computer Science or IT, BCA, MCA, and ME or M.Tech (CS or IT) are explicitly eligible since these are treated as higher than the diploma requirement. Short courses of 3 or 6 months do not count toward the one-year certificate requirement even if combined.

Maritime posts such as Master 1st Class (Post 213/26) and Master 2nd Class (Post 215/26) need a Certificate of Competency under the IV Act, 1917 with STCW 95 endorsement. The Chief Engine Driver Sea Going (Post 214/26) needs a Certificate of Competency of Chief Engine Driver under the same Act. Marine Radio Operator (Posts 216/26 and 226/26) needs a GMDSS General Operator Certificate from the Ministry of Communication. These are professional licenses that take years at sea to qualify, therefore, these posts are not accessible to fresh 12th-pass candidates regardless of TBT performance, and anyone who applies without holding the required certificates will be rejected at document verification.

One condition unique to the Patwari post (202/26) is that a selected candidate must pass a departmental examination for Patwaries within three chances following the completion of training. Failure in all three chances makes the service liable for termination. 

Selection Process

The selection runs in two tiers. Tier-I is the Tablet Based Test, which all applicants across all 38 posts must appear for. The exam is 200 marks over 120 minutes:

Negative marking of 0.25 marks applies for every wrong answer. The TBT will be held at designated centres across South Andaman, North and Middle Andaman, and Nicobar Districts. Candidates must indicate their preferred zone during the application and cannot request a change later. Visually handicapped candidates opting for a scribe are eligible for 40 additional minutes.

Tier-II consists of physical standard tests, endurance tests, and skill or trade tests wherever applicable to the post. This tier is qualifying only; it does not add to or subtract from the merit score. Document verification happens after Tier-II, and only at that stage does the administration scrutinize all eligibility conditions.

The cutoff in the TBT may differ across posts and will be set at the administration's discretion after the exam. Merit lists are drawn within each post category separately. Tie-breaking is done first by age (older candidate gets priority) and then alphabetically by first name if ages also match.

Salary, Job Location, and Service Conditions

Pay levels across the 38 posts range from Level 2 to Level 6:

Postings are across the three districts of the Islands. Secretariat posts are based in Sri Vijaya Puram, the capital. Shipping Service posts involve operational deployment on government vessels running between island clusters. Clerical posts under various directorates may involve intra-district postings over time. The Forester post, once appointed, requires completion of a Forestry Training Course. Failing this course makes a candidate ineligible for future salary increments. 

How to Apply

1. Go to the official recruitment portal at https://erecruitment.andamannicobar.gov.in
2. Register using a personal email ID and mobile number that you will keep active throughout the entire process; all communications including the e-Admit Card will come only to these
3. Log in and select the posts you wish to apply for, arranging them in your order of preference carefully; this order is final once submitted and cannot be changed under any circumstances
4. Fill in all six sections: personal details, post selection, education qualification, experience if any, payment details, and photo and signature upload
5. Upload your photograph in JPG or JPEG format, size between 20 KB and 50 KB, resolution 200x230 pixels, plain white or off-white background, no cap, mask, or spectacles; upload signature in JPEG format, 10 KB to 20 KB, resolution 140x60 pixels
6. Pay the application fee of Rs. 100 through net banking, debit or credit card, or UPI; exempted categories proceed without payment
7. Review every field one final time before submitting; corrections including category changes are not permitted after submission
8. Download and save a copy of the submitted form immediately after submission
9. Monitor the official website regularly for exam date and admit card; no press announcements will be made in this regard

Required Documents and Important Instructions

No documents are required to be uploaded at the application stage. All verification of eligibility, age, category, and qualifications happens at the time of document verification after the TBT. Documents that must be ready well before that stage include: age proof, all educational certificates, category certificate (ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, PwD, or ESM as applicable), NOC for departmental candidates, professional certificates of competency for maritime posts, and a valid government-issued photo ID for the exam hall.

OBC-NCL certificate must not be older than two years from the closing date of this vacancy notice, which means it must have been issued on or after July 5, 2024. Certificates issued before that date will not be accepted at verification.

Important Instructions/Key warnings:

• Once the application is submitted, no modification of any kind is possible, including change of post preference order, category, or any personal detail. 
• At the exam hall, entry is permitted only until 30 minutes before the exam starts; gates close at that point and late entry is not allowed. Reach the centre at least 90 minutes early.
• Mobile phones, smartwatches, Bluetooth devices, calculators, pagers, and digital diaries are banned at the exam venue. Possession, even if switched off, is treated as use of unfair means.
• For PwD candidates using a scribe: the scribe cannot be another applicant in this same advertisement. A declaration to this effect must be submitted, and violation at any stage disqualifies both candidate and scribe.
• All future updates, result notifications, and admit cards will appear only at the official website. No information will be printed in newspapers or issued separately.

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To help aspirants better understand the recruitment process, here are some important practical points:

What the ST and OBC Reservation Rules Here Mean for Candidates Coming from Outside the Islands

This recruitment does not follow central government ST and OBC lists. The A&N Administration operates under its own reservation framework, and only candidates belonging to tribes specified under the Constitution (A&N Islands) Scheduled Tribe Order 1959 qualify for ST reservation. Mainland candidates with valid ST certificates from other states will be counted as Unreserved. The OBC rule is equally local, only candidates covered under A&N Administration gazette notifications from December 2005 and April 2006 qualify. An OBC candidate from Uttar Pradesh or Tamil Nadu or any other indian state has no reserved-category entitlement here and competes against UR seats. 

What the Forester Post Actually Asks of You Before Appointment

The 36 Forester vacancies look attractive by volume, but most candidates underestimate the Tier-II physical demands. General male candidates need a minimum height of 163 cm and a chest that expands from 84 cm to 89 cm. Female general candidates need 150 cm height and chest from 79 to 84 cm. Beyond measurement, there is a physical endurance test: males must walk 25 km in 4 hours, which requires maintaining roughly 6.25 km per hour continuously. Females must cover 14 km in the same time. After appointment, a Forestry Training Course must be completed, and failing it means salary increments cannot be drawn until it is passed. Therefore, choose this Forester post in top of your preference list only after a realistic assessment of physical readiness.

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Also Check:

Andaman Nicobar Combined Matric Level Recruitment Exam 2026: 1535 Vacancies Across 194 Group C Non-Ministerial Posts, Apply Online by June 28

Andaman & Nicobar Police Recruitment 2026: 495 Vacancies for Sub-Inspector, Constable and Other Posts - Application deadline extended to 10 June, 2026

Gujarat GSRTC Recruitment 2026: 4599 Driver and 4318 Conductor Posts, Online Applications Open June 6 to July 5

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❓Frequently Asked Questions 

How many vacancies are there in this recruitment?

716 posts across 38 different post codes, combining Group B and Group C positions from more than 20 departments. The single largest component is the Lower Grade Clerk post at the Secretariat with 426 seats.

What is the last date to apply?

July 5, 2026 at 12:00 midnight. The application window opens June 15, 2026 at 12:00 noon. Both deadlines are firm; the system disables the link after closing time.

Who can apply?

Any Indian national who has completed 18 years of age, does not exceed the applicable age ceiling for their chosen post, and holds the required qualification. Candidates currently in central government service must apply online within the deadline and produce an NOC at document verification.

What is the age limit, including category relaxations?

For Group B posts, the limit is 18-30 years for everyone. For Group C posts, it is 18-33 years for males and 18-38 years for females. ST candidates get 5 additional years, OBC get 3, PwD (UR) get 10, and PwD (ST) get 15 years of relaxation. Ex-servicemen get 3 years after deducting actual military service.

What qualification is required?

12th pass from a recognized board is the base requirement across most posts. Clerical posts additionally need typing speed on computer; stenographer posts require shorthand. Science stream with Biology is needed for field posts. Maritime posts need pre-existing professional competency certificates that take years at sea to obtain. IT Analyst and Computer Assistant also accept degree-level qualifications in CS or IT.

How does the selection process work?

A 200-mark Tablet Based Test covering English, General Intelligence, Quantitative Aptitude, and General Awareness determines the merit ranking. Tier-II (skill, trade, or physical test) is qualifying only and does not affect the score. Document verification follows for shortlisted candidates.

What is the salary for these posts?

Basic pay ranges from Rs. 19,900 per month at Pay Level 2 to Rs. 35,400 per month at Pay Level 6, with central government allowances on top. The Group B maritime posts at Level 6 carry the highest basic pay in this batch.

What is the application fee?

Rs. 100 for male candidates in UR, OBC, and EWS categories. Female candidates, ST candidates, and persons with benchmark disability are exempt from any fee.

Can I apply for more than one post?

Yes, and candidates are encouraged to apply for multiple posts in order of preference. The preference order submitted is permanent and cannot be revised under any circumstances after submission.

How do I apply?

Apply online only at https://erecruitment.andamannicobar.gov.in between June 15 and July 5, 2026. Fill all six sections, upload photo and signature in the specified formats, pay the fee if applicable, and submit. No offline mode is available.

What is the official website?

https://erecruitment.andamannicobar.gov.in. Exam dates, admit cards, results, and all other updates appear only here. No press notification or newspaper announcement will be issued for any stage.

Are OBC and ST certificates from other states valid for reservation in this recruitment?

No. Only locally recognized ST communities under the 1959 A&N Islands Scheduled Tribe Order qualify for ST reservation. OBC reservation applies only to local A&N OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates under specific 2005 and 2006 island-specific gazette notifications. Mainland state-issued certificates do not confer any reserved category benefit in this recruitment.

What is the Tablet Based Test, and does it differ from a regular online exam?

The TBT is conducted on tablets provided at official examination centres, not on a personal computer or from home. The question format is standard MCQ, but candidates who have only ever used mouse-and-keyboard setups may find a touchscreen tablet slightly different to navigate. Practicing on a tablet or large touchscreen device before the exam is worth doing.

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Conclusion

The form is not open yet, but do not just sit and wait for it. Use this time to decide which posts you want to apply for and in what order. Go through all 38 posts in this notification, remove the ones where you lack the required qualification or do not hold the mandatory physical and professional certificates, and then rank what remains honestly. Look at where your profile is genuinely competitive and where the seat count actually gives you a realistic chance. For most candidates without maritime certifications, placing Lower Grade Clerk (Post 227/26) and Stenographer (Post 228/26) among the top preferences makes the most statistical sense given the available seats.

Check your OBC-NCL certificate date if you are a local A&N OBC candidate; it must have been issued on or after July 5, 2024. For PwD candidates, confirm the format of the disability certificate is as per Form V, VI, and VII under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Rules, 2017, as older-format certificates issued under the 1995 Act remain valid only for the period specified on them.

All exam dates, admit cards, and result notifications will be published exclusively on the official portal at erecruitment.andamannicobar.gov.in. Bookmark it now and check back every few days so nothing slips past you closer to the exam. You can also keep this page saved. We update it as soon as any official notice goes live, so you have two reliable places to check instead of one.

This article is based on the official notification and simplified for easy understanding. For the most accurate and updated information, always refer to the official website.