Andaman and Nicobar Administration, Secretariat, Sri Vijayapuram
Last Date: June 28, 2026

The Andaman and Nicobar Administration has released Advertisement No. 01/ML/2026 for 1535 vacancies spread across 194 different Group C Non-Ministerial posts in more than 30 departments. Online applications open on June 8, 2026 (12:00 Noon) and the window closes on June 28, 2026 (12:00 Midnight). The exam will be conducted as a Tablet Based Test, with all stages taking place exclusively within the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Andaman & Nicobar Combined Matric Level Recruitment Exam: Quick Overview 

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Andaman & Nicobar Combined Matric Level Recruitment Exam: Quick Introduction

The Andaman and Nicobar Administration is a Union Territory government functioning under the direct oversight of the Government of India, responsible for administering one of India's most geographically remote and ecologically significant territories. The Combined Matric Level Examination is its large-scale recruitment mechanism for Group C operational and technical posts. It is distinct from any state government exam because these are Central Government posts with Central Government pay scales, benefits, and service rules, even though the posting is within islands.

With 1535 vacancies across 194 post types, this is not only a exam for one cadre but spread across everything from Forest Guards and Deck Ratings to Electricians, Cooks, Linemen, and Multi Tasking Staff. A candidate who passes the common written test is settled across posts based on their performance and the preference order they choose while applying. The last major Combined Matric Level recruitment by A&N Administration was held in 2023, making this one of the next significant recruitment opening. 

The competition system in this recruitment is different from other mainland government exams. Most applicants will be island residents who are already familiar with the lifestyle and conditions. Candidates from mainland India can apply but must physically travel to A&N for the exam and all subsequent stages.

Vacancy Details

The 1535 total posts is distributed among various departments and skills. The table below covers the ten largest posts by vacancy count. The full list of 194 posts is available in Annexure-I on the official website or you can check the important links section towards the end of this page where direct link is provided.

The Forest Guard post, with 110 vacancies at Pay Level 3 (Rs. 21,700-69,100), is the single largest individual post in this exam but also carries the most demanding physical requirements. Education MTS, at 157 vacancies across Pay Level 1, is the broadest opening for candidates with basic 10th pass qualification and no special trade background.

The OBC category has the second-highest reserved seats at 535, but candidates must note that OBC reservation here applies only to "local OBC" under the A&N Islands-specific gazette notification. Mainland OBC candidates are counted as unreserved. 

Application Fee

Male candidates from the General, EWS, and OBC categories pay a fee of Rs. 100 only. Female candidates are completely exempt. ST candidates are exempt regardless of gender. Persons with Benchmark Disability candidates are also exempt.

Payment is accepted online through Net Banking, VISA, Mastercard, RuPay, Credit or Debit Card, or UPI/QR Code. No offline payment mode is available. The fee is non-refundable. Candidates cannot apply through post, in person, or by mail, the application is entirely online and only through the official portal.

Age Limit

The minimum age for all posts is 18 years. The upper age limit for Group C posts is 33 years for male candidates and 38 years for female candidates. The reference date for age calculation is the closing date of the application: June 28, 2026.

The age ceiling of 33 for general male candidates is standard requirement for Group C central government posts. Also the generous PwD relaxations for qualified candidates with disabilities, and the 15-year relaxation for PwD-ST candidates effectively opening the door up to age 45 for males.

Educational Qualification

Main requirement across almost all 194 posts is a pass in the Secondary School Examination (10th Standard) from a recognized Board or Institution. For the vast majority of posts, this is the only mandatory academic qualification.

However, several other posts require additional qualifications alongside the 10th pass. Driver posts across all departments require a valid driving licence for the relevant vehicle type. Forest Guard requires passing a specific written test on English and GK plus Mathematics and Science. Draughtsman posts require a 2-year certificate course in Draughtsmanship from a recognized ITI. Deck Rating and Engine Room Rating posts require a CDC (Continuous Discharge Certificate) from DG Shipping with STCW 2010 certification. Electrician, Lineman, Fitter, and Mechanic posts require relevant ITI trade certificates. The Security Inspector post requires minimum physical standards including height, chest, and weight measurements.

Each post's specific qualification is detailed in Annexure-I of the notification (provided in the important links section below), which candidates must read for the specific post they intend to apply for. Candidature is accepted provisionally based on self-declaration; document verification happens later.

Selection Process

The selection runs in two stages. Stage I is a Tablet Based Test (TBT) conducted online at designated centres in South Andaman, North and Middle Andaman, and Nicobar Districts. The question paper has 150 questions carrying 150 marks over 120 minutes.

There is negative marking of 0.25 marks per wrong answer. Candidates with visual impairment or cerebral palsy using a scribe get 160 minutes. Questions in General Intelligence, Numerical Aptitude, and General Awareness are in both English and Hindi; the English section is naturally only in English.

Stage I determines the merit list. Candidates are shortlisted from the TBT based on merit within each category and in order of their stated post preferences.

Stage II is a Trade Test, Skill Test, or Physical Endurance Test as prescribed for the specific post. For most posts, Stage II is qualifying in nature only, meaning it does not add to the merit score but must be cleared. For the post of Forest Guard specifically, the physical endurance test involves a 25 km walk for males and 14 km for females, both to be completed in 4 hours. The Security Inspector post requires passing a written professional test and interview in addition to meeting physical measurements.

Document verification of original certificates follows after Stage II, and only then is the final select list published.

Salary, Job Location, and Service Conditions

The pay scale different across the 194 posts. Most posts are at Pay Level 1 (Rs. 18,000 to 56,900) including MTS, Mazdoor, Cook, Safaiwala, Lascar, and similar roles. Driver and skilled trade posts (electrician, mechanic, lineman) are typically at Pay Level 2 (Rs. 19,900 to 63,200). Surveyor, Draughtsman, and Chargeman posts are at Pay Level 4 (Rs. 25,500 to 81,100). The highest ranking posts in this exam i.e., Security Inspector, Technician, Chargeman (Afloat), Technical Assistant, and Assistant Artist Retoucher, are at Pay Level 5 (Rs. 29,200 to 92,300).

Job location is the Andaman and Nicobar Islands for all 194 posts. There is no pan-India or mainland posting in this recruitment. These are Central Government posts governed by A&N Administration service rules, which means posting across the different island districts: South Andaman (where Sri Vijaya Puram is located), North and Middle Andaman, and Nicobar. Transfers between islands within the UT are part of normal service.

There is no mention of a probation period or bond in the official notification beyond what standard Central Government service rules specify.

How to Apply

1. Go to the official website at https://erecruitment.andamannicobar.gov.in
2. Click on the recruitment link for Combined Matric Level Examination 2026 (Advertisement No. 01/ML/2026)
3. Register as a new user with a valid active email ID and mobile number; keep these active throughout the process as all communication is through email and SMS
4. Log in to the portal and select the post(s) you wish to apply for, in the order of your preference; the preference order cannot be changed after submission
5. Fill in personal details, educational qualifications, and experience if any across the six sections of the form: (1) Personal Details, (2) Post Selection, (3) Education Qualification, (4) Experience, (5) Payment Details, (6) Upload Photo and Signature
6. Upload a recent colour photograph in JPG/JPEG format (20 KB to 50 KB, full face, front view, eyes open, no cap, mask, or spectacles, plain white or off-white background); the photo date must be recent; the recommended resolution is 200x230 pixels
7. Upload your signature in JPEG format (10 KB to 20 KB, resolution 140x60 pixels); blurred signatures result in summary rejection
8. Select your preferred exam zone (South Andaman, North and Middle Andaman, or Nicobar); this preference cannot be changed later
9. Pay Rs. 100 online using Net Banking, VISA, Mastercard, RuPay, Credit or Debit Card, or UPI; fee-exempt categories see the exemption automatically on the payment page
10. Submit the form and download the completed application; incomplete forms due to network issues can be resumed later through the portal, but must be fully completed before the closing date

Required Documents and Important Instructions

No documents need to be uploaded during the application stage. Candidature is accepted provisionally. The A&N Administration will verify eligibility and documents only at the Online Document Verification stage after Stage I.

Original documents to keep ready for later include: age proof (10th Board certificate with date of birth), all educational and trade qualification certificates, domicile or residence proof, category certificate (ST/OBC/EWS/PwD/ESM), valid driving licence if applying for driver posts, CDC and STCW certificate for shipping posts, and NOC from employer for departmental candidates.

Important Note: Once submitted, no change or correction in the online application is permitted under any circumstances. Check every detail carefully before final submission. The post preference order you set during application is final, and no request to change it will be allowed.

Candidates applying for OBC quota must ensure their OBC-NCL certificate is not older than two years from the closing date (June 28, 2026) and that it is a certificate issued specifically for A&N Islands OBC categories. Mainland OBC certificates do not qualify for OBC reservation here.

Candidates found to have fraudulently claimed ST, OBC, EWS, ESM, or PwD status will be permanently debarred from all A&N Administration examinations. Scribe facility is available for specific categories of PwD candidates; they must indicate scribe requirements during the online application, as no post-submission request will be allowed.

The admit card for the TBT will be available approximately one week before the exam on the website. No admit card will be sent by post. Candidates must carry a printed copy of the admit card and one valid photo ID to the exam hall. Entry to the exam venue closes 30 minutes before commencement.

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Before applying, applicants should go through these important practical observations carefully:

The Island Posting Reality Before You Apply

All 1535 posts are located in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, are connected to the mainland only by air and ship, making even a casual visit expensive. Candidates selected for posting in the Nicobar group face one of the most remote deployments in Indian government service. For island residents applying, this is home but for mainland candidates it means relocating to a place where flights cost more than a monthly salary at the entry level and social infrastructure differs significantly from urban India. Some departments like the Shipping Service and Forest Department require work in maritime and jungle environments respectively. therefore, before starting effort into preparation, a candidate from outside A&N should consider these carefully. 

Why Mainland ST and OBC Candidates Need to Read This Carefully

The ST reservation in this exam applies exclusively to "Local Scheduled Tribes" as specified under the Constitution (A&N Islands) Scheduled Tribe Order, 1959. These are the recognized tribal communities of the islands, including the Andamanese and Nicobarese peoples. A candidate from UP, MP, Jharkhand, or any other state who belongs to ST by their home state's schedule does not qualify for ST reservation here and will be considered under the unreserved category. Similarly, OBC reservation applies only to communities listed in the specific A&N Islands OBC gazette notification. An OBC certificate from a mainland district is not valid for claiming OBC quota, and the OBC certificate used must not be older than two years from the closing date. Candidates who misunderstand this and claim reservation status fraudulently face permanent debarment.

The English Section at 50 Marks Decides Who Does Well Here

Most competitive written exams for Group C posts weight English at 25 marks or less in a 100-mark paper but this exam gives English a full 50 marks out of 150, which is the single largest section, equal to General Awareness. Candidates who are strong in English have a effective advantage. For candidates from Hindi-medium or regional language backgrounds who have been preparing for other Group C exams, the English section here demands separate attention. 

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❓Frequently Asked Questions 

How many vacancies are available in the A&N Combined Matric Level Exam 2026?

A total of 1535 posts spread across 194 different post categories in 30-plus departments. Category-wise: UR 704, ST 129, OBC 535, EWS 167. Additionally, 49 horizontal PwD reservations and 10 ESM reservations exist within this total.

What is the last date to apply?

June 28, 2026 at 12:00 Midnight. Applications open from June 8, 2026 at 12:00 Noon. There is no offline or postal application option; only the official portal https://erecruitment.andamannicobar.gov.in is accepted.

Who is eligible to apply?

Indian nationals who have passed Secondary School Examination (10th Standard) from a recognized Board. Candidates may apply for one or more posts based on their eligibility and preference. Specific posts require additional trade certificates, driving licences, or physical standards as detailed in Annexure-I.

What is the age limit including relaxations?

18 to 33 years for males and 18 to 38 years for females as on June 28, 2026. ST candidates get 5 years upper relaxation. OBC gets 3 years. PwD candidates get 10 to 15 years depending on category. Ex-Servicemen get 3 years after deducting military service. Central government civilian employees with 3 years continuous service can apply up to 40 years (45 for ST).

What qualification is required?

10th Standard pass from a recognized Board for most posts. Some posts need additional qualifications: ITI trade certificates for electrician, mechanic, and fitter roles; a valid driving licence for all driver posts; CDC and STCW certification for shipping service posts; and specific diploma courses for draughtsman and surveyor posts. Full post-wise qualification details are in Annexure-I of the notification.

What is the selection process?

Two stages. Stage I is a Tablet Based Test (150 questions, 150 marks, 120 minutes) with sections in General Intelligence and Reasoning, Numerical Aptitude, English Language, and General Awareness. Negative marking of 0.25 per wrong answer applies. Stage II is a qualifying trade, skill, or physical test as applicable to the specific post. Document verification follows Stage II.

What is the salary for these posts?

Salary varies by post. Pay Level 1 (Rs. 18,000 to 56,900) covers MTS, Mazdoor, Cook, and similar roles. Pay Level 2 (Rs. 19,900 to 63,200) applies to most driver and some trade posts. Pay Level 4 (Rs. 25,500 to 81,100) for surveyor and draughtsman posts. Pay Level 5 (Rs. 29,200 to 92,300) for the highest posts like Security Inspector and Technician.

What is the application fee?

Rs. 100 for male candidates in General, EWS, and OBC categories. Female candidates, ST candidates, and persons with benchmark disability are fully exempt. Payment is online only through Net Banking, VISA, Mastercard, RuPay, credit or debit card, or UPI.

How do I apply online?

Visit https://erecruitment.andamannicobar.gov.in, register, log in, select posts in your preferred order, fill all six sections of the form, upload photograph and signature in specified formats, select exam zone, pay the fee, and submit. Incomplete forms due to network issues can be resumed before the closing date.

What is the official website?

https://erecruitment.andamannicobar.gov.in. All updates including exam dates, admit cards, results, and any corrigendum will appear here only. The A&N Administration does not communicate updates through print media.

Can candidates from mainland India apply?

Yes, any Indian national who meets the eligibility criteria can apply. However, the TBT exam is conducted only at centres in South Andaman, North and Middle Andaman, and Nicobar. All subsequent stages are also in the islands. Mainland candidates must travel to A&N for every stage of the recruitment at their own expense.

Are mainstream OBC or ST certificates from mainland states valid for reservation here?

No. Only candidates covered under the specific A&N Islands-defined lists qualify for local ST and OBC reservation. ST candidates from mainland states are considered under the UR category here. OBC candidates must hold a certificate from the A&N Islands OBC list, not older than two years from the closing date.

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What to Do Before June 28

At last, its important to Apply well before the last date is more important in this recruitment as application portal at erecruitment.andamannicobar.gov.in may experience higher traffic in the final days, also technical issues may happen close to midnight on June 28. The A&N Administration has explicitly stated it will not be responsible for last-day submission failures.

The post preference order you set during application is your final preference order. Review the Annexure-I list of all 194 posts carefully before filling the form, identify every post you are eligible for, and rank them in the order of your genuine preference. 

For all updates including exam dates, admit card links, and results, the only reliable source is https://erecruitment.andamannicobar.gov.in. No information regarding the schedule will be sent through print media. For technical issues during application, the helpdesk email is rect.examcell.ana@gmail.com and the telephone number 03192-259200 (SOVTECH) is available 9 am to 5 pm on all working days.

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.