MEA Consultant (Legal) Recruitment 2026: 1 Post – Apply Offline @ mea.gov.in

Post-Wise Vacancy & Pay Scale

Eligibility Criteria & Educational Qualification

• Nationality: Indian nationals only.
• Essential Qualification: Graduate degree in Law.
• Experience: Minimum practice in a Session Court for 5 years, OR in a High Court for 3 years, OR in the Supreme Court for 2 years.
• Age Limit: 27–40 years as on the last date of submission of application (24 November 2026).
• Desirable: Domain knowledge of Indian Penal Code (IPC) / Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) laws of India.
• Note: No age relaxation is specified in the notification. Candidates should refer to the Download MEA Consultant (Legal) DE Division Official Notification PDF for full eligibility conditions.

Selection Process & Screening Clause

• The Ministry of External Affairs will review all applications and shortlist candidates for an interview and/or written test.
• Shortlisted candidates will be intimated by email. The date, time and venue of the interview will be communicated to the email address provided by the applicant.
• The decision of the Government regarding selection of the candidate will be final.
• No TA/DA will be payable by the Ministry to applicants for attending the interview.

Key Terms of Contractual Engagement

• Tenure: 01 (One) year, extendable based on performance assessment and mutual willingness.
• Working Hours: Full-time engagement; normal hours 0900 to 1730 hrs, Monday to Friday. Saturday and Sunday are weekend off.
• Leave: 1.5 days per completed month of service; leave encashment is not permissible; unspent leave lapses on commencement of the notice period.
• Termination: Either party may terminate the contract with one month's notice or one month's pay in lieu thereof.
• Exclusivity: The Consultant shall not accept any other professional appointment, paid or otherwise, in government or private sector during the term of engagement.
• No Benefits: The engagement does not confer Provident Fund, Pension, Gratuity, Seniority, Promotion or any other benefit available to regular Ministry employees.

Job Responsibilities

• Handling of court cases in which the Ministry/DE Division is a party.
• Seeking legal opinion on marital disputes, child abduction and matters related to Indian students abroad.
• Seeking legal opinion on various bills of DE Division including the NRI Marriage Bill.
• Job location includes Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan, Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, Patiala House, ISIL Building and Kartavya Bhavan, New Delhi.

How to Apply for MEA Consultant (Legal) DE Division

1. Prepare the application in the prescribed proforma at Annexure I of the advertisement.
2. Attach all documents and certificates in support of educational qualifications and court practice experience.
3. Offline Mode (Registered Post): Send the application in an envelope labelled "Application for the position of Consultant (Legal) in DE Division of Ministry of External Affairs" addressed to: Under Secretary (PF&PG), Ministry of External Affairs, Room No. 4071, Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan, 23-D, Janpath, New Delhi–110011.
4. Email Mode: Send the application by email to [email protected] with the subject line clearly mentioning the name of the candidate and the position applied for.
5. Ensure the application reaches the Ministry by 24 November 2026 (1730 Hrs).

Required Documents & Instructions for Candidates

• Application in the Annexure I proforma with a passport-size photograph pasted on it and signed by the candidate.
• Documents/certificates in support of all educational qualifications listed.
• Documents in support of court practice experience in Session Court / High Court / Supreme Court.
• Supporting documents for employment details (on a separate sheet if the proforma space is insufficient).
• CV or separate sheet with additional information in support of suitability, if needed.
• Incomplete applications and those received without supporting documents will be summarily rejected.
• Applications received after the closing date or not in the prescribed proforma will be rejected.
• Applicants must make their own arrangements to reach the place of interview.

Important Dates

• Date of Advertisement: 03 November 2026
• Last Date for Receiving Applications: 24 November 2026 (1730 Hrs)
• Interview Date: To be communicated via email to shortlisted candidates

Important Links

• Download MEA Consultant (Legal) DE Division Official Notification PDF
• Visit Ministry of External Affairs Official Website

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the last date to apply for MEA Consultant (Legal) Recruitment 2026?

The last date for receiving applications for the MEA Consultant (Legal) position in the Diaspora Engagement (DE) Division is 24 November 2026 by 1730 Hrs. Applications must reach the Ministry either by registered post or by email before this deadline.

How can I apply for the MEA Consultant (Legal) post – online or offline?

Applications must be submitted offline through one of two modes: (1) by registered post addressed to Under Secretary (PF&PG), Ministry of External Affairs, Room No. 4071, Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan, 23-D, Janpath, New Delhi–110011; or (2) by email to [email protected] with the candidate's name and the position applied for in the subject line. There is no online portal application.

What is the application fee for MEA Consultant (Legal) Recruitment?

The official notification does not specify any application fee for this recruitment.

What is the salary and contract duration for this post?

The remuneration is commensurate with the experience and profile of the selected candidate, subject to a maximum of Rs. 83,300 per month with no HRA admissible. The engagement is for a period of 01 (One) year, extendable based on performance assessment and mutual willingness.

What are the eligibility qualifications for MEA Consultant (Legal)?

Candidates must hold a Graduate degree in Law and have court practice experience of at least 5 years in a Session Court, or 3 years in a High Court, or 2 years in the Supreme Court. The applicant must be an Indian national aged between 27 and 40 years as on 24 November 2026.

Is TA/DA paid for the interview and will this be a permanent government job?

No, TA/DA will not be paid to applicants for attending the interview. This is a purely contractual engagement for one year and does not confer any benefits such as Provident Fund, Pension, Gratuity, Seniority or Promotion that are available to regular Ministry employees.