New Delhi, July 15, 2026 : In a significant move to strengthen India’s institutional framework for tackling cybercrime, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has proposed new recruitment rules for the posts of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Additional Chief Executive Officer (Additional CEO) in the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C). The Ministry has invited comments and suggestions from stakeholders on the proposed rules until August 14, 2026, after which the recruitment framework will be finalized.
According to an official memorandum issued by the MHA on July 14, 2026, the proposal aims to create one CEO post in Pay Matrix Level-15 (equivalent to the rank of Additional Secretary) and three Additional CEO posts in Pay Matrix Level-14 (equivalent to Joint Secretary level) under the Cyber and Information Security (CIS) Division of the Ministry.
The proposed appointments will be made on a deputation basis under the Non-Central Staffing Scheme, and the posts will not fall under the purview of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Instead, selections will be approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, following recommendations from a Search-cum-Selection Committee headed by the Union Home Secretary.
The Ministry has requested all stakeholders to submit their observations on the draft recruitment rules to the Under Secretary (Cyber Crime), Cyber and Information Security Division, Ministry of Home Affairs, by August 14, 2026.
CEO Post: Eligibility and Qualifications
The CEO position has been classified as a General Central Service, Group ‘A’, Gazetted, Non-Ministerial post in Pay Matrix Level-15. Initially, one post has been proposed for 2026, although the number may vary depending on administrative requirements.
The post will be filled exclusively through deputation. Officers from the All India Services, Organised Group ‘A’ Services, Central and State Governments, Union Territories, autonomous or statutory bodies, public sector undertakings, universities, and recognized research institutions will be eligible.
Applicants must either:
- Hold an analogous post on a regular basis, or
- Have completed at least three years of regular service in Level-14 of the Pay Matrix or an equivalent grade.
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or institute along with at least five years of experience in cyber security, cybercrime investigation, cyber forensics, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), or internal security.
Desirable qualifications include a postgraduate degree or diploma in Computer Applications, Law, Cyber Law, Cyber Forensics, Computer Science, or Information Technology.
Additional CEO Posts
The Ministry has proposed three Additional CEO posts for 2026 under Pay Matrix Level-14, also classified as Group ‘A’, Gazetted, Non-Ministerial positions.
Eligibility extends to officers:
- Holding analogous posts, or
- Having two years of regular service in Level-13A, or
- Three years of regular service in Level-13 of the Pay Matrix.
Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree and possess at least ten years of experience in establishment, administration, procurement, finance, vigilance, or legal matters, including a minimum of three years’ experience in cyber security, cybercrime investigation, cyber forensics, ICT, or internal security.
The same desirable postgraduate qualifications prescribed for the CEO post will also apply.
Deputation Terms
The draft rules specify that:
- Appointments will be made only through deputation.
- No direct recruitment, promotion, or probation provisions have been included.
- The maximum deputation period will ordinarily not exceed five years, including previous deputation in any ex-cadre post immediately before appointment.
- The upper age limit for appointment on deputation has been fixed at 55 years as on the closing date for receipt of applications.
The memorandum further clarifies that no Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) will be constituted for these appointments and consultation with the UPSC will not be required.
The proposed recruitment framework is expected to enhance leadership and administrative capacity within the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), a key agency responsible for coordinating efforts to combat cybercrime, strengthen digital security, and improve inter-agency cooperation across the country.
