MHA Drafts Recruitment Rules for CEO and Additional CEO Positions at I4C, Invites Stakeholder Feedback Until August 14

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has proposed new recruitment rules for the positions of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Additional Chief Executive Officer (Additional CEO) at the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), a move aimed at enhancing the country's cybercrime response mechanism. Under the proposal, the ministry plans to create one CEO post at Pay Matrix Level-15, equivalent to the rank of Additional Secretary, and three Additional CEO posts at Pay Matrix Level-14, comparable to the rank of Joint Secretary, within the Senior Administrative Grade (SAG).

The MHA has invited comments and suggestions from stakeholders on the draft recruitment rules until August 14, after which the rules will be finalized. These positions will be part of the I4C, functioning under the Cyber and Information Security (CIS) Division of the ministry. The appointments will be made on a deputation basis under the Non-Central Staffing Scheme and will not come under the jurisdiction of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

Candidates will be selected through a Search-cum-Selection Committee headed by the Union Home Secretary, with final approval from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. On July 14, the ministry circulated an official memorandum to stakeholders seeking their feedback. The document stated that the MHA intends to frame recruitment rules for the CEO and Additional CEO positions in I4C and requested stakeholders to submit their observations to the Under Secretary (Cyber Crime), Cyber and Information Security Division, by August 14, 2026.

According to the draft proposal, the number of posts may change in the future depending on operational needs. Initially, one CEO post and three Additional CEO posts have been proposed for 2026. All four positions will be classified as Group 'A', Gazetted, Non-Ministerial posts. The ministry has proposed filling these roles solely through deputation, with no provision for direct recruitment, promotion, probation, or regular selection.

For the CEO position, officers from the All India Services, organised Group 'A' services, Central and state governments, Union Territories, autonomous or statutory bodies, public sector enterprises, universities, and recognised research institutions will be eligible. Applicants must either hold an equivalent post or have completed at least three years of regular service in Pay Matrix Level-14 or an equivalent grade.

The minimum educational qualification for the CEO role is a bachelor's degree from a recognised university or institution, along with at least five years of experience in cyber security, cybercrime investigation, cyber forensics, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), or internal security. Preference will be given to candidates with postgraduate qualifications in fields such as Computer Applications, Law, Cyber Law, Cyber Forensics, Computer Science, or Information Technology.

Eligibility for the Additional CEO posts has been broadened. Applicants may hold an equivalent post or have completed two years of regular service in Pay Matrix Level-13A or three years in Level-13. They must possess a bachelor's degree and at least 10 years of experience in administration, establishment, procurement, finance, vigilance, or legal matters, including a minimum of three years in cyber security, cybercrime investigation, cyber forensics, ICT, or internal security. Similar postgraduate qualifications have been listed as desirable for these posts as well.

The draft rules also specify that the deputation period, including any previous deputation in another ex-cadre post immediately before the appointment, will generally not exceed five years. The upper age limit for deputation, including short-term contract appointments, has been set at 55 years as of the application deadline. The memorandum further clarifies that no Departmental Promotion Committee will be constituted for these appointments and that consultation with the UPSC will not be required.