The Andaman and Nicobar Administration has notified the Combined Higher Secondary Level Examination 2026 through Advertisement No. 02/HSL/2026, covering 716 vacancies across 38 post codes in departments throughout the islands. This is the Class 12 level counterpart to the Combined Matric Level Examination, and for anyone who has passed higher secondary it is the main route into a permanent Group B (Non-Gazetted) or Group C post under the Administration.
One figure dominates this recruitment and it is worth knowing before you read anything else: 426 of the 716 posts — nearly 60 per cent — are for Lower Grade Clerk in the Secretariat. After that the largest blocks are Forester in Environment & Forests with 36, Stenographer (OG) in the Secretariat with 33, Village Level Worker with 28, Master 1st Class in Shipping Service with 26 and Tally Clerk at the Port Management Board with 23. A single online application lets you opt for several posts in order of preference, and one Tablet Based Test decides all of them. Below is the complete post-wise vacancy table, the exam pattern with its negative marking, age limits with category-wise relaxation, and the syllabus.
Current Status of This Recruitment
Online applications have closed. The original window ran from 15 June 2026 (12:00 Noon) to 5 July 2026 (12:00 Midnight). The deadline was later extended and the application window reopened from 21 July 2026 to 30 July 2026 under Advertisement No. 1054 on the e-recruitment portal. A correction window for both the higher secondary and matric level examinations was subsequently announced on 31 August 2026.
The date and venue of the Tablet Based Test have not yet been announced. As per the notification these will be intimated to candidates through SMS and email, and published on the official website. Candidates who applied should keep their registered email and mobile number active. We will publish the admit card and exam date on AndamanJobs as soon as they are released.
Recruitment Overview
| Organisation | Andaman & Nicobar Administration, Secretariat |
| Advertisement No. | 02/HSL/2026 (File No. 4-12/2026-R&E Cell) |
| Examination Name | Combined Higher Secondary Level Examination 2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 716 across 38 post codes |
| Post Group | Group B (Non-Gazetted) and Group C |
| Job Location | Andaman & Nicobar Islands |
| Application Mode | Online only |
| Examination Mode | Tablet Based Test (TBT) |
| Official Website | erecruitment.andamannicobar.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Notification Date | 04 June 2026 |
| Online Application Start | 15 June 2026 (12:00 Noon) |
| Original Last Date | 05 July 2026 (12:00 Midnight) |
| Application Window Reopened | 21 July 2026 |
| Final Last Date to Apply | 30 July 2026 |
| Correction Window Announced | 31 August 2026 |
| TBT Examination Date | To be announced through SMS / email |
Application Fee
| General / OBC / EWS (Male) | Rs. 100/- |
| Female Candidates | Exempted |
| Scheduled Tribe Candidates | Exempted |
| Persons with Benchmark Disability | Exempted |
| Payment Mode | Net Banking, VISA / Master / RuPay Credit or Debit Card, UPI / QR Code |
Category-wise Vacancy Breakdown
| Category | Number of Vacancies |
|---|---|
| UR (Unreserved) | 334 |
| ST (Scheduled Tribe) | 42 |
| OBC (Other Backward Class) | 280 |
| EWS (Economically Weaker Section) | 60 |
| Total | 716 |
| PwD (horizontal reservation) | 25 |
| Ex-Servicemen (horizontal reservation) | 02 |
Complete Post-wise Vacancy Details
| Post Code | Name of Post & Pay Level | Department | Group | UR | ST | OBC | EWS | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 195/26 | Laboratory Assistant, Level 3 | Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Service | C | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| 196/26 | Stenographer, Level 4 | Chief Pay and Accounts Office | C | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 197/26 | Lower Division Clerk, Level 2 | Chief Pay and Accounts Office | C | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| 198/26 | Mechanical Foreman, Level 5 | Environment & Forests | C | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 199/26 | Forester, Level 5 | Environment & Forests | C | 12 | 7 | 11 | 6 | 36 |
| 200/26 | Stenographer (OG), Level 4 | Environment & Forests | C | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 201/26 | Veterinary Compounder, Level 4 | Environment & Forests | C | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 202/26 | Patwari, Level 3 | Deputy Commissioner (SA) | C | 3 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 8 |
| 203/26 | Soil Conservation Field Assistant, Level 2 | Directorate of Agriculture | C | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| 204/26 | Agriculture Field Assistant, Level 2 | Directorate of Agriculture | C | 5 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 13 |
| 205/26 | Godown Keeper, Level 3 | Directorate of Disaster Management | C | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 206/26 | Laboratory Assistant, Level 4 | Directorate of Education | C | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| 207/26 | Sub-Inspector of Fisheries, Level 3 | Directorate of Fisheries | C | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 208/26 | Plaster Room Technician, Level 4 | Directorate of Health Service | C | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 209/26 | Typist, Level 2 | Directorate of Health Service | C | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 210/26 | Sales Assistant, Level 2 | Directorate of Industries | C | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 211/26 | Village Level Worker, Level 3 | RD, PRIs & Urban Local Bodies | C | 14 | 0 | 13 | 1 | 28 |
| 212/26 | Gram Sevika, Level 3 | RD, PRIs & Urban Local Bodies | C | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| 213/26 | Master 1st Class, Level 6 | Directorate of Shipping Service | B (NG) | 10 | 2 | 11 | 3 | 26 |
| 214/26 | Chief Engine Driver (SG), Level 6 | Directorate of Shipping Service | B (NG) | 6 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 11 |
| 215/26 | Master 2nd Class, Level 4 | Directorate of Shipping Service | C | 7 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 13 |
| 216/26 | Marine Radio Operator, Level 4 | Directorate of Shipping Service | C | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| 217/26 | Tally Clerk, Level 4 | Directorate of Shipping Service | C | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 7 |
| 218/26 | Store Keeper (Dockyard), Level 4 | Directorate of Shipping Service | C | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 219/26 | Sales Girl, Level 2 | Directorate of Social Welfare | C | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 220/26 | Depot Clerk, Level 2 | Directorate of Transport | C | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 8 |
| 221/26 | Storekeeper, Level 4 | Directorate of Transport | C | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 222/26 | Weaving Instructor, Level 2 | District Prison, Prothrapur | C | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 223/26 | Typist-cum-Clerk, Level 2 | Electricity Department | C | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 224/26 | IT Analyst, Level 4 | Information Technology | C | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 7 |
| 225/26 | Tally Clerk, Level 4 | Port Management Board | C | 12 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 23 |
| 226/26 | Marine Radio Operator, Level 4 | Port Management Board | C | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| 227/26 | Lower Grade Clerk, Level 2 | Secretariat, A&N Administration | C | 197 | 16 | 174 | 39 | 426 |
| 228/26 | Stenographer (OG), Level 4 | Secretariat, A&N Administration | C | 12 | 4 | 14 | 3 | 33 |
| 229/26 | Field Assistant, Level 2 | The Municipal Council | C | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 230/26 | Lower Grade Clerk, Level 2 | The Municipal Council | C | 5 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 9 |
| 231/26 | Stenographer, Level 4 | The Municipal Council | C | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 232/26 | Computer Assistant Gr-A, Level 4 | The Municipal Council | C | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 334 | 42 | 280 | 60 | 716 | |||
PwD reservation of 25 posts and Ex-Servicemen reservation of 2 posts apply horizontally across the above. The Administration has stated that the number of vacancies is tentative and may increase or decrease at its sole discretion, as the figures are based on requisitions received from the indenting departments.
Department-wise Summary
| Department | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Secretariat, A&N Administration | 459 |
| Directorate of Shipping Service | 63 |
| Department of Environment & Forests | 43 |
| RD, PRIs & Urban Local Bodies | 32 |
| Port Management Board | 29 |
| Directorate of Agriculture | 17 |
| The Municipal Council, Sri Vijaya Puram | 12 |
| Directorate of Transport | 11 |
| Directorate of Education | 9 |
| Deputy Commissioner (South Andaman) | 8 |
| Chief Pay and Accounts Office | 7 |
| Information Technology | 7 |
| Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Service | 6 |
| Electricity Department | 3 |
| Directorate of Disaster Management | 2 |
| Directorate of Fisheries | 2 |
| Directorate of Health Service | 2 |
| Directorate of Industries | 2 |
| Directorate of Social Welfare | 1 |
| District Prison, Prothrapur | 1 |
| Grand Total | 716 |
Eligibility Criteria
Nationality and General Conditions
The applicant must be an Indian National. All eligible candidates must apply online whether or not they are registered with the Employment Exchange. Departmental candidates must also apply online within the due date and must produce a No Objection Certificate for the respective post at the time of verification of original documents.
Educational Qualification
The essential educational and other qualifications are prescribed post by post in Annexure-I of the vacancy notice, as per the Recruitment Rules of each post, and are assessed as on the closing date of the vacancy notice. Candidates must check the requirement for the specific post code they are applying for. As this is a higher secondary level examination, the baseline for most posts is a pass in Class 12 from a recognised board, with technical and marine posts carrying additional certificate or licence requirements.
Reservation and Local Certificate Rules
- Scheduled Tribe: Only Local Scheduled Tribe candidates covered under the Constitution (A&N Islands) Scheduled Tribe Order 1959 are eligible for the ST quota. Any other ST candidate is considered only against Unreserved vacancies.
- OBC: Only Local Other Backward Class (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates specified in Gazette Notification No. 343/205/F.No.8-3/2003-TW dated 16 December 2005 and No. 752006/F.No.8-3/2003-TW dated 19 April 2006 are eligible for the OBC quota. OBC candidates from outside this UT are considered only against Unreserved vacancies.
- OBC-NCL certificate validity: The certificate must not be older than two years from the closing date of the vacancy notice. Creamy Layer candidates must indicate their category as UR.
- EWS: Certificates must be issued by the Revenue Department, A&N Administration, as specified in DoPT OM No. 36039/1/2019-Estt (Res).
- PwBD: Disability must not be less than 40 per cent, with a Disability Certificate issued by the Competent Authority in the prescribed form.
Candidates who fraudulently claim ST, OBC, EWS, ESM or PwD status will be permanently debarred from examinations conducted by the A&N Administration.
Age Limit (as on the closing date)
| Post Group | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| Group B (Non-Gazetted) – Male & Female | 18 to 30 years |
| Group C – Male | 18 to 33 years |
| Group C – Female | 18 to 38 years |
Age Relaxation
| Category | Relaxation | Group B (NG) | Group C Male | Group C Female |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ST | 5 years | 35 | 38 | 43 |
| OBC | 3 years | 33 | 36 | 41 |
| PwD (Unreserved) | 10 years | 40 | 43 | 48 |
| PwD (OBC) | 13 years | 43 | 46 | 51 |
| PwD (ST) | 15 years | 45 | 48 | 53 |
- Ex-Servicemen: 3 years after deduction of actual military service from actual age, as on the closing date. Group C posts only.
- Central Government civilian employees with not less than 3 years regular and continuous service: for Group C posts, up to 40 years (45 years for ST); for Group B (NG) posts, 5 years relaxation for posts in the same line or allied cadres.
- DRM and contractual employees including SSCT: 40 years of age, 45 years for ST candidates.
Exam Pattern — Tier-I (Tablet Based Test)
| Subject | Questions | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English Language (General English) | 50 | 50 |
| General Intelligence | 50 | 50 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 |
| General Awareness | 50 | 50 |
| Total | 200 | 200 |
- Each question carries one mark.
- Negative marking of 0.25 marks for every wrong answer.
- Total duration 120 minutes. Visually handicapped and cerebral palsy candidates get 160 minutes (120 plus 40).
- Questions in General Intelligence, Quantitative Aptitude and General Awareness are set in English and Hindi. The English Language paper is in English only.
- Conducted in multiple shifts at centres in South Andaman, North & Middle Andaman and Nicobar districts. Candidates indicate their preferred zone in the application form and no change of centre or zone is entertained later.
- There is no provision for re-evaluation or re-checking of answer sheets or scripts.
- The Administration reserves the right to restrict entry to the examination venue till 09:30 am.
Note that this differs from the Combined Matric Level Examination, which has 150 questions for 150 marks. The higher secondary level paper carries 200 questions for 200 marks in the same 120 minutes, so the pace required is noticeably faster.
Indicative Syllabus
English Language (General English)
Spot the Error, Fill in the Blanks, Synonyms and Homonyms, Antonyms, Spellings and detecting mis-spelt words, Idioms and Phrases, One word substitution, Improvement of Sentences, Active and Passive Voice of Verbs, Conversion into Direct and Indirect narration, Shuffling of Sentence parts, Shuffling of Sentences in a passage, Cloze Passage and Comprehension Passage.
General Intelligence
Both verbal and non-verbal type questions covering Semantic Analogy, Symbolic operations, Symbolic and Number Analogy, Trends, Figural Analogy, Space Orientation, Semantic Classification, Venn Diagrams, Symbolic and Number Classification, Drawing inferences, Figural Classification, Punched hole and pattern-folding and unfolding, Semantic Series, Figural Pattern-folding and completion, Number Series, Embedded figures, Figural Series, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, Emotional Intelligence, Word Building, Social Intelligence, Coding and decoding, and Numerical operations.
Quantitative Aptitude
- Number Systems: Computation of whole numbers, decimals and fractions, relationship between numbers.
- Fundamental arithmetical operations: Percentages, Ratio and Proportion, Square roots, Averages, Simple and Compound Interest, Profit and Loss, Discount, Partnership Business, Mixture and Allegation, Time and distance, Time and work.
- Algebra: Basic algebraic identities of School Algebra and Elementary surds, Graphs of Linear Equations.
- Geometry: Triangle and its various kinds of centres, Congruence and similarity of triangles, Circle and its chords, tangents, angles subtended by chords, common tangents to two or more circles.
- Mensuration: Triangle, Quadrilaterals, Regular Polygons, Circle, Right Prism, Right Circular Cone, Right Circular Cylinder, Sphere, Hemispheres, Rectangular Parallelepiped, Regular Right Pyramid with triangular or square base.
- Trigonometry: Trigonometry, Trigonometric ratios, Complementary angles, Height and distances (simple problems only).
- Statistical Charts: Use of Tables and Graphs — Histogram, Frequency polygon, Bar diagram, Pie chart.
General Awareness
General awareness of the environment and its application to society, current events, and matters of everyday observation and experience in their scientific aspect as expected of an educated person. Questions also relate to India and its neighbouring countries, especially History, Culture, Geography, Economic Scene, General Policy and Scientific Research.
Note: For visually handicapped candidates with 40 per cent or more visual disability who opt for a Scribe, there will be no component of Maps, Graphs, Diagrams or Statistical Data in the General Intelligence, General Awareness and Quantitative Aptitude papers.
Tier-II — Physical / Skill / Trade Test
Wherever a Physical Standard Examination, Physical Measurement and Endurance Test, or Skill / Trade Test is prescribed as an essential qualification for a post, it is conducted by the concerned department for candidates successful in the TBT, before the final merit list is drawn up. Tier-II is only of a qualifying nature — the marks do not add to your merit position. Your rank is decided entirely by the Tablet Based Test.
Mode of Selection
- Candidates are shortlisted on merit in the TBT and the preferences indicated in the application form.
- Cut-offs may differ for vacancies against each post and are fixed at the sole discretion of the A&N Administration.
- Physical Standard Examination, Physical Measurement and Endurance Test or Skill / Trade Test (Tier-II), where applicable — qualifying only.
- Shortlisted candidates upload original certificates on the A&N Administration website, followed by certificate and document verification in person.
- Final merit list and allotment of post or organisation.
Tie-breaker: Where two or more candidates secure equal aggregate marks, the tie is resolved first by date of birth, with the older candidate getting preference, and then by alphabetical order of names taking the first name into consideration.
Candidature is accepted provisionally at all stages. The Administration does not scrutinise applications for eligibility at the time of the online application or the TBT — verification happens only at the document verification stage, and any candidate found ineligible at that point is rejected outright.
How to Apply
Applications for this cycle are closed. The process is recorded here for reference and for candidates preparing for the next cycle.
- Visit the official recruitment portal at erecruitment.andamannicobar.gov.in.
- Read the Instructions for Applying Online carefully before starting the form.
- Register using your own active personal email ID and mobile number — the registration number, password, e-admit card for TBT and PET, and the call letter for document verification are sent only to these.
- Complete all six sections: personal details, post selection, educational qualification, experience if any, payment details, and upload of photograph and signature.
- Select posts in order of your preference. No request for change of preference is entertained at a later stage.
- Pay the fee of Rs. 100 online, if applicable to your category.
- Check every field before final submission. Once submitted, no change, correction or modification is allowed under any circumstances, including change of category.
- Take a printout of the submitted application for your records.
No documents are uploaded at the time of the online application. Applications submitted by post, by hand or by any other offline mode are summarily rejected. A partially submitted application can be resumed and completed later through the portal, but must be completed before the last date.
Photograph and Signature Specification
Applications with blurred, poor quality or non-conforming photographs and signatures are rejected summarily, and a poor quality photograph can get you refused entry at the examination hall. Get these exactly right:
| Photograph size | 20 KB to 50 KB |
| Photograph resolution | 200 × 230 pixels (width × height), jpg / jpeg |
| Photograph requirements | Plain white or off-white background, full face, front view, eyes open, no cap, no mask, no glasses or spectacles |
| Signature size | 10 KB to 20 KB |
| Signature resolution | 140 × 60 pixels (width × height), jpeg |
| Other documents | 100 KB to 500 KB |
Examination Day Instructions
- Carry a printed copy of the e-Admit Card downloaded using your registration number and password. Entry is not permitted without it.
- Carry one valid photo ID in original — Islander Card, PAN Card, Voter ID, Driving Licence or Aadhaar Card.
- Carry one recent passport size photograph.
- Report at the allotted centre at least one and a half hours before the examination. Entry gates close half an hour before commencement and no entry is allowed after that.
- Banned items: mobile phones, calculators, log tables, pagers, digital diaries, electronic or smart watches, Bluetooth devices, books and notes. Possession alone, whether in use or switched off, is treated as use of unfair means.
- No paper other than the admit card may be carried into the examination hall.
Also See: Combined Matric Level Examination 2026
The Administration notified the matric level examination in the same period, covering 1,535 vacancies across 194 post codes for Class 10 level posts. If you are eligible for both levels it is worth reading that notification as well: A&N Administration Combined Matric Level Examination 2026 – 1535 Group C Posts.
Helpdesk
| rect.examcell.ana@gmail.com | |
| Technical Helpline | 03192-259200 (SOVTECH) |
| Timing | 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on all working days |
All further information, corrigendum, addendum, examination schedules, admit cards, call letters for document verification, notices, results and panels are published only on the official website — no separate information is issued through print media.
Important Links
| Press Note – CHSL 2026 | Download PDF |
| Annexure – Post-wise Qualification | Download PDF |
| Extension of Last Date (20 July 2026) | Download PDF |
| Correction Window Notice (31 August 2026) | Download PDF |
| Official Recruitment Portal | Click Here |
| Download Admit Card / Candidate Login | Click Here |
| All Official Notices | Click Here |
| Join Our WhatsApp Group | Click Here |
Important Note
This information has been compiled from Advertisement No. 02/HSL/2026 issued by the Deputy Secretary (R&E), A&N Administration. The vacancy notice is based on requisitions received from the indenting departments and the number of vacancies is tentative. The essential qualifications have been given as prescribed in the Recruitment Rules of the posts provided by the indenting departments; in case of any typographical error, the recruitment will be strictly as per the Recruitment Rules only. AndamanJobs publishes this information only for the benefit of job seekers. Candidates are advised to read the official notification and verify all details on the official website before acting on it.