The Research Designs & Standards Organisation (RDSO), Ministry of Railways, Government of India has invited applications for two Senior Scientific Officer (Psychology) posts on deputation / short-term contract basis.
The official RDSO vacancy circular is No. RDSO/125/2022-O/o CPO/RDSO dated 9 September 2026. The posts are in Pay Level 11 of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix, and the ordinary deputation period is three years.
Employment News Issue 27 states that applications must be received within 45 days from publication of the advertisement in Employment News. With the issue dated 3–9 October 2026, the working closing date is 17 November 2026.
RDSO Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Research Designs & Standards Organisation (RDSO) |
| Ministry | Ministry of Railways |
| Post | Senior Scientific Officer (Psychology) |
| Vacancies | 2 |
| Recruitment basis | Deputation / short-term contract |
| Pay Level | Level 11 |
| Notification No. | RDSO/125/2022-O/o CPO/RDSO |
| Notification date | 9 September 2026 |
| Deputation period | 3 years |
| Maximum age | 56 years |
| Employment News window | 45 days from publication |
| Working last date | 17 November 2026 |
| Application mode | Offline / proper channel; email also permitted in the notice |
Vacancy Details
| Post | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Senior Scientific Officer (Psychology) | 2 |
The notification states that this post exists in Indian Railways at locations including New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai, and selected applicants may be posted at any of the notified railway locations.
Pay Level
The post carries Pay Level 11 of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix.
The RDSO circular identifies the pay level but does not print a consolidated contractual salary figure. The package therefore keeps the combined numeric salary fields blank rather than inserting an amount derived from a separate pay-table source.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| RDSO notification date | 9 September 2026 |
| Employment News Issue 27 | 3–9 October 2026 |
| Application period | 45 days from Employment News advertisement |
| Working closing date | 17 November 2026 |
Candidates applying through a parent department should not wait until the final days because the application requires service-record verification and departmental clearances.
Use Regal Naukri's Application Deadline Planner to set an earlier internal forwarding date.
Who Can Apply?
The RDSO circular permits officers from the following eligible organisations:
- Central Government;
- State Government;
- Union Territories;
- Universities;
- recognised research institutions;
- public sector undertakings;
- semi-government organisations;
- statutory bodies; and
- autonomous organisations.
Applicants must satisfy both the service-level route and the education/experience requirements.
Service Eligibility
An applicant should satisfy one of these service routes:
- hold an analogous post on regular basis in the parent cadre or department; or
- have five years of regular service in the notified feeder scale/equivalent; or
- have eight years of regular service in the lower notified feeder scale/equivalent.
Because these are alternative service routes, the Jobs Manager experience field is intentionally not flattened into one number.
Candidates can use the Work Experience Calculator for date arithmetic after matching their current service level with the official circular.
Educational Qualification
The essential educational qualification is:
Master's degree in Psychology from a recognised university or equivalent.
The application proforma also asks candidates to provide postgraduate and higher qualification details.
Experience Requirement
In addition to the Master's degree, the circular requires five years' experience in Group A / Group B posts in the field of operational safety.
The official notice gives examples of operational-safety work. Candidates should read the current RDSO circular directly and compare their own duties carefully instead of assuming that general psychology experience alone will qualify.
Age Limit
The maximum age for appointment on deputation is not exceeding 56 years on the closing date of application.
Using the working closing date of 17 November 2026, candidates can use Regal Naukri's Age Calculator to check their age before departmental forwarding.
Deputation Period
The notified deputation period is three years.
The cadre-controlling authority is also required to certify that, if selected, the officer can be relieved and that the deputation period will not be less than three years.
Railway Candidate Restriction
The prescribed RDSO application form specifically states that, because this vacancy is being filled on deputation basis, Railway candidates are not eligible for this particular deputation vacancy.
Applicants already serving in Indian Railways should therefore read this restriction carefully before applying.
Selection Process
This is not a fresh direct-recruitment examination.
Selection is based on:
- fulfilment of deputation eligibility;
- educational qualification;
- relevant operational-safety experience;
- verified service particulars;
- APAR/ACR record;
- vigilance and disciplinary clearance; and
- consideration by the competent RDSO / Railway authority.
No separate competitive written examination is stated in this vacancy circular.
Documents Required
The notification requires applications to be forwarded through proper channel with service records.
| Document / Clearance | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Prescribed application form | Required |
| Service particulars | Verified by competent authority |
| APAR / ACR | Last 5 years |
| Vigilance clearance | Required |
| D&AR clearance | Required |
| Integrity certification | Required |
| Penalty statement | Last 10 years, where applicable |
| Qualification records | Master's degree and other claimed qualifications |
| Experience details | Operational-safety experience |
| Recent passport photograph | Application form requirement |
Use Regal Naukri's Government Job Document Checklist to organise these records before forwarding.
How to Apply for RDSO Senior Scientific Officer Psychology Recruitment 2026
- Read the current RDSO notification No. RDSO/125/2022-O/o CPO/RDSO dated 9 September 2026.
- Confirm that you belong to an eligible government, university, research, PSU, statutory, semi-government or autonomous organisation.
- Match your regular service with one of the notified analogous / feeder-grade routes.
- Confirm that you hold a Master's degree in Psychology and the required operational-safety experience.
- Check the maximum deputation age with Regal Naukri's Age Calculator.
- Complete the prescribed application form and provide your service, qualification and experience details.
- Arrange Vigilance/D&AR clearance and APAR ratings for the last five years through the parent department.
- Have the application forwarded through proper channel.
- Send the application to Assistant Personnel Officer/Gazetted, Room No. 227, Main Building, RDSO, Manak Nagar, Lucknow – 226011 by Speed Post. The circular also permits submission by email to the official address printed in the notice.
- Ensure the application reaches within the 45-day period from the Employment News advertisement; the working closing date is 17 November 2026.
Before submitting, read Regal Naukri's How to Read a Government Job Notification so the feeder-grade, deputation and experience clauses are checked against the official wording.
Candidate Checklist
| Check | What to Confirm |
|---|---|
| Notification | RDSO/125/2022-O/o CPO/RDSO |
| Post | Senior Scientific Officer (Psychology) |
| Vacancies | 2 |
| Recruitment | Deputation / short-term contract |
| Pay | Level 11 |
| Qualification | Master's degree in Psychology |
| Experience | 5 years in relevant operational-safety field |
| Service eligibility | Analogous / notified feeder-service route |
| Age | Maximum 56 years |
| APAR | Last 5 years |
| Vigilance / D&AR clearance | Required |
| Railway candidate restriction | Check before applying |
| Deadline | Working date 17 November 2026 |
Useful Regal Naukri Tools
| Tool | Use |
|---|---|
| Eligibility Pre-check | Organise the official service and qualification conditions |
| Age Calculator | Calculate age on the closing date |
| Work Experience Calculator | Check service and experience duration |
| Government Job Document Checklist | Organise APAR and clearance records |
| Application Deadline Planner | Plan proper-channel forwarding |
Important Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| RDSO official website | Open RDSO Website |
| Official government-hosted copy of RDSO circular | Open Vacancy Circular |
| Employment News Issue 27 index | Open Employment News Listing |
| Notification-reading guide | How to Read a Government Job Notification |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many RDSO Senior Scientific Officer Psychology vacancies are available?
There are 2 vacancies.
What is the pay level?
The post is in Pay Level 11 of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix.
What qualification is required?
A Master's degree in Psychology from a recognised university or equivalent is essential.
How much experience is required?
The notification requires five years' experience in Group A / Group B posts in the field of operational safety, in addition to the notified service eligibility.
What is the age limit?
The maximum deputation age is 56 years on the closing date.
What is the deputation period?
The notified deputation period is three years.
What is the last date?
The advertisement allows 45 days from publication in Employment News. Based on Issue 27 dated 3 October 2026, the working closing date is 17 November 2026.
Can Railway employees apply?
The prescribed application form states that Railway candidates are not eligible because the vacancy is being filled on deputation basis.
How is the application submitted?
The application is forwarded through proper channel to RDSO, Lucknow. The notification permits Speed Post and also provides an official email submission address.