Dfo Cabinet Secretariat GATE Cutoff 2026: Recruitment, Eligibility & Selection Process
How competitive is the DFO Cabinet Secretariat GATE Cutoff? The selection for Deputy Field Officer (Technical) positions relies on valid GATE scores, with 250 vacancies announced for the 2025 recruitment cycle across various engineering and science disciplines. The DFO Cabinet Secretariat GATE Cutoff is the minimum qualifying GATE score used to shortlist candidates for the subsequent interview stage, serving as the initial filter for this prestigious Group ‘B’ (Non-Gazetted) role within the Government of India’s Cabinet Secretariat, New Delhi. While specific cutoff scores for 2026 are yet to be released, the 2025 recruitment utilized GATE scores from 2023, 2024, or 2025. 2026 cutoff will be updated post-release.
DFO Cabinet Secretariat GATE Recruitment 2025: Key Dates (Latest — 2026 awaited)
The application window for the Deputy Field Officer (Technical) recruitment in the Cabinet Secretariat for 2025 followed a structured timeline.
| Event | Date (2025) |
|---|---|
| Official Notification Release | November 11 |
| Application Start Date | November 15 |
| Last Date to Receive Applications | December 14 |
DFO (Technical) Vacancy Distribution by Discipline (2025)
The Cabinet Secretariat announced 250 Deputy Field Officer (Technical) vacancies for 2025, distributed across various engineering and science disciplines based on GATE scores.
| Discipline | Vacancies (2025) | Corresponding GATE Paper Code |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science / Information Technology | 124 | CS |
| Electronics / Communication / Telecommunication | 95 | EC |
| Data Science / Artificial Intelligence | 10 | DA |
| Physics | 6 | PH |
| Chemistry | 4 | CY |
| Mathematics | 2 | MA |
| Statistics | 2 | ST |
| Civil Engineering | 2 | CE |
| Mechanical Engineering | 2 | ME |
| Geology / Geophysics | 3 | GG |
| Total | 250 |
Cabinet Secretariat DFO Selection Process via GATE
The selection for Deputy Field Officer (Technical) positions involves a multi-stage process, primarily leveraging valid GATE scores for initial shortlisting.
| Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| GATE Score Evaluation | Candidates are shortlisted based on their normalized GATE scores (from 2023, 2024, or 2025 for the 2025 recruitment cycle). |
| Personal Interview | Shortlisted candidates are invited for an interview, which assesses technical knowledge and suitability for intelligence work. Interview centers include Chennai, Gurugram, Guwahati, Jammu, Jodhpur, Kolkata, Lucknow, and Mumbai. |
| Document Verification | Verification of educational qualifications, age proof, caste certificates (if applicable), and other submitted documents. |
| Medical Examination | Candidates must clear a medical examination as per Central Government Group ‘B’ norms. |
| Final Merit List | The final selection is based on a combined assessment of GATE scores and interview performance. |
FAQs
Q: What is the DFO (Technical) post in the Cabinet Secretariat?
A: The Deputy Field Officer (Technical) is a Group ‘B’ (Non-Gazetted) technical role within the Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India, focusing on technical intelligence, communication infrastructure, and field operations.
Q: What are the eligibility criteria for DFO Cabinet Secretariat recruitment through GATE?
A: Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering/Technology or a Master’s Degree in Science in a relevant discipline from a recognized institution, along with a valid GATE score (typically from the last three years) in the corresponding subject. The maximum age limit is generally 30 years, with relaxations for reserved categories.
Q: Is a GATE score mandatory for DFO Cabinet Secretariat recruitment?
A: Yes, a valid GATE score in the relevant subject paper is mandatory for the DFO (Technical) recruitment. Candidates are primarily shortlisted for the interview stage based on their normalized GATE marks.
Q: What is the approximate salary for a DFO (Technical) in the Cabinet Secretariat?
A: The DFO (Technical) position is at Pay Level 7 of the Pay Matrix. The estimated in-hand gross salary is approximately ₹99,000 per month, including various allowances like DA, HRA, and Transport Allowance, especially for postings in New Delhi.
Q: How are candidates shortlisted for the DFO (Technical) interview?
A: Candidates are shortlisted for the interview based on their merit order derived from valid GATE scores. Typically, a certain multiple (e.g., five times) of the number of vacancies for each subject are called for the interview round.
Q: What is the application process for DFO Cabinet Secretariat recruitment?
A: The application process is typically offline. Candidates need to download or type the application form, fill it in English capital letters, attach self-attested copies of required documents (educational certificates, GATE scorecard, age proof, caste certificate), and send it via ordinary post to the specified address before the closing date.
