The Home Ministry has proposed to make new rules for recruitment to the posts of CEO and Additional CEO in the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Center (I4C). Its objective is to strengthen the cyber crime response framework of the country. Appointments to these posts will be by deputation.
New Delhi [भारत]July 15 (ANI): The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has proposed to frame recruitment rules for the posts of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Additional Chief Executive Officer in the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Center (I4C). It aims to strengthen India’s cyber crime response framework.
The Ministry intends to frame recruitment rules for one CEO post in the Senior Administrative Grade (SAG), which will be at Pay Matrix Level-15 (Additional Secretary rank), and three additional CEO posts, which will be at Level-14 (a senior level post like Joint Secretary in the Central Government). The ministry has sought comments from stakeholders on the proposed rules till August 14, after which the recruitment rules will be finalised.
Appointment Process and Selection Committee
The proposed posts will work under the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Center (I4C) functioning under the Cyber and Information Security Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs. These posts will not come under the purview of Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and appointments will be made on deputation basis under the non-central staffing scheme pattern. Selection for these posts will be done with the approval of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, through a search-cum-selection committee headed by the Union Home Secretary.
On July 14, the Home Ministry sent an official memorandum regarding the move to all stakeholders seeking their advice. In the memorandum, all stakeholders have been asked to submit their comments to the Home Ministry. The memorandum reads, “The undersigned is directed to state that the Ministry of Home Affairs intends to frame recruitment rules for the post of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Additional Chief Executive Officer (Addl. CEO) at the level of Senior Administrative Grade (SAG) in the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Center (I4C) under the Cyber and Information Security (CIS) Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs. These posts do not fall under the purview of the Union Public Service Commission and are referred to as ‘Non-Central Staffing Scheme’ “Will be filled through a Search-cum-Selection Committee headed by the Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, with the approval of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, on the basis of deputation on the pattern.”
The memorandum further said, “It is requested that comments, if any, from all stakeholders on the proposed recruitment rules be sent to the Under Secretary (Cyber Crime), Cyber and Information Security Division, Ministry of Home Affairs by August 14, 2026. The recruitment rules for the post of Chief Executive Officer and Additional Chief Executive Officer will be finalized after considering the comments received.”
Proposed posts and qualifications
According to the proposal, there will initially be one CEO position in 2026, although the number may vary depending on workload. The CEO post is classified as General Central Service, Group ‘A’, Gazetted, Non-Ministerial post, with Pay Matrix Level-15. Similarly, three additional CEO positions are proposed for 2026, which may vary depending on operational requirements. These will also be Group ‘A’, Gazetted, Non-Ministerial posts in Pay Matrix Level-14.
The Ministry has proposed that both the posts be filled exclusively through deputation. Provisions for direct recruitment, promotion, probation and selection have not been prescribed for these appointments.
Eligibility for CEO post
For the post of CEO, officers from All India Services, Organized Group ‘A’ Services or other Central or State Government Departments, Union Territories, Autonomous or Statutory Organizations, Public Sector Undertakings, Universities and recognized research institutions will be eligible. Applicants must either be holding the same regular post or have completed at least three years of regular service in Level-14 of the pay matrix or equivalent grade.
The educational qualification required for the CEO position is a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or institute with a minimum of five years of experience in cyber security, cyber crime investigation, cyber forensics, information and communications technology (ICT), or internal security. The ministry has also listed ‘desirable qualifications’, which include a postgraduate degree or postgraduate diploma in computer applications, law, cyber law, cyber forensics, computer science or information technology from a recognized institute.
Eligibility for additional CEO post
For additional CEO posts, the scope of eligibility has been extended to officers holding the same post or with two years of regular service in Level-13A or three years of regular service in Level-13 of the pay matrix. Candidates for additional CEO positions must have a bachelor’s degree from a recognized institute and at least 10 years of experience in establishment, administration, procurement, finance, vigilance or legal matters, including a minimum of three years of experience in cyber security, cyber crime investigation, cyber forensics, ICT or internal security. Similar desirable qualifications related to postgraduate studies in Computer Applications, Cyber Law, Cyber Forensics, Computer Science and Information Technology have also been prescribed for additional CEO posts.
terms of appointment
The proposed rules further state that the period of deputation, including previous deputation to another ex-cadre post immediately preceding the appointment, shall ordinarily not exceed five years. The maximum age limit for appointment on deputation, including short-term contract, has been fixed at 55 years as on the last date of receipt of applications. The memorandum also specifies that no departmental promotion committee will be constituted for these posts and consultation with the Union Public Service Commission will not be required. (ANI)
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