HQ 2 Signal Training Centre, Panaji (Goa), under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India, has released an employment notification for 190 posts of Civilian Switch Board Operator (CSBO) Grade-II, Group ‘C’. Indian citizens aged 18–25 years who have passed Matriculation (Class 10) and have at least six months of PBX board handling experience are eligible to apply. Applications must be submitted by email to the official address before 31 May 2026.
Last verified on: 05 May 2026 (IST)
Key Highlights
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Authority | HQ 2 Signal Training Centre, Panaji, Goa (Ministry of Defence) |
| Post Name | Civilian Switch Board Operator (CSBO) Grade-II |
| Group | Group ‘C’ – Central Government |
| Total Vacancies | 190 |
| Educational Qualification | Matriculation (Class 10) from a recognised Board |
| Experience Required | Minimum 6 months – PBX Board handling |
| Age Limit | 18–25 years (relaxation as per Govt. rules) |
| Pay Level | ₹21,700/- (Level-3, Cell-1) as per 7th CPC |
| Application Mode | Email (offline) |
| Application Start Date | 02 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 31 May 2026 (by 2359 Hrs) |
| Application Fee | Nil |
| Official Website | www.indianarmy.nic.in |
Vacancy Details
The Ministry of Defence has announced a total of 190 vacancies for the CSBO Grade-II post under HQ 2 Signal Training Centre, Panaji, Goa. As per the employment notice published in Employment News (02–08 May 2026), vacancies are distributed across the UR, SC, ST, OBC, and EWS categories. Horizontal reservations for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) and Ex-Servicemen (ESM) are also applicable as per government rules.
Category-wise breakup of the 190 posts is not individually detailed in the sources available as of this writing. Candidates should refer to the official notification PDF on www.indianarmy.nic.in for the exact category-wise distribution before applying.
Selected candidates will be subject to All India Service Liability, meaning posting can be anywhere in India, including field service areas.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
Candidates must have passed Matriculation (Class 10) or an equivalent examination from a recognised Board. No higher qualification is required, but no application will be accepted without a valid experience certificate in PBX or EPABX board handling.
Experience
A minimum of six months of hands-on experience in operating a Private Branch Exchange (PBX) Board is mandatory. An experience certificate issued by a recognised employer must be attached with the application. Applications without this document will be rejected outright. Fluency in spoken English and Hindi is listed as desirable in the official notification.
Age Limit and Relaxation
The general age limit is 18 to 25 years, calculated as on the last date of application (31 May 2026). Age relaxation is available for reserved category candidates as per Central Government rules — typically 3 years for OBC, 5 years for SC/ST, and 10 years for PwBD candidates. Ex-Servicemen relaxation is also applicable per rules. Candidates must verify the exact relaxation details from the official notification PDF, as this article does not reproduce figures not confirmed in primary sources.
Salary and Benefits
The post carries a starting pay of ₹21,700/- per month at Level-3, Cell-1 of the 7th Central Pay Commission (7th CPC) Pay Matrix. Allowances applicable as per Central Government rules — including Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and Transport Allowance — will be paid over and above the basic pay, though the notification does not individually itemise each allowance amount.
Appointment is initially on probation for two years. Permanent absorption follows upon satisfactory performance during the probation period. The post also carries benefits associated with central government employment, including coverage under the National Pension System (NPS) and access to government medical facilities. These details are drawn from the employment notice; candidates should confirm current benefit structures from the official notification.
Selection Process
Selection for CSBO Grade-II will be conducted in three stages:
- Written Test (100 Marks): Merit for shortlisting is determined entirely on the basis of marks obtained in this written examination. Candidates are ranked strictly on written test scores.
- Practical Test: Candidates shortlisted through the written test will be called for a practical test to assess their proficiency in PBX or EPABX board operations. This stage is qualifying in nature — it does not add to the merit score.
- Interview: An interview will follow the practical test. Like the practical test, the interview is qualifying in nature and does not contribute to the final merit ranking.
The syllabus and detailed scheme of examination are mentioned in the official notification PDF. Candidates are advised to download and study these specifics before preparation.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification published (Employment News) | 02–08 May 2026 |
| Application window opens | 02 May 2026 |
| Last date to submit application (email) | 31 May 2026 (by 2359 Hrs) |
| Written test / Practical test / Interview dates | Not mentioned in the official notification as of this writing |
Application Fee
No application fee is required for any category. This is confirmed across multiple references to the official notification. Candidates need not make any payment to apply for CSBO Grade-II posts.
How to Apply
The application process is conducted entirely through email. There is no online portal form or physical post submission for this recruitment. Follow these steps exactly as prescribed in the official notification:
- Download the official notification PDF from www.indianarmy.nic.in and extract the prescribed application form embedded in it.
- Open the application form PDF using Adobe Acrobat Reader only. Do not open it in a browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox) — this may corrupt the form fields.
- Fill all mandatory fields in BLOCK/CAPITAL LETTERS. Do not leave any required field blank.
- Save the completed form with the filename format: CSBO_YourFullName.pdf (example: CSBO_RAJESH_KUMAR_SHARMA.pdf).
- Scan all required supporting documents clearly. Save each as a separate JPG or PDF file.
- Keep a passport-size photograph in JPG format, named: PHOTO_YourFullName.jpg.
- Compose an email to [email protected].
- Use the subject line: CSBO Application – YOUR FULL NAME.
- Attach the filled application form PDF, all scanned documents, and the passport photo JPG.
- Send the email before 31 May 2026, 2359 Hrs. Retain a copy of the sent email and all attachments for your records.
Note: Do not send the application more than once. Duplicate submissions will not be considered. Applications with missing attachments or incorrect naming will be rejected without prior notice.
Documents Required
Based on the official notification, the following documents must be scanned and attached with the application email. All documents should be self-attested:
- Filled application form (PDF, as per prescribed format)
- Matriculation (Class 10) mark sheet and pass certificate
- PBX/EPABX experience certificate (minimum 6 months, mandatory)
- Aadhaar card or government-issued photo identity proof
- Caste/category certificate (if applying under SC/ST/OBC/EWS)
- Disability certificate (if applying under PwBD category)
- Ex-Serviceman discharge certificate (if applicable)
- Recent passport-size photograph (JPG format)
Candidates should verify the complete and final document list from the official notification PDF, as this list is compiled from employment notice references and may not be exhaustive.
Offer and Notice Verification — Scam Warning
The only official channel for this recruitment is the email address [email protected], which carries the .nic.in domain assigned exclusively to Indian government entities. Any communication from other email domains — Gmail, Yahoo, or any non-.nic.in address — claiming to be from HQ 2 Signal Training Centre should be treated as fraudulent.
The Ministry of Defence does not charge any fee at any stage of its Group ‘C’ civilian recruitment — not for applications, call letters, or appointments. If anyone demands payment to process your CSBO application or guarantee selection, it is a scam. Do not pay.
The authentic notification was published in Employment News (02–08 May 2026) and is available on www.indianarmy.nic.in. Do not rely on PDFs shared through WhatsApp, Telegram, or third-party job portals, as these may be modified or outdated. If in doubt, visit the official website directly and verify the notification reference number.
Official Links
- Official Website – Indian Army (Ministry of Defence)
- Employment News – Official Portal (Notification Published 02–08 May 2026)
The direct notification PDF URL on indianarmy.nic.in could not be confirmed at time of publication. Candidates should navigate to the official site directly and locate the CSBO Grade-II recruitment notice under the “Recruitment” section.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who is the issuing authority for Indian Army CSBO Grade-II Recruitment 2026?
The recruitment notification has been issued by HQ 2 Signal Training Centre, Panaji, Goa, under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India. It was published in Employment News dated 02–08 May 2026.
2. Is PBX experience compulsory, or can I apply without it?
PBX or EPABX board handling experience of a minimum six months is mandatory, not optional. As per the official notice, no application will be accepted without a valid experience certificate. Applications submitted without this document will be rejected.
3. What is the mode of applying — online portal, post, or email?
Applications must be submitted by email only to [email protected]. There is no online portal form to fill, and physical postal submissions are not part of this process. The prescribed application form must be downloaded from www.indianarmy.nic.in, filled in Adobe Acrobat Reader, and sent as an email attachment.
4. Does the Written Test score determine the final merit list?
Yes. As per the official notification, merit is decided strictly on the basis of marks obtained in the Written Test (100 marks). Both the Practical Test and the Interview that follow are qualifying stages only and do not add to the merit score.
5. Will the selected candidate be posted only in Goa?
No. The post carries All India Service Liability, which means selected candidates can be posted anywhere in India, including field service areas, at the discretion of the Ministry of Defence.
6. Are women candidates eligible to apply?
The official notification does not restrict this recruitment to male candidates. The eligibility conditions specify Indian citizenship, age, educational qualification, and PBX experience — without a gender restriction. Candidates are advised to confirm this from the official notification PDF before applying.
