UPSC Senior Photographic Officer Recruitment 2026 Notification Out
If you are an experienced photography professional looking for a prestigious Central Government job, then the UPSC Senior Photographic Officer Recruitment 2026 is an excellent opportunity. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially invited online applications for 04 Senior Photographic Officer posts in the Directorate of Public Relations (DPR), Department of Defence, Ministry of Defence.
This recruitment offers a permanent Group ‘A’ Gazetted Central Government position with an attractive Level-10 Pay Matrix salary (₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500) along with DA, HRA, Transport Allowance, Medical Benefits, Pension (NPS), Leave Travel Concession, and other Government benefits.
The post is ideal for candidates who already have professional experience in photography, especially Press Photography, and want to work with one of India’s most prestigious Government departments.
UPSC Senior Photographic Officer Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Particular | Details |
| Organization | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Department | Directorate of Public Relations (DPR), Department of Defence, Ministry of Defence |
| Post Name | Senior Photographic Officer |
| Advertisement No. | 07/2026 |
| Vacancy No. | 26060707427 |
| Job Type | Permanent Central Government Job |
| Category | Group ‘A’ Gazetted, Non-Ministerial |
| Total Vacancies | 04 |
| Salary | Level-10 Pay Matrix (₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500) |
| Apply Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | 27 June 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 17 July 2026 |
| Selection Process | Shortlisting + Interview |
| Headquarters | New Delhi (All India Service Liability) |
| Probation | 2 Years |
UPSC Senior Photographic Officer Vacancy 2026
A total of 04 vacancies have been announced.
Category-wise Vacancy
- UR – 01
- EWS – 01
- OBC – 01
- SC – 01
PwBD Reservation
One vacancy is reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD).
Eligible Disability Category:
- One Leg Affected (OL) – Left or Right Leg
Candidates belonging to eligible PwBD categories can also apply as per UPSC rules.
Experience is the Most Important Eligibility in this Recruitment
Unlike many Government jobs where fresh graduates can apply, this recruitment gives the highest importance to professional photography experience.
Candidates must have:
- Minimum 3 Years of professional experience
- Experience in various branches of Photography
- Experience in Press Photography
- Experience should be in an organization related to:
- Print Media
- Audio Visual Media
Without the required experience, candidates will not be considered eligible for this recruitment. Therefore, carefully verify your experience certificates before submitting the application form.
Educational Qualification
Candidates must possess:
- Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized University.
Essential Experience
Candidates should have:
- Minimum 3 years of experience in various branches of Photography.
- Experience in Press Photography.
- Experience should be gained in Print Media or Audio-Visual Media organizations.
Desirable Qualifications
Preference may be given to candidates possessing any of the following:
- Diploma in Photography.
- Diploma in Motion Picture Photography (Cinematography).
- One year experience in Documentary Film Production.
- One year experience in writing photographic feature articles published in magazines.
Although desirable qualifications are not mandatory, they can strengthen your profile during the selection process.
Age Limit
Maximum age as on the closing date:
| Category | Maximum Age |
| UR | 35 Years |
| EWS | 35 Years |
| OBC | 38 Years |
| SC | 40 Years |
Age Relaxation
Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) are eligible for age relaxation up to 10 years as per Government rules.
Salary Details
Selected candidates will receive salary under:
Level-10 Pay Matrix (7th CPC)
Salary Range:
₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 per month
Apart from the basic pay, employees will also receive:
- Dearness Allowance (DA)
- House Rent Allowance (HRA)
- Transport Allowance
- Medical Facilities
- Leave Travel Concession (LTC)
- National Pension System (NPS)
- Paid Leave
- Other Central Government Benefits
Overall, this is one of the best salary packages available for experienced photography professionals in the Government sector.
Selection Process
The selection process generally consists of:
Shortlisting
UPSC will shortlist candidates based on:
- Educational Qualification
- Professional Experience
- Documents submitted with the application
Interview
Shortlisted candidates will be called for Interview conducted by UPSC.
Final selection will be based on the candidate’s overall performance.
Job Responsibilities
Selected candidates will work in the Directorate of Public Relations under the Ministry of Defence.
Major responsibilities include:
- Photography coverage of Defence Ministry activities.
- Photography coverage of Armed Forces events.
- Official Government event photography.
- Press Photography.
- Documentation of important Defence events.
- Official image archiving and media support.
- Travel across India whenever required.
Candidates should therefore be prepared for field assignments and official tours.
Headquarters
The headquarters of the post is:
Directorate of Public Relations (DPR), Ministry of Defence, New Delhi
However,
The post carries All India Service Liability, meaning selected candidates may be assigned duties anywhere in India depending upon Government requirements.
Job Nature
- Permanent Post
- Group ‘A’ Gazetted
- Non-Ministerial
- Central Government Service
- Ministry of Defence
Probation Period
Selected candidates will remain on Probation for Two Years.
During probation, performance and conduct will be assessed as per Government rules.
National Pension System (NPS)
Candidates appointed through this recruitment will be covered under the National Pension System (NPS) applicable to Central Government employees appointed on or after 01 April 2004.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
| General | ₹25 |
| OBC | ₹25 |
| EWS | ₹25 |
| SC | No Fee |
| ST | No Fee |
| PwBD | No Fee |
| Female Candidates | No Fee |
Payment can be made through the online payment options available on the UPSC application portal.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
| Online Application Started | 27 June 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 17 July 2026 |
Candidates are advised not to wait until the last date and should complete the application process well in advance.
How to Apply for UPSC Senior Photographic Officer Recruitment 2026?
Eligible candidates can submit their application online by following these steps:
- Visit the official UPSC Online Recruitment Portal.
- Complete the One-Time Registration (if not already registered).
- Fill in the online application form carefully.
- Upload all required documents.
- Pay the application fee (if applicable).
- Verify all entered details before final submission.
- Submit the application and download the confirmation page for future reference.
Candidates should ensure that all educational qualifications and professional experience details are entered accurately.
Official Apply Link
Interested and eligible candidates can submit their online application through the official UPSC Online Recruitment Portal. Before filling out the application form, carefully read all eligibility conditions, age criteria, experience requirements, and document instructions mentioned in the notification. After successful submission, keep a printout or PDF copy of the application form for future reference.
Apply Online: https://upsconline.nic.in
Official Notification PDF
Candidates are strongly advised to read the complete official notification before applying. The notification contains detailed information regarding eligibility, experience requirements, reservation rules, age relaxation, selection process, important instructions, and other conditions applicable to this recruitment. Reading the official PDF carefully will help avoid mistakes during the online application process.
Download Official Notification PDF: https://upsc.gov.in
Why Should You Apply for This Job?
This recruitment is one of the most prestigious opportunities available for experienced photographers because:
- Permanent Central Government Job
- Ministry of Defence Posting
- Group ‘A’ Gazetted Status
- Attractive Level-10 Salary
- Excellent Career Growth
- Government Allowances
- National Level Recognition
- Opportunity to cover important Defence events across India
- Stable career with pension benefits under NPS
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the last date to apply for UPSC Senior Photographic Officer Recruitment 2026?
The last date to submit the online application is 17 July 2026.
Q2. How many vacancies are available?
A total of 04 vacancies have been announced.
Q3. What is the salary of a Senior Photographic Officer?
Selected candidates will receive Level-10 Pay Matrix salary ranging from ₹56,100 to ₹1,77,500 along with Central Government allowances.
Q4. Is photography experience mandatory?
Yes. A minimum of 3 years of professional experience in various branches of Photography, including Press Photography in Print or Audio-Visual Media organizations, is mandatory. Candidates without the required experience are not eligible.
Q5. What educational qualification is required?
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized University.
Q6. Is this a permanent Government job?
Yes. This is a Permanent Group ‘A’ Gazetted Central Government post under the Ministry of Defence.
Q7. What is the selection process?
Selection will be based on shortlisting of eligible candidates followed by an Interview conducted by UPSC.
Q8. Where will the posting be?
The headquarters is New Delhi, but the post carries All India Service Liability, so candidates may be posted anywhere in India.
Q9. Is there any probation period?
Yes, selected candidates will undergo 2 years of probation.
Q10. Where can I apply?
Candidates can apply online through the official UPSC Online Recruitment Portal before the last date.
Conclusion
The UPSC Senior Photographic Officer Recruitment 2026 is an excellent opportunity for experienced photography professionals who aspire to build a stable and prestigious career in the Central Government. With 04 vacancies, a Level-10 salary of ₹56,100–₹1,77,500, Group ‘A’ Gazetted status, and the opportunity to work with the Ministry of Defence, this recruitment offers both professional growth and long-term job security.
Candidates should note that the 3 years of experience in Photography, including Press Photography in Print or Audio-Visual Media organizations, is the most important eligibility criterion for this post. Therefore, before applying, carefully verify that you meet all the educational qualifications, experience requirements, age limits, and other eligibility conditions mentioned in the official notification.
If you are eligible, don’t wait until the last date. Complete your online application well before 17 July 2026, keep all necessary documents ready, and read the official notification thoroughly to avoid any mistakes during the application process.
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