Mission Vatsalya Scheme Recruitment 2026 in Raipur District – Complete Notification

The Office of the District Programme Officer, Women and Child Development Department, Raipur (Chhattisgarh), has released a significant recruitment notification for the year 2026. This drive is conducted under the centrally sponsored Mission Vatsalya Scheme, aimed at strengthening child protection and welfare services. The advertisement, referenced as No./45/2/–/मातृ/आईसीपीएस/नि.व. 2026-27, invites applications for a total of 26 contractual positions across seven different roles. These positions are critical for the functioning of government child care institutions (CCIs) within Raipur district, focusing on holistic child development through education, counseling, physical training, nutrition, and security.

This recruitment offers a unique opportunity for professionals and skilled individuals in social work, education, accounts, yoga, and support services to contribute to a noble cause. All appointments are purely temporary and contractual, governed by the HR Policy 2023 of the State Child Protection Society, Chhattisgarh. The contract can be initially for up to three years, subject to annual performance review and renewal based on the continuation of the central scheme. Candidates must be permanent residents of Chhattisgarh and possess the specific educational qualifications and experience as mandated for each post. Understanding the detailed eligibility, application process, and selection criteria is paramount for a successful application.

The timeline for the Mission Vatsalya Raipur recruitment is clearly defined but requires careful attention to the mode of application. Unlike many online recruitments, this process is entirely offline. The advertisement was officially issued on 29th January 2026. Candidates can start preparing and sending their applications immediately from the next day. However, the most critical deadline is the receipt of the application at the designated office address. The application must reach the District Programme Officer's office via Registered Post, Speed Post, or Courier on or before 16th February 2026, up to 5:00 PM. Applications received after this date and time, or those submitted directly by hand at the office, will be summarily rejected.

It is crucial to factor in postal delays. The "Last Date" is the receipt deadline, not the posting date. Candidates, especially those from remote areas of Raipur district or neighboring regions, should dispatch their application packets well in advance—at least 5-7 days before the deadline—to ensure timely delivery. There is no provision for late submission under any circumstances. Furthermore, candidates should note that the validity of the final select list and waitlist will be one year from the date of its publication. This means if you are on the waitlist, you could be considered for appointment if a vacancy arises within that one-year period from the merit list release date.

The notification states that applications can be submitted "immediately after advertisement publication." This means you should not wait. The first step is to visit the official district website www.raipur.gov.in to download the detailed notification and the prescribed application format (Annexure). Carefully read the entire notification, focusing on the post-specific eligibility. Gather all your original documents—academic mark sheets, degree certificates, caste certificate (if applicable), domicile certificate, and experience certificates. The experience certificates are particularly scrutinized; they must be for full-time work from a government, semi-government, or recognized autonomous/private institution. Voluntary service experience is not considered. If you are currently employed in a government/semi-government setup, you must also obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your employer and attach it.

Begin filling the application form neatly and accurately. Any overwriting or unclear information can lead to rejection. Remember, you need to send a separate application for each post you are applying for. A common mistake candidates make is mentioning multiple preferred posts in a single application, which leads to immediate disqualification. Use a black or blue ballpoint pen for filling the form. Ensure the passport-sized photograph you attach is recent, and while signing across it, make sure half of your signature is on the photo and half on the application form paper, as per the specific instruction. Compile the self-attested copies of all mandatory documents in the order mentioned in the notification to create a complete application packet.

The absolute final deadline for your application packet to physically arrive at the District Programme Office is 5:00 PM on 16th February 2026. This is not a postmark deadline; it is a "received by" deadline. The office will not accept any application delivered after office hours on that day. To mitigate risks, you must choose a reliable postal service. Registered Post or Speed Post is recommended as they provide a tracking number and proof of delivery. Once you dispatch the envelope, keep the postal receipt and tracking number safely. You can track the delivery online. If your tracking shows "delivered" before the deadline, your application is safe. If it shows "in transit" or gets delayed, the office holds no responsibility.

A critical warning in the notification is that direct submission of applications at the office counter is not allowed. Even if you personally go to the office address, the staff will not accept your application. It must come through the postal channel. This rule is strictly enforced to maintain transparency and a proper application record. Therefore, planning is key. Avoid waiting until the last two days. Postal services can be unpredictable. It is advisable to send your application by 10th or 11th February 2026 at the latest to ensure it reaches well within the timeframe. Also, clearly superscribe the envelope with the name of the post you are applying for, e.g., "APPLICATION FOR THE POST OF EDUCATOR". Incomplete or unclear envelopes may lead to processing delays or misplacement.

A significant advantage of this Mission Vatsalya recruitment is that there is no application fee for any candidate. The notification does not mention any fee amount or payment process for any category—Unreserved (UR), Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), Other Backward Class (OBC), or Economically Weaker Sections (EWS). This means eligible candidates from all backgrounds can apply without any financial burden. This is a conscious decision to encourage wider participation for these socially relevant contractual positions.

Since there is no fee involved, candidates must be extra cautious about other mandatory requirements. The absence of a fee does not mean the application process is lax. All other rules regarding eligibility, document attachment, and submission protocol remain strictly enforced. Candidates should focus their efforts on ensuring their application packet is complete and accurate. The fact that there is no fee also implies that the authorities expect only serious and eligible candidates to apply. Do not mistake the no-fee policy for a lack of competition; these posts in the social sector often attract dedicated professionals, and selection will be based purely on merit and eligibility.

The age eligibility for Mission Vatsalya posts in Raipur is calculated as of a fixed reference date: 1st January 2025. This is a crucial detail. Your age on 01/01/2025 determines whether you fall within the prescribed limit. For all posts, the general age bracket is 21 years (minimum) to 35 years (maximum). This means you must have attained 21 years of age and should not have attained 36 years of age as of 01/01/2025. Proof of age will be accepted only through your Class 10th (High School) mark sheet or a birth certificate.

Age relaxation is provided for candidates belonging to reserved categories as per the rules of the Chhattisgarh Government. The notification states that the maximum age limit after applying all possible relaxations is 45 years. The specific extent of relaxation (e.g., 5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC) will be governed by the latest instructions issued by the Chhattisgarh General Administration Department. To claim age relaxation, you must attach a valid caste certificate issued by the competent authority along with your application. Without this certificate, you will be considered under the General category age limit. It's important to calculate your age correctly: If you were born on 15th August 1990, your age on 01/01/2025 is 34 years and 4 months. You are within the 35-year limit. If born on 15th August 1989, you are 35 years and 4 months old on the cut-off date, making you ineligible under the general category.

The eligibility criteria for the 26 Mission Vatsalya posts are distinct for each role, combining specific educational qualifications, mandatory skills, and relevant work experience. All qualifications must be from a recognized university or board. The most senior position, Housefather/Housemother, requires a graduate degree in Sociology, Psychology, Social Work, or related Social Sciences, along with 2 years of experience in child care/protection and proficiency in MS Office. The Store Keeper cum Accountant post demands a B.Com/BBA or CA/ICWA Inter qualification with 3 years of accounts/store experience. For teaching and training roles like Educator, PT/Yoga Instructor, and Art/Craft/Music Teacher, combinations of graduation, B.Ed, 12th pass, and specific diplomas are needed with 1-2 years of teaching experience.

The support staff positions of Cook and Assistant cum Night Watchman have lower academic thresholds (8th pass and 5th pass respectively) but require substantial hands-on experience (3 years for Cook, 2 years for Watchman). A common mandatory requirement across almost all posts is knowledge of Hindi and/or English and basic computer skills (MS Office). Candidates must scrutinize the experience clause carefully. Experience certificates must be for full-time employment and should clearly mention the designation, duration (from-to dates), and nature of work. Experience gained through voluntary work or internships is explicitly not considered. If currently employed, attaching a No Objection Certificate (NOC) is compulsory.

The Mission Vatsalya Raipur recruitment 2026 offers a total of 26 vacancies distributed across seven different contractual posts. The distribution includes vacancies reserved for different categories as per the Chhattisgarh Reservation Act, 1994. The post with the highest number of openings is Housefather/Housemother and Assistant cum Night Watchman, each with 06 vacancies. It's important to note that within the total vacancies for each post, there is further reservation for women candidates as specified (e.g., 01 post of Housefather/Housemother is reserved for a female candidate).

The vacancies are not just numbers; they represent specific needs within child care institutions. For instance, the 06 Housefather/Housemother posts are for providing parental care and counseling, the 04 PT/Yoga Instructors are for physical and mental well-being, and the 04 Cooks are for ensuring nutritional support. Candidates should apply for the post that precisely matches their qualification and passion. The reservation policy means that candidates from SC, ST, and OBC categories will be considered against the vacancies earmarked for their respective categories. UR candidates can apply for UR vacancies as well as those reserved for SC/ST/OBC if no suitable reserved category candidate is available, as per rules.

Reservation for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) is applicable in this recruitment as per the Chhattisgarh Public Service (Reservation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes) Act, 1994 and its subsequent amendments. The vacancy table clearly breaks down the number of posts available for each category (UR, SC, ST, OBC) under every post name. For example, for the 06 posts of Assistant cum Night Watchman, there is 01 post each for UR, SC, ST, and OBC categories, with the remaining 02 posts likely being adjusted as per roster points or being UR.

To avail of reservation benefits, candidates must submit a valid and permanent caste certificate issued by the competent authority of Chhattisgarh state. The certificate should be in the prescribed format and should clearly mention the category (SC/ST/OBC). Applications without the requisite caste certificate will be processed under the Unreserved (UR) category, subject to the general age limit. It is also important to note that while the notification mentions benefits for SC/ST/OBC, there is no separate mention of reservation or age relaxation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) or Persons with Disabilities (PwD) in this specific advertisement. Candidates belonging to these groups should carefully read the official notification from the district website for any such clarifications.

The selection for Mission Vatsalya posts in Raipur will be based on a merit-cum-interview process. There is no written examination. The total marks are 100, distributed across three components: Educational Qualification (70 marks), Additional Experience (up to 10 marks), and Personal Interview (20 marks). This system prioritizes academic credentials and relevant work experience. The first step is shortlisting. The office will scrutinize all received applications and prepare a merit list based on the marks obtained in the essential educational qualification (70% weightage). For example, if the essential qualification is graduation, the percentage marks in your graduation degree will be converted to a score out of 70.

Only shortlisted candidates will be called for the interview. The shortlisting ratio is 1:10, meaning for one vacancy, a maximum of ten top-ranked candidates from the initial educational merit list will be called. The interview carries 20 marks, assessing the candidate's suitability, communication skills, and domain knowledge. The final merit list will be prepared by adding the marks for education, additional experience (beyond the minimum required), and the interview. A key rule for tie-breaking: if two candidates have the same total marks, the older candidate will be given preference. If age is also the same, the candidate with higher marks in the essential educational qualification will be preferred.

The selected candidates will be paid a fixed monthly consolidated salary as specified against each post. This is a contractual appointment, so the salary is not based on the standard pay matrix with grade pay and allowances like DA or HRA. The highest monthly remuneration is for the Store Keeper cum Accountant post at ₹18,536, reflecting the specialized accountancy skills required. The Housefather/Housemother post offers ₹14,564 per month. The teaching and training posts (Educator, PT Instructor, Art Teacher) offer a salary of ₹10,000 per month. The support staff positions of Cook and Assistant cum Night Watchman offer ₹9,930 and ₹7,944 per month respectively.

It is important for applicants to understand that these are contractual positions under a Central Government scheme (Mission Vatsalya). The appointment is temporary and co-terminus with the scheme. The salary is a consolidated amount, and no other regular government employee benefits like pension, medical allowance, or leave travel concession are typically attached. However, the contract may be renewed annually based on satisfactory performance and the continuation of the scheme, for a maximum period of three years at a stretch, subject to the discretion of the District Collector, who is the appointing authority.

The notification includes several strict warnings that candidates must adhere to. Incomplete, unclear, or applications not in the prescribed format will be rejected without any notice. Providing false information will lead to cancellation of candidature and may invite legal action. Candidates must be permanent residents of Chhattisgarh and provide a valid Domicile Certificate. There are specific marital status conditions: Candidates who married before the legal minimum age are ineligible. Polygamy is prohibited unless a specific exception has been granted by the government. Selected candidates may have to submit an affidavit on a ₹50 stamp paper regarding these conditions.

No travel allowance (TA/DA) will be paid for attending the interview. The appointment is purely temporary and contractual. The contract can be terminated by either side with one month's notice or one month's salary in lieu. Most importantly, the service will automatically end upon the closure of the Mission Vatsalya scheme, and the department will have no further liability. The decision of the appointing authority (District Collector) in all matters of selection and dispute will be final. Candidates should apply only if they fully understand and accept these terms of engagement.

This recruitment has very specific eligibility and procedural requirements. To save time and effort, candidates who fall into the following categories should not apply, as their applications will be summarily rejected. Firstly, candidates who are not permanent residents of Chhattisgarh and cannot provide a valid Domicile Certificate from a competent state authority should not proceed. This is an absolute mandatory condition. Secondly, candidates who only have voluntary service, internship, or part-time experience and lack the required years of full-time employment experience as specified for each post should not apply, as their experience will not be considered.

Furthermore, candidates who plan to submit their application in person at the District Programme Office must note that hand-delivered applications are strictly not accepted. Only applications sent via postal methods are valid. Also, candidates who wish to apply for more than one post but intend to mention multiple preferences in a single application form should not apply. Separate forms and separate envelopes for each post are mandatory. Finally, candidates who were married before attaining the legal minimum age for marriage or are in a polygamous marriage (unless an exception is granted by the government) are ineligible as per the notification's strict conditions.

Based on the strict warnings in the official notification, here are the most common pitfalls that lead to the immediate rejection of applications. Being aware of these can significantly increase your chances of a successful submission.