Consultant – Short Service Commission Officers (SSCOs)

AAI SSCO Consultant Recruitment 2026 – Apply for 39 Consultant Posts

1. Post Date / Last Update

Post Date: 24 October 2026

Last Update: 24 October 2026, 12:11 PM

Advertisement Number: 14/2026/CHQ/SSCOs

2. Short Information

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has invited applications from retired Short Service Commission Officers (SSCOs) of the Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force and Indian Coast Guard for engagement as Consultants on a contractual basis. The consultants will support Air Traffic Services (ATS) operations at Joint User Defence Airfields.

The recruitment notification announces 39 Consultant positions across six airfield locations: Pune, Kanpur, Purnea, Goa (Dabolim), Port Blair and Darbhanga. Eligible candidates must be graduates and have completed the specified professional training, with at least five years of cumulative experience in Air Traffic Control (ATC) duties, including at least one year at a Joint User Defence Airfield.

Applications must be submitted by email only to chqrectt@aai.aero. The application window runs from 17 September 2026 to 11 November 2026. The maximum age is 50 years on the applicable application deadline, and the gap since retirement must not exceed six years. The initial engagement is for one year, subject to the conditions in the official advertisement.

3. AAI SSCO Consultant Recruitment 2026 – Key Details

Organisation: Airports Authority of India (AAI)

Organisation Type: Schedule 'A', Mini Ratna Category-I Public Sector Enterprise

Recruitment Name: AAI SSCO Consultant Engagement 2026

Advertisement Number: 14/2026/CHQ/SSCOs

Job Category: Aviation Jobs; Air Traffic Services Jobs; Consultant Jobs

Job Designation: Consultant – Short Service Commission Officers (SSCOs)

Total Vacancies: 39

Eligible Candidates: Retired Short Service Commission Officers of the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force or Coast Guard

Required Qualification: Graduation in any discipline from a recognised university

Professional Qualification: Basic ATC Course/ATM and AL (Basic) and GCA/ATSS Course

Required Experience: At least 5 years of cumulative ATC experience, including at least 1 year at a Joint User Defence Airfield

Maximum Age: 50 years as on the applicable application deadline

Retirement Gap: Must not exceed 6 years by the application deadline

Application Mode: Email only

Selection Process: Application verification followed by an interview

Engagement Period: Initially 1 year, with extensions subject to conditions

Remuneration: Fixed monthly remuneration calculated according to the prescribed pension-deduction formula

Application Fee: Not specified in the supplied notification

Application Start Date: 17 September 2026

Last Date to Apply: 11 November 2026

Application Email: chqrectt@aai.aero

Official Website: https://www.aai.aero/

4. Vacancy Details

AAI has announced 39 Consultant positions at six Joint User Defence Airfields.

Pune Airport – Post Code 01: 11 Consultants, for Surface Movement Control (SMC)

Kanpur Airport – Post Code 02: 2 Consultants

Purnea Airport – Post Code 03: 4 Consultants

Goa (Dabolim) Airport – Post Code 04: 15 Consultants, including 11 for SMC and 4 for Air Traffic Control (ATC)

Port Blair Airport – Post Code 05: 4 Consultants, for SMC

Darbhanga Airport – Post Code 06: 3 Consultants

Total Vacancies: 39

Candidates should identify the preferred airfield and post code while completing the application form.

5. Educational Qualification and Experience

Applicants must meet the educational, professional and operational experience requirements specified in Advertisement No. 14/2026/CHQ/SSCOs.

Educational Qualification

Candidates must possess:

A graduate degree in any discipline from a recognised university.

Professional Qualification

Candidates must have completed the specified professional training:

Basic ATC Course.

ATM and AL (Basic).

GCA/ATSS Course.

Required Work Experience

Candidates must have:

At least 5 years of cumulative experience in Air Traffic Control (ATC) duties.

At least 1 year of ATC experience at a Joint User Defence Airfield.

Eligible Service Background

Applications are invited from retired Short Service Commission Officers of:

Indian Army

Indian Navy

Indian Air Force

Indian Coast Guard

Applicants should ensure that their service background, qualifications and experience satisfy the requirements in the official advertisement. Meeting the minimum conditions does not guarantee shortlisting or selection.

6. Age Limit

The age-related conditions specified in the notification are:

Maximum Age: 50 years as on the applicable last date for submission of applications.

Maximum Retirement Gap: The period between retirement from the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force or Coast Guard and the last date for submitting the application must not exceed 6 years.

Age Limit During Extension: Contract extensions cannot continue beyond 55 years of age.

Minimum Age: Not specified in the supplied notification details.

Age Relaxation: Not specified in the supplied notification details.

The notification summary refers to 1 October 2026 for the original application deadline, but the last date has subsequently been updated to 11 November 2026. Candidates should check the official advertisement or any amendment to confirm the applicable date for calculating age and the retirement gap.

7. Application Fee

Application Fee: Not specified in the supplied notification.

Candidates should consult the official advertisement for any additional application-related instructions.

8. Salary / Pay Scale

The remuneration for selected consultants will be calculated according to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) Office Memorandum F. No. 3-25/2020-E.IIIA dated 9 December 2020.

Monthly Remuneration

Remuneration Method: Fixed monthly amount calculated by deducting the basic pension from the pay drawn at the time of retirement, as prescribed under the cited DoPT memorandum.

Annual Increment: No annual increment or percentage increase during the contract period.

House Rent Allowance (HRA): Not admissible.

Transport Allowance: A fixed commuting allowance may be admissible, subject to the applicable limits and the amount payable at retirement.

Official Travel: TA/DA for official tours, where admissible, will follow the consultant's entitlement at the time of retirement.

Tax Deduction: Tax deducted at source (TDS) will be deducted from remuneration.

The notification does not provide a single fixed salary figure for all candidates because remuneration depends on the prescribed calculation and the individual's retirement pay and pension.

9. Selection Process

There is no written examination specified for this recruitment. Selection will take place through application verification and an interview.

The selection process includes:

Shortlisting: Applications will be screened against the eligibility criteria. Meeting the requirements does not automatically guarantee an interview.

Application Verification: Shortlisted candidates will undergo verification of their application and supporting documents.

Interview: Eligible shortlisted candidates will be interviewed.

Final Selection: Merit ranking will be based on interview performance.

Interview Communication

The verification and interview schedule will be communicated to shortlisted candidates through their registered email addresses.

Candidates should keep the email address provided in the application active and check it regularly.

No TA/DA will be paid for attending application verification or the interview, joining the assignment, or completing the engagement process.

Medical Fitness

Before the contract begins, AAI may require the selected consultant to submit a Medical Fitness Certificate equivalent to defence medical standards. The certificate must be issued by a recognised physician and duly certified by the ATS In-Charge of the Joint User Defence Airfield where the consultant is likely to be deployed.

10. Important Dates

Application Start Date: 17 September 2026

Original Application Deadline Mentioned in the Notice: 1 October 2026

Updated Last Date to Apply: 11 November 2026

Interview Schedule: To be communicated to shortlisted candidates by email

Age and Retirement-Gap Reference Date: Candidates should confirm the applicable date in the official advertisement or amendment.

Candidates should rely on the latest official AAI notice for the final application deadline and eligibility reference date.

11. How to Apply

Eligible retired SSCOs must submit their applications through email only.

Follow these steps:

Visit the official AAI website: https://www.aai.aero/.

Open Advertisement No. 14/2026/CHQ/SSCOs and download the prescribed application form provided as Annexure-1.

Complete the application form with accurate personal, service, educational and professional details.

Enter the relevant airfield preference and required service information.

Attach self-attested copies of certificates and documents supporting educational qualifications, professional training and work experience.

Include a recent photograph, signature and the required declaration in the application form.

Combine the completed application and all supporting documents into one PDF file not exceeding 5 MB.

Email the single PDF to chqrectt@aai.aero.

Ensure the application is sent on or before 11 November 2026.

Keep a copy of the sent email and attached PDF for future reference.

Important: Applications submitted through any mode other than the specified email address will not be accepted. Further communication, including interview information, will be sent to the registered email address.

12. Documents Required

Candidates should prepare the following information and supporting documents:

Completed application form in the prescribed format, Annexure-1.

Recent photograph.

Candidate's signature and declaration on the application form.

Proof of date of birth and age.

Details of the service branch: Army, Navy, Air Force or Coast Guard.

Date of joining and date of discharge from the Armed Forces.

Educational qualification certificates and marksheets.

Professional qualification and ATC training certificates.

Documents supporting the required ATC work experience.

Details of previous organisations or departments, designations, levels and service periods.

Records showing the nature of work performed and total relevant experience.

Self-attested copies of supporting documents substantiating the claims made in the application.

Permanent and correspondence addresses, mobile number and active email address.

Candidates should ensure that the application and attachments are combined into a single PDF file of no more than 5 MB.

13. Important Instructions

Only retired Short Service Commission Officers from the specified Armed Forces services are eligible to apply.

Applicants must satisfy the prescribed educational, professional and ATC experience requirements.

Applications must be submitted by email to chqrectt@aai.aero. Other modes of submission will not be accepted.

Use the application form prescribed in Annexure-1 of the official advertisement.

Submit the application and supporting documents in one PDF file not exceeding 5 MB.

Keep the registered email address active because interview notifications and further communication will be sent electronically.

The engagement is full-time. Consultants are not permitted to undertake another assignment during the engagement period.

The initial engagement is for one year and may be extended by one year at a time, subject to the applicable conditions. The cumulative engagement period cannot exceed five years, and no extension may continue beyond 55 years of age.

A formal contract or agreement will be executed between AAI and the selected consultant.

Consultants will support ATC and SMC operations, watch extension and other ATC-related duties assigned by the ATS In-Charge.

Leave is allowed at 1.5 days for each completed month of service.

Daily attendance must be recorded at the designated place of engagement.

Unused leave cannot be carried forward to the next calendar year or encashed.

Absence beyond admissible leave and notified holidays will result in a proportionate deduction from consultancy remuneration.

AAI may terminate the engagement if a consultant remains absent without informing the supervisory authority for more than three working days.

AAI states that it will not be responsible for compensation in cases of death, injury or illness attributable to performance of services under the contract.

False or insufficient information, or failure to establish eligibility, may lead to rejection of candidature at any stage.

AAI reserves the right to revise eligibility criteria where a large number of applications are received and to cancel, modify, withdraw or postpone the engagement notice.

AAI may terminate a consultant's services by giving one month's notice or remuneration in lieu of notice. A consultant may similarly seek termination by giving AAI one month's notice or remuneration in lieu, subject to the contract terms.

Candidates should verify the updated deadline and age calculation conditions from the official advertisement before applying.

14. Official Website / Apply Link

Official Website: https://www.aai.aero/

Official Advertisement: AAI Advertisement No. 14/2026/CHQ/SSCOs (PDF)

Application Email: chqrectt@aai.aero

Application Mode: Email only

Application Start Date: 17 September 2026

Updated Last Date: 11 November 2026

Total Vacancies: 39

Advertisement Number: 14/2026/CHQ/SSCOs

Candidates should read the official PDF carefully and use the prescribed application form before emailing their documents.

15. Conclusion

AAI SSCO Consultant Recruitment 2026 offers 39 contractual consultant positions for eligible retired Short Service Commission Officers of the Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force and Indian Coast Guard. The selected consultants will support Air Traffic Services at Joint User Defence Airfields across six locations.

Applicants must hold a graduate degree, possess the specified ATC-related professional qualifications and have at least five years of cumulative ATC experience, including one year at a Joint User Defence Airfield. Eligible candidates should complete the prescribed application form, attach supporting documents and email a single PDF file of up to 5 MB to chqrectt@aai.aero by 11 November 2026. Review the latest official advertisement carefully, particularly the updated deadline and age calculation conditions, before submitting the application.

Application Start Date: 17 September 2026

Original Application Deadline Mentioned in the Notice: 1 October 2026

Updated Last Date to Apply: 11 November 2026

Interview Schedule: To be communicated to shortlisted candidates by email

Age and Retirement-Gap Reference Date: Candidates should confirm the applicable date in the official advertisement or amendment.

Completed application form in the prescribed format, Annexure-1.

Recent photograph.

Candidate's signature and declaration on the application form.

Proof of date of birth and age.

Details of the service branch: Army, Navy, Air Force or Coast Guard.

Date of joining and date of discharge from the Armed Forces.

Educational qualification certificates and marksheets.

Professional qualification and ATC training certificates.

Documents supporting the required ATC work experience.

Details of previous organisations or departments, designations, levels and service periods.

Records showing the nature of work performed and total relevant experience.

Self-attested copies of supporting documents substantiating the claims made in the application.

Permanent and correspondence addresses, mobile number and active email address.

Visit the official AAI website: https://www.aai.aero/.

Open Advertisement No. 14/2026/CHQ/SSCOs and download the prescribed application form provided as Annexure-1.

Complete the application form with accurate personal, service, educational and professional details.

Enter the relevant airfield preference and required service information.

Attach self-attested copies of certificates and documents supporting educational qualifications, professional training and work experience.

Include a recent photograph, signature and the required declaration in the application form.

Combine the completed application and all supporting documents into one PDF file not exceeding 5 MB.

Email the single PDF to chqrectt@aai.aero.

Ensure the application is sent on or before 11 November 2026.

Keep a copy of the sent email and attached PDF for future reference.