UPSC Assistant Legislative Counsel Grade IV Recruitment 2026 — Indian Legal Service, Legislative Department

Overview

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) invites online applications for 8 posts of Assistant Legislative Counsel, Grade IV, Indian Legal Service (ILS), in the Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India. The post is Group-A, Gazetted, a permanent position on the Level-11 pay matrix, with a two-year probation period, headquartered at New Delhi. Selected officers will undertake legislative drafting and scrutiny of Statutory Rules and Orders, with preference given to candidates possessing legislative-drafting experience. Of the 8 vacancies, the category-wise break-up is UR-4, EWS-1, OBC-2, SC-1, including 1 post reserved for persons with benchmark disabilities (40% and above). Online applications are open from 26 September 2026 to 16 October 2026 (6:00 PM) at upsconline.nic.in. This is not the UPSC Civil Services Examination — Advertisement No. 12/2026 is a recruitment-by-selection advertisement for this specified post.

Eligibility

Age: not exceeding 40 years (UR/EWS), 43 years (OBC), or 45 years (SC) as on the closing date, with 10 years' additional relaxation for PwBD candidates. All candidates must hold a degree in Law from a recognized university, and must additionally satisfy at least one of: (a) at least 7 years as a member of a State Judicial Service; (b) at least 7 years holding a superior post in the legal department of a State; (c) at least 7 years as a Central Government servant in legal-affairs work; (d) a Master's degree in Law with at least 5 years' teaching or research experience; or (e) qualification as a legal practitioner of at least 30 years of age (advocate/pleader with 7+ years of practice, or High Court attorney with 5+ years). Preference is given to candidates with legislative-drafting experience. This post is suitable for ASD (Mild) and several other PwBD categories as specified in the advertisement.

Responsibilities

Legislative drafting of principal legislation for the Central Government and scrutiny of Statutory Rules and Orders made under delegated legislative powers, at the Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice, New Delhi.

Requirements

Law degree from a recognized university plus one of the specified routes of qualifying legal/judicial experience (minimum 5–7 years depending on route); preference for legislative-drafting experience; valid error-free online application via upsconline.nic.in before the closing date; original certificates for educational qualification, experience, category, and PwBD status (where applicable) ready for interview.