UPSC Assistant Director Grade-II IEDS Food Recruitment 2026 covers four vacancies in the Office of the Development Commissioner, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME). The post is in Pay Level 7 of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix, with a maximum age of 30 years for UR, 33 years for OBC and 35 years for ST candidates under the notified vacancy.
The application window for Advertisement No. 05/2026 closed on 12 June 2026. The recruitment is now at the test stage: UPSC has scheduled a combined offline recruitment test for 11 October 2026 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. This guide explains the vacancy, age limit, food-technology qualification, duties, salary, test pattern, syllabus, centres and selection process.
UPSC Assistant Director Grade-II IEDS Food 2026: Quick Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting authority | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Department | Office of the Development Commissioner, Ministry of MSME |
| Post | Assistant Director Grade-II (IEDS) (Food) |
| Vacancy number | 26050522623 |
| Vacancies | 4 |
| Reservation | UR-02, OBC-01, ST-01 |
| Pay level | Level 7, 7th CPC |
| Age limit | 30 years UR, 33 years OBC, 35 years ST |
| Application dates | 23 May–12 June 2026 |
| Recruitment test | 11 October 2026 |
| Test time | 2:00 PM–4:00 PM |
| Test mode | Offline, pen and paper |
| Test medium | English only |
UPSC lists this vacancy separately from the Grade-I Food post, even though both are part of the IEDS recruitment stream. The Grade-II Food vacancy is identified by Vacancy No. 26050522623 and Item No. 22 in Advertisement No. 05/2026.
UPSC IEDS Food Grade-II Vacancy 2026
There are 4 vacancies for Assistant Director Grade-II (IEDS) (Food). The notified reservation position is two UR vacancies, one OBC vacancy and one ST vacancy. The post is not reserved as a separate PwBD vacancy, but the notification identifies specified PwBD suitability categories for the post.
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| UR | 2 |
| OBC | 1 |
| ST | 1 |
| Total | 4 |
UPSC Assistant Director Grade-II IEDS Food Age Limit 2026
The upper age limit is 30 years for UR candidates, 33 years for OBC candidates and 35 years for ST candidates. The age is reckoned with reference to the closing date of the online application, which was 12 June 2026.
| Category | Maximum age |
|---|---|
| UR | 30 years |
| OBC | 33 years |
| ST | 35 years |
| PwBD | Relaxation may apply where the notified rules permit it |
If you are checking eligibility after the application deadline, remember that the relevant age date does not move forward to the recruitment-test date. Candidates should compare their documented date of birth with the age rule in the advertisement. The site’s exact age calculator by date of birth can help with the arithmetic, but the UPSC advertisement controls the eligibility decision.
Age Relaxation and DOB Proof
Category-specific limits are stated in the vacancy details, while other statutory relaxations can apply where the recruitment rules permit them. Candidates claiming a relaxation should keep the relevant certificate and supporting documents ready. Date-of-birth proof should match the documentary standard prescribed by UPSC.
UPSC IEDS Food Grade-II Eligibility 2026
The essential qualification for the Food Grade-II post is a Bachelor’s Degree in Food Technology or a Post Graduate Diploma in Fruits Technology from a recognised university or institute, as specified in the recruitment advertisement.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Food Technology; or
- Post Graduate Diploma in Fruits Technology.
A general degree should not be assumed to satisfy the requirement merely because the candidate has studied food-related subjects. The qualification wording in the UPSC advertisement is the relevant standard, including the recognition requirement.
What Does Assistant Director Grade-II IEDS Food Do?
The IEDS Food role is connected with technical support and development work for micro, small and medium enterprises. The notified duties include visiting and promoting MSMEs, advising them on technical problems encountered in the manufacture of industrial products, and suggesting improved and economical production techniques.
The officer can also represent the organisation on committees and bodies where MSME interests need to be considered in relation to other sectors. The role therefore combines technical knowledge with field-oriented advisory and institutional work.
UPSC IEDS Food Grade-II Salary 2026
Assistant Director Grade-II (IEDS) (Food) is placed in Pay Level 7 of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix. The post is permanent and is classified as a General Central Service Group A Gazetted, Non-Ministerial post. The notified headquarters is New Delhi with all-India service liability, and the probation period is two years.
| Service feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Pay level | Level 7 |
| Pay framework | 7th Central Pay Commission |
| Classification | General Central Service Group A Gazetted, Non-Ministerial |
| Nature of post | Permanent |
| Probation | 2 years |
| Headquarters | New Delhi |
| Service liability | All India |
Pay Level 7 is the basic pay framework rather than a promise of a single in-hand amount. Actual monthly earnings depend on applicable allowances, deductions and service rules.
UPSC IEDS Food Grade-II Recruitment Test 2026
UPSC has scheduled a Combined Recruitment Test on Sunday, 11 October 2026, in the afternoon session from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. The test is used to shortlist candidates for interview. Only candidates shortlisted in the combined test and found to fulfil the eligibility conditions are called for interview.
| Test feature | Rule |
|---|---|
| Date | 11 October 2026 |
| Time | 2:00 PM–4:00 PM |
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Mode | Offline pen and paper |
| Question type | Objective multiple choice |
| Questions | All questions carry equal marks |
| Medium | English only |
| Negative marking | One-third deduction for each wrong answer |
| Unanswered question | No penalty |
The September 2026 corrigendum superseded the earlier addendum and specifically changed the test medium to English only. Candidates should therefore use the revised notice rather than older references that describe a bilingual paper.
UPSC IEDS Food Grade-II Syllabus 2026
The current combined-test notice sets out eight broad areas:
- Current issues of national and international importance relating to social, economic and industrial development.
- Aptitude, including logical reasoning and analytical ability.
- Mathematics and numerical ability.
- Basics of energy and environment.
- Basics of project management.
- Basics of material science.
- Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), including networking, e-governance and technology-based education applications.
- Human values and professional ethics.
The notice does not publish a separate question count or total marks in the test scheme. It does state that all questions carry equal marks, the paper lasts two hours and wrong answers attract a one-third penalty.
UPSC IEDS Food Grade-II Selection Process
The selection arrangement has two main stages for candidates who remain eligible:
- Combined Recruitment Test: Offline objective paper scheduled for 11 October 2026.
- Interview: Candidates shortlisted in the test and meeting the post’s eligibility requirements are called for interview.
- Weightage: UPSC states that the combined recruitment test and interview carry a 75:25 weightage for candidates shortlisted from the test and qualifying in the interview.
The current notice also gives category-wise suitability standards for interview: 50 and above for General/EWS, 45 and above for OBC on relaxed standards, and 40 and above for SC/ST and PwBD on relaxed standards.
UPSC IEDS Food Grade-II Exam Centres 2026
The combined test centres listed by UPSC are spread across India. The allotted venue is communicated with the admit card, and the notice states that requests to change the test centre will not be entertained.
| Centre | Code |
|---|---|
| Ahmedabad | 01 |
| Bhopal | 04 |
| Chennai | 12 |
| Delhi | 08 |
| Dispur (Guwahati) | 09 |
| Jaipur | 11 |
| Jammu | 34 |
| Kochi | 24 |
| Kolkata | 06 |
| Lucknow | 26 |
| Mumbai | 05 |
| Nagpur | 13 |
| Port Blair | 37 |
| Ranchi | 41 |
| Vishakhapatnam | 51 |
UPSC IEDS Food Application Status 2026
The online application period for Vacancy No. 26050522623 ran from 23 May 2026 to 12 June 2026. The application window is closed. Candidates who submitted applications should now watch UPSC recruitment-test notices and their admit-card communications.
The current recruitment-test notice was uploaded on 15 September 2026. It superseded the earlier addendum dated 27 August 2026 specifically on the test-medium point, so candidates should use the revised notice for the latest test instructions.
Documents to Keep Ready
- Date-of-birth certificate or matriculation/equivalent proof as prescribed by UPSC.
- Food Technology degree certificate and marks records, or the specified Post Graduate Diploma in Fruits Technology.
- Category certificate where OBC or ST reservation is claimed.
- PwBD certificate where applicable.
- Application and registration details.
- Government-issued photo identification.
- Any additional original or supporting document requested by UPSC.
How to Prepare for the IEDS Food Grade-II Test
The recruitment test is broader than a purely food-technology paper. Preparation should therefore cover the full notified syllabus instead of concentrating only on the qualification subject.
- Practise logical reasoning and analytical-ability questions under time limits.
- Revise numerical ability and basic mathematics.
- Track important national and international developments linked to social, economic and industrial development.
- Review energy, environment and material-science fundamentals.
- Study basic project-management terminology and processes.
- Revise ICT topics such as networking and e-governance.
- Review human values and professional ethics.
- Use objective practice questions while accounting for one-third negative marking.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Checking age against the exam date. The relevant eligibility date is tied to the application closing date, not 11 October 2026.
- Assuming any food-related degree qualifies. The advertised qualification specifically names Food Technology or the specified PG Diploma in Fruits Technology.
- Preparing from an outdated test notice. The September 2026 corrigendum changed the medium to English only.
- Ignoring negative marking. One-third of the assigned marks is deducted for an incorrect answer.
- Assuming the written test is the final stage. Eligible candidates shortlisted from the test proceed to interview.
- Expecting a test-centre change. UPSC states that requests to change the centre will not be entertained.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Assistant Director Grade-II IEDS Food vacancies are there in 2026?
There are 4 vacancies under Vacancy No. 26050522623: UR-02, OBC-01 and ST-01.
What is the age limit for UPSC IEDS Food Grade-II?
The maximum age is 30 years for UR, 33 years for OBC and 35 years for ST candidates, subject to applicable relaxation rules.
What qualification is required?
The advertised qualification is a Bachelor’s Degree in Food Technology or a Post Graduate Diploma in Fruits Technology from a recognised university or institute.
When is the UPSC IEDS Food Grade-II exam?
The Combined Recruitment Test is scheduled for 11 October 2026 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
Is the IEDS Food Grade-II application still open?
No. The application window closed on 12 June 2026. The current stage is the recruitment test for candidates who applied and remain eligible.
What is the salary level?
The post is in Pay Level 7 of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix and is a permanent General Central Service Group A Gazetted, Non-Ministerial post.
Is there negative marking?
Yes. UPSC specifies a deduction of one-third of the marks assigned to the question for every wrong answer. There is no penalty when no answer is marked.
What is the test language?
The revised September 2026 corrigendum states that the medium of the test is English only.
Official UPSC Resources
- UPSC official website
- UPSC recruitment-test notices
- UPSC Online Recruitment Application portal
- Related IEDS Food Grade-II age-limit guide
- Exact Age Calculator by Date of Birth
Last reviewed: 22 September 2026. The application window is closed. Test dates, admit-card instructions, venues and subsequent recruitment notices can change, so candidates should verify the latest UPSC communication.
Final Summary
UPSC Assistant Director Grade-II (IEDS) (Food) Recruitment 2026 has 4 vacancies in the Ministry of MSME. The post is Pay Level 7, requires Food Technology or the specified Post Graduate Diploma in Fruits Technology, and has category-specific upper-age limits of 30, 33 and 35 years for UR, OBC and ST candidates.
The application stage has closed, but the recruitment-test stage is active. UPSC has scheduled the Combined Recruitment Test for 11 October 2026, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. The revised notice specifies an offline objective paper in English only, with one-third negative marking and a 75:25 test-to-interview weightage.
