What is the profile of the Assistant to the Ministry of external affairs?
What is the profile of the Assistant to the Ministry of external affairs?
Assistant to the Ministry of external affairs (MEA) is a popular post amongst SSC CGL aspirants. This article aims to explain the qualifications, eligibility criteria, cut-offs, job profile, pay scale, perks and demerits of the post.
Read more: What is the recruitment process of the SSC CPO exam happening in December 2019?
Read more: How to prepare for SSC CGL with a full- time Job?
The Ministry of External Affairs is extremely selective when it comes to choosing candidates. Lakhs of people compete for usually limited vacancies.
At the Ministry of External affairs, 2 posts exist:
General Assistant: This profile involves basic clerical and cataloging work. You are posted for 3 years in Delhi and 3 Years in foreign countries.
Cypher Assistant: This profile involves coding-decoding confidential messages for the Ministry of External Affairs. You are involved in confidential matters and secret communication languages. You are posted for 3 years in Delhi and 6 Years in Foreign countries.
Qualifications:
A Graduation degree is a pre requisite from a recognized university.
You need to clear The SSC CGL Tier 1 and Tier 2 exam (Paper 1 +2) and meet the following cut offs:
| Category | Total marks | General | Other Backward Classes | SC | ST | Orthopedical ly Handicapped | Hearing Handicapped | Visually Handicapped |
| 2016 | 600 | 558.75 | 542 | 507.50 | 481.25 | 521.25 | 385.75 | 486 |
| 2015 | 600 | 524.50 | 497.75 | 463 | 445 | 458.25 | 413 | 455.50 |
| 2014 | 600 | 540.50 | 515.35 | 493.75 | 458.75 | – | 370.75 | 470 |
| 2013 | 600 | 526.50 | 496.75 | 477.5 | – | 459 | 352 | – |
| 2012 | 600 | 457.25 | 358.75 | 383.5 | 377.25 | 433 | 306 | 358 |
Job Profile, Salary, Pay Scale, allowances
The Assistant to the Ministry of External Affairs is a post having a grade pay of 4600 under Pay band of 9300-34800. Allowances given to the employees are as follows:
a) DA on Total Pay above (around 107%)
b) Transport Allowance (TA)
c) House Rent Allowance (if not provided with quarters)
d) Long Term Care (LTC)
e) NPS Contribution
The salary comes around to be `37000/- per month exclusive of the 7 th Pay commission in New Delhi.
When posted in a foreign country, a different salary is allotted considering the living costs in that country along with price index.
Various perks such as housing accommodation in Delhi and foreign countries is allotted. If the government is unable to allot housing, it arranges for stay at a 5 Star Hotel.
Basic amenities are accounted for you get to work at the Jawaharlal Nehru
Bhavan.
Abroad you will get elite medical services.
Promotions
Promotions in the Ministry of External Affairs are easy if you’re able to clear the departmental exam in time.
The promotion posts are as follows:
1 st promotion – Administrative Officer
2 nd promotion- Under Secretary
3 rd Promotion- Deputy Secretary
4 th Promotion – Director
The 2 nd promotion is an IFS level posting.
In small countries, the director is posted as the head of the mission (Consulate General of India). As a joint secretary, you become an ambassador of India.
The Assistant to the Ministry of External Affairs is a post where there is no money under the table and people can lead an honest life.
Assistant to the Ministry of External Affairs get a chance to go for different
summits like BRICS, SAARC, etc.
Conclusion
The assistant to the MEA is post where approximately 1 seat is available per 800 candidates hence there is no doubt that you need a single or early double digit rank to get in. Some people enjoy living abroad and some don’t like the post as they have a family back home. Either ways, working under the ministry of external affairs is a highly respectable job with recognition across the glove provided you have good interpersonal and communication skills.
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