The Department of Commerce, functioning under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, is responsible for formulating India’s Foreign Trade Policies (FTP), managing Special Economic Zones (SEZs), and driving multilateral commercial relations.
The Department has issued a notification inviting applications for the engagement of Independent Consultants on a contractual basis. For the legal fraternity, this recruitment brings 08 highly prestigious vacancies ranging from entry-level Young Professionals to Senior Consultants. This is a prime opportunity for legal experts to work directly on international trade laws, bilateral agreements, and national export policies at the New Delhi headquarters.
Vacancy Overview: Legal Stream
The tentative vacancies available under the Legal discipline are broken down by seniority:
| Position Level | Total Vacancies |
| Young Professional | 01 |
| Associate | 03 |
| Consultant | 03 |
| Senior Consultant | 01 |
| Total Legal Posts | 08 |
(Note: Vacancies are tentative and subject to change based on departmental requirements. Only 3x the number of vacancies per stream will be shortlisted for the interview stage).
Eligibility Criteria for Legal Consultants
To be eligible for the Legal stream, candidates must possess the following qualifications:
- Essential Qualification: A recognized LLB or LLM degree, coupled with a Post Graduate (PG) Diploma in any legal subject.
- Academic Evaluation: Foreign degrees will be evaluated based on recognized Times/QS global rankings.
- Experience Exemption: Candidates holding a Ph.D. can count their doctoral research period as up to 3 years of professional experience (provided there is no overlap with other work experience).
Key Terms of Engagement & Benefits
Working as an Independent Consultant at the Department of Commerce comes with specific contractual terms:
- Remuneration: Fixed monthly remuneration (no additional allowances).
- Contract Duration: For Young Professionals, the initial contract is for 2 years, extendable by a maximum of 1 year.
- Working Hours & Leaves: Standard hours from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, with a leave entitlement of 1.5 days per month.
- Travel: Domestic travel across India may be required (TA/DA will be applicable as per rules).
- Confidentiality: Candidates will be governed by the Official Secrets Act, 1923, and must sign a Non-Disclosure and Non-Compete Agreement.
Important Dates (Rolling Application Window)
The Department operates a rolling application portal that opens quarterly.
- Current Application Window: 1st May 2026 to 15th May 2026
- (Future Windows: 1st-15th of August, November, and February)
Important Links
| Notification PDF | Notification |
| Application Link | Apply Online |
| JurisLink Whatsapp Group | Click Here |
How to Apply for Department of Commerce Legal Jobs
Eligible candidates must submit their applications exclusively through the official online recruitment portal.
- Visit the official Ministry website:
www.commerce.gov.in. - Navigate to “Engagement of ICs” and access the Recruitment Portal.
- Register and select the “Legal” discipline and the specific tier (Young Professional, Associate, etc.) you are applying for based on your experience level.
- Carefully fill out the application form with your personal details, academic qualifications (LLB/LLM/PG Diploma), and professional experience.
- Submit the application online before the window closes on May 15, 2026.
Contact Information for Queries:
If you encounter any technical issues or have specific queries regarding the application, you can reach out to the recruitment desk at recruitment-e2@gov.in
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