Government Jobs · MSME · Senior Leadership Recruitment
MSME Recruitment 2026: General Manager, Principal Director and Other Positions — Qualification, Experience and Application Guide (October 24, 2026)
Article Updated: October 25, 2026
The Office of the Development Commissioner under the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India, has published an advertisement inviting applications for chief executive officer (CEO) roles in seven autonomous bodies. The listed positions include General Manager, Principal Director and Director posts at technology centres and specialist institutes in Kolkata, Kannauj, Firozabad, Bhubaneswar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Agra. These are senior positions requiring substantial post-qualification experience, and the notice specifies an initial five-year contract term.
Key takeaways
- Seven senior positions are listed: three General Manager posts, three Principal Director posts and one Director post across seven autonomous bodies.
- Last date: the official advertisement says the application must reach the Office of the Development Commissioner (MSME) by November 23, 2026.
- Experience: most of the General Manager and Principal Director positions require 15 years of relevant experience; the Director, CFTI post sets an alternative route of a degree plus 7 years or a relevant diploma plus 12 years.
- Basic pay: entry basic pay ranges from ₹78,800 at Level 12 to ₹1,31,100 at Level 13A, plus applicable government allowances.
- Appointment: the roles are initially for five years on a contract basis, with further extension based on performance review and the terms in the notice.
- Application mode: offline by speed post or registered post. A separate application is required for each post/location.
Table of contents
1. MSME Recruitment 2026: overview
The advertisement is issued by the Office of the Development Commissioner (MSME), under the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises. It invites applications for leadership positions at autonomous bodies that support manufacturing, technology development, training, design, consultancy, research and development, and sector-specific industrial capability.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting organisation | Office of the Development Commissioner (MSME), Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, Government of India |
| Posts | General Manager, Principal Director and Director (CEO roles in autonomous bodies) |
| Number of listed roles | Seven positions across seven autonomous bodies |
| Application mode | Offline by speed post or registered post |
| Last date | November 23, 2026; the application must reach the specified office by the closing date |
| Initial appointment term | Five years, with further extension based on performance review and the terms described in the advertisement |
| Application fee | No application fee is stated in the advertisement pages reviewed; check the official notice if a later corrigendum is issued |
The official PDF lists seven positions and their post-wise conditions. The detailed recruitment summary linked below is a secondary reading aid; where summaries differ, follow the official advertisement and any subsequent official correction.
2. Post-wise vacancy details
The advertisement names the following seven CEO-level roles. The table below summarises the post, institute, entry basic pay and the main eligibility route in the notice. The detailed conditions—including desirable qualifications and the exact wording of experience—are set out in the post-by-post section that follows.
| No. | Post and organisation | Location | Entry basic pay | Maximum age stated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | General Manager, Central Tool Room & Training Centre (CTTC) | Kolkata | ₹1,31,100 (Level 13A) | 50 years |
| 2 | Principal Director, Fragrance & Flavour Development Centre (FFDC) | Kannauj | ₹1,23,100 (Level 13) | 50 years |
| 3 | Principal Director, Centre for Development of Glass Industry (CDGI) | Firozabad | ₹1,23,100 (Level 13) | Not exceeding 50 years |
| 4 | General Manager, CTTC | Bhubaneswar | ₹1,31,100 (Level 13A) | 50 years |
| 5 | Principal Director, Central Institute of Hand Tools (CIHT) | Jalandhar | ₹1,31,100 (Level 13A) | 50 years |
| 6 | General Manager, Central Tool Room (CTR) | Ludhiana | ₹1,31,100 (Level 13A) | 50 years |
| 7 | Director, Central Footwear Training Institute (CFTI) | Agra | ₹78,800 (Level 12) | Not exceeding 45 years |
These are leadership roles for experienced candidates—not typical entry-level posts. The work involves guiding daily operations, improving the competitiveness of MSMEs served by each centre, expanding technology and training capabilities, supporting business growth, and managing the centre’s resources and revenue generation.
3. Educational qualifications and experience
Applicants must use the discipline-specific requirements for the exact post and location they are applying for. The official notice states that only post-qualification experience in the relevant field is counted for the experience requirement.
General Manager, CTTC Kolkata
- Essential qualification: Degree in Mechanical or Production Engineering, or equivalent, from a recognised university/institution.
- Essential experience: 15 years in the Production/Training Department of a tool room or reputed engineering industry, including 10 years in a responsible technology or management position.
- Desirable: Postgraduate qualification in Engineering, Technology or Management; experience implementing engineering projects and using MIS, reverse engineering, rapid prototyping, CAD/CAM and CNC technologies; and experience in administration, finance and labour management.
Principal Director, FFDC Kannauj
- Essential qualification: Postgraduate degree in Chemistry, Botany or Agronomy, or a degree in Chemical Technology, Chemical Engineering or Agricultural Engineering.
- Essential experience: 15 years in a responsible position in an industrial establishment, technical organisation or R&D organisation working with fine chemicals, phytochemicals, aromatic or medicinal plant cultivation/processing, fragrance/flavour creation, or quality management in phytochemicals and fine chemicals.
- Desirable: Doctoral or relevant postgraduate qualification, or a postgraduate diploma/degree in Management or Computer Science; experience in production, R&D, teaching or training, plus human resources, finance, industrial relations or administration experience.
- The notice says experience requirements may be relaxed for exceptionally deserving and meritorious candidates at the discretion of the Chairman, Governing Council. Applicants should not assume a relaxation without formal consideration.
Principal Director, CDGI Firozabad
- Essential qualification and experience: Degree in Ceramic, Silicate or Glass Technology (or equivalent), with glass as a main subject, from a recognised university/institute, and 15 years of experience in production or research in a glass/ceramic industry or R&D organisation in a responsible position.
- Desirable: Postgraduate degree in Ceramic, Silicate or Glass Technology or Management; experience implementing glass projects and manufacturing different types of glass and glass products.
- The notice also refers to experience in financial, personnel management and general administration.
General Manager, CTTC Bhubaneswar
- Essential qualification: Degree in Mechanical or Production Engineering from a recognised university/institution.
- Essential experience: 15 years in the Production/Training Department of a tool room or reputed engineering industry, including 10 years in a responsible technology/management position.
- Desirable: Postgraduate qualification in Engineering, Technology or Management; engineering project implementation (preferably with foreign collaboration); MIS, reverse engineering, rapid prototyping, CAD/CAM and CNC experience; and administration, finance or labour management.
Principal Director, CIHT Jalandhar
- Essential qualification: Degree in Mechanical or Production Engineering, or equivalent, from a recognised university/institution.
- Essential experience: 15 years in the Production/Training Department of a tool room or reputed engineering industry, including 10 years in a managerial technical position.
- Desirable: Postgraduate qualification in Engineering, Technology or Management; engineering project implementation; reverse engineering, rapid prototyping, CAD/CAM and CNC; and administration, finance and labour management.
General Manager, CTR Ludhiana
- Essential qualification: Degree in Mechanical or Production Engineering, or equivalent, from a recognised university/institution.
- Essential experience: 15 years in the Production/Training Department of a tool room or reputed engineering industry, including 10 years in a responsible technology/management position.
- Desirable: Postgraduate qualification in Engineering, Technology or Management; engineering-project implementation; MIS, reverse engineering, rapid prototyping, CAD/CAM and CNC technologies; administration, finance and labour management.
Director, CFTI Agra
- Route 1: Degree in Leather Technology, Chemical Engineering or Polymer Technology (or equivalent) from a recognised university, plus 7 years of experience in a responsible capacity at a footwear training institution, technical organisation dealing with footwear, or footwear manufacturing unit.
- Route 2: Diploma in Leather Technology or Footwear Technology from a recognised institution, plus 12 years of experience in a responsible capacity in a relevant footwear training institution, technical organisation or manufacturing unit.
- Desirable: Postgraduate diploma in Business Management and experience teaching or conducting training programmes.
Check the exact post before applying
Qualification and experience requirements differ significantly between technology centres, fragrance/flavour research, glass-industry development, hand tools and footwear training. Do not apply using only the broad summary qualification shown on a recruitment portal. Match your degree, experience certificates and age to the exact column for the post in the official advertisement.
4. Salary, allowances and contract terms
The advertisement shows entry basic pay as set out below. This is the basic-pay figure, not the total monthly compensation. The notice states that the posts carry allowances under government rules, including Dearness Allowance (DA), Travel Allowance (TA) and House Rent Allowance (HRA) where accommodation is not provided, along with other associated emoluments as per norms.
| Post grouping | Pay level (7th CPC) | Entry basic pay |
|---|---|---|
| GM, CTTC Kolkata; GM, CTTC Bhubaneswar; GM, CTR Ludhiana; Principal Director, CIHT Jalandhar | Level 13A | ₹1,31,100 |
| Principal Director, FFDC Kannauj; Principal Director, CDGI Firozabad | Level 13 | ₹1,23,100 |
| Director, CFTI Agra | Level 12 | ₹78,800 |
The contract period is initially five years. The advertisement allows further extension based on the review of performance, up to the age of superannuation under the stated terms. Candidates should review the contract wording carefully; they should not interpret the roles as permanent central-government appointments.
5. Age limit and relaxations
The advertisement says the relevant date for determining age is the last date for receipt of applications, November 23, 2026. The maximum age varies by post.
| Post | Age limit | Relaxation described in the notice |
|---|---|---|
| GM, CTTC Kolkata | 50 years | Up to 5 years for SC/ST/internal candidates and 3 years for OBC candidates. |
| Principal Director, FFDC Kannauj | 50 years | Up to 5 years for SC/ST and specified government/semi-government/quasi-government/autonomous-body/departmental candidates; 3 years for OBC/ex-servicemen/PH as per government rules. |
| Principal Director, CDGI Firozabad | Not exceeding 50 years | Up to 5 years for SC/ST/departmental candidates and employees of government or semi-government organisations; 3 years for OBC as per rules. |
| GM, CTTC Bhubaneswar; Principal Director, CIHT Jalandhar; GM, CTR Ludhiana | 50 years | Up to 5 years for SC/ST/internal candidates and 3 years for OBC candidates. |
| Director, CFTI Agra | Not exceeding 45 years | Up to 5 years for SC/ST/internal candidates and 3 years for OBC candidates as per government rules. |
Relaxation wording is not identical across all posts. Applicants should read the applicable post column and attach the relevant supporting certificate where required. The application form also asks candidates to calculate their age as of the closing date.
6. How to apply for MSME Recruitment 2026
Applications must be sent offline using the application proforma attached to the official advertisement. The notice says the application must reach the specified office by November 23, 2026; dispatching it on the final day may not be sufficient.
- Download the official advertisement and proforma. Use the button below rather than an unverified copy on a third-party site.
- Choose the exact post and centre. Check the essential qualification, relevant experience, pay level and age condition.
- Prepare a separate application for each post/location. The notice requires separate applications for separate posts or locations.
- Attach supporting evidence. Include self-attested copies of educational certificates, experience certificates and date-of-birth evidence, along with the required application details and photograph.
- Include a one-page self-assessment. The application instructions ask candidates to enclose a brief self-assessment regarding suitability for the post.
- Prepare the Vision Document, up to 500 words. The notice asks candidates to explain their contribution to increasing income, solving problems, product development or training in similar organisations, and propose new actions and ideas for the centre. A broad SWOT analysis of the centre should be covered.
- Follow the proper channel if currently employed in government. Candidates serving in Central/State Government or a government undertaking/autonomous organisation must route the application through the proper channel. The notice allows an advance copy and says the NOC may be produced at interview.
- Post the complete application early. Use speed post or registered post and retain the dispatch receipt and a full copy of the application.
Postal address in the official advertisement
Additional Development Commissioner (TR)
Office of the Development Commissioner (MSME)
Room No. 32082, 2nd Floor
Kartavya Bhawan-3, Janpath Road
New Delhi – 110001
The envelope should clearly state that it contains an application for the vacancy of the relevant post and location, as instructed by the notice.
Download official application form and notice Open DC MSME website
Do not send money to an unofficial agent
The official route described in the advertisement is submission by post. No application fee is specified in the advertisement pages reviewed. Do not pay an intermediary who claims to guarantee an appointment or interview.
7. Selection process
The official advertisement reviewed specifies the application documents and mentions that serving government/undertaking/autonomous-body candidates may need to produce an NOC at the interview. It does not set out a detailed, stage-by-stage selection scheme on the advertisement page.
A published recruitment summary refers to an interview. Candidates should prepare for scrutiny of their qualifications and experience and for a possible interview, but must follow the official communication for the confirmed selection stages. Do not assume that a written test is required or that it is excluded unless the recruiting authority says so.
What a strong senior-level application should show
- Relevant post-qualification experience, with each period clearly supported by an employer certificate.
- Examples of leadership in production, training, R&D, technology development, business growth, administration or financial management, as relevant to the post.
- Specific accomplishments and results, rather than only a list of duties.
- A convincing Vision Document that addresses the needs and future direction of the particular centre.
- A clear fit between the candidate’s experience and the institute’s sector, such as tool-room engineering, fragrance/flavour development, glass technology, hand tools or footwear.
8. Application document checklist
Use this list as a preparation aid and confirm every item against the official proforma:
- Completed application proforma for the selected post/location.
- Recent passport-size photograph attached in the specified area.
- Self-attested educational certificates and degree/diploma records.
- Date-of-birth proof and age calculation as of November 23, 2026.
- Experience certificates stating designation, employer, employment dates, nature of duties and relevant pay details as required by the form.
- Relevant category or relaxation certificate, where applicable.
- One-page self-assessment of suitability.
- Vision Document of no more than 500 words.
- Proper-channel forwarding/NOC documents where applicable under the notice.
- Separate application and correctly superscribed envelope for every post/location selected.
Incomplete applications, false information or applications that do not meet the eligibility criteria may be rejected. Keep copies of everything you submit and retain the postal receipt.
Frequently asked questions
1. How many posts are listed in MSME Recruitment 2026?
The official advertisement lists seven CEO-level positions: three General Manager posts, three Principal Director posts and one Director post across seven autonomous bodies. The post-wise details and conditions are available in the official advertisement PDF .
2. What is the last date to apply?
The application must reach the Office of the Development Commissioner (MSME) by November 23, 2026. It is safest to send the complete application well before the deadline because the closing condition is receipt by the office, not simply the dispatch date.
3. Are freshers eligible for these posts?
These are senior executive roles. Most posts require 15 years of relevant experience, including a substantial period in a responsible or managerial technical role. The Director, CFTI Agra post allows either a relevant degree plus 7 years of experience or a relevant diploma plus 12 years of experience.
4. What is the salary for the General Manager and Principal Director posts?
Entry basic pay is ₹1,31,100 at Level 13A for the listed General Manager positions and the Principal Director, CIHT Jalandhar. The Principal Director roles at FFDC Kannauj and CDGI Firozabad are at Level 13 with ₹1,23,100 entry basic pay. Applicable government allowances are additional as per the notice.
5. Is the appointment permanent?
No. The advertisement says the appointments are on contract for an initial five-year period, with further extension based on performance review and the specified terms. Candidates should not assume that the role is a permanent government appointment.
6. Can one candidate apply for more than one post?
The official notice says separate applications should be sent for separate posts or locations. Candidates applying for more than one should therefore prepare a separate application and correctly label the envelope for each role/location.
7. What should the Vision Document contain?
The notice requires a Vision Document of up to 500 words. It should describe the applicant’s contribution in similar organisations and ideas for increasing income, solving problems, product development or training, along with proposed actions and a broad SWOT analysis of the relevant centre.
Conclusion
MSME Recruitment 2026 offers senior leadership opportunities across tool rooms, technology centres and specialised industrial institutes. Applicants should focus first on the eligibility of their chosen centre: the relevant degree or diploma, long post-qualification experience, age limit and evidence of leadership are central to the selection profile.
Before sending an application, read the original notice, prepare the required self-assessment and Vision Document, and allow enough time for the application to reach New Delhi by November 23, 2026. The official advertisement—not a short recruitment summary—should be treated as the final authority on eligibility and submission requirements.
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Sources and references
- Office of the Development Commissioner (MSME), Government of India. “Invites Application for the post of CEOs in Autonomous Bodies” and attached Application Proforma. Official recruitment advertisement; the PDF contains the listed roles, qualifications, experience, pay, age, application instructions and closing date.
Open official notification PDF - Office of the Development Commissioner (MSME). Official website for recruitment notices and institutional information.
Visit official DC MSME website View official advertisements archive - FreeJobAlert. “MSME Recruitment 2026 – Apply Offline for General Manager, Principal Director and More Posts,” updated October 24, 2026. Used as a secondary readable cross-check of post-wise details; the official notice takes priority.
Read secondary recruitment summary
The images in this article are AI-generated editorial illustrations, not photographs of actual recruitment events or official government facilities.
