AAI SSCO Consultant Recruitment 2026 – Apply for 39 Posts

AAI SSCO Consultant Recruitment 2026 has been announced for 39 Consultant positions at Joint User Defence Airfields. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is inviting applications from retired Short Service Commission Officers of the Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, or Indian Coast Guard who meet the prescribed ATC qualification and experience requirements. Applications must be submitted only by email from 17 September 2026 to 1 October 2026.

The engagement is intended to support Air Traffic Services (ATS) at Joint User Defence Airfields. The vacancies are spread across six airport locations, including Pune, Kanpur, Purnea, Goa, Port Blair and Darbhanga.

AAI SSCO Consultant Recruitment 2026 – Overview

AAI describes itself as a Schedule ‘A’ Mini Ratna Category-1 Public Sector Enterprise. The specific engagement seeks retired Short Service Commission Officers to provide support to ATS operations at Joint User Defence Airfields.

AAI SSCO Consultant Vacancy 2026 – Location-Wise Details

The 39 Consultant posts are distributed among six airfield locations.

Goa (Dabolim) has the largest requirement with 15 Consultants, while Pune Airport has 11 positions.

AAI SSCO Consultant Recruitment 2026 – Important Dates

Shortlisted candidates will receive information about application verification and the interview through their registered email ID.

AAI SSCO Consultant Eligibility Criteria

This is a specialised recruitment rather than a general graduate-level Consultant opening. Applicants must be retired Short Service Commission Officers from the specified armed forces and must have the required ATC background.

The experience requirement is particularly important because the notification specifically requires both cumulative ATC experience and experience at a Joint User Defence Airfield.

AAI SSCO Consultant Age Limit

Candidates must satisfy both the age requirement and the retirement-gap condition.

The period between retirement from the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force or Coast Guard and the application closing date must not exceed 6 years. Any extension of the engagement cannot take the consultant beyond 55 years of age.

AAI SSCO Consultant Remuneration 2026

AAI will provide a fixed monthly remuneration under the DoPT OM dated 09.12.2020. The amount is calculated by deducting the basic pension from the pay drawn at the time of retirement.

The fixed amount remains unchanged during the contract, and the notification states that there is no annual increment or percentage increase during the engagement. HRA is not admissible, while transport-related provisions are governed by the stated rules. TDS will be deducted at source.

AAI SSCO Consultant Selection Process 2026

There is no written examination for this recruitment. Eligible candidates who are shortlisted will first undergo Application Verification, followed by an Interview.

Final selection is based on the merit ranking of the interview alone. AAI will communicate the verification and interview schedule to shortlisted candidates through their registered email ID.

Candidates should therefore ensure that their application clearly demonstrates the required ATC background, professional courses and Joint User Defence Airfield experience. Since the interview carries the final selection weight, applicants should also be prepared to discuss their previous ATC duties and operational experience relevant to the Consultant assignment.

How to Apply for AAI SSCO Consultant Recruitment 2026

1. Download the prescribed Application Form (Annexure-1) from the official advertisement.
2. Fill in the application form with accurate personal, service, qualification and experience details.
3. Attach self-attested copies of the required educational and work-experience documents.
4. Add the recent photograph and signed declaration required in the application form.
5. Combine the completed application and supporting documents into one PDF file.
6. Ensure the combined PDF does not exceed 5 MB.
7. Send the PDF by email to chqrectt@aai.aero.
8. Submit the application on or before 1 October 2026.

AAI will not accept applications submitted through another mode. Candidates should also keep the email address mentioned in the application active because further communication will be sent electronically.

Documents Required for AAI SSCO Consultant Application

The application should contain information and supporting evidence covering the candidate’s service history, qualifications and ATC experience.

• Completed Application Form (Annexure-1)
• Educational and professional qualification details
• Documents supporting educational qualifications
• Documents supporting work experience
• Service branch, joining and discharge details
• Recent photograph
• Candidate’s signature and declaration

The experience section should clearly show the organization or department, designation, period of service, total experience and nature of work.

AAI SSCO Consultant Recruitment 2026 – Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Do not submit multiple application formats: AAI requires the application and supporting documents to be combined into a single PDF.
• Do not exceed the file limit: The combined PDF must be 5 MB or less.
• Do not omit ATC experience evidence: The notification requires at least 5 years of cumulative ATC duties and 1 year at a Joint User Defence Airfield.
• Do not use another submission method: Applications sent through modes other than the specified email will not be accepted.
• Do not provide unsupported experience claims: AAI requires documentary evidence for educational and work-experience claims.

AAI SSCO Consultant Preparation Tips

This recruitment is specifically connected with Air Traffic Control and Surface Movement Control operations at Joint User Defence Airfields. Candidates should therefore prepare around their actual service experience rather than general government-job interview topics.

Review the ATC duties you performed during service, particularly responsibilities connected with ATC/SMC operations, watch extension and other ATS-related activities. Applicants should also be ready to explain the Basic ATC Course/ATM and AL (Basic) and GCA/ATSS Course qualifications listed in the notification.

Candidates for locations involving SMC should be able to clearly describe their relevant surface movement control experience. During the interview, organise your answers around the operational duties you actually performed and the Joint User Defence Airfield experience required by the notification.

Important Conditions for AAI SSCO Consultants

The initial engagement is for 1 year and can be extended by another year at a time, subject to the conditions in the notification. The total cumulative engagement cannot exceed 5 years, and an extension cannot continue beyond age 55.

The assignment is full-time, and consultants cannot undertake another assignment during the engagement. A formal contract or agreement will be executed between AAI and the selected consultant.

Consultants are entitled to leave at 1.5 days for each completed month of service. Unused leave cannot be carried forward or encashed into the next year, while unauthorised absence beyond the permitted period can affect remuneration and may lead to termination under the stated conditions.

AAI SSCO Consultant Recruitment 2026 – Important Links

The official advertisement and AAI website are the primary sources for the application and any subsequent updates to this engagement.

AAI SSCO Consultant Recruitment 2026 – FAQs

1. Who can apply for AAI SSCO Consultant Recruitment 2026?

Retired Short Service Commission Officers of the Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force or Indian Coast Guard who meet the specified qualification, experience and age requirements can apply.

2. How many vacancies are available?

AAI has announced 39 Consultant posts across six airfield locations.

3. What is the last date to apply?

The last date for submitting the application is 1 October 2026. Applications must be sent by email to chqrectt@aai.aero.

4. What is the maximum age?

The applicant must not be more than 50 years as on 1 October 2026. The gap between retirement and the application deadline must also not exceed 6 years.

5. Is there a written examination?

No. The notification states that there is no written examination. Shortlisted candidates will undergo application verification and an interview, with final selection based on interview merit.

6. How is the Consultant remuneration calculated?

AAI provides a fixed monthly remuneration calculated by deducting the basic pension from the pay drawn at retirement, according to the cited DoPT rules. The amount remains unchanged during the contract term.

7. How long is the AAI Consultant engagement?

The initial engagement is for 1 year. It may be extended by another year at a time up to a cumulative maximum of 5 years, subject to the stated conditions and age limit.

8. Where should the application be sent?

The completed application and supporting documents must be combined into one PDF of no more than 5 MB and emailed to chqrectt@aai.aero. No other application mode is accepted.

Conclusion

AAI SSCO Consultant Recruitment 2026 is a specialised contract engagement for retired Short Service Commission Officers with relevant ATC experience. With 39 Consultant vacancies across six Joint User Defence Airfield locations, applicants should carefully verify the ATC experience, professional qualification, retirement-gap and age requirements before emailing their application.

Eligible candidates should follow the prescribed single-PDF email process and submit their application before 1 October 2026.