ASO Full Form (Exam Date POSTPONED)

Recent Notification:- There has been no change in the ASO test centre for aspirants. The OPSC test centres that were already assigned for the ASO written exam slated for August 21, 2022 will stay intact for the postponed examination on August 27, 2022 (Saturday).

ASO Full Form Overview

The MEA, or the Ministry of External Affairs, is a branch of the Indian government in charge of maintaining connections and communication with foreign nations. The Staff Selection Commission provides young people an excellent opportunity to work with the leading companies in the federal government. Assistant section officer, or ASO in MEA, is one of the top posts in SSC CGL. SSC administers the Combined Graduate Level (CGL), one of the routes to becoming an ASO in MEA. In the next post, we will provide all the data about ASO in the Ministry of External Affairs qualifications, job profiles, salary ranges, and more.

ASO Full Form Highlights

The following table gives details about OPSC ASO-

ASO Full Form Eligibility Criteria in MEA

The SSC administers the CGL examination to fill different Group "B" and Group "C" officer level positions in central level ministries and departments. The following are the MEA ASO qualifying criteria-

• Age Restrictions: 20 - 30 Years

The following table shows the age restriction details for ASO-

• Relaxation of the Upper Age Limit

The higher age limit, as well as the category-codes for claiming age relaxation as of the date of reckoning, are as follows-

• Educational Background and Nationality

The following are the required qualification specifications for the position of ASO in MEA:

1. Bachelor's degree from a recognized university or equivalent in any subject.
2. An applicant must be an Indian or Nepalese citizen.
3. Bhutanese Tibetan refugee who arrived in India before January 1, 1962, with the purpose of living permanently in India.
4. A person of Indian heritage who has moved permanently from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania (Formerly Tanganyika and Zanzibar), Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, or Vietnam.

Responsibilities of an ASO 

The following are the duties of an ASO- 

1. An assistant's principal role is to support IFS officers in their everyday duties. 
2. Assistants handle file work, which includes taking notes and writing any correspondence with the India headquarters.
3. An ASO also serves in four additional capacities.
4. He begins by planning and reviewing the documents that will be signed between the countries.
5. The individual is responsible for filing and other necessary tasks that are to be signed by ambassadors and ministers.
6. The coordinates between various consulate offices as well as the Home Nation headquarters.
7. It fosters positive links with the host country and its citizens, especially NRI/PIOO.

ASO Important Exam Dates

The below table gives details about the exam dates of ASO-

How to apply for the ASO Application Form 

The application period for ASO 2022 began on January 20, 2022. Candidates must apply online using the official website in order to complete the application form, upload documents, and pay the application fee.

The following are some steps to apply for the ASO application form-

Step 1: Complete the ASO 2022 Application Form.

Candidates must complete the following procedures to register, which is the first and most important component of the application:

1. Visit the official website.
2. Choose 'Advertisement for the position of Assistant Section Officer.'
3. Choose the 'Attachment' tab.
4. Check your eligibility by going over the qualifying conditions.
5. The application form must be thoroughly completed. 
6. There should be no inaccuracies in the candidate's name, parent's/name, guardian's name, candidate's gender, contact number, postal address, and candidate's category.
7. The candidate must select the exam location.
8. The needed documentation, as well as the candidate's passport-size photo, must be sent with the completed form.
9. The submit button must be pressed.

Step 2: ASO 2022 Fee for Application

The submission of application fees concludes the ASO 2022 application procedure. The following table shows the application costs for candidates in various categories:

ASO Salary Structure

The pay scale of an ASO in MEA runs from INR 44,900 to INR 14,2400 with a grade pay of INR 4600 in addition to the Central Govt. permitted allowances. According to the 7th pay commission, the ASO in MEA would have originally received a salary of roughly INR 66,000/- pm.

The below table gives details about the salary structure-

ASO Benefits and Privileges

The following are some of the benefits of ASO in India- 

1. In India, all benefits are the same as any other government employee at the 7th pay commission grade salary. 
2. Flats in Chanakyapuri and Dwarka are available for government usage. 
3. Because most MEA employees leave every three years for a foreign posting, the flats are rarely blocked or inhabited for long periods of time. 
4. However, you must move your complete setup with you with each posting.
5. Foreign assignments provide the greatest facilities and perks. 
6. Children attend the best American/British International Schools and are treated at the best hospitals in the area (the school/medical fees are greater than the total monthly salary in a foreign posting). 
7. Fully furnished housing is superior to any group A service (IAS/IPS/IRS) officer with government housing. 
8. Previously, Assistant's economy class tickets were upgraded to first class for free.
9. However, due to government austerity measures, MEA assistants are now permitted to travel to a foreign place for free in economy class.
10. An helper is also given a complete cargo container for items, allowing them to readily transport their needs.

Read more about the Full Form of IAS Officer and Upcoming Government Exams in India.

ASO Vacancy 2022

796 posts are available for ASO recruiting in 2022. The table below shows the breakdown of vacancies according to category-

ASO Job Profile 

The Assistant Section Officer (ASO) is responsible for the department's workflow. They have essential job duties that concentrate on Indian diplomacy. 

Here are some of the ASO's work duties in MEA-

1. Day-to-day assistance to IFS officials Noting, writing, and contact with the headquarters
2. Plan and review international papers
3. CoordinateOrganize between numerous offices as well as the home country's headquarters to foster goodwill between the state and its citizens.

Also read more about- IFS Officer Salary.

ASO Training Details in MEA

The following are the ASO training details in MEA-

1. There will be no instant training when you join. 
2. To be considered for an overseas assignment, you must first complete 30 days of training and pass a foreign language test.
3. The foreign language competence exam is required in order to be considered for the overseas posting.
4. Training is frantic, with a lot to learn in a short period of time in order to work effectively.
5. Foreign Service Institute (FSI), JNU, New Delhi, provides training.

ASO Postings and Transfers

The position of MEA Assistant is not limited to Delhi. You can be sent to regional passport offices on a need basis, but there is normally a personnel deficit in Delhi, so this only happens on a need basis. One must choose 5-10 places for transfer from a list of 60 supplied by the Ministry of Foreign Postings. The Ministry, on the other hand, would pick which site one would be sent to. The assigned overseas destination can be disputed, but such rejections do not sit well with the superiors since they disrupt the efficient functioning.

ASO Promotion Policy in MEA

The following career options as an ASO at the Ministry of External Affairs-

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After passing departmental examinations, the initial promotion from Assistant Section Officer (ASO) to Section Officer takes about 4 - 5 years. Otherwise, it may take between 10 and 14 years to advance in seniority.