Comprehensive Overview & Notification Background
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), an autonomous agency under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India, has officially announced its recruitment drive for 2026 to engage young, energetic, and qualified legal dynamic professionals. The recruitment notification has been published for the post of Young Professional (Legal) with a total of 5 vacancies available across various regional offices and headquarters. This recruitment serves as an exceptional entry opportunity for legal graduates eager to contribute to national infrastructure development, legal framework management, highway land acquisition disputes, and corporate compliance.
Interested candidates possessing a recognized Degree in Law (LL.B) and meeting the stipulated age and merit criteria can submit their applications online before the final deadline of 08 September 2026. Candidates are strongly advised to go through the detailed official notification to understand all eligibility conditions, submission procedures, terms of engagement, and legal service expectations.
Vacancies Breakdown & Educational Eligibility Criteria
The authority has announced a total of 5 vacancies for the post of Young Professional (Legal). Below is the comprehensive structural overview of the openings and the prerequisite educational qualifications required to qualify for this contractual appointment.
| Post Name | Total Openings | Educational & Professional Qualifications |
|---|---|---|
| Young Professional (Legal) | 5 | Degree in Law (LL.B) from a recognized University or Institute recognized by the Bar Council of India (BCI). Candidates must possess a valid CLAT PG score or demonstrable relevant legal experience in handling land acquisition, arbitration, or corporate legal matters as detailed by NHAI guidelines. |
Candidates awaiting their final degree results or those without valid qualifying score cards where required must fulfill all conditions prior to the specified cut-off date. Proficiency in English language legal drafting, contract review, and computer applications is highly desirable.
Age Limit, Age Relaxation Rules, & Reservation Policy
The recruitment guidelines dictate specific age bounds for applicants aiming to join as Young Professional (Legal) in NHAI:
- Maximum Upper Age Limit: 32 Years as on the last date of application submission.
- Age Relaxation: Relaxations in the upper age limit are extended to candidates belonging to reserved categories in accordance with Central Government instructions:
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 3 years (Up to 35 Years)
- SC / ST Candidates: 5 years (Up to 37 Years)
- Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD): Up to 10 years
Pay Scale, Salary Structure, Allowance, & Perks
Selected candidates for the position of Young Professional (Legal) will receive an attractive fixed consolidated monthly stipend along with applicable professional exposure and learning opportunities.
- Monthly Consolidated Emolument: Rs. 60,000/- per month.
- Annual Increment/Extension: Engagement is initially for a fixed period (typically 1 to 2 years), renewable based on satisfactory performance and requirement of the authority.
- Allowances & Travel Perks: Official travel expenses and conveyance allowances during field duty or court appearances will be reimbursed per NHAI rules.
Selection Process
The selection process for NHAI Young Professional (Legal) Recruitment 2026 is designed to evaluate candidates on merit, legal acumen, and practical aptitude. The selection stages comprise:
- Initial Screening & Shortlisting: Shortlisting of applications based on academic achievements, LL.B graduation percentages, and valid CLAT PG scores or prior legal experience.
- Personal Interview / Interaction: Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a personal interview or interaction round to assess legal reasoning, communication skills, knowledge of highway and land acquisition laws, and suitability for the role.
- Document Verification: Verification of original certificates, educational degrees, identity proof, category certificates, and experience documents.
- Final Merit List: Preparation of the final merit list based on performance in shortlisting criteria and the personal interview.
Detailed Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
As this selection relies on academic merit/CLAT scores followed by a personal interview, the evaluation weightage table is structured as follows:
| Evaluation Parameter | Criteria Details | Weightage / Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Academic Qualifications / CLAT Score | Marks in LL.B Degree & CLAT PG Ranking | 70 Marks |
| Personal Interview / Interaction | Legal knowledge, presentation, and legal drafting skills | 30 Marks |
| Total Evaluation | Combined Selection Score | 100 Marks |
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Fill the Online Application Form
Candidates meeting the required eligibility criteria must apply online through the official portal. Follow these steps for a seamless application experience:
- Visit the official website of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) at nhai.gov.in.
- Navigate to the 'Vacancies' or 'Careers' section on the homepage and locate the notification for Recruitment of Young Professional (Legal) - 2026.
- Click on the online application link and complete the initial registration using a valid email ID and active mobile number.
- Log in with generated credentials and accurately fill in personal details, educational qualifications, and legal credentials.
- Upload scanned copies of required documents including photo, signature, LL.B degree certificate, marksheets, and identity proof in specified file formats.
- Review the filled application form thoroughly to ensure correctness before submitting.
- Submit the form online. (Note: No application fee is charged for this recruitment).
- Download and print a copy of the final submitted application form and acknowledgement slip for future reference.
Important Guidelines & Documents Required for Verification
Candidates invited for document verification must bring original copies along with self-attested photocopies of the following credentials:
- Printed copy of the submitted online application form.
- 10th and 12th class certificates/mark sheets as proof of Date of Birth.
- LL.B Graduation Degree Certificate and semester-wise mark sheets.
- Valid CLAT PG Scorecard (if applicable).
- Category / Caste Certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS) issued by a competent authority, if claiming reservation.
- Valid Government Photo Identity Proof (Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Passport, or Voter ID).
- No Objection Certificate (NOC) from current employer if working in Government/PSU organizations.