APSC CDPO APSC Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) Exam

APSC CDPO: A Career in Women and Child Development

The Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) recruits for the post of Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) and Allied Cadres under the Women and Child Development Department, Government of Assam. This is a prestigious Group-B gazetted post that plays a pivotal role in implementing government schemes for the welfare of children and women at the grassroots level. A career as a CDPO offers a chance to make a significant social impact along with the benefits of a stable government job.

Salary, Job Profile, and Career Growth

A career as an APSC CDPO is both challenging and rewarding, offering excellent remuneration and growth prospects.

Salary Structure: The post of CDPO comes with an attractive salary in the Pay Band-3, with a scale of ₹22,000 - ₹97,000 and a Grade Pay of ₹9,700. [33] The total emoluments include various allowances, making it a financially lucrative position.

Job Profile: A CDPO is in charge of an ICDS (Integrated Child Development Services) project. The responsibilities include supervising Anganwadi centers, implementing nutrition and health education programs, monitoring the supplementary nutrition program, and ensuring the overall development of children and expectant mothers in their designated area.

Career Progression: The role of a CDPO offers a clear career progression path within the Women and Child Development Department. Based on seniority and performance, a CDPO can be promoted to higher administrative positions like District Social Welfare Officer, and further up the hierarchy, contributing to policy-making and implementation at a broader level.

APSC CDPO Selection Process

The selection of candidates for the CDPO post is conducted through a two-stage process:

• Written Examination: This stage consists of an OMR-based objective type test. The exam is designed to assess the candidate's knowledge across various subjects relevant to the job profile. [16]
• Interview/Viva-Voce: Candidates who qualify in the written examination are shortlisted for a personal interview. The interview assesses their personality, communication skills, and suitability for a public service role. The final merit list is prepared based on the combined marks of the written test and the interview. [16, 36]

Key Eligibility Criteria

• Education: Candidates must be a Graduate in Arts, Science, or Commerce with specific subjects like Philosophy, Education with Psychology, or Economics. Alternatively, a Post Graduate Degree or Diploma in fields like Social Work, Sociology, or Criminology is also accepted. [2, 25]
• Age Limit: The age limit is generally between 21 and 38 years, with relaxations for candidates belonging to reserved categories (SC, ST, OBC/MOBC) as per Assam Government rules. [16]

How to Apply for the APSC CDPO Exam

The application process for the APSC CDPO exam is conducted online through the official APSC portal.

1. One-Time Registration (OTR): New applicants must first register on the APSC's official recruitment website, apsc.nic.in, by creating a profile with their personal, contact, and academic details.
2. Login: Use the generated credentials to log in to the portal.
3. Find the Advertisement: Navigate to the "Latest Recruitment Advertisement" section and find the link for the CDPO recruitment.
4. Fill Application Form: Click on 'Apply' and fill out the online application form. Most details will be auto-populated from your OTR profile. You will need to provide specific details related to the post.
5. Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of your photograph, signature, and other necessary documents as per the prescribed guidelines.
6. Fee Payment: Pay the application fee online through the integrated payment gateway. The fee amount varies for different categories.
7. Final Submission: Review the application carefully before submitting it. It is recommended to download and save a copy of the submitted application form for future reference.