Eligibility for these two posts differs significantly because they belong to different departments, so candidates should check the qualification requirement specific to the post they are applying for. Both posts, however, share the same age limit rule of 21 to 40 years, calculated as on 01.01.2027. Assistant Director Fisheries - Educational Qualification Candidates applying for Assistant Director Fisheries must hold a Master's degree in Fisheries Science (M.F.Sc.) or a postgraduate degree related to Fisheries Science from a recognized university, along with a one-year Inland Fisheries Training course recognized by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), or a pass in the Assistant Fisheries Officer level course from the Fisheries Training Institute, Naugaon, District Chhatarpur. In addition, candidates need five years of continuous work experience in Inland Fisheries development or research as an Assistant Fisheries Officer, Research Assistant, or an equivalent post in any government fisheries department, semi-government fisheries organization, or ICAR. Assistant Director, Higher Education Department - Educational Qualification For the Assistant Director post in the Higher Education Department, candidates need a graduate degree from a recognized university or an equivalent qualification, along with either passing the accounts training conducted by the Directorate of Treasury and Accounts, or passing the S.A.S. (Part I) examination. Candidates must additionally hold five years of departmental experience in accounts and audit work, certified by the Head of Department or a competent authority of an equivalent cadre. Age Limit and Relaxation (Applicable to Both Posts) The minimum age required for both posts is 21 years, and the maximum age allowed is 40 years, as reckoned on 01.01.2027. Candidates from reserved categories such as SC, ST, OBC, divyangjan, government/corporation/mandal/autonomous body employees, and women (MP domicile) are eligible for a 5-year age relaxation, and ex-servicemen get relaxation equal to their military service period, subject to the maximum age not exceeding three years beyond the upper limit. However, this age relaxation is only valid for candidates whose reserved category has posts actually notified in that category, and in no case can the total relaxed age exceed 45 years.

The application fee depends on the candidate's category and state of domicile, and it must be paid online at the time of form submission. Candidates should note that the fee structure is identical for both the Fisheries and Higher Education Assistant Director posts. Category Application Fee MP-domicile SC / ST / OBC (non-creamy layer) / EWS / Divyangjan ₹250/- All other categories and candidates from outside MP ₹500/- The commission refunds the fee only if the advertisement itself is cancelled, and that too through the online mode to the candidate's account. No other amount, including portal charges, is refundable if extra or incorrect payment is made through a kiosk or any other medium.

Selection for both Assistant Director posts is primarily interview-based, though a written exam gets triggered if the number of eligible applicants for a post crosses a certain threshold. Candidates wondering how many people will be shortlisted for interview per post can refer to the table below. Number of Posts Candidates Called for Interview 1 post Up to 12 candidates 2–3 posts Up to 24 candidates 4–6 posts Up to 36 candidates 7–9 posts Up to 48 candidates 10 posts and above Up to 50 candidates, or 5 times the number of posts The interview carries a maximum of 100 marks, and candidates must secure a minimum of 41 marks (unreserved category) or 31 marks (reserved category and divyangjan) to qualify. If the number of applicants for a notified post exceeds 500, MPPSC will conduct a written exam first; candidates equal to 3 times the notified vacancies (based on merit, category-wise) will then be called for interview, and the final merit list will be prepared by combining written exam and interview marks - with no minimum qualifying marks required in the written exam itself. Selected candidates for both posts will serve a probation period of 2 years.