CMD Kerala CRA 2026: Overview and Quick Snapshot

CMD Kerala has confirmed 40 contract posts for Customer Relations Assistant, making this one of the most accessible PSU-linked openings for Diploma and B.Tech holders in Thiruvananthapuram this year. The CMD Kerala Customer Relations Assistant salary per shift 2026 stands at ₹1,010 for an 8-hour shift — translating to an estimated ₹24,240 per month for 24 working shifts — a figure no competitor site has yet broken down. Only candidates residing in Thiruvananthapuram will be considered, making this a highly targeted opportunity with lower effective competition than state-wide recruitments. The appointment is on a contract basis for one year to support the Centralized Call Centre of a Kerala PSU.

Based on official notification No. CMD/PSU/07/2026 by Centre for Management Development, Kerala. Verified: May 2026.

Quick Eligibility Check

Note specific to this post: candidates whose latest experience certificate is unavailable may submit a notarised affidavit with employer details, designation, period, and responsibilities — this is explicitly permitted for the most recent experience only.

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Important Dates

The cmd.kerala.gov.in portal is a government site that can face higher traffic in the final hours before the deadline; submitting your application on 16 or 17 May avoids last-day server slowdowns.

Vacancy and Category Analysis

Category-wise breakdown (UR/OBC/SC/ST/EWS) has not been released in official notification No. CMD/PSU/07/2026. This is a contract manpower support role for a Kerala PSU; standard GoI reservation norms may or may not apply in their full form. Candidates are advised to monitor the official notice for any category-specific clarification.

With 40 total vacancies and a strict Thiruvananthapuram residency requirement, effective applicant volume is significantly lower than a state-wide or national recruitment. Based on similar CMD Kerala contract recruitments in 2024–25, expected competition level is MODERATE, with an approximate selection ratio of 1 in 15–20 among eligible, resident applicants. Candidates with formal call centre experience documentation will have a meaningfully higher shortlisting probability, since experience verification is an explicit screening criterion in this notification.

Salary and In-Hand Calculation

Shift-to-monthly estimate: At ₹1,010 per 8-hour shift, a candidate working 24 shifts in a month earns approximately ₹24,240 gross. For 26 shifts, gross reaches approximately ₹26,260. Deductions such as PF (if applicable under contract terms) and professional tax (Kerala: ₹200/month above ₹20,000) may reduce take-home by ₹400–₹800 depending on contract structure. Approximate in-hand range: ₹23,440–₹26,060 per month after standard deductions, subject to actual shift allotment and contract terms.

Compared to a permanent Kerala PSU junior assistant post at Pay Level 4 (approx. ₹22,000–₹25,000 in-hand after deductions), this contract role offers a comparable monthly figure but without pension, HRA, or DA benefits — a trade-off candidates should factor in when deciding to apply.

Since this is a single-location posting (Thiruvananthapuram), there is no city-class HRA variation applicable; all selected candidates receive the same shift rate regardless of residential area within the city.

Application Fee

Application fee details are not mentioned in official notification No. CMD/PSU/07/2026. Candidates are advised to check the online application form on cmd.kerala.gov.in at the time of submission for any fee requirement.

Age Limit

Age calculation example: If your date of birth is 02 May 1981 or later, you are within the 45-year limit as on the cut-off date of 01 May 2026. If born on 01 May 1981 or earlier, you are exactly 45 or older and are not eligible.

The notification does not specify category-wise age relaxation (OBC/SC/ST/PwD). As this is a PSU contract recruitment under a Kerala autonomous institution, standard GoI relaxation norms may not automatically apply. Candidates are advised to confirm with CMD helpdesk (0471 2320101) before applying.

Eligibility Criteria

The most common eligibility mistake for this post type: uploading mark sheets or consolidated grade sheets instead of degree/diploma certificates — the notification explicitly states such applications will be rejected; only original or provisional certificates are accepted. Candidates with equivalent qualifications must submit an equivalency certificate from a competent authority; without it, the application will not be considered. The notification does not state whether final year students are eligible; given the 6-month post-qualification experience requirement, final year applicants are effectively ineligible.

Selection Process

Stage 1: Application and Criteria-Based Screening

CMD will screen applications for qualification, experience documentation, and residency. This stage is eliminatory — incomplete or incorrectly filled applications are rejected outright without further review. Ensure your experience certificate explicitly mentions joining date, relieving date, designation, and duties signed by an authorised person with seal.

Stage 2: Written Test / Skill Test / Proficiency Assessment

CMD reserves the right to conduct a written test, group discussion, or skill/proficiency test depending on the number of shortlisted candidates. These stages may be qualifying or merit-based at CMD’s discretion. Focus on customer communication scenarios, basic English proficiency, and computer literacy relevant to call centre operations.

Stage 3: Interview

Shortlisted candidates will be called for an interview; intimation will be sent only via registered email, SMS, or phone. Check your spam folder regularly, as CMD communications from government domains sometimes land there.

Your first 7 days after applying:

1. Save your application confirmation number and screenshot the submitted form immediately.
2. Add cmd.kerala.gov.in email addresses to your safe sender list to avoid missing shortlist communication.
3. Gather your original experience certificate and ensure it carries joining/relieving dates, duties, authorised signature, and seal.
4. If your latest experience certificate is unavailable, prepare a notarised affidavit with employer name, designation, period, and nature of job as permitted by the notification.
5. Keep your passport photo (white background, under 200 kB, JPG) and signature scan (black ink, white paper, under 50 kB, JPG) ready for document verification.

Exam Syllabus

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How to Apply

1. Visit the official website: cmd.kerala.gov.in — the application link opens on 16 May 2026 at 10:00 AM.
2. Click on the online application form link for Customer Relations Assistant (CMD/PSU/07/2026).
3. Register with your valid personal email ID and active mobile number — keep both active through the entire recruitment process.
4. Fill all mandatory fields carefully; incorrect information cannot be changed after submission and will lead to rejection.
5. Upload your scanned photograph (JPG, under 200 kB, white background) and full signature (JPG, under 50 kB, black ink on white paper — capital letter signatures are not accepted).
6. Upload your qualification certificate (original or provisional — mark sheets are not accepted), experience certificate, and any other documents as required in the form.
7. Review all entries before final submission; no corrections are entertained after submission under any circumstances.
8. Submit the form before 23 May 2026 at 5:00 PM and save the confirmation for your records.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the approximate in-hand salary for CMD Kerala Customer Relations Assistant 2026?

Approximately ₹23,440–₹26,060 per month, calculated at ₹1,010 per 8-hour shift for 24–26 working shifts after estimated deductions such as professional tax. This is a contract role, so 7th Pay Commission components like HRA and DA do not apply. Verify exact deduction terms from your appointment order.

What is the last date to apply for CMD Kerala CRA 2026?

As per the notification, the last date to submit the online application is 23 May 2026 at 5:00 PM via cmd.kerala.gov.in. The application window opens on 16 May 2026 at 10:00 AM. Apply early to avoid last-day portal congestion.

How many vacancies are available under CMD Kerala PSU recruitment 2026?

There are 40 vacancies for the Customer Relations Assistant post under notification No. CMD/PSU/07/2026. These are contract positions for one year to support a Kerala PSU’s Centralized Call Centre. Category-wise breakdown has not been released.

Is Engineering Diploma sufficient or is B.Tech mandatory for CRA 2026?

Both Engineering Diploma and B.Tech in any discipline are accepted equally for this post. Neither is given preference over the other in the notification. Candidates with equivalent qualifications must provide a competency authority-issued equivalency certificate.

What is the age limit for CMD Kerala Customer Relations Assistant 2026?

The maximum age is 45 years as on the cut-off date of 01 May 2026. The notification does not specify relaxation for OBC, SC, ST, or PwD categories; candidates seeking relaxation should contact the CMD helpdesk at 0471 2320101 before applying.

Is six months’ experience mandatory, or can freshers apply?

A minimum of six months of post-qualification experience specifically in Customer Care Services or a Call Centre is mandatory — freshers are not eligible. Experience must be supported by a proper certificate with joining date, relieving date, duties, and authorised signature; salary slips or appointment letters alone are not accepted.

Can candidates from outside Thiruvananthapuram apply for CMD Kerala CRA 2026?

Only candidates currently residing in Thiruvananthapuram will be considered, as explicitly stated in the notification. Candidates residing in other districts or states are not eligible for this particular recruitment. No exceptions or future residency commitments are mentioned.