NATIONAL HIGHWAYS AUTHORITY OF INDIA (NHAI)

NHAI Young Professional Legal Recruitment 2026 Overview

Engagement of Young Professional (Legal) on Contract Basis via CLAT (PG) 2026 Score

Official Website: www.nhai.gov.in | LA Division, NHAI Headquarters Deployment

National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), an autonomous organization functioning under the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Government of India, has published an official employment notification for the NHAI Young Professional Legal Recruitment 2026. Applications are invited from eligible law graduates holding a recognized Degree in Law who possess a valid Common Law Admission Test for Post Graduation—CLAT (PG) 2026 Score. Successful applicants will be engaged purely on a contractual basis for deployment at the Land Acquisition (LA) Division, NHAI Headquarters, New Delhi.

A total of 05 positions are available under this recruitment notification, with 01 position reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD). Candidates seeking engagement under this recruitment drive must thoroughly review the age limitations, educational standards, application procedures, fee structure, and contractual guidelines explained in this detailed document before completing their online registration prior to the cutoff date of September 08, 2026.

Vacancy Distribution for NHAI Young Professional Legal Recruitment 2026

The National Highways Authority of India has advertised 05 vacancies for Young Professional (Legal). The distribution across social categories as specified in the official advertisement is presented in the table below. Note that the total advertised posts are subject to modification (increase or decrease) at the sole discretion of NHAI management.

Out of the overall 05 positions, 01 position is strictly reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) in accordance with NHAI Policy Circular No.1.3.1.24/2021 dated March 04, 2021. The benchmark disability categories identified as suitable for this post include:

• Category (a): Blindness (B), Low Vision (LV)
• Category (b): Hard of Hearing (HH)
• Category (c): One Arm (OA), Both Arms (BA), One Leg (OL), Both Legs (BL), One Arm and One Leg (OAL), Both Leg & One Arm (BLOA), Both Legs Arms (BLA), Cerebral Palsy (CP), Leprosy Cured (LC), Dwarfism (Dw), Acid Attack Victims (AAV)
• Category (d): Specific Learning Disability (SLD), Mental Illness (MI)
• Category (e): Multiple Disabilities (MD) involving items (a) through (d) above

Eligibility Criteria for NHAI Young Professional Legal Recruitment 2026

Candidates seeking deployment as Young Professional (Legal) must fulfill two main qualifications: academic qualification and mandatory performance in the CLAT PG 2026 examination.

1. Educational Qualifications

• Degree in Law: Must possess an LL.B. Degree from a recognized University, National Law School, or an accredited Institute within India.
• CLAT Qualification: Must possess a valid Common Law Admission Test—CLAT (Post Graduate) Score for the year 2026. Applicants without a valid CLAT PG 2026 Score are ineligible.

2. Age Limit Standards

The maximum age limit for general unreserved applicants is below 32 years as on the specified closing date for submitting online applications (September 08, 2026). Age relaxation in the upper age ceiling is admissible in accordance with Government of India directives as outlined below:

Contract Duration and Remuneration Structure

The appointment for Young Professional (Legal) positions will be carried out entirely on a temporary contractual foundation under NHAI Policy Guidelines. Below are the governing contractual terms:

• Initial Contract Period: The engagement shall initially be for a duration of up to two (02) years.
• Extension Terms: Based on operational requirements of NHAI and the satisfactory evaluation of incumbent performance, the engagement may be extended for one (01) additional year. Under no circumstances will any extension be granted beyond three (03) cumulative years.
• Consolidated Monthly Salary: Appointees will receive an initial consolidated remuneration of Rs. 60,000/- per month (inclusive of all allowances).
• Annual Pay Enhancement: Remuneration will be augmented @ 5% for each consecutive year, contingent upon satisfactory annual performance appraisal.
• Termination Rights: NHAI reserves full authority to terminate the contractual arrangement at any juncture without providing prior reason.

Selection Methodology & Tie-Resolution Rules

The recruitment process for the NHAI Young Professional Legal Recruitment 2026 is objective and direct. The selection criteria are detailed below:

1. Merit Ranking via CLAT PG 2026: Candidates are evaluated strictly based on their score in CLAT (Post Graduate) 2026. No separate written exam or formal interview will be administered by NHAI.
2. Tie-Breaking Mechanism: In the event that two or more candidates achieve an identical CLAT (PG) 2026 score, merit resolution will proceed as follows:
   • Primary Criteria: Seniority in age (the candidate born earlier is ranked higher).
   • Secondary Criteria: If dates of birth are also identical, candidate ranking will follow the alphabetical order of the first letter of their initial name in English.
3. Document Verification: Merit-listed candidates will be invited for document verification where original certificates (Class 10 proof, LL.B degree, CLAT PG scorecard, reservation certificates) must be presented.

Mandatory Upload Documents & Format Specifications

During the online application submission, candidates must upload scanned copies of their authentic certificates. Ensure each document meets the file format and size limits shown below:

Step-by-Step Online Application Process

Interested law candidates must submit their application strictly online through the official portal. Follow the step-by-step procedure below:

1. Visit the official website of the National Highways Authority of India at www.nhai.gov.in using Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox browsers.
2. Navigate to the official career section by clicking on About Us → Recruitment → Vacancies → Current.
3. Select the active advertisement labeled Young Professional (Legal) and click on the Online Application link.
4. Fill in all requested primary personal information, contact address, educational qualifications, and CLAT PG 2026 examination details accurately.
5. Upload scanned copies of photograph, signature, Class X age proof, law degree, CLAT scorecard, and category certificates strictly according to size guidelines.
6. Click on the Preview option to double-check all details entered in the form. Make any required modifications using the Edit option prior to final submission.
7. Click the Submit button to finalize your submission before September 08, 2026 (6:00 PM).
8. Upon successful completion, a system-generated Unique Reference Number will be assigned, and an Application Acknowledgement receipt will be dispatched to your registered email address. Keep this acknowledgement safely for future reference.

Important Dates for Applicants

Important Recruitment Conditions & SLP Reference

• Multiple Applications: If a candidate submits multiple application forms, NHAI will accept only the last successfully submitted application form. All previously submitted forms will automatically stand rejected.
• OBC-NCL Certificate Requirement: OBC applicants must provide a valid non-creamy layer certificate issued specifically for the year 2025-26 as per Central Government lists available at www.ncbc.nic.in.
• No Application Withdrawal: Candidates applying under this notice will not be permitted to withdraw their candidature at any subsequent stage.
• Court Jurisdiction & Pending SLP: Legal disputes, if any, will be subject strictly to courts in Delhi. Furthermore, this recruitment process is subject to the outcome of SLP(C) No.33251/2025 titled “National Highway Authority of India vs Shanu Baghel & Another”.

Important Links

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)