NHAI Recruitment 2026
Apply Online for Eminent External Professional (EEP) Posts
Brief Notification Overview:
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), operating under the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, has released an official notification inviting online applications from highly experienced specialists. The recruitment aims to engage professionals in the esteemed category of Eminent External Professional (EEP). Currently, there are 02 pivotal vacancies available: one for a Transport Planner and another for a Transport Economist. Both positions are based at the NHAI Headquarters in New Delhi and will be filled on a contractual basis. Candidates possessing a proven track record, extensive verifiable experience in multilateral institutions (like ADB, World Bank), and currently drawing a substantial salary package are highly encouraged to apply. The final deadline for the submission of online applications via the official NHAI portal is 29th May 2026 (06:00 PM).
1. Important Dates & Deadlines
Candidates are strictly advised to submit their applications well before the closing deadline. The NHAI portal will automatically stop accepting submissions after the cut-off time.
| NHAI EEP Recruitment 2026 Schedule | |
| Last Date for Submission of Online Application: | 29 May 2026 (by 6.00 PM) |
2. Vacancy Details & Placement
The NHAI is currently seeking to fill two highly specialized, strategic roles to augment its transport planning and economic forecasting capabilities. Note: The number of positions may increase or decrease as per the specific requirements of the NHAI.
| Sr. No. | Name of the Position | No. of Positions | Deployment Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Eminent External Professional (Transport Planner) | 01 (One) | NHAI - HQ |
| 2. | Eminent External Professional (Transport Economist) | 01 (One) | NHAI - HQ |
3. Eligibility Criteria (Education, Age & Experience)
To qualify for these elite positions, candidates must hail from premier educational backgrounds (IITs, IIMs, SPAs, NITs) or possess extensive experience within organizations of national/international repute (ADB, World Bank, etc.).
A. Eminent External Professional (Transport Planner)
- Age Limit: Must not exceed 65 years as on the last date of submission of the online application.
- Educational Qualification: Must possess a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering AND a Post Graduate Degree or Post Graduate Diploma in Transport Planning from a recognized University or Institute.
- Required Experience: A minimum of 5 Years of experience in the field of transport planning, highway planning, traffic engineering, mobility planning/modelling, or experience in the assessment of transport projects (preferably road projects).
B. Eminent External Professional (Transport Economist)
- Age Limit: Must not exceed 65 years as on the last date of submission of the online application.
- Educational Qualification: Must possess a Master's Degree in Economics from a recognized University or Institute.
- Required Experience: A minimum of 5 Years of experience in economic analysis or financial appraisal of projects, highly preferred in the transport or road sector.
Crucial Salary Prerequisite: For both positions, candidates from the open market must possess a verifiable track record and must currently be drawing a salary of more than Rs. 60 Lakh per annum. This will be rigorously verified using Salary Certificates and Income Tax Returns from the preceding three years.
4. Contract Tenure & Remuneration
The engagement of Eminent External Professionals (EEPs) operates under a strict contractual framework ensuring high performance and dedication.
- Initial Tenure: The initial engagement will be for a strict period of 02 (two) years.
- Extensions: The contract may be extended for 1 more year based on satisfactory performance reviews by the concerned CGM/Member/Chairman. Any extensions beyond 3 years (granted on a yearly basis, up to a maximum of 5 years) require direct approval from the NHAI Board.
- Maximum Limit: There shall be absolutely no extension granted beyond a total of 05 years under any circumstances.
- Exclusivity: The EEP is required to provide services on a full-time basis to the NHAI. They are strictly not permitted to take up any other assignments or consultations during their engagement period.
- Remuneration Structure: The exact monthly remuneration of the EEPs will be independently decided by the NHAI Remuneration Committee (RC) subject to final approval by the Chairman, NHAI.
- Termination Clause: NHAI reserves the absolute right to terminate the contract at any time, without assigning any reason.
5. Step-by-Step Guide to Apply Online
The NHAI has mandated a purely digital application process for these positions. No hard copy or emailed applications will be entertained.
- Access the Portal: Open your web browser and navigate directly to the official National Highways Authority of India website at http://www.nhai.gov.in.
- Locate the Vacancy: Go to the 'About Us' -> 'Vacancies' -> 'Current' section to find the link for the Eminent External Professional recruitment.
- Review the Guidelines: Before applying, thoroughly review the NHAI EEP/EP/YP Policy Guidelines dated 21.06.2017 and 08.07.2025 (attached to the official notification) to fully understand the terms of engagement.
- Prepare Documentation: Ensure you have digital copies of your Civil Engineering/Economics degrees, experience letters, and crucially, your Salary Certificates and ITRs for the past 3 years proving an income over Rs. 60 Lakhs P.A.
- Fill the Form: Click on the application link, fill in all the required professional, academic, and personal details accurately.
- Final Submission: Submit the application before the stringent deadline of 29 May 2026 (6:00 PM). Ensure you save a copy or printout of the submitted form for your records.
| Crucial Direct Links | |
|---|---|
| Official NHAI Application Portal | |
| Download Detailed Official Notification PDF | |
7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
This comprehensive educational blog post has been developed purely for informational and career guidance purposes, extracting data directly from the official recruitment notification published by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Aspiring professionals are strictly mandated to read the complete, original notification document available on the official portal (nhai.gov.in) to verify details regarding specific experience requirements, exact salary verification protocols, and EEP policy guidelines before executing any online portal submissions.
