The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has released the Eminent External Professional Recruitment 2026 notification for specialists in transport planning and economics. NHAI, operating under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, is hiring experienced professionals to bolster its technical operations.
The NHAI Recruitment 2026 drive covers 2 total vacancies: 1 Eminent External Professional (Transport Planner) and 1 Eminent External Professional (Transport Economist). These roles are offered on a contract basis, requiring relevant postgraduate qualifications and at least 5 years of professional experience. Applications are being accepted online via the official portal at nhai.gov.in until 29 May 2026. No application fee is required.
Eligibility criteria mandate a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering alongside a Post Graduate Degree or Diploma in Transport Planning for the Planner role. The Economist position requires a Master’s Degree in Economics. The selection process evaluates candidates based on their professional background and subject matter expertise.
Notification Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) |
| Post Name | Eminent External Professional |
| Total Vacancies | 2 |
| Job Type | Contract |
| Apply Mode | Online |
| Official Website | www.nhai.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Last Date for Online Application Submission | 29/05/2026 |
Age Limit
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Maximum Age Limit | 65 years |
Educational Qualification
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Eminent External Professional (Transport Planner) | Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from a University or Institute; Post Graduate Degree or Post Graduate Diploma in Transport Planning from a University or Institute; Minimum 5 years of experience in transport planning, highway planning, traffic engineering, mobility planning, modelling, or transport project assessment (preferably road projects) |
| Eminent External Professional (Transport Economist) | Master’s Degree in Economics from a recognized University or Institute; Minimum 5 years of experience in economic analysis, financial appraisal of projects, preferably in the transport or road sector |
NHAI Recruitment 2026 – Vacancy Details
| Post Name | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Eminent External Professional (Transport Planner) | 1 |
| Eminent External Professional (Transport Economist) | 1 |
| Total | 2 |
The Eminent External Professional roles are senior, specialized positions designed to leverage subject matter expertise in their respective domains. A Transport Planner is responsible for developing comprehensive transport strategies, analyzing infrastructure needs, designing highway expansion and improvement projects, and ensuring sustainable mobility solutions aligned with national development goals. A Transport Economist conducts financial and economic feasibility analysis of transport projects, evaluates cost-benefit ratios, and provides data-driven insights to support investment decisions in road and highway infrastructure.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General/OBC/SC/ST/All Categories | Nil |
Selection Process
The selection process for NHAI Eminent External Professional Recruitment 2026 will be conducted as per the guidelines mentioned in the official notification. Candidates are evaluated based on their professional experience, expertise, and subsequent interview rounds.
How to Apply for NHAI Recruitment 2026
Eligible candidates must submit their applications online through the official NHAI Vacancy Portal. Click the official apply link below, complete the registration, and submit the required personal, educational, and experience details before 29 May 2026.
Important Links
| Particulars | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Notification PDF | Click Here |
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What positions are available in the NHAI Recruitment 2026?
Ans. The recruitment aims to fill 2 vacancies: 1 Transport Planner and 1 Transport Economist. Both are contract-based Eminent External Professional roles focused on highway planning and economic analysis.
Q2. What is the maximum age limit to apply?
Ans. Applicants can be up to 65 years old to be eligible for these positions.
Q3. What are the qualifications for the Transport Planner role?
Ans. You need a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering, plus a Post Graduate Degree or Diploma in Transport Planning. At least 5 years of experience in transport or highway planning is also mandatory.
Q4. How much does it cost to apply?
Ans. There is absolutely no application fee for any category.
Q5. When is the deadline to submit the application?
Ans. The portal will accept online applications until 29 May 2026.