DCPU Vellore Recruitment 2026 - Apply Offline for Child Helpline Counsellor and Child Helpline Supervisor Posts

DCPU (District Child Protection Unit) Vellore has announced recruitment for Child Helpline Counsellor and Child Helpline Supervisor positions for the year 2026. The District Child Protection Unit operates under the Department of Social Welfare and Nutritious Meal Programme, Government of Tamil Nadu, implementing child protection schemes and running the 1098 Child Helpline service. This recruitment aims to fill critical positions responsible for counselling children in distress, coordinating rescue operations, and supervising child helpline operations at the district level. Candidates must apply through offline mode by submitting physical applications. These posts are crucial for protecting children's rights and providing immediate support to children in need of care and protection across Vellore district.

Typical / Indicative vacancy distribution:

Note: Exact vacancy numbers will be specified in the official notification. Vacancies are subject to change based on organizational requirements.

Educational Qualification

For Child Helpline Counsellor:

• Diploma in Social Work / Psychology / Counselling from a recognized institution
• OR Bachelor's degree in Social Work (BSW) / Psychology / Sociology
• Experience in child welfare activities or counselling preferred
• Knowledge of Tamil language is mandatory
• Computer literacy required

For Child Helpline Supervisor:

• Diploma in Social Work or related field
• OR Bachelor's degree in Social Work / Psychology / Sociology
• Minimum 2-3 years of experience in child protection or social welfare work
• Excellent communication and coordination skills
• Two-wheeler with valid driving license preferred

Age Limit

Age criteria as on the closing date of application:

Age Relaxation:

• SC/ST candidates: 5 years
• OBC candidates: 3 years
• PWD candidates: 10 years
• Ex-Servicemen: As per Government rules

Nationality

• Candidate must be a citizen of India
• Preference given to candidates residing in Vellore district or Tamil Nadu state

1. Download Application Form: Visit the official DCPU Vellore office or download the application form from the District Social Welfare Department website

1. Fill Application Details: Complete the application form carefully with accurate personal, educational, and experience details in clear handwriting or typed format

1. Attach Documents: Attach self-attested copies of all required documents including educational certificates, age proof, caste certificate (if applicable), experience certificates, and recent passport-size photographs

1. Prepare DD/Cash: Prepare demand draft or cash for application fee payment as specified in the notification

1. Submit Application: Submit the completed application form along with all attachments and fee payment either by post or in person at the DCPU Vellore office address mentioned in the notification

1. Address for Submission: District Child Protection Unit, Office of the District Collector, Vellore, Tamil Nadu (exact address will be mentioned in official notification)

1. Retain Acknowledgement: Keep a copy of the submitted application and acknowledgement receipt for future reference

Application Fees

Typical / Indicative fees structure:

Note: Fee payment mode will be specified in the official notification (DD/Cash/Online)

1. Application Screening: All received applications will be screened for eligibility criteria including educational qualifications, age limit, and required experience. Only eligible candidates will be shortlisted for further selection stages.

1. Written Test / Skill Assessment: Shortlisted candidates may be required to appear for a written test covering topics related to child psychology, child rights, social welfare schemes, general knowledge, and reasoning ability. The test assesses candidates' understanding of child protection laws and counselling fundamentals.

1. Personal Interview: Candidates who qualify the written test will be called for a personal interview conducted by a selection committee comprising DCPU officials and subject matter experts. The interview evaluates candidates' communication skills, problem-solving ability, empathy, and suitability for working with children in distress.

1. Document Verification: Selected candidates must appear for document verification with original certificates including educational qualifications, age proof, caste certificate, experience certificates, and identity proof. Any discrepancy in documents may lead to disqualification.

1. Medical Examination: Final selected candidates will undergo a basic medical examination to ensure physical and mental fitness for the demanding role of handling distress calls and field visits related to child protection cases.

1. Final Merit List: The final selection will be based on combined performance in written test, interview, and document verification. Merit list will be prepared category-wise and displayed on the official notice board and website.

Written Test Pattern (Indicative)

Negative Marking: Typically, 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer in objective-type questions.

Interview Pattern

Note: Exact exam pattern will be specified in the official notification. The pattern may vary based on organizational requirements.

Child Rights & Protection Laws

• Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015
• Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012
• Right to Education Act, 2009
• Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986
• UN Convention on Rights of the Child
• Constitutional provisions related to children (Articles 21A, 24, 39, 45)
• Child Marriage Prohibition Act
• Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS)
• Functions and duties of Child Welfare Committees and Juvenile Justice Boards

Child Psychology & Counselling

• Fundamentals of child development and psychology
• Stages of child development (physical, cognitive, emotional, social)
• Counselling techniques and methods for children
• Crisis intervention and trauma counselling
• Behavior management and positive discipline
• Understanding child abuse and its psychological impact
• Communication skills with children of different age groups
• Family counselling and parent education
• Ethics in counselling and confidentiality

Social Welfare Schemes

• Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)
• Mid-Day Meal Scheme
• Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
• CHILDLINE 1098 services and operations
• Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG)
• National Nutrition Mission
• Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana
• Tamil Nadu state-specific child welfare schemes
• Role of DCPU and its functions

General Knowledge & Current Affairs

• Indian Polity and Governance
• Indian Economy basics
• Social issues related to children in India
• Important days related to children (Children's Day, Girl Child Day)
• Recent developments in child welfare sector
• Tamil Nadu current affairs
• National and international child welfare organizations
• Basic knowledge of Vellore district administration

Reasoning & Aptitude

• Logical reasoning and analytical ability
• Numerical aptitude and data interpretation
• Verbal reasoning and comprehension
• Problem-solving skills
• Situational judgment related to child protection scenarios
• Basic computer knowledge

Typical / Indicative salary structure for DCPU positions:

Additional Benefits & Allowances

• Dearness Allowance (DA): As per Government of Tamil Nadu norms (if applicable)
• House Rent Allowance (HRA): May be provided based on location (typically 10-15% of basic pay)
• Travel Allowance: Field visit allowances for supervisor positions
• Conveyance Allowance: Monthly allowance for local travel
• Performance Incentives: Based on work performance and target achievement
• Leave Benefits: Casual leave, medical leave as per departmental norms

Note: Salary structure may vary based on funding source (State Government / Central Government schemes) and contractual terms. Exact remuneration will be mentioned in the official notification.

Career growth in DCPU positions includes progression from Counsellor to Senior Counsellor and Supervisor roles based on performance and experience. With additional qualifications and consistent performance, employees can advance to positions like Programme Coordinator, District Level Coordinator, or apply for higher positions in the Social Welfare Department. Opportunities also exist to transition into permanent government social welfare posts through departmental examinations and regular recruitment drives.

For positions requiring written examination, admit cards will typically be released 7-10 days before the exam date on the official DCPU Vellore website or District Social Welfare Department portal. Candidates can download their admit cards using application number and date of birth. For direct interview-based recruitment, interview call letters will be sent via email or post to shortlisted candidates, mentioning the date, time, and venue of the interview along with document checklist.

Results will be declared on the official notice board of DCPU Vellore office and may also be published on the District Collectorate website. Shortlisted candidates for interview will be informed through email or phone. Final selection list will be prepared based on combined merit in written test and interview, displayed category-wise. Selected candidates will receive appointment letters or joining instructions through official communication within 2-3 weeks of result declaration.

Typical / Indicative cutoff marks for DCPU recruitment range between 50-60% for General category, 45-55% for OBC candidates, and 40-50% for SC/ST candidates in the written examination. Interview performance carries significant weightage, and final selection cutoff (combined written + interview) typically ranges from 55-65% for unreserved category. Cutoffs vary based on number of applicants, difficulty level of examination, and total vacancies available in each category.

Typical exam/interview centres (if written test is conducted):

South India: Vellore (Primary Centre), Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Salem, Tirunelveli, Erode

Note: For this district-level recruitment, interviews and written tests (if any) are most likely to be conducted only at Vellore district headquarters. Candidates from other districts may need to travel to Vellore for the selection process. Exact venue details will be mentioned in the admit card or interview call letter.