KMC Lab Assistant Recruitment 2026: Walk-in Interview for Central Lab (Food) – Apply Now

The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) Health Department has announced a walk-in interview on January 21, 2026, to recruit three contractual Lab Assistants for its Central Laboratory (Food) under the Food Safety Cell, offering a consolidated monthly salary of ₹20,050.

Open to West Bengal residents aged 21–40 years (with applicable age relaxations), the positions require a B.Sc. Honours degree in Chemistry and knowledge of local languages, with vacancies distributed across UR, SC, and EWS categories.

Selected candidates will support food quality testing, safety compliance, and public health initiatives at KMC headquarters in central Kolkata, with selection based solely on performance in the interview and document verification conducted by the designated authority.

Kolkata Municipal Corporation Announces 3 Lab Assistant Positions: Central Lab (Food) – Walk-in Interview on January 21, 2026

The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) Health Department has released an official recruitment notification for contractual Lab Assistant positions at the Central Laboratory (Food), inviting eligible candidates to participate in a walk-in interview process.

This is a time-sensitive opportunity for chemistry graduates interested in food safety and laboratory management roles within a municipal health administration context.

Position Overview

The recruitment drive targets three Lab Assistant roles across reserved and unreserved categories, offering a consolidated monthly remuneration of ₹20,050. The position is contractual in nature and falls under the Food Safety Cell of KMC’s Health Department, located at the Chief Municipal Health Officer’s office in central Kolkata. As part of the municipal health infrastructure, Lab Assistants in this role contribute to food quality testing, safety compliance, and public health initiatives in the city.

Eligibility Criteria: Essential Requirements

To qualify for this Lab Assistant position, candidates must satisfy strict educational and regulatory requirements established by KMC’s Health Department. The most critical requirement is a B.Sc. Honours degree in Chemistry from a recognized Indian university, which must be completed before the date of application submission.

Age Requirements:
Candidates must fall within the age bracket of 21 to 40 years as of January 1, 2026. The Corporation extends age relaxation benefits to candidates from reserved categories (SC, ST, OBC, and EWS) in accordance with West Bengal Government norms. Candidates from these categories should refer to the official notification for specific relaxation percentages applicable to their category.

Residency and Language Requirement:
A mandatory condition stipulates that applicants must be permanent residents of West Bengal and possess knowledge of local languages as per West Bengal Government Order Memo No. HFW/NHM-332/2023/1003(3) dated July 31, 2023. This requirement ensures that selected candidates can effectively communicate with local stakeholders and comply with municipal administrative practices.

Essential Documents Required for Interview

The Corporation emphasizes that candidates must bring original documents and photocopies of the following materials to the interview venue:

• Age Proof: Madhyamik (10th standard) or equivalent examination certificate
• Educational Qualification: B.Sc. Honours degree certificate in Chemistry, inclusive of all semester mark sheets and supplementary examination results (if applicable), along with the pass certificate from the university
• Caste Certificate: Valid caste certificate issued as per West Bengal Government norms
• Economic Status Certificate (for EWS candidates): Renewed or revalidated Income and Asset Certificate as per government norms (referring to PAR Department Memo No. 325-PAR(AR)/3P-1/2019 dated July 9, 2019)
• Photo Identity Proof: Passport, Voter ID, or PAN Card
• Address Proof: Passport, Voter ID, or Aadhaar Card
• Passport-sized Photograph: For official documentation and identity verification

Application Process and Submission Guidelines

Interested candidates must follow the structured application protocol established by KMC’s Health Department:

1. Download Application Form: Access the official KMC website (www.kmcgov.in) to download the application form for Lab Assistant positions under Advertisement No. H/05/KMC/2025-26.
2. Complete the Application: Fill the application form comprehensively with all required information. The Corporation explicitly warns that incomplete or improperly filled applications will be automatically rejected. Essential sections include:
   • Full name and guardian’s name
   • Date of birth (as per Madhyamik certificate) and age as of January 1, 2026
   • Physical handicap status (if applicable)
   • Caste category confirmation (UR/SC/ST/EWS)
   • Permanent and postal addresses
   • Contact information (mobile number and email ID)
   • Citizenship and West Bengal residency confirmation
   • Current employment details (if applicable)
   • Complete educational and professional qualifications with examination board/university details
3. Attach Supporting Documents: Photocopies of all required documents must accompany the application form. The Corporation stipulates that candidature will not be considered if required documents are absent.
4. Submission Method: While the notification directs candidates to the official website, the walk-in-interview format suggests that applications may be submitted in person at the interview venue during the designated reporting time. Candidates should verify the exact submission procedure on www.kmcgov.in.

Selection Process and Decision Criteria

The recruitment process follows a walk-in-interview model, conducted directly at the KMC Health Department headquarters. The interview panel, headed by the Designated Officer (Food Cell), will assess candidates on their qualifications, communication abilities, subject knowledge, and suitability for the position.

Important Procedural Notes:

• The competent authority’s final decision regarding engagement will be conclusive and binding
• The Chief Municipal Health Officer reserves the right to modify or change any or all conditions mentioned in the recruitment notification
• Interview attendance is mandatory; candidates who fail to appear during the specified time window (11:30 AM to 12:30 PM) may forfeit their candidature

Why This Opportunity Matters for Chemistry Graduates

This recruitment wave represents a meaningful entry point for chemistry graduates seeking government employment in the public health sector. Lab Assistant roles in municipal food safety laboratories offer several professional advantages:

Career Growth in Public Health Infrastructure:
Working within KMC’s Food Cell positions candidates at the intersection of analytical chemistry and public health policy. The role provides exposure to food quality standards, regulatory compliance, and epidemiological monitoring—skills increasingly valued as India prioritizes food safety and urban health management.

Stable Government Employment:
Though contractual, KMC positions offer the credibility and institutional backing of a municipal corporation, with potential for regularization depending on performance and budget allocation decisions. The consolidated salary of ₹20,050 monthly is competitive for entry-level laboratory positions in West Bengal.

Technical Skill Development:
Lab Assistants in food testing divisions gain hands-on experience with analytical instrumentation, quality control methodologies, and food safety protocols (including standards for pesticides, heavy metals, microbial contamination, and adulterants). This expertise transfers across public and private sector laboratory settings.

Key Deadlines and Action Items for Candidates

Instructions for Applicants: Important Compliance Notes

The Corporation emphasizes several critical compliance requirements that candidates must understand before applying:

1. Qualification Completion: All essential qualifications must be completed on or before the date of application submission. Candidates who have not yet received their B.Sc. Honours degree or have incomplete semesters/supplementary examinations pending will be ineligible, regardless of other qualifications.
2. Document Verification: Original documents will be physically verified at the interview stage. Any discrepancy between application claims and actual documents will result in immediate disqualification.
3. No Partial Consideration: Mere possession of the minimum essential qualifications does not entitle a candidate to claim selection. The interviewing panel will assess the overall profile, communication skills, and suitability for the specific role.
4. Final Authority Discretion: All employment decisions remain the sole prerogative of the Chief Municipal Health Officer and the designated competent authority. Candidates have no right to challenge or negotiate the hiring decision once made.

Final Remarks

This KMC Lab Assistant recruitment presents a structured opportunity for West Bengal-based chemistry graduates to enter the government sector. The walk-in-interview format provides transparency and removes barriers associated with online application portals.

Candidates interested in food safety, quality assurance, and municipal health infrastructure should carefully verify their eligibility against all stated criteria and prepare comprehensive documentation well in advance of January 21, 2026.

FAQs

What is the name of the recruiting organization?
The recruitment is being conducted by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC).

Which department is offering the Lab Assistant posts?
The posts are offered under the Health Department, Food Safety Cell, Central Laboratory (Food).

How many Lab Assistant vacancies are available?
There are a total of three Lab Assistant vacancies.

What is the category-wise breakup of the vacancies?
The vacancies are distributed as one Unreserved (UR), one Scheduled Caste (SC), and one Economically Weaker Section (EWS).

What is the nature of the Lab Assistant job?
The engagement is purely contractual in nature.

What is the monthly salary for the Lab Assistant post?
The selected candidates will receive a consolidated monthly remuneration of ₹20,050.

What is the essential educational qualification required?
Candidates must have a B.Sc. Honours degree in Chemistry from a recognized university.

Are final-year students eligible to apply?
No, only candidates who have completed their B.Sc. Honours degree before the date of application submission are eligible.

What is the age limit for applying?
Applicants must be between 21 and 40 years of age as on January 1, 2026.

Is age relaxation applicable for reserved category candidates?
Yes, age relaxation is applicable for SC, ST, OBC, and EWS candidates as per West Bengal Government rules.

Is West Bengal domicile mandatory for this recruitment?
Yes, candidates must be permanent residents of West Bengal.

Is knowledge of local languages required?
Yes, knowledge of local languages is mandatory as per West Bengal Government norms.

What is the selection process for KMC Lab Assistant recruitment?
Selection will be done through a walk-in interview.

When will the walk-in interview be held?
The walk-in interview is scheduled for January 21, 2026.

What is the reporting time for the interview?
Candidates must report between 11:30 AM and 12:30 PM on the interview date.

Where will the interview take place?
The interview will be held at the Chamber of Dr. Tarun Kr. Safui, Dy CMHO III, KMC Headquarters, 1st Floor, 5 S.N. Banerjee Road, Kolkata.

Do candidates need to apply online before the interview?
Candidates are required to download and fill the application form from the KMC website and submit it as per the instructions, likely at the interview venue.

From where can the application form be downloaded?
The application form can be downloaded from the official KMC website at www.kmcgov.in.

What documents are required at the time of interview?
Candidates must bring original and photocopies of age proof, educational certificates, caste or EWS certificate (if applicable), photo ID, address proof, and passport-sized photographs.

Is carrying original documents mandatory?
Yes, original documents are mandatory for verification during the interview.

Will incomplete applications be accepted?
No, incomplete or improperly filled applications will be rejected.

Is this a permanent government job?
No, this is a contractual government engagement.

Can candidates working elsewhere apply for this post?
Yes, employed candidates can apply, but they must provide correct employment details in the application form.

Does having minimum qualification guarantee selection?
No, meeting the minimum eligibility criteria does not guarantee selection.

Who has the final authority in the selection process?
The final decision rests with the Chief Municipal Health Officer and the competent authority of KMC.

Can the interview date or conditions be changed by KMC?
Yes, KMC reserves the right to modify or change any recruitment conditions if required.

Is there any application fee for this recruitment?
No application fee has been mentioned in the official notification.

What is the advertisement number for this recruitment?
The advertisement number is H/05/KMC/2025-26.

Is this job suitable for fresh Chemistry graduates?
Yes, it is suitable for fresh B.Sc. Chemistry Honours graduates interested in food safety and public health laboratories.

What kind of work will a Lab Assistant perform?
Lab Assistants will support food quality testing, safety compliance, and laboratory-related public health activities.

What happens if a candidate fails to attend the interview on time?
Candidates who do not report within the specified time may forfeit their candidature.

Is experience required for this post?
No prior experience is specified as mandatory in the notification.