The Directorate General Resettlement (DGR) has invited applications from eligible retired Defence personnel for management of Company Owned Company Operated (COCO) Retail Outlets on a contractual basis. The latest opportunity covers locations in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, and Ramchandrapur, Dhanbad, Jharkhand.
Eligible retired Officers and JCOs who meet the prescribed conditions can apply through the DGR process. The last date for submission of applications is 27 September 2026.
DGR COCO Retail Outlet Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Particular | Details |
| Organisation | Directorate General Resettlement (DGR) |
| Ministry | Ministry of Defence, Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare |
| Post/Role | Manager / Service Provider of COCO Retail Outlet |
| Eligible Candidates | Retired Defence Officers & JCOs |
| Age Limit | Below 60 years |
| Nature of Engagement | Contractual |
| Contract Period | Up to 3 years, subject to applicable conditions |
| Location 1 | Bhubaneswar, Odisha |
| Location 2 | Ramchandrapur, Dhanbad, Jharkhand |
| Last Date | 27 September 2026 |
| Official Website | DGR India – Directorate General Resettlement |
Important: Candidates should carefully read the specific DGR/OMC advertisement and applicable brochure before submitting their applications because location-specific conditions, bank guarantee requirements and other terms may apply.
What is the DGR COCO Retail Outlet Scheme?
The Company Owned Company Operated (COCO) Retail Outlet scheme provides resettlement opportunities to eligible retired Defence personnel.
Under the scheme, oil marketing companies make selected COCO retail outlets available for management by retired Defence personnel. DGR has historically facilitated sponsorship of eligible retired Officers, while JCOs may be sponsored through the appropriate Rajya/Zila Sainik Board mechanism, depending on the applicable guidelines.
The scheme covers outlets operated by major Oil Marketing Companies, including Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL).
DGR COCO Vacancy 2026: Available Locations
The current opportunity is for the following two locations:
1. Bhubaneswar, Odisha
Eligible retired Defence personnel can apply for the COCO retail outlet opportunity located in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
2. Ramchandrapur, Dhanbad, Jharkhand
The second opportunity is at Ramchandrapur, Dhanbad, Jharkhand.
Public-sector fuel-outlet records identify a BPCL outlet at Ramchandrapur on NH-2 (GT Road), Dhanbad, which helps identify the location of the outlet.
Who Can Apply for DGR COCO Retail Outlet Manager Recruitment?
The opportunity is primarily intended for eligible retired Defence Officers and JCOs.
According to DGR’s published information on the COCO scheme:
- The candidate should be from the eligible retired Defence category.
- The age should be within the prescribed limit.
- Candidates should be capable of managing the retail outlet.
- The selected candidate may be required to furnish a bank guarantee according to the requirements of the concerned Oil Marketing Company.
- The candidate should be able to arrange and manage the required manpower for operation of the outlet.
- Other conditions imposed by the concerned Oil Marketing Company will also apply.
Age Limit
For this recruitment opportunity, applicants are required to be below 60 years of age.
This is an important condition and candidates should verify their age eligibility against the exact date and conditions mentioned in the latest DGR notification.
Contract Period
The COCO retail outlet management opportunity is offered on a contractual basis.
DGR’s scheme documentation states that permanent COCO retail outlets are generally offered to eligible retired Defence personnel for a three-year contract period, subject to the applicable terms and conditions.
Therefore, eligible candidates should not treat the engagement as a permanent government job. It is a resettlement/self-employment opportunity on contract.
Bank Guarantee Requirement
One of the important financial conditions associated with COCO retail outlet management is the requirement to provide a bank guarantee, wherever stipulated by the concerned Oil Marketing Company.
DGR’s published scheme information specifically states that eligible candidates should be willing to provide a bank guarantee as per the company’s requirement.
The exact amount and conditions can vary according to the outlet and Oil Marketing Company. Applicants should therefore check the current advertisement/brochure before making any financial commitment.
Selection and Sponsorship Process
The COCO scheme involves DGR/RSB/ZSB sponsorship and Oil Marketing Company selection procedures, depending on whether the applicant is an Officer or JCO and the applicable rules.
DGR’s published SOP explains that the scheme was created as a resettlement avenue for Ex-Servicemen through Oil Marketing Companies. It also provides for sponsorship of eligible Officers through DGR and JCOs through the appropriate Sainik Board mechanism.
A simplified process is:
Application → Eligibility Verification → Sponsorship/Nomination → Oil Company Selection/Process → Contract → Outlet Management
Candidates should follow the exact procedure mentioned in the current notification rather than relying solely on the general process.
What Will the Selected Candidate Do?
The selected Manager/Service Provider will be responsible for the effective operation and management of the COCO retail outlet.
Depending on the Oil Marketing Company’s terms, responsibilities can include:
- Overall management of the retail outlet
- Supervising sales operations
- Managing manpower
- Ensuring proper customer service
- Maintaining operational discipline
- Coordinating with the Oil Marketing Company
- Ensuring compliance with safety requirements
- Maintaining required records
- Monitoring fuel dispensing and sales
- Managing day-to-day outlet activities
DGR guidelines also indicate that the service provider should have the capability to provide and manage the required manpower, including driveway salesmen, as required by the corporation.
Salary / Remuneration
Applicants should be careful about referring to older advertisements for remuneration.
DGR’s earlier published newsletter mentioned a fixed remuneration of ₹30,000 per month plus incentive on sale of petroleum products under the COCO scheme.
However, the remuneration and incentive structure for the 2026 locations should be confirmed from the latest advertisement/brochure issued for these particular outlets.
Therefore, candidates should not assume that the older ₹30,000 figure automatically applies to the present vacancies.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
| Notification/Application | September 2026 |
| Last date to apply | 27 September 2026 |
| Contract | Up to 3 years, subject to applicable terms |
Last Date: 27 September 2026
Applications for both listed locations are required to be submitted by:
📅 27 September 2026
Candidates are advised not to wait until the last day because documents may need verification, forwarding or sponsorship through the prescribed channel.
How to Apply for DGR COCO Vacancy 2026?
Eligible candidates should visit the official Directorate General Resettlement (DGR) website and locate the latest COCO Retail Outlet notification/application information.
Step-by-step process
Step 1: Visit the official DGR website.
Step 2: Go to the relevant COCO Retail Outlet / Self Employment / Resettlement section.
Step 3: Find the latest notification concerning the Bhubaneswar and Ramchandrapur, Dhanbad outlets.
Step 4: Download the notification/application form and carefully read the eligibility and location-specific conditions.
Step 5: Prepare the required documents.
Step 6: Complete the application as prescribed.
Step 7: Submit/forward the application through the prescribed DGR/RSB/ZSB channel, wherever applicable.
Step 8: Ensure that the application reaches the concerned authority on or before 27 September 2026.
Documents Candidates Should Keep Ready
Applicants should check the latest notification for the exact document list. Generally, candidates may need documents such as:
- Discharge Book/Discharge Certificate
- Pension-related documents
- Identity proof
- Age proof
- Defence service documents
- Rank/service details
- Ex-Servicemen certificate, wherever applicable
- Address proof
- Passport-size photographs
- Bank-related documents
- Other documents specified by DGR/OMC
Important: Do not submit documents merely based on this general list. The latest notification should be treated as the final authority.
Why This Opportunity Is Important for Ex-Servicemen
The DGR COCO Retail Outlet scheme is an important post-retirement resettlement opportunity for eligible Defence personnel.
A retired Officer or JCO can use his experience in:
- Leadership
- Personnel management
- Discipline
- Administration
- Logistics
- Supervision
- Resource management
to operate a commercial retail outlet under the terms of the Oil Marketing Company.
DGR’s annual publications show that the COCO scheme has been used extensively as a resettlement avenue for retired Defence personnel across India.
Important Points for Applicants
Before applying, candidates should remember:
- Age limit is important: Applicants must be below 60 years as prescribed for the present opportunity.
- It is not a permanent government job.
- The engagement is contractual.
- The contract can be for up to three years, subject to the applicable conditions.
- Bank guarantee requirements may apply.
- Candidates must be capable of arranging/managing required manpower.
- Selection is subject to the applicable DGR and Oil Marketing Company rules.
- Officers and JCOs may have different sponsorship/forwarding procedures.
- Candidates should read the complete advertisement before applying.
- The last date is 27 September 2026.
DGR COCO Retail Outlet Recruitment 2026 – FAQs
Q1. Who can apply for the DGR COCO Retail Outlet vacancy?
Eligible retired Defence Officers and JCOs meeting the prescribed conditions can apply.
Q2. What is the maximum age?
For this opportunity, applicants are required to be below 60 years, subject to the exact conditions of the notification.
Q3. What are the locations?
The current locations are:
- Bhubaneswar, Odisha
- Ramchandrapur, Dhanbad, Jharkhand
Q4. What is the contract period?
The COCO retail outlet management opportunity is generally offered for up to three years, subject to the applicable contractual conditions.
Q5. Is this a permanent government job?
No. It is a contractual resettlement/self-employment opportunity.
Q6. Is a bank guarantee required?
A bank guarantee may be required according to the conditions of the concerned Oil Marketing Company.
Q7. What is the last date?
The last date to apply is 27 September 2026 for the current locations.
Q8. Where can I get the official notification?
Applicants should check the official Directorate General Resettlement website for the latest notification and application instructions.
Official DGR Website – dgrindia.gov.in
Conclusion
The DGR COCO Retail Outlet Recruitment 2026 provides a valuable resettlement opportunity for eligible retired Defence Officers and JCOs below 60 years of age. The current openings are at Bhubaneswar, Odisha, and Ramchandrapur, Dhanbad, Jharkhand, with the engagement offered on a contractual basis for up to three years as per applicable rules.
Interested Ex-Servicemen should carefully check the official DGR notification, eligibility requirements, bank guarantee provisions, application procedure and other Oil Marketing Company conditions before applying.
The last date for applications is 27 September 2026.