If you are an engineering graduate dreaming of working at India's space agency, there is an important recruitment opportunity you should know about.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has opened applications for Scientist/Engineer 'SC' positions through its Centralised Recruitment Board (ICRB).
According to the official ISRO notification dated August 27, 2026, the recruitment covers 175 vacancies in Electronics, Mechanical and Computer Science, including positions in ISRO centres and the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL).
The online application window opened on August 27, 2026, and the last date to submit the application is September 16, 2026, at 11:55 PM.
This article explains everything you need to know before applying—including vacancies, eligibility, age limit, salary, application fee, exam pattern, selection process and important mistakes to avoid.
Important: Always verify the final eligibility and vacancy details against the official ISRO notification before submitting your application. Government recruitment conditions can change through corrigenda.
ISRO Recruitment 2026: Quick Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) |
| Recruitment Board | ISRO Centralised Recruitment Board (ICRB) |
| Advertisement No. | ISRO:ICRB:03(EMC):2026 |
| Post | Scientist/Engineer 'SC' |
| Total vacancies | 175 |
| Qualification | BE/B.Tech or equivalent |
| Main disciplines | Electronics, Mechanical, Computer Science |
| Minimum marks | 65% or CGPA 6.84/10 |
| Maximum age | 28 years as on September 16, 2026 |
| Application starts | August 27, 2026 |
| Application last date | September 16, 2026, 11:55 PM |
| Application mode | Online |
| Application fee | ₹250 + ₹750 processing fee initially |
| Pay level | Level 10 |
| Minimum basic pay | ₹56,100/month |
| Selection | Written Test/CBT + Interview |
The above details are based on the official ISRO advertisement.
How Many Vacancies Are Available in ISRO Recruitment 2026?
The official notification lists 175 vacancies.
The vacancies are divided as follows:
| Post | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Scientist/Engineer 'SC' — Electronics | 99 |
| Scientist/Engineer 'SC' — Mechanical | 52 |
| Scientist/Engineer 'SC' — Computer Science | 21 |
| Scientist/Engineer 'SC' — Electronics, PRL | 1 |
| Scientist/Engineer 'SC' — Mechanical, PRL | 1 |
| Scientist/Engineer 'SC' — Computer Science, PRL | 1 |
| Total | 175 |
The vacancy figures are provisional, and ISRO states that the number may be increased or decreased through a corrigendum.
A useful point for applicants
You may see some websites reporting 176 vacancies.
However, the current official ISRO notification adds up to:
99 + 52 + 21 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 175
For a government recruitment article, we recommend using the official notification as the primary source.
Which Engineering Branches Can Apply?
This particular ISRO recruitment is aimed primarily at graduates from three engineering disciplines:
1. Electronics & Communication Engineering
The Electronics post requires a BE/B.Tech or equivalent qualification in Electronics & Communication Engineering, with the required minimum academic performance.
There are 99 vacancies in this category, including identified PwBD vacancies.
2. Mechanical Engineering
The Mechanical Scientist/Engineer post has 52 vacancies.
Applicants need a BE/B.Tech or equivalent qualification in Mechanical Engineering with the prescribed minimum marks or CGPA.
3. Computer Science Engineering
The Computer Science category contains 21 vacancies.
Applicants require a BE/B.Tech or equivalent qualification in Computer Science Engineering with the prescribed academic requirement.
What Is the Educational Qualification for ISRO Recruitment 2026?
Candidates must have the relevant BE/B.Tech or equivalent degree in the discipline for which they are applying.
The official notification requires an aggregate minimum of:
65% marks
OR
CGPA of 6.84/10
for the relevant engineering qualification.
Important CGPA rule
There is an important detail that many applicants may miss.
If your university provides both percentage and CGPA, at least one of the two must meet ISRO's eligibility requirement.
If your university provides only CGPA, ISRO says that the CGPA itself must meet its eligibility standard.
The notification also states that candidates cannot simply convert CGPA into percentage using their university's conversion formula to satisfy ISRO's eligibility criteria.
So don't assume:
"My university converts 6.5 CGPA into 65%, therefore I qualify."
Check the actual ISRO rule carefully.
What Is the Age Limit for ISRO Recruitment 2026?
The maximum age is:
28 years
The age is calculated as of September 16, 2026.
Certain categories—including serving Central Government civilian employees, ex-servicemen and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities—may receive age relaxation according to applicable Government of India rules.
Candidates should check the official notification for the exact relaxation applicable to their category.
ISRO Scientist/Engineer Salary 2026
This is one of the biggest attractions of the recruitment.
Selected candidates will be appointed as Scientist/Engineer 'SC' in Level 10 of the Pay Matrix.
The minimum basic pay is:
₹56,100 per month
In addition to basic pay, the official notification states that employees are eligible for allowances such as:
Dearness Allowance
House Rent Allowance
Transport Allowance
and other facilities according to applicable government rules.
The notification also mentions benefits such as:
Medical facilities
Subsidised canteen
Limited quarters facility
Leave Travel Concession
Group insurance
House Building Advance
subject to applicable rules.
Important:
₹56,100 is the minimum basic pay, not necessarily the total monthly salary received after allowances and deductions.
ISRO Recruitment 2026 Application Last Date
The application window is currently open.
Application starts:
August 27, 2026
Last date:
September 16, 2026
Closing time:
11:55 PM
ISRO states that applications will be accepted online only.
Don't wait until the final few hours.
Government recruitment websites can experience heavy traffic near deadlines, and payment or document-upload problems can create unnecessary stress.
ISRO Recruitment 2026 Application Fee
The official notification specifies:
Application fee:
₹250
There is also an initial:
Processing fee:
₹750
All candidates initially pay the ₹750 processing fee.
The payment can be made online through the Bharatkosh e-Payment gateway using methods such as:
Internet banking
UPI
Domestic debit card
The application fee and processing fee must be paid within the application deadline.
Is the ISRO Processing Fee Refundable?
This is an interesting part of the notification.
The ₹750 processing fee can be refunded under the conditions specified by ISRO.
For candidates exempt from the application fee—such as eligible women, SC/ST, PwBD and ex-servicemen candidates—the processing fee is refundable in full if the conditions are met.
For other candidates, after deducting the ₹250 application fee, ₹500 can be refunded if they appear for the written test/CBT.
In simple terms:
If you are an eligible non-exempt candidate:
Pay ₹750 initially → ₹250 application fee retained → ₹500 processing-fee refund after appearing for the written test, subject to the notification's conditions.
If you don't appear for the written test, the processing-fee refund is not considered.
How to Apply for ISRO Recruitment 2026
The application is completely online.
Step 1: Visit the official ISRO recruitment page
Start from ISRO's official Careers/Current Opportunities section.
Step 2: Find Advertisement No. ISRO:ICRB:03(EMC):2026
Make sure you are applying for the current 2026 recruitment, not an old ISRO notification.
Step 3: Read the official advertisement
Before filling the form, read:
Eligibility
Branch requirements
Age conditions
Vacancy details
Fee
Selection process
Document requirements
Step 4: Complete online registration
Enter your personal and educational information carefully.
Step 5: Upload the required documents
ISRO requires specific formats and file sizes for photographs and signatures.
Step 6: Submit the application
Review all information before submitting.
Step 7: Pay the required fee
Use the online payment method provided through the application system.
Step 8: Save your registration details
Keep:
Registration number
Application copy
Payment receipt
Submitted form
Important emails
for future reference.
ISRO states that the registered email ID will be used for communication such as written-test/CBT and interview call letters.
What Documents Are Required?
The exact documents depend on the applicant's circumstances.
The notification specifically mentions uploading:
Recent colour passport-size photograph
Signature
Relevant category/supporting certificates where applicable
Candidates must also be prepared to produce original documents supporting their:
Educational qualification
Age
Category
Employment/NOC, where applicable
when required.
Photograph requirements
ISRO specifies that the photograph should be:
Recent
Colour
Passport style
In JPG/JPEG format
Within the specified file-size range
The notification gives preferred dimensions of 200 × 230 pixels.
Signature
The notification specifies JPG/JPEG format and preferred dimensions of 140 × 60 pixels.
Always follow the current instructions displayed on the application portal.
ISRO Recruitment 2026 Selection Process
The selection process consists of:
1. Written Test / CBT
2. Interview
The written test is worth 100 marks.
Part A — Discipline-Specific
80 questions
80 marks
90 minutes
The questions are multiple-choice questions.
Marking:
Correct answer: +1
Wrong answer: −1/3
Unattempted: 0
Part B — Aptitude/Ability Test
Part B is designed to test reasoning and aptitude.
The official notification lists areas such as:
Numerical reasoning
Logical reasoning
Diagrammatic reasoning
Abstract reasoning
Deductive reasoning
The test has a maximum of 15 questions, carries 20 marks, and has no negative marking.
Total written-test marks:
100
Where Will the ISRO Written Test Be Held?
ISRO has listed multiple cities for the written test/CBT.
The notification includes locations such as:
Ahmedabad
Bengaluru
Bhopal
Chandigarh/Mohali
Chennai
Delhi
Guwahati
Hyderabad
Jaipur
Jammu
Kolkata
Lucknow
Mumbai
Patna
Pune
Ranchi
Shillong
Thiruvananthapuram
Varanasi
Visakhapatnam
and other listed centres.
A useful detail for Northeast candidates
Guwahati and Shillong are among the listed examination locations.
However, ISRO reserves the right to change or reallocate examination centres.
How Does ISRO Shortlist Candidates for Interview?
Candidates are shortlisted for interview based on their written-test performance.
ISRO says candidates will generally be shortlisted in a 1:5 ratio, with a minimum aggregate of 10 candidates, subject to the rules in the notification.
The interview is worth 100 marks.
The interview assessment includes:
| Interview area | Marks |
|---|---|
| Technical/academic knowledge | 40 |
| General awareness related to specialization | 20 |
| Presentation/communication | 20 |
| Comprehension | 10 |
| Academic achievements | 10 |
| Total | 100 |
How Is the Final Selection Made?
The final panel gives:
50% weightage to Written Test
and
50% weightage to Interview
according to the official notification.
This means you should not prepare only for the written examination.
A strong written-test performance is important for getting shortlisted, but interview preparation also matters for final selection.
What Is the Qualifying Mark?
For unreserved candidates, the written test requires:
50% in Part A
50% in Part B
For eligible PwBD candidates applying against reserved posts, the requirement is:
40% in Part A
40% in Part B
The aggregate qualifying requirement for the final selection is also specified separately for the written test and interview.
Important:
Meeting the minimum qualifying marks does not mean automatic selection.
You still need to compete on merit.
Which ISRO Centres Can Candidates Be Posted To?
Depending on the post and requirements, candidates may be posted to different ISRO/Department of Space centres.
The notification lists centres/units including:
HSFC — Bengaluru
URSC — Bengaluru
NRSC — Hyderabad
IPRC — Mahendragiri
ISTRAC — Bengaluru
LPSC — Valiamala
MCF — Hassan
SAC — Ahmedabad
SDSC SHAR — Sriharikota
VSSC — Thiruvananthapuram
Candidates should therefore be prepared for posting or transfer to an ISRO/Department of Space centre as required.
Is ISRO Recruitment 2026 Suitable for Freshers?
Yes.
The recruitment is aimed at meritorious engineering graduates meeting the specified eligibility requirements.
The important point is that candidates must satisfy the prescribed qualification, marks/CGPA and age conditions.
You don't need years of professional experience simply because the post is called Scientist/Engineer 'SC'.
However, don't confuse fresh graduate eligibility with guaranteed selection.
The recruitment is competitive, and the written test and interview determine the final merit.
Can Final-Year Engineering Students Apply?
Candidates should not assume that being in the final year automatically makes them eligible.
The official notification requires the prescribed qualification and states that graduation should have been completed within the stipulated duration of the course.
Therefore, candidates whose degree requirements are not completed should carefully check the official notification/FAQ before applying.
A Major Mistake: Converting CGPA Yourself
This deserves special attention.
Suppose your university says:
CGPA = 6.5
and your university has a formula saying:
6.5 CGPA = 65%
You might think you meet ISRO's 65% requirement.
But ISRO's notification specifically says that conversion of CGPA into percentage is not permitted for determining eligibility, regardless of whether the university provides a conversion formula.
So check the actual CGPA requirement.
For this recruitment:
Minimum CGPA: 6.84/10
or
Minimum aggregate: 65%
subject to the notification's exact rules.
7 Mistakes to Avoid While Applying
1. Applying without reading the notification
Don't rely on a YouTube video or Telegram post alone.
Read the official notification.
2. Entering incorrect academic information
Your information must match your certificates.
3. Using the wrong photograph
Follow ISRO's prescribed format and size.
4. Waiting until September 16
The deadline is 11:55 PM on September 16, 2026.
But technical problems can happen.
Apply early.
5. Forgetting the fee
The application isn't complete simply because you filled the form.
Check payment status.
6. Ignoring your email
ISRO states that call letters for the written test/CBT and interview will be sent through the registered email system.
7. Trusting fake ISRO job offers
This is particularly important.
ISRO itself warns candidates not to take cognizance of fake appointment offers for jobs in ISRO.
Never pay someone who promises to "guarantee" an ISRO job.
How to Prepare for the ISRO Scientist/Engineer Exam
If you are eligible, don't start by randomly solving questions.
Use a structured strategy.
Phase 1: Identify Your Core Subjects
Start with the subjects in your engineering specialization.
For example:
Computer Science
Focus on areas such as:
Data Structures
Algorithms
Operating Systems
DBMS
Computer Networks
Computer Organization
Digital Logic
Programming
Theory of Computation
Electronics
Focus on:
Network Theory
Electronic Devices
Analog Electronics
Digital Electronics
Signals and Systems
Communication
Control Systems
Electromagnetics
Mechanical
Focus on:
Thermodynamics
Fluid Mechanics
Heat Transfer
Strength of Materials
Theory of Machines
Manufacturing
Machine Design
Engineering Mechanics
The exact syllabus should be prepared using the official notification/FAQ and previous papers rather than assuming that every engineering subject carries equal weight.
Phase 2: Practice Previous Questions
ISRO has made previous-year question papers available on its recruitment page for some disciplines, including Computer Science, Electronics and Mechanical.
These are extremely useful because they can help you understand:
Question difficulty
Question style
Important concepts
Time pressure
Your weak subjects
Don't simply read the answers.
Try solving them under timed conditions.
Phase 3: Don't Ignore Aptitude
Part B carries 20 marks and has no negative marking.
Because the section includes numerical, logical, diagrammatic, abstract and deductive reasoning, you should practice it separately rather than assuming your engineering preparation will cover it.
Phase 4: Prepare for the Interview Early
Don't wait until after the written exam to think about the interview.
Prepare answers to questions such as:
Why do you want to join ISRO?
Why this engineering specialization?
Explain your final-year project.
What was your role in the project?
Which technical subject is your strongest?
Explain an important concept from your specialization.
What recent ISRO missions do you know about?
What is India's current space-programme direction?
What technical problem have you solved?
The interview evaluates both technical knowledge and communication/presentation abilities.
ISRO Recruitment 2026: Should You Apply?
If you are an eligible Electronics, Mechanical or Computer Science engineering graduate and are interested in a government career in space technology, this recruitment is certainly worth considering.
The combination of:
Scientist/Engineer position + Level 10 pay + ₹56,100 minimum basic pay + ISRO career + technical work
makes this a significant opportunity.
But don't apply simply because the ISRO name sounds attractive.
First confirm:
☑ Your engineering branch matches
☑ You have the required marks/CGPA
☑ You meet the age requirement
☑ You satisfy all eligibility conditions
☑ You can prepare for the written test
☑ You understand the interview process
☑ Your documents are ready
Final Verdict
The ISRO Recruitment 2026 is one of the more attractive current government-job opportunities for eligible engineering graduates.
The official notification currently lists 175 Scientist/Engineer 'SC' vacancies, with the largest number in Electronics, followed by Mechanical and Computer Science.
Applications are open from August 27 to September 16, 2026, at 11:55 PM.
The minimum basic pay is ₹56,100 per month in Level 10, along with applicable government allowances and benefits.
If you meet the eligibility criteria, don't wait until the final day.
And remember the most important rule when searching for government jobs:
News websites can summarize a recruitment—but the official notification decides the eligibility.
Before submitting your application, always cross-check the latest information on the official ISRO website.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many vacancies are there in ISRO Recruitment 2026?
The current official ISRO notification lists 175 vacancies for Scientist/Engineer 'SC' in Electronics, Mechanical and Computer Science, including PRL positions.
What is the last date to apply for ISRO Recruitment 2026?
The last date to submit the online application is September 16, 2026, at 11:55 PM.
What is the age limit for ISRO Scientist/Engineer 2026?
The maximum age is 28 years as on September 16, 2026, subject to applicable age relaxations.
What qualification is required for ISRO Scientist/Engineer?
For the current recruitment, candidates need the relevant BE/B.Tech or equivalent qualification in Electronics & Communication Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Computer Science Engineering, with a minimum of 65% marks or CGPA 6.84/10, subject to the detailed eligibility rules.
What is the salary of an ISRO Scientist/Engineer 'SC'?
The post is in Level 10, with a minimum basic pay of ₹56,100 per month, plus applicable allowances and benefits.
What is the ISRO Scientist/Engineer exam pattern?
The written test is worth 100 marks. Part A contains 80 discipline-specific MCQs worth 80 marks with negative marking, while Part B is an aptitude/ability test worth 20 marks with no negative marking.
Is there negative marking in the ISRO exam?
Yes. Part A has −1/3 mark for each incorrect answer. Part B has no negative marking.
What is the ISRO application fee?
The official notification specifies a ₹250 application fee, with an initial ₹750 processing fee. Refund conditions apply to the processing fee depending on category and appearance in the written test.
Can Computer Science engineers apply for ISRO Recruitment 2026?
Yes. The current notification includes 21 Scientist/Engineer 'SC' vacancies in Computer Science, plus one Computer Science position under PRL.
Can Mechanical engineers apply for ISRO Recruitment 2026?
Yes. The current notification lists 52 Mechanical Scientist/Engineer 'SC' vacancies, plus one Mechanical position under PRL.
Can Electronics engineers apply for ISRO Recruitment 2026?
Yes. Electronics & Communication Engineering has the largest number of vacancies in the current notification, with 99 positions, plus one Electronics position under PRL.
Where can I apply for ISRO Recruitment 2026?
Applications should be submitted through the official ISRO recruitment process. The current recruitment is listed on ISRO's official Careers/Current Opportunities pages.
Is the ISRO recruitment information showing 175 or 176 vacancies?
The current official ISRO advertisement totals 175 vacancies. Some third-party reports may show 176, but applicants should rely on the official notification and any subsequent corrigendum.
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