Introduction
CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026: Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) has released an official notification for the recruitment of 100 Assistant Section Officer (ASO) posts. This recruitment is exclusively for non-recommended candidates of UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2024 listed on the UPSC Pratibha Setu Portal. Selected candidates will be appointed in General, Finance & Accounts, and Stores & Purchase cadres under Pay Level-7 with a salary ranging from ₹44,900 to ₹1,42,400 per month. The online application process will commence on 23 June 2026 and remain open until 13 July 2026. Interested candidates should carefully review the eligibility criteria, vacancy distribution, age limit, application fee, selection process, and application procedure before submitting their applications.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Start | 23 June 2026 (10:00 AM) |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 13 July 2026 (05:00 PM) |
| Last Date for Application Fee Payment | 13 July 2026 (05:00 PM) |
| Exam Date | As Per Official Schedule |
| Admit Card | Available Prior to the Examination |
Recruitment Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducted By | Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) |
| Post Name | Assistant Section Officer (ASO) |
| Total Vacancies | 100 |
| Job Location | All India (Pan-India) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Website | https://www.csir.res.in |
| Notification No. | E‑I/RC/2026/2 |
Vacancy Details
| S.No | Post Name / State | No. of Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Assistant Section Officer (General) | 61 |
| 2 | Assistant Section Officer (Finance & Accounts) | 18 |
| 3 | Assistant Section Officer (Stores & Purchase) | 21 |
| Total | 100 | |
Category-wise Vacancy Breakdown
| Post / Category | UR | SC | ST | OBC (NCL) | EWS | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assistant Section Officer (General) | 23 | 9 | 4 | 17 | 8 | 61 |
| Assistant Section Officer (Finance & Accounts) | 7 | 2 | 2 | 6* | 1 | 18 |
| Assistant Section Officer (Stores & Purchase) | 8 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 21 |
| PwBD (40% disability) | 7 | |||||
Post-wise Age & Qualification
| Post Name | Age Limit | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Section Officer (General) | Maximum 33 years (as on 13 July 2026) | University degree (any discipline) and non‑recommended UPSC CSE‑2024 candidate |
| Assistant Section Officer (Finance & Accounts) | Maximum 33 years (as on 13 July 2026) | University degree (any discipline) and non‑recommended UPSC CSE‑2024 candidate |
| Assistant Section Officer (Stores & Purchase) | Maximum 33 years (as on 13 July 2026) | University degree (any discipline) and non‑recommended UPSC CSE‑2024 candidate |
Pay Scale & Salary Structure
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Pay Level / Grade | Level 7, Cell – 1 |
| Pay Scale | Rs. 44,900 – Rs. 1,42,400 per month |
| Starting Basic Pay | Rs. 44,900 per month |
| Gross / In‑hand Salary | As per CSIR salary structure including DA, HRA, TA etc. |
| Additional Perks | Medical reimbursement, Leave Travel Concession, House Building Advance, accommodation as per CSIR rules |
Eligibility Criteria
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | University degree (any discipline) from a recognized institution |
| Experience | Not required |
| Other Requirement | Must be a non‑recommended candidate of UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024 (CSE‑2024) |
| Nationality | Indian |
Age Limit (As on 13 July 2026)
| Age Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Maximum Age | 33 years |
| Minimum Age | Not specified |
Age Relaxation (Upper Age Limit)
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST) | 5 years |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC – NCL) | 3 years |
| PwBD (Unreserved) | 10 years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 15 years |
| PwBD (OBC) | 13 years |
| Ex‑Servicemen | 3 years (after deduction of actual military service) |
| CSIR Departmental candidates | 5 years |
| Other categories | No relaxation |
Application Fee
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| UR, OBC (NCL), EWS | Rs. 500 |
| Women / SC / ST / PwBD / Ex‑Servicemen | Nil |
Payment to be made through SBI Collect online payment gateway.
Selection Process
| Step | Stage | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Screening of applications | Shortlisting based on total marks (UPSC Preliminary + Mains + Personality Test) of CSE‑2024 in the ratio 1:5 per vacancy |
| 2 | Computer Proficiency Test (CPT) | Qualifying test of 100 marks, 1 hour; minimum threshold marks as per category |
| 3 | Final Selection | Based on total marks (UPSC marks + CPT) and tie‑break criteria |
Documents Required
- Scanned recent passport‑size colour photograph (jpg, <50 KB, 200 px × 150 px)
- Scanned signature (jpg, <50 KB, 50 px × 150 px)
- Proof of date of birth (pdf, <1 MB)
- Educational qualification certificates (10th onward) (pdf, <1 MB each)
- UPSC CSE‑2024 Mark sheets (Preliminary, Mains & Personality Test) (pdf, <1 MB)
- Experience certificate (if claimed) (pdf, <1 MB)
- Caste/community certificate (if applicable) (pdf, <1 MB)
- Disability certificate (if applicable) (pdf, <1 MB)
- Any other supporting documents (pdf, <1 MB)
Photo, Signature & Document Specifications
| Document | Format | Size | Dimension |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photograph | JPG | Less than 50 KB | 200 px × 150 px |
| Signature | JPG | Less than 50 KB | 50 px × 150 px |
| Certificates / Documents | Less than 1 MB each | — |
Centres of Examination
| State / Region | Exam Centre / City |
|---|---|
| Delhi (tentative) | Delhi |
CSIR reserves the right to conduct the CPT in additional cities.
Important Web-Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Download Notification | Download |
| Official Website | Visit |
| Online Photo & Signature Resizer | Resize Now |
Answer Key & Result
The Computer Proficiency Test answer key and final result will be published on the official CSIR recruitment portal after the test. Candidates will be notified through their registered email IDs.
Exam Pattern
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 hour |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Sections | Word Processing, Spreadsheet, Presentation (PowerPoint) and typing exercises |
| Qualifying Nature | Yes – minimum threshold marks per category |
Negative Marking & Qualifying Marks
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Negative Marking | Not applicable (CPT is qualifying only) |
| Qualifying Marks (Minimum Threshold %) | UR – 40 %; EWS – 37 %; OBC – 37 %; SC – 35 %; ST – 35 %; PwBD – 30 % |
Probation, Bond & Service Agreement
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Probation Period | 2 years from the date of joining (extendable at discretion) |
| Bond | Not specified |
| Training | May be required during probation as per CSIR guidelines |
How to Apply Online
- Visit the official CSIR recruitment portal: https://recruitment.csir.res.in
- Click on “Apply Online” and register using your UPSC Roll Number, email address and mobile number.
- Complete the profile section (personal, education, experience, additional details).
- Upload the required scanned documents as per specifications.
- Review the application, accept the terms and conditions, and submit.
- If applicable, pay the application fee of Rs. 500 through the SBI Collect payment gateway.
- After successful submission, note down the generated Application Number for future reference.
Important Instructions
- Only candidates who were not recommended in UPSC CSE‑2024 are eligible.
- All details entered in the profile cannot be edited after locking.
- Ensure that the uploaded photograph and signature meet the size and dimension specifications.
- Application fee is mandatory for UR, OBC (NCL) and EWS candidates; it is waived for Women, SC, ST, PwBD and Ex‑Servicemen.
- Incomplete or erroneous applications will be rejected; no refunds will be entertained.
- Document verification will be conducted at a later date; original documents must be produced.
- Keep your registered email ID and mobile number active throughout the recruitment process.
Helpdesk / Contact
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Helpline Email | http://ra.helpdesk@csir.res.in |
| Grievance Redressal Officer (PwBD) | 011‑23470301 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Aapke CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026 post ke liye SEO-friendly FAQ section:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. What is the last date to apply online for CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026?
A. Eligible candidates can submit their online application forms up to 13 July 2026 (05:00 PM). Applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.
Q. Who can apply for CSIR Assistant Section Officer (ASO) Recruitment 2026?
A. Candidates possessing a recognized University Degree and listed as non-recommended candidates of UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2024 through the UPSC Pratibha Setu Portal are eligible to apply.
Q. How many vacancies are available in CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026?
A. A total of 100 Assistant Section Officer (ASO) vacancies have been announced under General, Finance & Accounts, and Stores & Purchase cadres.
Q. What is the age limit for CSIR ASO 2026?
A. The maximum age limit is 33 years as on the closing date of application. Age relaxation is applicable for SC, ST, OBC, PwBD, Ex-Servicemen, and other eligible categories as per Government rules.
Q. What is the application fee for CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026?
A. Candidates belonging to UR, OBC (NCL), and EWS categories must pay ₹500 as the application fee. Women, SC, ST, PwBD, and Ex-Servicemen candidates are exempted from fee payment.
Q. What is the selection process for CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026?
A. Selection will be based on shortlisting through UPSC CSE 2024 marks, followed by a Computer Proficiency Test (CPT). Final merit will be prepared using UPSC CSE 2024 marks, subject to qualifying the CPT.
Q. What is the Computer Proficiency Test (CPT)?
A. The CPT is a 100-mark qualifying test of one-hour duration that evaluates candidates in Word Processing, Spreadsheet Handling, and PowerPoint Presentation skills.
Q. Where will the CSIR ASO Computer Proficiency Test be conducted?
A. The CPT is tentatively scheduled to be conducted in Delhi, although CSIR may add additional examination cities if required.
Q. What is the salary of a CSIR Assistant Section Officer (ASO)?
A. Selected candidates will be appointed in Pay Level-7 with a salary range of ₹44,900 to ₹1,42,400, along with applicable Central Government allowances and benefits.
Q. Where can I download the CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026 notification?
A. Candidates can download the official notification and apply online through the CSIR recruitment portal before the last date.