SAC JRF, RA & PS-I Recruitment 2026 — 48 Posts | ISRO

The Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad released this recruitment notification on 10 September 2026 on its official website. As per Advertisement No. SAC:02:2026, SAC is inviting online applications for the temporary posts of Junior Research Fellow (JRF), Research Associate (RA) and Project Scientist-I (PS-I). SAC is one of the lead centres of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), under the Department of Space (DOS).

SAC has 48 vacancies across 16 post codes, and the full discipline-wise breakdown is given below. Selected candidates will be posted at SAC, Ahmedabad, though project work may need travel or a stay elsewhere in India. These are temporary, project-linked positions and do not give any claim to a regular ISRO appointment. Candidates should check all details in the article below.

Information verified from the official SAC notification No. SAC:02:2026 dated 10 September 2026.
Last verified: 10 September 2026.

SAC, Ahmedabad is recruiting 48 candidates for JRF, Research Associate and Project Scientist-I posts under Advertisement No. SAC:02:2026. The online application window is open from 10 September 2026 to 30 September 2026, 1700 hours, at the SAC recruitment portal. There is no application fee, and selection is through an interview only, with no written exam conducted by SAC.

Quick summary

About the organisation

SAC designs space-borne instruments for ISRO’s earth and planetary missions and develops space technology for public use. Its work covers communication, broadcasting, navigation, disaster monitoring, meteorology, oceanography and natural resource management. SAC designs the transponders on communication satellites and the optical and microwave sensors on earth observation satellites. It also builds ground receive systems and data and image processing systems, supported by its own payload design, fabrication and testing laboratories.

How this recruitment compares

This is a pan-India opening, not a state-specific one, so candidates compete from across the country. This is added context, not part of the official notice. Confirm with the official website. Unlike most central government jobs on this site, JRF, RA and PS-I posts are fellowship-style, project-linked positions, not permanent civil service roles. They suit candidates who want hands-on research experience at an ISRO centre rather than an administrative government job. Candidates tracking other current pan-India vacancies can compare the fixed tenure here against permanent posts elsewhere.

Important dates

The site will not stay open for printing the application summary after 1700 hours on 30 September 2026.

Vacancy details and salary

SAC has not published a category-wise (SC/ST/OBC) split for these posts. The table below gives the full discipline-wise breakdown by post code.

JRF pay is ₹37,000 per month plus HRA for the first two years. It rises to ₹42,000 per month plus HRA from the third year onward. The Research Associate amount is fixed at one of three levels, based on the candidate’s qualification and experience.

Eligibility

Minimum marks

An M.E./M.Tech degree needs at least 60% aggregate marks, or a CGPA/CPI of 6.5 on a 10-point scale. This applies wherever an M.E./M.Tech is asked for. An M.Sc., B.E. or B.Tech degree needs at least 65% marks or a CGPA/CPI of 6.84. Rounding off of marks is not allowed. Candidates who pursued a professional course through Open and Distance Learning are not eligible.

Additional exam for JRF posts (Post Code 01 to 07)

JRF applicants must also have qualified one of the following, valid as on 30 September 2026:

• CSIR-UGC NET, including Lectureship/Assistant Professorship
• GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering)
• A national-level exam run by a central government body such as DST, DBT, DAE, DOS, DRDO, MoE, ICAR, ICMR, IIT, IISc, IISER or NISER

This additional exam requirement does not apply to Research Associate or Project Scientist-I posts. Candidates with a B.Tech-level qualification should check Post Code 03 closely. It is the only post here open at the Bachelor’s level.

Age limit

Post Code 01 to 07 (JRF): maximum age 28 years as on 30 September 2026.
Post Code 08 to 16 (RA and PS-I): maximum age 35 years as on 30 September 2026.

The upper age limit is relaxed by 5 years for SC/ST candidates and 3 years for OBC-NCL candidates. Serving central government employees, persons with benchmark disabilities and ex-servicemen get relaxation as per Government of India rules.

Selection process

Meeting the eligibility criteria is the minimum requirement. It does not by itself make a candidate eligible for selection.

1. SAC reviews all applications received for each post.
2. If a post draws a large number of applications, SAC shortlists candidates using academic record and subject specialisation. This step runs only if needed, and the SAC committee’s decision is final.
3. SAC publishes the list of shortlisted candidates and the interview schedule on its website.
4. Shortlisted candidates get the interview call letter by email only. Candidates who are not shortlisted receive no communication.
5. The selection committee interviews eligible candidates. The final panel is prepared from interview performance alone.

Some candidates need a No Objection Certificate (NOC) at the time of interview. This applies to anyone already working for central or state government, a public sector undertaking or an autonomous body. They must get the NOC from their current employer. Without it, they will not be allowed to appear.

Application fee

There is no application fee for any post.

How to apply

1. Visit the SAC recruitment portal or the official SAC website.
2. Register and fill in personal, educational and post-specific details correctly.
3. Upload a recent colour passport-size photograph as a JPEG under 1 MB, with a plain or white background, full frontal face, no selfie and no black-and-white image.
4. Upload a signature as a JPEG under 1 MB, with an aspect ratio of 7:2.
5. Upload documents for the required educational qualification, and caste/tribe or PwBD certificates where they apply.
6. Check every field once more. The application can be submitted only once, and no correction is possible after clicking Submit.
7. Submit the application and note the application number for future reference.
8. Print the application summary before 1700 hours on 30 September 2026, since the portal closes for printing after that time.

Documents to keep ready:

• Mark sheets and degree certificates
• Caste/tribe certificate, where applicable
• PwBD certificate, where applicable
• No Objection Certificate, if employed
• A recent colour passport photo
• A scanned signature

Candidates whose photo or signature does not fit the size or aspect-ratio rules can use the site’s Photo Signature Resizer before uploading.

Important links

Should you apply?

This recruitment suits candidates who want research experience at an ISRO centre. Typical work areas include NISAR data, RF and microwave circuit design, meteorology and hydrology. It does not suit anyone looking for a permanent government job. JRF posts run for one year at a time and cannot extend past five years in total. Research Associate posts are capped at three years. Project Scientist-I posts end when the project ends. None of these carry a claim to a regular position at any DOS or ISRO centre afterward.

Competition is likely to be high, since this is a pan-India opening with no application fee and clearly published pay. JRF applicants carry an extra requirement: a valid NET, GATE or equivalent national-level score, on top of the degree itself. Candidates who already hold this qualification are the best fit here. They should also be comfortable with a fixed-term research role rather than a permanent one.

FAQs

What is the last date to apply for SAC recruitment 2026?

The last date to apply online is 30 September 2026, 1700 hours. The portal opened on 10 September 2026, 1000 hours. After the closing time, candidates cannot submit an application or print the application summary.

What is the salary for JRF at SAC, ISRO?

A Junior Research Fellow gets ₹37,000 per month plus HRA for the first two years. Pay rises to ₹42,000 per month plus HRA from the third year onward. Research Associates get ₹58,000 to ₹67,000 per month plus HRA, and Project Scientist-I gets ₹56,000 per month plus HRA.

Is there an application fee for SAC JRF recruitment?

No. SAC has not set any application fee for JRF, Research Associate or Project Scientist-I posts. All eligible candidates can apply online without paying a fee.

What is the age limit for the SAC Research Associate post?

Research Associate and Project Scientist-I posts are Post Code 08 to 16. Their maximum age is 35 years as on 30 September 2026. SC/ST candidates get a 5-year relaxation and OBC-NCL candidates get a 3-year relaxation.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I am Sandeep Khati, the founder of India Job Alerts. I hold a B.Tech in Computer Science from JGEC (2010). My career began as a Systems Engineer at TCS, and I have been active in the digital publishing space since 2011, starting with the launch of SearchDarjeeling.com and my work as a web developer and designer at Darjeeling Informatics.

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