CSIR-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-CMERI) released this recruitment notification on 12 October 2026 on its official website. As per Advertisement No. PRCT/05/2026 on cmeri.res.in, the institute is conducting a walk-in interview for temporary project personnel. The CSIR CMERI recruitment drive is for candidates looking to gain hands-on training and research exposure in real-world environments.
The institute is hiring for a total of 35 posts across various project positions. A full post-wise breakdown of vacancies follows below. Selected candidates will be posted at the CSIR-CMERI campus in Durgapur, West Bengal. Candidates should check all details in the article below.
Information verified from the official CSIR-CMERI notification No. PRCT/05/2026 dated 12/10/2026.
Last verified: 15 October 2026.
The CSIR-CMERI is recruiting 35 Project Assistant, Associate, JRF, SRF, and Scientist posts through Advertisement No. PRCT/05/2026. The walk-in interviews are scheduled for 28 and 29 October 2026 at the Durgapur campus. Candidates must appear directly with their application and original documents. Selection is based solely on interview performance.
Table of Contents
Quick Summary of Project Personnel 2026
| Feature | Details |
| Organisation | CSIR-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-CMERI) |
| Post | Project Assistant, Project Associate (I & II), JRF, SRF, Research Scientist |
| Total Vacancy | 35 |
| Salary | Rs. 18,000 to Rs. 56,000 per month (depending on post) |
| Application Mode | Walk-in Interview |
| Eligibility | Diploma / Degree / Master’s / PhD in relevant Engineering/Science fields |
| Selection Process | Walk-in Interview |
| Place of Posting | Durgapur, West Bengal |
| Walk-in Dates | 28 and 29 October 2026 |
| Who Can Apply | Eligible Indian Nationals |
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About CSIR-CMERI
CSIR-CMERI, established in 1958, is a national Research and Development institute focused on mechanical engineering and allied disciplines. It operates under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India. The institute works on advanced areas like farm machinery, sustainable energy, robotics, additive manufacturing, and cybernetics. Working here provides candidates with significant exposure to cutting-edge research projects.
Local context
The CSIR-CMERI campus is located on Mahatma Gandhi Avenue in Durgapur, West Bengal. Durgapur is a major industrial city well-connected by rail and road to Kolkata and other parts of the state. Candidates attending the walk-in interview from outside the city should plan their travel to arrive early, as the reporting time starts at 09:30 AM. This is added context, not part of the official notification. Confirm with the hiring office.
Important dates
Candidates must attend the walk-in interview on the date assigned to their specific Post Code.
| Event | Date |
| Interview Date (Post Codes 1 to 16, and 35) | 28 October 2026 |
| Interview Date (Post Codes 17 to 34) | 29 October 2026 |
| Reporting Time | 09:30 AM to 11:30 AM |
Note: The selection process may continue till late evening or the next day, so candidates are advised to come prepared accordingly.
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Vacancy details and salary
The recruitment drive aims to fill 35 positions across various projects. The tenure for these temporary posts varies by project, with most ending between 2027 and 2029, or remaining co-terminus with the project.
| Post Code | Position | No. of Posts | Monthly Remuneration |
| 01 | Project Assistant | 01 | Rs. 18,000/- |
| 02 | Project Assistant | 02 | Rs. 20,000/- |
| 03 | Project Assistant – II | 01 | Rs. 20,000/- |
| 04 | Project Assistant – II | 01 | Rs. 20,000/- |
| 05 | Project Assistant – II | 01 | Rs. 20,000/- |
| 06 | Project Assistant – II | 01 | Rs. 20,000/- + HRA |
| 07 | Project Assistant – I | 01 | Rs. 20,000/- + HRA |
| 08 | Project Associate – I | 02 | Rs. 25,000/- |
| 09 | Project Associate – I | 01 | Rs. 31,000/- (with NET/GATE) or Rs. 25,000/- (others) |
| 10 | Project Associate – I | 02 | Rs. 31,000/- (with NET/GATE) or Rs. 25,000/- (others) |
| 11 | Project Associate – I | 01 | Rs. 25,000/- + HRA |
| 12 | Project Associate – II / I | 01 | PAT-II: Rs. 28,000/- / PAT-I: Rs. 25,000/- |
| 13 | Project Associate – II / I | 02 | PAT-II: Rs. 35,000/- or Rs. 28,000/- / PAT-I: Rs. 31,000/- or Rs. 25,000/- |
| 14 | JRF / Project Associate-II / I | 01 | JRF: Rs. 37,000/- + HRA / PAT-II: Rs. 35,000/- or Rs. 28,000/- + HRA / PAT-I: Rs. 31,000/- or Rs. 25,000/- + HRA |
| 15 | SRF | 01 | Rs. 42,000/- + HRA |
| 16 | Project Research Scientist-1 | 02 | Rs. 56,000/- + HRA |
| 17 | Project Associate – I | 01 | Rs. 25,000/- + HRA |
| 18 | Project Associate – I | 01 | Rs. 25,000/- |
| 19 | Project Associate – I | 01 | Rs. 25,000/- + HRA |
| 20 | Project Associate – I | 01 | Rs. 25,000/- + HRA |
| 21 | Project Associate – I | 01 | Rs. 31,000/- (with NET/GATE) or Rs. 25,000/- (others) |
| 22 | Project Associate – I | 01 | Rs. 31,000/- (with NET/GATE) or Rs. 25,000/- (others) |
| 23 | Project Associate – I | 01 | Rs. 31,000/- (with NET/GATE) or Rs. 25,000/- (others) |
| 24 | Project Associate – I (PAT-I) | 01 | Rs. 31,000/- (with NET/GATE) or Rs. 25,000/- (others) |
| 25 | Project Associate – I | 01 | Rs. 31,000/- + HRA (with NET/GATE) or Rs. 25,000/- + HRA (others) |
| 26 | Project Associate – II / I | 01 | PAT-II: Rs. 35,000/- or Rs. 28,000/- / PAT-I: Rs. 31,000/- or Rs. 25,000/- |
| 27 | Project Associate – II | 01 | Rs. 35,000/- + HRA (with NET/GATE) or Rs. 28,000/- + HRA (others) |
| 28 | Project Associate – II | 01 | Rs. 35,000/- (with NET/GATE) or Rs. 28,000/- (others) |
| 29 | JRF / Project Associate – I | 01 | JRF: Rs. 37,000/- / PAT-I: Rs. 31,000/- or Rs. 25,000/- |
| 30 | JRF / Project Associate – II / I | 01 | JRF: Rs. 37,000/- / PAT-II: Rs. 35,000/- or Rs. 28,000/- / PAT-I: Rs. 31,000/- or Rs. 25,000/- |
| 31 | Project Research Scientist-1 | 01 | Rs. 56,000/- + HRA |
| 32 | Project Research Scientist-1 | 02 | Rs. 56,000/- + HRA |
| 33 | Project Associate – I | 01 | Rs. 25,000/- + HRA |
| 34 | JRF / Project Associate – I | 01 | JRF: Rs. 37,000/- / PAT-I: Rs. 31,000/- or Rs. 25,000/- |
| 35 | Project Assistant – II | 01 | Rs. 20,000/- + HRA |
| Total | 35 |
Eligibility
Qualifications vary strictly by the post code and level applied for. Below is a summarised mapping of required credentials.
- Project Assistant / Assistant-I / Assistant-II: Requires SSC/10th plus ITI, or a 3-year Diploma in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Agricultural, Computer Science depending on post code). The age limit is 35 years.
- Project Associate-I: Bachelor’s degree in relevant Engineering/Technology or Master’s in Computer Applications/Physics from a recognised university. The age limit is 35 years.
- Project Associate-II: Bachelor’s degree with 2 years of R&D experience, or a Master’s degree in relevant Engineering/Technology branches. The age limit is 35 years.
- Junior Research Fellow (JRF): Post Graduate / Graduate Degree in Engineering selected through National Eligibility Tests (CSIR-UGC NET/GATE) or central government examinations. The age limit is 28 years.
- Senior Research Fellow (SRF): Relevant Post Graduate / Graduate degree plus 2 years of research experience and NET/GATE qualification. The age limit is 32 years.
- Project Research Scientist-1 (Non-Medical): Post Graduate degree/Four Year Graduate Degree with desirable Ph.D./M.Tech experience in relevant fields like Robotics, Biomechanics, and Machine Design. The age limit is 35 years.
Age Relaxation: The upper age limit is relaxable by 05 years for SC/ST/PwBD/Women candidates and 03 years for OBC candidates as per rules.
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Selection process
The selection for this CSIR CMERI recruitment will be carried out purely through a walk-in interview.
- Document Verification: Candidates must present all original certificates along with self-attested copies at the time of the walk-in.
- Interview: The selection committee will evaluate candidates based on their performance and overall assessment during the interview.
No TA/DA will be paid for attending the Walk-In Interview. Candidates may opt for Hindi or English during the interview.
How to apply
Candidates do not need to submit an online application beforehand. Follow these steps to appear for the walk-in interview:
- Download the blank Application Form available on the official institute website (cmeri.res.in).
- Fill out the form completely.
- Report to the venue on 28 or 29 October 2026 based on your target Post Code between 09:30 AM and 11:30 AM.
Documents to keep ready:
- Duly filled application form
- One recent passport-size photograph
- All original certificates and mark sheets
- One set of self-attested photocopies of all educational and experience certificates
- NOC from the competent authority (if currently engaged in any CSIR project)
Important Links
| Details | Link |
| Official Notification PDF | cmeri.res.in |
Should you apply?
This CSIR CMERI recruitment is a strong opportunity for engineering and science graduates looking to build a research-oriented resume. Working at a premier CSIR institute provides unmatched hands-on exposure to advanced robotics, sustainable energy, and manufacturing systems. It is particularly well-suited for candidates planning to pursue higher studies or academic careers later on.
However, candidates should note the strict trade-offs: these are entirely temporary positions. The tenure is strictly co-terminus with the specific project funding or capped at a maximum of six years across any CSIR lab. The selection is competitive, and applicants without the heavily desired technical skills (like Python, ROS, MATLAB, or advanced CAD modelling) may find it difficult to stand out against candidates with practical experience. This is added context, not part of the official notification. Confirm with the hiring office.
FAQs
What is the last date to apply for CSIR CMERI recruitment 2026?
There is no online application process for this recruitment. Candidates must attend the walk-in interview directly on 28 or 29 October 2026, depending on the post code applied for.
What is the salary of Project Associate in CSIR CMERI?
The salary for a Project Associate ranges from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 35,000 per month. Candidates with valid CSIR-UGC NET or GATE qualifications receive higher remuneration.
Is this a permanent government job?
No. These positions are strictly temporary and co-terminus with the respective projects. The engagement automatically ends upon project completion or a maximum of six years. This is added context, not part of the official notification. Confirm with the hiring office.
Written and verified by
Sandeep Khati
Founder and Editor, India Job Alerts
B.Tech in Computer Science from Jalpaiguri Government Engineering College (2010). Former Systems Engineer at TCS and in digital publishing since 2011. He started India Job Alerts in April 2025 to publish verified government and PSU job notifications for West Bengal, Sikkim and the rest of India. Every post is checked against the official notification before it goes live. Also writes about the Darjeeling hills at SearchDarjeeling.