The National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Pune has released Recruitment Advertisement No. 2026/09 on its official website. The notification covers 22 posts across nine categories, from Project Administrative Officer to Tradesman Trainee. This is for candidates who want to work at a central government research institute that runs some of the world’s leading radio telescopes.
NCRA-TIFR is inviting applications for a total of 22 vacancies under this notification, split between five SKA project posts and four trainee/support posts. A full post-wise breakdown follows later in this article. All posts are based at Pune, with two posts also allotted to Khodad, and every post is transferable within NCRA’s Pune, Khodad and Ooty campuses. Candidates should check all details in the article below.
Information verified from the official National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA-TIFR) notification No. 2026/09. Last verified: 5 August 2026.
NCRA-TIFR, Pune is recruiting for 22 posts — Project Administrative Officer, Project Administrative Assistant, Project Technical Assistant (three streams), Engineer Trainee, Library Trainee, Administrative Trainee and Tradesman Trainee — through Recruitment Advertisement No. 2026/09. The last date to apply is 31 August 2026, either online through the official NCRA application portal or by post. Selection involves shortlisting followed by a written or skill test and an interview, depending on the post.
Quick summary
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA-TIFR), Pune |
| Posts | 9 categories — Project Administrative Officer, Project Administrative Assistant, Project Technical Assistant (Low Hardware / OMC / SRC), Engineer Trainee, Library Trainee, Administrative Trainee, Tradesman Trainee |
| Total Vacancy | 22 |
| Salary | ₹18,500 – ₹1,03,400 per month (fixed, post-wise — see table below) |
| Application Mode | Online (preferred) or offline by post |
| Eligibility | Graduate / Diploma / BE-B.Tech / NCVT trade certificate, varies by post |
| Selection Process | Shortlisting → Written/Skill Test → Interview |
| Place of Posting | Pune (HQ); Khodad for some posts; transferable across Pune, Khodad & Ooty |
| Last Date | 31 August 2026 |
| Who Can Apply | Indian graduates, diploma holders, engineering graduates and NCVT trade-certificate holders meeting the post-wise criteria below |
Also Read: NIT Durgapur Guest Coach Recruitment 2026-27
About the organization
NCRA-TIFR is an autonomous institute under the Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India, located inside the Savitribai Phule Pune University campus. It operates the Ooty Radio Telescope and the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT), located about 80 km north of Pune at Khodad — the world’s largest radio telescope at metre wavelengths. NCRA is also a member of the international Square Kilometre Array (SKA) consortium, which is building a next-generation, data-heavy radio astronomy facility. For candidates, this means exposure to a genuinely international scientific project, not just routine office administration. Browse other current openings in the Government Jobs category.
Local context: how this compares
NCRA-TIFR has run more than one recruitment drive in 2026 — for scientific and technical SKA posts, for a senior Administrative Officer post, and separately for general support posts such as Clerk and Driver. This is added context, not part of the official notification: candidates should confirm on the NCRA advertisements page whether any of these other drives are still open, since dates and links change. Compared to a typical SSC or state PSC clerical recruitment, a vacancy at a specialised DAE research institute like NCRA is relatively uncommon, and the SKA-linked posts here offer exposure most general government postings do not. Candidates weighing this against a regular Central or State Government post should note the fixed-term nature explained in the “Should you apply” section below.
Important dates
The notification gives one key date. There is no separate application opening date mentioned in the notification, so applications may already be open.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Last date to apply (online and offline) | 31 August 2026 |
| Age, qualification and experience reckoned as on | 31 August 2026 |
Vacancy details and salary
NCRA-TIFR is filling 22 posts across nine categories. Serial numbers 1 to 5 are SKA Project posts, on a fixed 3-year term. Serial numbers 6 to 9 are Trainee/support posts, engaged for an initial 1 year, extendable by one more year (maximum 2 years), and are not covered under the SKA project.
| Sr. | Post / Discipline | HQ | No. of Posts | Category Split | Max Age | Pay Level | TME (₹/month) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Project Administrative Officer | Pune | 2 | 1-UR, 1-EWS* | 40 | Fixed | 1,03,400 |
| 2 | Project Administrative Assistant | Pune | 1 | 1-EWS | 33 | Fixed | 63,900 |
| 3 | Project Technical Assistant (Low Hardware) | Pune | 3 | 1-UR, 1-SC, 1-ST | 28 (UR); 33 (SC/ST) | Fixed | 63,900 |
| 4 | Project Technical Assistant (OMC) | Pune | 2 | 2-UR | 28 | Fixed | 63,900 |
| 5 | Project Technical Assistant (SRC) | Pune | 3 | 2-UR, 1-OBC | 28 (UR); 31 (OBC) | Fixed | 63,900 |
| 6 | Engineer Trainee (Servo) | Khodad | 2 | 2-UR | 28 | Fixed stipend | 35,000 |
| 7 | Library Trainee | Pune | 1 | 1-UR | 28 | Fixed stipend | 22,000 |
| 8 | Administrative Trainee | Pune/Khodad | 6 | 6-UR | 28 | Fixed stipend | 22,000 |
| 9 | Tradesman Trainee (Electrical) | Pune | 2 | 2-UR | 28 | Fixed stipend | 18,500 |
| Total | 22 |
UR – Unreserved, SC – Scheduled Caste, ST – Scheduled Tribe, OBC – Other Backward Classes, EWS – Economically Weaker Section, TME – Total Monthly Emoluments.
*Note on Sr. 1: The notification’s summary table lists 2 posts for Project Administrative Officer (1-UR, 1-EWS), and the total of 22 across all posts matches this. However, the detailed qualification section for this post is headed “[1 Post; EWS; HQ: Pune]” in the same notification. This is an inconsistency within the official document itself, not an error on this page. Candidates should confirm the exact reservation split with NCRA-TIFR before applying.
Posts 1–5 carry a fixed monthly consolidated pay (TME); posts 6–9 are trainee positions on a fixed monthly stipend, with no absorption after training.
Also Rea: RITES DGM, Cyber Security and API Developer Jobs
Eligibility (post-wise)
Qualification, experience and age differ for every post. Read the row for the post you are applying for.
| Post | Essential Qualification | Experience | Max Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Administrative Officer | Graduate (60% aggregate) + Diploma/Degree/Certificate in Management or Administration | 5 years’ service in Level 6 and/or equivalent TME | 40 years |
| Project Administrative Assistant | Graduate (55% aggregate) with word-processing/database/accounting proficiency | 3 years’ experience in Accounts/Purchase/Stores/General Admin | 33 years |
| Project Technical Assistant (Low Hardware) | Full-time Science Graduate (60%) in Electronics/allied field OR Diploma in Engineering (60%) in Electronics/allied field | 1 year hardware maintenance experience | 28 years (UR); 33 years (SC/ST) |
| Project Technical Assistant (OMC) | Same as above (Electronics/allied Science Graduate or Diploma, 60%) | 1 year hardware maintenance experience | 28 years |
| Project Technical Assistant (SRC) | Science Graduate (60%) in Electrical/Electronics/Computers/Networking/allied OR Diploma in Engineering (60%) in Electronics/allied, plus knowledge of OS, networking and Python/programming | 1 year in maintenance of a large computer system | 28 years (UR); 31 years (OBC) |
| Engineer Trainee (Servo) | BE/B.Tech in Electronics & Communication/Electronics Engineering (min. 60%) | Desirable: 1 year in embedded systems/digital electronics (not mandatory) | 28 years |
| Library Trainee | Graduate + B.Lib.I.Sc / M.Lib.I.Sc | 0–2 years’ relevant experience | 28 years |
| Administrative Trainee | Graduate, with typing and PC knowledge | Not specified | 28 years |
| Tradesman Trainee (Electrical) | NTC or NAC (60%) in Electrical/Electrician trade from NCVT + a mandatory electrical wireman licence | Not specified | 28 years |
Candidates with the lowest qualification bar here — the NCVT trade certificate for Tradesman Trainee — can check similar openings under the ITI / Diploma jobs tag.
Age is reckoned as on 31 August 2026, with age relaxation as per Government of India rules. Use the Age Calculator to check your exact eligibility for the post you want.
Selection process
The screening and selection follow NCRA-TIFR’s standard Selection Procedure guidelines, published as a separate official document and linked from the notification. In general:
- Applications are screened against the essential and desirable qualifications and experience listed for each post. If a very large number of candidates are eligible, the Institute may apply additional shortlisting criteria such as higher marks or more experience.
- Shortlisted candidates are called for a written test or skill/trade test, and an interview, depending on the post.
- NCRA-TIFR publishes the list of shortlisted and non-shortlisted candidates, with application numbers, on its website, along with a deadline to confirm availability.
- Selected candidates must submit supporting documents — including a No Objection Certificate for those currently working in central or state government organisations — within 8 days of the written test and interview, failing which they are disqualified.
Meeting the minimum qualification and experience does not guarantee a call for the selection process; the Institute reserves the right to restrict numbers and to not fill any or all of the advertised posts.
Application fee
Also Read: SAIL Bhilai Steel Plant Recruitment 2026
How to apply
- Candidates are encouraged to apply online at the official NCRA application portal.
- Candidates who cannot apply online may submit a hard copy in the prescribed format, in a sealed envelope superscribed with the post applied for, to: Administrative Officer-D (Establishment), NCRA-TIFR, Post Bag 3, Ganeshkhind, Savitribai Phule Pune University Campus, Pune – 411007.
- Applications received online or by post after 31 August 2026 will not be considered.
- For the detailed advertisement, application format and full experience requirements, visit the same official portal link.
Documents to keep ready This is added context, not part of the official notification. NCRA-TIFR’s online form typically needs scanned copies of your degree/diploma certificates and mark sheets, experience certificates, category certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS, if applicable), and a recent photograph and signature. Confirm the exact list on the application portal before you start the form.
Important links
| Link | Details |
|---|---|
| Official Notification PDF (Advt 2026/09) | Full advertisement with all post-wise details |
| Apply Online / Application Portal | Official online application form and application format |
| Selection Procedure Guidelines | Separate official document explaining screening and selection stages |
| Latest Government Jobs (All India) | More current central and state government vacancies |
Should you apply?
This notification suits fresh graduates who want entry-level exposure at a premier research institute (the four trainee posts) and experienced candidates in admin, accounts or IT/hardware roles who meet the 1–5 year experience bar for the SKA project posts. It suits engineering graduates interested in embedded systems and antenna control work (Engineer Trainee), and those with an NCVT electrical trade certificate (Tradesman Trainee).
This is added context, not part of the official notification. It may not suit candidates looking for a permanent, pensionable government post: the SKA posts (Sr. 1–5) run for a fixed 3-year term, and the trainee posts (Sr. 6–9) explicitly carry no absorption after training. Given the broad graduate-level eligibility for several posts, competition is likely to be moderate to high, though no applicant numbers are available yet. What this job offers instead of permanency is real, resume-building exposure — working with the GMRT and the international SKA project is not something most government postings can offer. The honest trade-off: strong technical and scientific exposure and a competitive salary for the sector, against a fixed-term appointment with no guaranteed continuation.
FAQs
What is the last date to apply for NCRA Recruitment 2026 (Advt No. 2026/09)?
The last date to apply for NCRA-TIFR Recruitment Advertisement No. 2026/09 is 31 August 2026, both online and by post. Age, qualification and experience are also counted as on this date. The notification does not give a separate application start date.
What is the salary of Project Administrative Officer at NCRA-TIFR?
The Project Administrative Officer post carries a fixed Total Monthly Emolument of ₹1,03,400 per month. Across all nine posts in this notification, salaries range from ₹18,500 (Tradesman Trainee) to ₹1,03,400 (Project Administrative Officer).
Is there an application fee for NCRA Recruitment 2026/09?
Application fee details are not mentioned in the official notification for Advt No. 2026/09. Candidates should check the official application portal for any fee update before submitting the form.
Will NCRA trainee posts be made permanent after training?
No. The notification states there is no absorption after training for Engineer Trainee, Library Trainee, Administrative Trainee and Tradesman Trainee posts, which run for an initial one year, extendable by one more year. This is added context, not part of the official notification: such trainee stints at research institutes are generally treated as skill-building experience rather than a guaranteed route to a regular post. Confirm the current absorption policy directly with NCRA-TIFR.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sandeep Khati is the founder of India Job Alerts and a B.Tech in Computer Science from JGEC (2010). He started his career as a Systems Engineer at TCS and has been active in digital publishing since 2011, beginning with SearchDarjeeling.com(2011) and working as a web developer and designer at Darjeeling Informatics. Launched in April 2025, India Job Alerts is his most focused project — dedicated to publishing verified government and PSU job notifications for West Bengal, Sikkim, and All-India candidates. Every post is cross-checked against official notifications before publishing.. Know more