ISRO SAC Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 48 JRF, Research Associate & Project Scientist-I Posts

The Space Applications Centre (SAC), a lead centre of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) under the Department of Space, has released ISRO SAC Recruitment 2026 for 48 temporary positions of Junior Research Fellow (JRF), Research Associate (RA) and Project Scientist-I (PS-I). These posts are spread across 16 separate post codes covering research areas such as semiconductor technology, VLSI, photonics, atmospheric sciences, oceanography, geophysics, remote sensing, hydrology and computer science. The advertisement is numbered SAC:02:2026 and is dated 10.09.2026.

Candidates holding a relevant B.E./B.Tech, M.E./M.Tech, M.Sc or Ph.D degree, as prescribed for the specific post code they wish to apply for, can apply online. There is no application fee, and the entire process, from registration to submission, is conducted online through the official SAC career portal. This article explains the vacancy breakdown, eligibility, salary, selection process and application steps for ISRO SAC Recruitment 2026 in detail, based strictly on the official notification.

SAC Recruitment 2026: Overview

SAC Recruitment 2026: Important Dates

Candidates should keep checking the official SAC website regularly, since any corrigendum, extension or interview schedule will be announced there and nowhere else.

Also Read : SSC CHSL Recruitment 2026 Apply Online for 2536 LDC, JSA & DEO Posts

SAC Recruitment 2026: Application Fee

There is no application fee for ISRO SAC Recruitment 2026. This applies uniformly to General, EWS, OBC, SC, ST and PwBD candidates, and to every post code from 01 to 16.

SAC Recruitment 2026: Vacancy Details

The 48 vacancies are grouped as JRF (Post Codes 01–07, 33 posts), Research Associate (Post Codes 08–10, 8 posts) and Project Scientist-I (Post Codes 11–16, 7 posts). The post-wise break-up is given below.

The number of vacancies against each post code is provisional. SAC has reserved the right to increase, decrease or not fill a post depending on its actual project requirements at the time of selection.

SAC Recruitment 2026: Eligibility Criteria

Qualification requirements differ by post code and range from a B.E./B.Tech in Engineering Physics to an M.E./M.Tech, M.Sc or Ph.D in disciplines matching the research area shown in the vacancy table above. Full post-wise details are given in the next section.

Also Read : Exim Bank Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for Deputy Manager & Manager Posts (8 Vacancies)

Minimum Marks

Where an M.E./M.Tech degree is the prescribed qualification, candidates need an aggregate of at least 60% marks (averaged across all semesters) or a CGPA/CPI of 6.5 on a 10-point scale. Where an M.Sc, B.E. or B.Tech degree is prescribed, the requirement is at least 65% aggregate marks or a CGPA/CPI of 6.84. Rounding off marks, or converting a CGPA to a percentage (or vice versa) to meet eligibility, is not permitted.

Qualifying Test for JRF Posts (Post Codes 01 to 07)

Candidates applying for any JRF post code must additionally hold a valid, currently valid qualifying score in one of the following, as on the closing date of 30.09.2026:

• CSIR-UGC NET, including NET for Lectureship / Assistant Professorship
• GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering)
• A national-level test conducted by a Central Government department or institution such as DST, DBT, DAE, DOS, DRDO, MoE, ICAR, ICMR, IIT, IISc, IISER or NISER

Candidates pursuing their qualifying degree through Open and Distance Learning (ODL) are not eligible, and candidates whose final-year or final-semester result has not been declared by 30.09.2026 cannot apply.

Age Limit (as on 30.09.2026)

Age relaxation of 5 years applies to SC/ST candidates and 3 years to OBC-NCL candidates (non-creamy-layer certificate required). Relaxation is also admissible to serving Central Government employees, ex-servicemen and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities as per Government of India norms.

SAC Recruitment 2026: Post-wise Eligibility

Also Read : Bank of Baroda LBO Recruitment 2026: Last Date Extended to 17 September for 2482 Local Bank Officer Posts

SAC Recruitment 2026: Salary / Pay Scale

For Research Associates, the exact pay level (1, 2 or 3) is fixed based on the candidate’s qualification and post-qualification experience. HRA is paid at prescribed rates when hostel accommodation is not provided. Medical benefit is limited to self, and leave is governed by DOS/Government of India rules. Selected candidates are not entitled to any other benefit admissible to regular ISRO/DOS employees.

Tenure

• JRF: engaged for one year initially, extendable up to a maximum of five years based on performance and project need.
• Research Associate: engaged for one year initially, extendable up to a maximum of three years.
• Project Scientist-I: engaged for one year or the project duration, co-terminus with the project.

These are temporary, project-linked engagements and do not create any claim to a regular position in ISRO or any DOS center.

SAC Recruitment 2026: Selection Process

Selection for all posts is interview-based. Meeting the minimum eligibility criteria does not by itself guarantee a call for interview.

• If a large number of applications is received for a post code, shortlisting for interview will be done on the basis of academic record and subject specialization, and the SAC selection committee’s decision on this is final.
• The list of shortlisted candidates and the interview schedule will be published on the SAC website; call letters will be sent only by email.
• Candidates who are not shortlisted will not receive any separate communication.
• The final selection panel is prepared purely on the basis of interview performance.

SAC Recruitment 2026: How to Apply

Applications are accepted online only; physical or emailed applications are not entertained. The broad steps are:

• Visit sac.gov.in or the dedicated portal career.sac.gov.in.
• Register on the recruitment portal, which stays open from 10:00 AM on 10.09.2026 to 5:00 PM on 30.09.2026.
• Fill in the online application form, completing every field marked mandatory (*).
• Upload a recent colour passport-size photograph in JPEG format (under 1 MB, plain/white background, full face visible, no selfies or black-and-white photos).
• Upload a scanned signature in JPEG format (under 1 MB, 7:2 aspect ratio).
• Upload qualification documents, and Caste/Tribe or PwBD certificates where applicable, each under 1 MB.
• Review all details carefully — the form can be submitted only once and no correction is possible after clicking Submit.
• Submit before 5:00 PM on 30.09.2026 and note down the application number for future reference.
• Take a printout of the application summary, since the portal will stop allowing printing after the closing time.

SAC Recruitment 2026: Documents Required

• Recent passport-size colour photograph and scanned signature, as per the specified format
• Educational qualification certificates and mark sheets relevant to the post applied for
• Caste/Tribe certificate, where a candidate is claiming SC/ST/OBC-NCL reservation
• PwBD certificate (minimum 40% disability), where applicable
• Valid NET/GATE/other qualifying test scorecard, for JRF post codes (01–07)
• No Objection Certificate (NOC) from current employer, for candidates already employed with Central/State Government, PSU or an Autonomous Body — required at interview stage
• Equivalency certificate from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), for candidates with a foreign degree — required at interview stage

Original documents along with self-attested copies must be produced at the time of interview; candidates who cannot do so will not be permitted to appear, and no travel allowance will be paid to them.

Also Read : GSRTC Helper Recruitment 2026 Notification Out: Apply Online for 2,510 Posts

SAC Recruitment 2026: Important Instructions

• Only Indian nationals are eligible to apply.
• Where a university reports only CGPA, that CGPA must independently satisfy the DOS/ISRO eligibility norm; converting CGPA to a percentage, or the reverse, is not allowed for determining eligibility.
• If both CGPA and percentage are shown on the mark sheet, meeting either one is sufficient.
• Candidates must give a correct, regularly checked email ID, since all further communication is sent only by email or posted on the SAC website.
• Providing false information at any stage, or not meeting the prescribed eligibility, will lead to cancellation of candidature.
• Where more than one application is submitted for the same post, only the last application submitted before the closing date is considered.
• Selected JRFs are encouraged to register for a Ph.D on a topic useful to both themselves and SAC, but must complete this alongside their regular work, without separate leave for it.
• Prior clearance from the competent SAC/ISRO authority is required before publishing any research work.
• Outstation candidates called for interview are reimbursed to-and-fro Second/Sleeper Class rail fare (or equivalent bus fare, whichever is less) by the shortest route, on production of proof of journey.
• Canvassing in any form will lead to disqualification, and no telephonic or interim correspondence will be entertained.
• SAC/ISRO reserves the right to cancel or postpone the interview, and to terminate any contract before project completion, without assigning reasons.
• Any corrigendum or update will be published only on the SAC website — candidates should check it regularly rather than relying solely on this article.

SAC Recruitment 2026: Important Links

Apply Online: Click Here

Official Notification PDF: Click here

Official Website: Click Here

SAC Recruitment 2026: Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is ISRO SAC Recruitment 2026?

It is an online recruitment drive by the Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad, under Advertisement No. SAC:02:2026 dated 10.09.2026, for 48 temporary posts of JRF, Research Associate and Project Scientist-I across 16 post codes.

Q2. How many vacancies are there in SAC Recruitment 2026?

There are 48 vacancies in total — 33 JRF posts (Post Codes 01–07), 8 Research Associate posts (Post Codes 08–10) and 7 Project Scientist-I posts (Post Codes 11–16).

Q3. What is the last date to apply for SAC Recruitment 2026?

The online application window closes on 30.09.2026 at 5:00 PM.

Q4. Is there an application fee for SAC Recruitment 2026?

No. There is no application fee for any post or category.

Q5. What is the age limit for SAC Recruitment 2026?

The maximum age is 28 years for JRF posts (Post Codes 01–07) and 35 years for RA/PS-I posts (Post Codes 08–16), as on 30.09.2026, with standard relaxation for SC/ST/OBC-NCL candidates.

Q6. Is a NET or GATE score mandatory for the JRF posts?

Yes. Candidates applying for any JRF post code (01 to 07) must additionally hold a valid CSIR-UGC NET, GATE, or an equivalent national-level qualifying score, valid as on 30.09.2026.

Q7. What is the salary for JRF, RA and PS-I posts?

JRF pay is ₹37,000/month + HRA for the first two years and ₹42,000/month + HRA afterward. PS-I pay is ₹56,000/month + HRA. RA pay ranges from ₹58,000 to ₹67,000/month + HRA depending on the assigned level.

Q8. What is the selection process for SAC Recruitment 2026?

Selection is through a personal interview, preceded by shortlisting (based on academic record and specialization) if the number of applications for a post is large.

Disclaimer

This article is prepared for general informational purposes based on the official recruitment notification available at the time of writing. Candidates must always cross-check dates, eligibility and other details from the official SAC/ISRO notification and website before applying.