Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad — one of the lead centres of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Department of Space — has released Advertisement No. SAC:02:2026 dated 10.09.2026 inviting online applications for 48 temporary positions of Junior Research Fellow (JRF), Research Associate (RA) and Project Scientist-I (PS-I) across 16 post codes. The online recruitment portal is open from 1000 hrs on 10.09.2026 to 1700 hrs on 30.09.2026. There is no application fee for any post.
Last date to print application / registration summary
30.09.2026 (till 1700 hrs)
Cut-off date for age and essential qualification
30.09.2026
Interview date
To be announced on the SAC website
Application Fee
Category
Fee
All categories (UR / OBC / EWS / SC / ST / PwBD / Women)
Nil — there is no application fee for any post
Vacancy Details
The 48 vacancies are spread across 16 post codes. Each post code has its own essential qualification, so read the row for the post code you intend to apply against.
Post Code
Name of the Post
Posts
Essential Qualification
01
Junior Research Fellow
03
M.E./M.Tech in Semiconductor Technology, Quantum, Micro or Nano Electronic devices, RF and Microwave or related disciplines
02
Junior Research Fellow
07
M.E./M.Tech in Electronics and Communication, Micro-Electronics, Nano-Electronics, Digital Electronics, VLSI, Digital System Engineering, Embedded System, Signal Processing, Semiconductor or related disciplines
03
Junior Research Fellow
05
B.E./B.Tech in Engineering Physics or related disciplines, OR M.E./M.Tech/M.Sc. in Physics, Applied Physics, Photonics, Optoelectronics, Optics, Material Science, Nanotechnology, Solid State Physics or related disciplines
04
Junior Research Fellow
10
M.E./M.Tech/M.Sc. in Atmospheric Sciences, Meteorology, Physical Oceanography, Oceanography, Physical Sciences, Physics, Applied Physics, Mathematics or related disciplines
05
Junior Research Fellow
02
M.E./M.Tech/M.Sc. in Geo-physics, Geo-Sciences, Earth Sciences, Geotechnical Engineering or related disciplines
06
Junior Research Fellow
04
M.E./M.Tech/M.Sc. in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or related disciplines
07
Junior Research Fellow
02
M.E./M.Tech/M.Sc. in Geo-informatics, Remote Sensing and GIS or related disciplines
08
Research Associate
06
Ph.D in Oceanic Sciences, Marine Sciences, Environment Modeling, Atmospheric Sciences, Meteorology, Earth System Sciences, Physics or related disciplines, OR M.E./M.Tech in Oceanography, Physical Oceanography, Atmospheric Sciences, Meteorology, Marine Sciences or Environment Modeling with 3 years research/teaching/design and development experience and at least one paper in an SCI journal
09
Research Associate
01
Ph.D in Mathematics or Physics or related disciplines
10
Research Associate
01
Ph.D in Earth Sciences or Environmental Sciences or related disciplines, with specialization in Remote Sensing based applications in forestry, ecology or wetlands
11
Project Scientist-I
01
Ph.D in Geophysics or Applied Geophysics or related disciplines, with specialisation in Cryosphere Studies
12
Project Scientist-I
01
Ph.D in Ecology, Environmental Sciences, Forestry or related disciplines, OR M.E./M.Tech in Geo-informatics or related disciplines
13
Project Scientist-I
01
Ph.D in Remote Sensing and GIS or related discipline with specialization in microwave remote sensing, OR M.E./M.Tech in Remote Sensing and GIS, Geo-informatics, Geomatics, Civil Engineering or related discipline
14
Project Scientist-I
01
Ph.D in Geophysics or Earth Sciences or related disciplines, with specialisation in Crustal Deformation Studies
15
Project Scientist-I
02
M.E./M.Tech in Water Resources Engineering, Hydrology, Soil and Water Engineering or related disciplines
16
Project Scientist-I
01
M.E./M.Tech in RF and Microwave, Applied Physics or related disciplines
Total
48
Eligibility Criteria
Criterion
Detail
Educational Qualification
As prescribed against each post code in the Vacancy Details table above.
Minimum Marks
M.E./M.Tech degree: minimum 60% aggregate (average of all semesters) or CGPA/CPI of 6.5 on a 10 point scale. M.Sc./B.E./B.Tech degree: minimum 65% aggregate (average of all semesters) or CGPA/CPI of 6.84 on a 10 point scale. Rounding off of marks is not allowed, and CGPA cannot be converted into a percentage to establish eligibility.
Additional Requirement for JRF
Applicants for Post Code 01 to 07 must also have qualified one of: CSIR-UGC NET including Lectureship (Assistant Professorship); GATE; or a national level examination conducted by a Central Government department or agency such as DST, DBT, DAE, DOS, DRDO, MoE, ICAR, ICMR, IIT, IISc, IISER or NISER. The result or score card must be valid on 30.09.2026.
Age Limit
Maximum 28 years as on 30.09.2026 for Post Code 01 to 07 (JRF); maximum 35 years as on 30.09.2026 for Post Code 08 to 16 (RA and PS-I) Check your age eligibility →
Nationality
Only Indian nationals need apply.
Course Completion
The prescribed qualification must have been completed within the stipulated duration of the course as prescribed by the University or Institution. Candidates awaiting their final year or semester result as on 30.09.2026 are not eligible.
Mode of Study
Candidates who pursued a professional course through Open and Distance Learning (ODL) are not eligible for consideration.
Foreign Degrees
Candidates with degrees from foreign universities must produce an equivalency certificate issued by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), New Delhi, at the time of interview.
Age Relaxation
Category
Relaxation in Upper Age Limit
Scheduled Caste (SC) / Scheduled Tribe (ST)
5 years
Other Backward Classes — Non Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL)
3 years (only for candidates not in the creamy layer as on the date of online application)
Serving Central Government employees
As per Government of India rules and orders
Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD)
As per Government of India rules and orders (minimum 40% disability)
Ex-servicemen
As per Government of India rules and orders
Not sure whether you are within the 28 or 35 year limit?
Enter your date of birth, the 30.09.2026 cut-off date and your category relaxation (5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC-NCL) to see instantly whether you fall inside the limit for your post code.
Meeting the minimum qualification does not automatically make a candidate eligible for selection. If a large number of applications are received for a post, shortlisting for the interview will be done on the basis of academic records and subject specialisation. The decision of the SAC committee is final in this regard. The list of shortlisted candidates will be published on the SAC website. This stage is a screening filter and carries no marks that count towards final selection.
Stage 2 — Personal Interview
Only shortlisted candidates are called. Call letters for the interview are sent only by e-mail, and no communication is made to candidates who are not shortlisted. The interview schedule is published on the SAC website. The interview is conducted by the selection committee and the selection panel is prepared on the basis of performance in the interview only — academic marks do not carry forward into the final merit.
Stage 3 — Document Verification
At the time of interview, candidates must produce original documents along with self-attested copies of mark sheets, degrees, caste or tribe certificate, NOC and declaration, in proof of the details furnished in the online application. Candidates who fail to produce these documents will not be permitted to appear in the interview, and travelling allowance will not be paid.
Stage 4 — Medical Fitness and Joining
Selected candidates are intimated by e-mail or through the SAC website and have to join the post immediately on being declared fit by a Medical Authority.
Travelling Allowance
Outstation candidates called for interview are paid to and fro second or sleeper class railway fare, or non-AC bus fare, or actual fare, whichever is less, by the shortest distance from the address given in the online application — irrespective of the mode of travel actually used. Only eligible candidates who are allowed to appear for the interview are paid TA.
Salary and Benefits
Component
Detail
JRF — 1st and 2nd year
Rs. 37,000 per month plus HRA
JRF — subsequent years
Rs. 42,000 per month plus HRA
Project Scientist-I
Rs. 56,000 per month plus HRA
Research Associate-1
Rs. 58,000 per month plus HRA
Research Associate-2
Rs. 61,000 per month plus HRA
Research Associate-3
Rs. 67,000 per month plus HRA
Which RA level applies
The associateship amount for a Research Associate is fixed as a consolidated amount at any one of the three pay levels above, depending on the candidate qualification and experience.
House Rent Allowance
Paid at the rates in force at the place of posting, if hostel accommodation is not provided. The fellowship amount is treated as Basic Pay for this purpose.
Medical Benefits
Allowed for self only, as per extant rules.
Leave and Other Benefits
Granted as per extant Department of Space and Government of India rules. Apart from this, selected candidates are not entitled to any other benefits or concessions admissible to regular employees.
Tenure — JRF
Engaged initially for one year, extendable on assessment of work and project requirement. Maximum engagement period is five years.
Tenure — Research Associate
Engaged initially for one year, extendable on assessment. Maximum engagement period is three years.
Tenure — Project Scientist-I
Engaged initially for one year or till the project duration, extendable on assessment. All positions are co-terminus with the project.
How to Apply
Open the SAC recruitment portal at careers.sac.gov.in (also reachable from www.sac.gov.in) any time between 1000 hrs on 10.09.2026 and 1700 hrs on 30.09.2026.
Register online using an e-mail ID that is correct and that you check regularly — every further communication about this recruitment, including the interview call letter, is sent by e-mail only.
Fill in the online application form for the post code you are eligible against, entering correct data in every field marked with an asterisk.
Upload a recent colour passport size photograph and your signature as JPEG files of less than 1 MB each, along with the certificates for your essential qualification, and caste, tribe or PwBD certificate where applicable.
Check every entry once more, then click SUBMIT. You will be given an application number — take a print of the application or registration summary before 1700 hrs on 30.09.2026 and keep it for future reference.
Note: Applications made online only will be entertained. Physical applications will not be entertained. The application can be submitted only once — no correction is possible after clicking SUBMIT. If duplicate applications are submitted for the same post, the last application submitted before the closing date is the one considered. The site will not be open for printing the application summary after 1700 hrs on 30.09.2026.
Photograph or signature rejected by the SAC upload form?
SAC wants a colour passport photo as a JPEG under 1 MB, and a signature JPEG under 1 MB in an exact 7:2 ratio (70 pixels wide to 20 pixels tall). Resize both to those specifications in your browser, free, without installing anything.
JPEG file of less than 1 MB. Frontal view of the full face must be clearly visible, background plain or white. Selfies are not allowed, black and white photographs are not allowed, and a blurred or non-passport-style image means the application is summarily rejected. Resize your photo and signature →
Signature
JPEG file of less than 1 MB, in an aspect ratio of 7:2 — if the width is 70 pixels the height should be 20 pixels.
Essential qualification certificates and mark sheets
Uploaded in the prescribed format, file size less than 1 MB, as per the guidelines given in the online application portal.
NET / GATE / national level exam score card
Required for Post Code 01 to 07 (JRF). The result or score card must be valid on 30.09.2026.
Caste / Tribe certificate (SC / ST / OBC-NCL)
In the prescribed format given on the SAC website, file size less than 1 MB. An OBC certificate must specifically include the clause about exclusion from the creamy layer and must be valid at the relevant point of time.
PwBD certificate
In the prescribed format, clearly indicating the percentage of disability (minimum 40%), issued by a Medical Board of at least 3 members duly constituted by the Central or State Government, one of whom must be a specialist in the relevant field. Produced at the time of interview.
No Objection Certificate (NOC)
Required at the time of personal interview from candidates employed under Central or State Government, Public Sector Undertakings or Autonomous Bodies. Failure to submit the NOC in original means the candidate is not permitted to appear and TA is not paid.
AIU equivalency certificate
Required at the time of interview from candidates holding degrees awarded by foreign universities.
Experience certificate and SCI journal paper
Required for Post Code 08 candidates applying through the M.E./M.Tech plus 3 years experience route.
Original documents and self-attested copies
All mark sheets, degrees, caste or tribe certificate, NOC and declaration must be produced in original at the time of interview for verification.
Do not treat SUBMIT as a draft button — the application can be submitted only once and no correction is possible afterwards, so verify every field before clicking it.
Do not give an e-mail ID you rarely check, because the interview call letter is sent by e-mail only and no other communication is made to candidates.
Do not round off your marks — 59.9% does not become 60%, and a CGPA cannot be converted into a percentage to meet the eligibility cut-off, whatever formula your university prescribes.
Do not apply if your final year or semester result has not been declared as on 30.09.2026 — such candidates are simply not eligible.
Do not forget the NET, GATE or equivalent national level exam qualification if you are applying for Post Code 01 to 07 — it is compulsory for JRF and must be valid on 30.09.2026.
Do not leave the application printout for later — the portal closes at 1700 hrs on 30.09.2026 and will not reopen for printing the registration summary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last date to apply for SAC ISRO Recruitment 2026?
The online application closes at 1700 hrs on 30.09.2026, and the portal opened at 1000 hrs on 10.09.2026.
How many vacancies are there in Advertisement No. SAC:02:2026?
There are 48 posts in total — 33 Junior Research Fellow, 8 Research Associate and 7 Project Scientist-I, spread across 16 post codes.
Is there any application fee?
No, there is no application fee for any post in this recruitment.
What is the age limit for SAC JRF, RA and Project Scientist-I posts?
The maximum age is 28 years for Post Code 01 to 07 (JRF) and 35 years for Post Code 08 to 16 (RA and PS-I), both as on 30.09.2026, with relaxation of 5 years for SC/ST and 3 years for OBC-NCL candidates.
Is NET or GATE compulsory for the SAC JRF posts?
Yes — applicants for Post Code 01 to 07 must have qualified CSIR-UGC NET with Lectureship, GATE, or a national level examination conducted by a Central Government department such as DST, DBT, DAE, DOS, DRDO, MoE, ICAR, ICMR, IIT, IISc, IISER or NISER, valid on 30.09.2026.
What is the monthly stipend for these positions?
A JRF gets Rs. 37,000 per month in the first two years and Rs. 42,000 thereafter, a Project Scientist-I gets Rs. 56,000 per month, and a Research Associate gets Rs. 58,000, Rs. 61,000 or Rs. 67,000 per month depending on level — all plus HRA.
How will candidates be selected?
Candidates are shortlisted on the basis of academic records and subject specialisation if a large number of applications are received, and the final selection panel is prepared purely on the basis of performance in the personal interview.
Is this a permanent job in ISRO?
No — these positions are temporary and for a specific duration, and they do not confer any claim or right to a regular appointment in any Department of Space or ISRO centre; selected candidates are posted at SAC, Ahmedabad.
Disclaimer: The information above has been compiled from the official notification for the convenience of job seekers. Candidates are advised to verify all details from the official website before applying.
