India’s premier space agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has opened its doors once again to thousands of job seekers across the country. If you have been searching for ISRO Bharti 2026 details, this guide brings together everything you need — from vacancy numbers and eligibility to the application process, exam pattern, salary structure and important dates — in one place, written in plain and easy-to-understand language.
Working at ISRO is not just a job; it is a chance to be part of the team behind India’s satellite launches, lunar missions and the country’s growing space economy. Every year lakhs of candidates apply for the limited seats available, so understanding the process early gives you a real advantage.
ISRO Bharti 2026 – Quick Overview
The Indian Space Research Organisation, through the ISRO Centralised Recruitment Board (ICRB), released its major 2026 recruitment notification on 27 July 2026 for administrative posts, and separately invited applications for technical and scientific posts through its various centres. Below is a snapshot of the current drive.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) |
| Conducting Body | ISRO Centralised Recruitment Board (ICRB) |
| Advertisement Number | ISRO:ICRB:01(A-JPA):2026 |
| Posts | Assistant, Upper Division Clerk (UDC), Junior Personal Assistant (JPA), Stenographer |
| Total Vacancies | 267 (increased from the earlier figure of 242) |
| Application Start Date | 27 July 2026 |
| Application Last Date | 20 August 2026 (extended) |
| Mode of Application | Online only |
| Official Website | isro.gov.in |
If you are also tracking openings for engineering graduates, don’t miss our detailed breakdown of the ISRO Scientist Engineer Recruitment drive later in this article, since ISRO regularly runs parallel recruitment cycles for different qualification levels.
What is ISRO Bharti 2026?
ISRO Bharti (recruitment) 2026 refers to the set of hiring drives conducted by ISRO and its centres — including ISRO Headquarters, VSSC, SAC, URSC, LPSC, SDSC-SHAR and others — to fill vacant posts across administrative, technical and scientific cadres. These drives are announced through official notifications on the ISRO career portal and are open to candidates from across India, subject to the eligibility conditions of each post.
This year’s largest drive, under Advertisement No. ISRO:ICRB:01(A-JPA):2026, targets non-technical administrative posts, making it especially attractive for graduates from any stream who are looking for a stable central government career. Separately, technical and scientific posts continue to be released for engineering and diploma-qualified candidates.
ISRO Bharti 2026 Vacancy Details
The 267 vacancies announced under the ICRB notification are spread across four posts. While the exact centre-wise and category-wise breakup is available in the official PDF, the broad distribution is as follows:
- Assistant – largest share of vacancies, for general administrative duties
- Upper Division Clerk (UDC) – clerical and record-keeping roles
- Junior Personal Assistant (JPA) – secretarial support with shorthand/typing skills
- Stenographer – dictation and transcription duties for senior officials
All these posts fall under Level 4 of the 7th Pay Commission Pay Matrix. Candidates are strongly advised to check the official notification PDF for the post-wise and category-wise (UR/OBC/SC/ST/EWS/PwBD) vacancy split before applying, as numbers can be revised.
Eligibility Criteria for ISRO Recruitment 2026
Educational Qualification
- A Bachelor’s Degree from a recognised university with a minimum of 60% marks (55% for SC/ST/PwBD candidates, as per government norms) is generally required for Assistant and UDC posts.
- For JPA and Stenographer posts, along with graduation, candidates typically need proficiency in English/Hindi shorthand and typing speed as specified in the notification.
- Basic computer literacy is mandatory for all four posts.
Age Limit
- The upper age limit is capped at 28 years as on the closing date of application.
- Age relaxation is applicable as per government rules: 5 years for SC/ST candidates, 3 years for OBC candidates, and additional relaxation for PwBD and other reserved categories.
Nationality
Applicants must be Indian citizens. In certain cases, candidates from Nepal, Bhutan, or those who migrated from Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, East African countries, or Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India may also be considered, subject to eligibility clearance from the Government of India.
Important Dates for ISRO Bharti 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 27 July 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 27 July 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 20 August 2026 (extended) |
| Written Exam Date | 21 September 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | Expected a few days before the exam |
| Skill/Stenography Test | To be announced for shortlisted candidates |
Since dates are occasionally revised by ISRO, candidates should keep checking the official notification for the latest updates rather than relying solely on secondary sources.
Application Fee
The application fee for ISRO Bharti 2026 varies according to the post applied for and the candidate’s category. Payment must be made online only, through the Bharatkosh e-Payment Gateway, using net banking, UPI, or a domestic debit card. SC/ST/PwBD/Ex-Servicemen and women candidates are usually exempted from the fee or charged a reduced amount, as per the norms mentioned in the official notification. Always confirm the exact fee structure on the official PDF before making payment, as it can differ slightly between posts.
Selection Process
ISRO follows a transparent, merit-based selection process for these posts:
- Online Computer-Based Written Test – covering General Awareness, Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Language, along with post-specific sections.
- Skill Test / Stenography Test – applicable only for Junior Personal Assistant and Stenographer posts, testing typing speed and shorthand accuracy.
- Document Verification – shortlisted candidates must produce original certificates for verification.
- Final Merit List – prepared based on written test performance (and skill test qualification where applicable).
Do note that there is negative marking of 0.25 marks for every wrong answer in the written test, so candidates should attempt questions carefully.
Salary and Pay Scale
Selected candidates will be placed in Level 4 of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix, with a minimum starting basic pay of around ₹25,500 per month. In addition to the basic pay, employees receive Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Transport Allowance, and other benefits applicable to central government employees, along with access to medical facilities, provident fund, and pension benefits under the National Pension System.
How to Apply for ISRO Bharti 2026 – Step by Step
- Visit the official ISRO website at isro.gov.in.
- Navigate to the “Careers” section on the homepage.
- Locate and click on the notification titled ISRO:ICRB:01(A-JPA):2026 or the relevant advertisement for the post you wish to apply for.
- Register using a valid email ID and active mobile number to generate your login credentials.
- Fill in the online application form carefully with personal, educational, and communication details.
- Upload scanned copies of your photograph, signature, and required certificates in the prescribed format and size.
- Pay the applicable application fee, if any, through the Bharatkosh gateway.
- Review all entered details thoroughly before final submission — corrections after submission are usually not allowed.
- Submit the form and download or take a printout of the confirmation page for future reference.
Keep scanned documents, a valid email ID, and payment details ready in advance to avoid last-minute technical issues on the portal, especially as the deadline approaches.
ISRO Scientist Engineer Recruitment 2026 for Technical Graduates
Apart from the administrative recruitment drive, ISRO also released a separate notification for Scientist/Engineer ‘SC’ posts for engineering graduates. This drive is open to candidates with a BE/BTech degree in relevant branches such as Electronics, Mechanical, and Computer Science, and shortlisting for the interview stage is done on the basis of a valid GATE score (GATE 2025 or GATE 2026), rather than a separate written exam. Selected candidates can be posted at major ISRO centres including Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Thiruvananthapuram, Sriharikota, Mahendragiri, Hassan, and Valiyamala. The interview shortlisting ratio is generally around 1:7 based on GATE score, and the final selection gives equal weightage to the GATE score and interview performance. Engineering graduates should keep an eye on the official portal for the specific vacancy count and closing date relevant to their branch, since these numbers are updated periodically.
Documents Required at the Time of Application
- Recent passport-size photograph (as per specified dimensions)
- Scanned signature
- Educational certificates and mark sheets (10th, 12th, graduation)
- Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS), if applicable
- PwBD certificate, if applicable
- Valid ID proof such as Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, or Voter ID
- Valid GATE scorecard (for Scientist/Engineer posts only)
Tips to Prepare for the ISRO Written Exam
- Focus on strengthening basics in General Awareness, especially current affairs related to space, science and technology, and government schemes.
- Practice quantitative aptitude and reasoning questions daily to improve speed and accuracy.
- Brush up on English grammar and comprehension, since this section carries significant weightage in most administrative exams.
- For JPA and Stenographer posts, regular shorthand and typing practice is essential to meet the required speed and accuracy benchmarks.
- Attempt previous years’ ISRO question papers and mock tests to understand the exam pattern and time management.
Why Choose a Career at ISRO?
A job at ISRO offers far more than just financial security. Employees get to work alongside some of the country’s brightest scientific minds, contribute directly to national projects like Chandrayaan and Gaganyaan support missions, and enjoy the stability, allowances, and pension benefits associated with central government employment. For administrative staff, it means being part of the backbone that keeps India’s space missions running smoothly, while technical and scientific staff get hands-on exposure to cutting-edge aerospace research.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on ISRO Bharti 2026
Q1. How many vacancies are announced under ISRO Recruitment 2026? A total of 267 vacancies have been announced under the ICRB notification for Assistant, UDC, JPA, and Stenographer posts, with technical and scientific posts advertised separately.
Q2. What is the last date to apply for ISRO Bharti 2026? The extended last date to apply online is 20 August 2026 for the ICRB Assistant/UDC/JPA/Stenographer drive.
Q3. What is the minimum educational qualification required? A Bachelor’s Degree from a recognised university with the prescribed percentage of marks, along with computer proficiency, is generally required for administrative posts.
Q4. What is the age limit for ISRO Recruitment 2026? The upper age limit is 28 years as on the closing date, with relaxation applicable for reserved categories as per government norms.
Q5. What is the selection process for ISRO Bharti 2026? Selection includes an online written test, followed by a skill/stenography test (for JPA and Stenographer posts only), and document verification.
Q6. What is the starting salary for ISRO Assistant/UDC/JPA/Stenographer posts? Selected candidates are placed in Level 4 of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix with a starting basic pay of around ₹25,500 per month, plus allowances.
Q7. Where can I apply for ISRO Bharti 2026? Applications must be submitted online through the official ISRO website — isro.gov.in — under the Careers section.
Q8. Is there negative marking in the ISRO written exam? Yes, 0.25 marks are deducted for every incorrect answer in the written test.
Official Website and Apply Online Link
- Official Website: https://www.isro.gov.in
- Careers/Apply Online Section: Available under the “Careers” tab on the official ISRO homepage
Always cross-check every detail — vacancy numbers, dates, fee, and eligibility — directly from the official PDF notification on isro.gov.in before submitting your application, since only the official document is legally valid in case of any discrepancy.
This article is for general informational purposes and is based on publicly available recruitment notifications as of August 2026. Candidates are advised to verify all details from the official ISRO website before applying.
