The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, has officially released the CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026 notification. This recruitment drive opens a great opportunity to fill 100 Assistant Section Officer (ASO) posts across three cadres, namely General, Finance and Accounts, and Stores and Purchase. These are Group B (Non-Gazetted) positions and the job location covers all across India, including postings at CSIR’s 37 national laboratories and its headquarters in New Delhi.
This is a secure Central Government job with an attractive pay package under the 7th Pay Commission. The selection process is based on UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2024 marks, followed by a Computer Proficiency Test (CPT). Candidates who qualify get job security, a monthly salary starting from Rs 44,900 going up to Rs 1,42,400, along with government allowances like HRA, DA, and medical benefits. The online application window is open from 23 June 2026 to 13 July 2026.
Overview Details
The CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026 is exclusively for non-recommended candidates of UPSC CSE 2024 whose names appear on the UPSC Pratibha Setu Portal. This recruitment offers a direct gateway into a prestigious Central Government position without any separate written exam.
| Heading | Details |
|---|---|
| Post Name | Assistant Section Officer (ASO) |
| Total Vacancies | 100 |
| Department | Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) |
| Qualification | Bachelor’s Degree + UPSC CSE 2024 Non-Recommended Candidate |
| Job Location | Across India |
| Age Limit | Maximum 33 years (as on 13 July 2026) |
| Salary | Rs 44,900 to Rs 1,42,400 (Pay Level 7) |
| Official Website | recruitment.csir.res.in |
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Notification Out
CSIR has officially released the ASO Recruitment 2026 notification under Advertisement No. E-I/RC/2026/2 on 23 June 2026, inviting eligible UPSC CSE 2024 non-recommended candidates to apply online for 100 Group B posts across three specialised administrative cadres.
Vacancy Details
A total of 100 ASO vacancies have been announced across three cadres with category-wise reservation covering UR, SC, ST, OBC (NCL), and EWS candidates.
| Post Name | No. of Vacancies |
|---|---|
| ASO (General) | 61 |
| ASO (Finance and Accounts) | 18 |
| ASO (Stores and Purchase) | 21 |
| Total | 100 |
Important Dates
Keep track of all key dates for CSIR ASO 2026 to avoid missing the application window, fee payment deadline, and upcoming CPT exam schedule.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 23 June 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 23 June 2026 (10:00 AM) |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 13 July 2026 (05:00 PM) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 13 July 2026 (05:00 PM) |
| Computer Proficiency Test (CPT) Date | To Be Announced |
Application Fee
The application fee for CSIR ASO 2026 is Rs 500 for General, OBC, and EWS candidates, while Women, SC, ST, PwBD, and Ex-Servicemen candidates are completely exempt from paying any fee. Payment must be made through SBI Collect, and the e-Receipt must be uploaded in the application portal before the deadline.
| Category | Fee | Payment Mode |
|---|---|---|
| UR / OBC (NCL) / EWS | Rs 500 | SBI Collect (UPI, Debit Card, Net Banking) |
| Women Candidates | NIL | Not Applicable |
| SC / ST | NIL | Not Applicable |
| PwBD | NIL | Not Applicable |
| Ex-Servicemen | NIL | Not Applicable |
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility for CSIR ASO 2026 is unique because it is only open to UPSC CSE 2024 non-recommended candidates listed on the UPSC Pratibha Setu Portal, along with a valid Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian Citizen |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university |
| Special Condition | Must be a non-recommended candidate of UPSC CSE 2024, listed on UPSC Pratibha Setu Portal |
| Age Limit | Maximum 33 years as on 13 July 2026 |
| Degree Status | Final result must be declared on or before the closing date |
Educational Qualifications
Candidates need a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university with no restriction on the stream, but they must additionally satisfy the UPSC CSE 2024 non-recommended candidate condition to be eligible.
| Post Name | Qualification |
|---|---|
| ASO (General) | Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university + UPSC CSE 2024 Non-Recommended Candidate on UPSC Pratibha Setu Portal |
| ASO (Finance and Accounts) | Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university + UPSC CSE 2024 Non-Recommended Candidate on UPSC Pratibha Setu Portal |
| ASO (Stores and Purchase) | Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university + UPSC CSE 2024 Non-Recommended Candidate on UPSC Pratibha Setu Portal |
Age Limit
The maximum age limit is 33 years as on the closing date.
| Category | Minimum Age | Maximum Age | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR) | 18 Years | 33 Years | No Relaxation |
| OBC (NCL) | 18 Years | 36 Years | 3 Years |
| SC / ST | 18 Years | 38 Years | 5 Years |
| PwBD (UR) | 18 Years | 43 Years | 10 Years |
| PwBD (OBC) | 18 Years | 46 Years | 13 Years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 18 Years | 48 Years | 15 Years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 18 Years | As per rules | As per Govt. rules |
| CSIR Departmental Candidates | 18 Years | 38 Years | 5 Years |
Exam Pattern
There is no separate written examination for CSIR ASO 2026. The selection is based on UPSC CSE 2024 total marks (Mains + Personality Test) for shortlisting, followed by a Computer Proficiency Test (CPT). The CPT is 100 marks, lasts for 1 hour, and is qualifying in nature. It tests proficiency in Word Processing, Spreadsheet preparation, and PowerPoint Presentation. The category-wise minimum qualifying marks for the CPT are as follows: UR candidates need 40 out of 100, EWS and OBC need 37 out of 100, SC and ST need 35 out of 100, and all PwBD categories need 30 out of 100.
Salary Details
CSIR ASO 2026 selected candidates will receive a starting basic pay of Rs 44,900 per month going up to Rs 1,42,400 at Pay Level 7 under the 7th Pay Commission, along with full Central Government allowances and benefits.
| Pay Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Pay Level | Level 7, Cell 1 (7th Pay Commission) |
| Basic Pay Range | Rs 44,900 to Rs 1,42,400 |
| Dearness Allowance (DA) | As per Central Government rates |
| House Rent Allowance (HRA) | As per Central Government rates |
| Transport Allowance | As per Central Government rates |
| Medical Reimbursement | Available as per CSIR rules |
| Leave Travel Concession (LTC) | Available |
| Pension | National Pension System (NPS) |
| Probation Period | 2 Years from date of joining |
Selection Process
The selection process for CSIR ASO 2026 involves shortlisting based on UPSC CSE 2024 marks, a qualifying Computer Proficiency Test, document verification, and final merit list preparation without any separate written exam.
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Stage 1: Application Screening | Candidates shortlisted for CPT in 1:5 ratio based on UPSC CSE 2024 Mains + Personality Test marks |
| Stage 2: Computer Proficiency Test (CPT) | Qualifying test of 100 marks, 1 hour duration, covering MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint |
| Stage 3: Final Merit List | Prepared based on total UPSC CSE 2024 marks, subject to clearing the CPT minimum qualifying marks |
| Stage 4: Cadre Allocation | Allotted based on merit and candidate preference (General / Finance and Accounts / Stores and Purchase) |
| Stage 5: Document Verification | Original documents checked before final appointment |
Important Document
Candidates must keep the following documents ready before applying and at the time of document verification: UPSC CSE 2024 Roll Number and Admit Card, Mains and Personality Test mark sheets, Bachelor’s Degree certificate, Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS) if applicable, PwBD certificate (if applicable), Ex-Servicemen discharge certificate (if applicable), Date of Birth proof (10th certificate or birth certificate), recent passport-size photograph, signature on white paper, and a valid government-issued photo ID proof such as Aadhaar card or PAN card.
How to Apply:
Follow these steps carefully to complete your CSIR ASO 2026 online application without any mistakes:
- Visit the official CSIR website at www.csir.res.in or directly go to recruitment.csir.res.in and click on the “Apply Online” link for CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026.
- Register yourself using your UPSC CSE 2024 Roll Number, valid email ID, and mobile number. Your User ID and password will be sent to your registered email and mobile number.
- Log in using the received credentials and carefully fill in the Profile Page, including your gender, date of birth, category, PwBD status, Ex-Serviceman status, and CSIR employee status. Once you lock the profile, no changes can be made.
- Fill in all six tabs of the application form including Personal Details, Education, Experience, and Additional Details.
- Upload all required documents such as photograph (JPG, less than 50 KB), signature (JPG, less than 50 KB), all certificates (PDF, less than 1 MB each), and UPSC CSE 2024 mark sheets in a single PDF file.
- Preview the entire application form carefully before clicking the Submit button. You will receive an Application Number after successful submission.
- If you belong to a fee-paying category (UR, OBC, EWS), pay Rs 500 through SBI Collect using UPI, Debit Card, or Net Banking. Download your e-Receipt and upload it in the application portal before 5:00 PM on 13 July 2026.
- Take a printout of the final submitted application form and keep the payment receipt safely for future reference.
Note: All communications from CSIR, including CPT call letters and result updates, will be sent only through email. Make sure your email ID is active and check your spam and junk folders regularly. Government employees must submit a valid No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer at the time of document verification.
Important Links
Candidates should visit the official CSIR portal to download the notification PDF, register for the online application, and stay updated on the CPT exam date and merit list release.
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Official Notification PDF | Click Here |
| Official CSIR Website | Click Here |
| CSIR Career Opportunities Page | Click Here |
Conclusion:
CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026 is a rare and valuable opportunity for UPSC CSE 2024 non-recommended candidates to secure a Group B Central Government job with a strong salary and benefits. Apply online before 13 July 2026 to grab this chance.
Read More: RRB Section Controller Recruitment 2026: 119 Posts Open, Apply Online from July 15
FAQs: CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026
1. What is the last date to apply for CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026?
The last date to submit the online application for CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026 is 13 July 2026 at 5:00 PM. Candidates must also complete the fee payment by the same date and time.
2. Who is eligible to apply for CSIR ASO 2026?
Only candidates who appeared in the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2024 but were not finally recommended for any service and whose names appear on the UPSC Pratibha Setu Portal are eligible. They must also hold a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
3. How many vacancies are there in CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026?
CSIR has announced a total of 100 vacancies for the Assistant Section Officer post. These include 61 posts for the General cadre, 18 for Finance and Accounts, and 21 for Stores and Purchase.
4. What is the salary for CSIR ASO 2026?
Selected candidates will receive a basic pay starting from Rs 44,900 per month going up to Rs 1,42,400 at Pay Level 7 under the 7th Pay Commission, along with DA, HRA, Transport Allowance, and other Central Government benefits.
5. Is there a written exam for CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026?
No, there is no separate written examination. The selection is based on UPSC CSE 2024 marks (Mains + Personality Test) for shortlisting, followed by a qualifying Computer Proficiency Test (CPT) of 100 marks and 1 hour duration.
My name is Sourabh Verma, and for the past 6 years I have been writing about government jobs, competitive exams, results, and admit cards. At TheDailySight.com, my goal is to provide students and job seekers with accurate and timely information.