ISRO NRSC Research Scientist, Project Associate and More Recruitment 2026 has opened applications for 48 positions across six job categories at the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), Hyderabad, with postings possible at Regional Remote Sensing Centres (RRSCs) in Delhi, Bengaluru, Nagpur, Kolkata, and Jodhpur. All positions are temporary, project-based, and extendable up to five years. Applications close on 21.08.2026 at 5:00 PM.
The recruitment spans Research Scientist (across six post codes), Project Associate-I and II, Project Scientist-B and I, and Junior Research Fellow roles, each with distinct eligibility requirements tied to specific NRSC research projects. Candidates must have passed their degrees before applying – those awaiting final results are not eligible. This is a screening-based selection with no written exam; shortlisted candidates proceed directly to interview.
Quick Overview – ISRO NRSC Recruitment
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), ISRO, Department of Space, Government of India |
| Post Name | Research Scientist, Project Associate-I, Project Associate-II, Project Scientist-B, Project Scientist-I, Junior Research Fellow (JRF) |
| Total Vacancies | 48 (provisional) |
| Advertisement No. | NRSC/RMT/1/2026, dated 01.08.2026 |
| Application Mode | Online only |
| Job Location | Hyderabad/Shadnagar (Rangareddy District); possible postings at RRSC Delhi, Bengaluru, Nagpur, Kolkata, Jodhpur; liable to posting anywhere in India under Department of Space/ISRO |
| Official Website | https://www.nrsc.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Registration Opens | 01.08.2026 (10:00 hrs) |
| Online Registration Closes | 21.08.2026 (17:00 hrs) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 21.08.2026 (17:00 hrs) |
| Eligibility Cut-off Date | 21.08.2026 |
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates with a postgraduate or bachelor’s degree in specified disciplines – Civil/Geoinformatics Engineering, Geology, Computer Science, Remote Sensing, Physics, Agriculture, or related fields – are eligible to apply. Age varies by position: JRF candidates must be 28 years (UR/EWS), while Project Associate and Project Scientist posts allow candidates up to 35 years (UR/EWS). All degrees must carry a minimum 60-65% aggregate or equivalent CGPA, be UGC/AICTE-recognised, and be completed within the prescribed timeline; distance-learning BTech/MTech degrees are not accepted.
Age Limit
| Position | UR/EWS | OBC | SC/ST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior Research Fellow (JRF) | 28 years | 31 years | 33 years |
| Research Scientist (M.Sc. based) | 28 years | 31 years | 33 years |
| Research Scientist (M.Tech based) | 30 years | 33 years | 35 years |
| Project Associate-I, Project Associate-II, Project Scientist-I, Project Scientist-B | 35 years | 38 years | 40 years |
Ex-Servicemen and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) are eligible for upper age relaxation as per Government of India orders.
Educational Qualification
| Degree Level | Minimum Marks/CGPA |
|---|---|
| M.E./M.Tech | 60% aggregate, or CGPA 6.5 on a 10-point scale |
| M.Sc./M.Sc Tech | 65% aggregate (average of all semesters), or CGPA 6.84 on a 10-point scale |
| B.E./B.Tech | 65% aggregate (average of all semesters), or CGPA 6.84 on a 10-point scale |
| B.Sc. | 60% marks, or CGPA 6.5 on a 10-point scale |
All degrees must be recognised by AICTE/UGC or an organisation authorised by the Government of India and completed within the stipulated duration prescribed by the university. Only candidates who have already passed out are eligible. Candidates who completed B.Tech/M.Tech through Open and Distance Learning (ODL) are not eligible. Marks must be entered to the nearest two decimal points without rounding; for dual/integrated programmes, specific calculation rules apply as detailed in the official notification.
For JRF post codes (JRF30 to JRF35), candidates must additionally hold a postgraduate degree obtained through CSIR-UGC NET (including lectureship/Assistant Professorship), GATE, or a national-level examination by central government departments such as DST, DBT, DAE, DOS, DRDO, MHRD, ICAR, ICMR, IIT, IISc, or IISER, with a valid score card in the relevant discipline.
Is This Recruitment Right for You?
- M.Tech/M.E. holders in Civil/Geoinformatics/Computer Science/Remote Sensing/Data Science can apply for Research Scientist, Project Scientist, and Project Associate-II roles.
- M.Sc. graduates with Physics, Geology, Agriculture, Remote Sensing, Geoinformatics, Oceanography, or Atmospheric Science can apply for Research Scientist, Project Scientist-B, and JRF positions.
- B.Tech/B.E. graduates in Computer Science, Civil, Geoinformatics, or related branches meet the baseline qualification for Project Associate-I and Project Scientist-B roles.
- JRF-eligible candidates must hold both a Master’s degree in a specified discipline and a qualifying score from CSIR-UGC NET, GATE, or equivalent national-level test.
- Age restrictions vary significantly – JRF posts cap at 28 (UR/EWS), while Project Associate and Scientist roles extend to 35 (UR/EWS).
- Project fit is critical: each of the 20 post codes is tied to a specific NRSC research project (glacial lake studies, GeoAI-based monitoring, climate science, agriculture remote sensing, etc.); review the full notification to confirm your discipline aligns with the project.
Vacancy Breakdown – ISRO NRSC Recruitment 2026
The recruitment spans 20 distinct post codes across six position categories. Vacancy numbers are provisional. Several posts under Research Scientist and Project Associate-II are earmarked for RRSC North, New Delhi, and a few JRF posts for RRSC-South, Bengaluru.
Research Scientist Vacancies
| Post Code | Number of Posts | Essential Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| RS20 | 3 | M.E./M.Tech in Civil Engineering (Water Resources/Hydrology/Irrigation Water Management) or equivalent, with B.E./B.Tech in Civil/Agriculture Engineering |
| RS21 | 5 | M.E./M.Tech in Remote Sensing & GIS/Geoinformatics/Spatial Information Technology or equivalent, with B.E./B.Tech in Civil Engineering |
| RS22 | 2 | M.Sc/M.Sc Tech/M.Tech in Geology/Applied Geology or equivalent, with B.Sc. in Geology (Physics/Mathematics compulsory) |
| RS23 | 2 (one earmarked for RRSC North, New Delhi) | M.E./M.Tech in Remote Sensing & GIS/Geoinformatics or equivalent, with B.E./B.Tech in any Engineering branch |
| RS24 | 1 | M.E./M.Tech in Computer Science & Engineering/Information Technology or equivalent, with B.E./B.Tech in the same discipline |
| RS25 | 1 | M.E./M.Tech in Data Science & Analytics/Computer Vision/Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning or equivalent, with B.E./B.Tech in any Engineering branch (satellite data analysis, remote sensing, GIS, Python/R/Google Earth Engine experience desirable) |
Project Associate & Project Scientist Vacancies
| Post Code | Position | Number of Posts | Essential Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
| PAI-06 | Project Associate-I | 3 | B.E./B.Tech in Computer Science & Engineering/IT or equivalent (Python/C#/C++/Java/R, web technologies, DBMS desirable) |
| PAII-02 | Project Associate-II | 1 (earmarked for RRSC-North, New Delhi) | B.E./B.Tech in Computer Science & Engineering/IT or equivalent, plus 2 years’ R&D experience in industrial/academic institutions or S&T organisations |
| PAII-03 | Project Associate-II | 1 (earmarked for RRSC-North, New Delhi) | B.E./B.Tech in Geoinformatics or equivalent, OR M.Sc. in Geoinformatics/Remote Sensing & GIS with B.Sc. Physics/Mathematics, plus 2 years’ R&D experience |
| PSB03 | Project Scientist-B | 1 | M.Sc./M.Sc Tech/M.Tech in Geology/Applied Geology or equivalent, with B.Sc. in Geology (Physics/Mathematics compulsory) |
| PSB04 | Project Scientist-B | 1 | M.Sc. in Remote Sensing & GIS/Geoinformatics/Geospatial Technology/Spatial Information Technology or equivalent (with Physics/Mathematics/Geology in B.Sc.), OR B.E./B.Tech in Geoinformatics |
| PSB05 | Project Scientist-B | 5 | B.E./B.Tech in Computer Science & Engineering/IT or equivalent (Python/JavaScript frameworks, SQL databases, Django/Flask desirable) |
| PSB06 | Project Scientist-B | 1 | M.Sc. in Remote Sensing/GIS/Geoinformatics/Geomatics/Geospatial Technology/Environmental Sciences/Agriculture (specified specialisations) or equivalent, with 4-year B.Sc. in Agriculture/Life Sciences/Physical Sciences |
| PSI-06 | Project Scientist-I | 2 | M.E./M.Tech in Computer Science & Engineering/IT or equivalent, with B.E./B.Tech in the same discipline (AI/ML, CI/CD tools, containerisation experience desirable) |
Junior Research Fellow Vacancies
| Post Code | Number of Posts | Essential Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| JRF30 | 9 | Master’s Degree in Physics/Atmospheric Science/Meteorology/Earth System Science/Climate Science/Geophysics/Remote Sensing & GIS/Geoinformatics or equivalent |
| JRF31 | 6 | Master’s Degree in Physics/Oceanography/Ocean Science/Marine Science/Earth System Science/Geophysics/Remote Sensing & GIS/Geoinformatics/Applied Geophysics or equivalent |
| JRF32 | 1 (earmarked for RRSC-South, Bengaluru) | M.Sc. in Agrometeorology or equivalent, with 4-year B.Sc. in Agriculture |
| JRF33 | 1 (earmarked for RRSC-South, Bengaluru) | M.E./M.Tech in Remote Sensing & GIS or equivalent with B.E./B.Tech in Computer Science & Engineering/Geoinformatics, OR M.Sc. in Agriculture (Agronomy/Agrometeorology/Crop Physiology/Agri-Physics) with 4-year Bachelor’s in Agriculture |
| JRF34 | 1 (earmarked for RRSC-South, Bengaluru) | M.Sc. in Agriculture/Horticulture or equivalent, with 4-year B.Sc. in Agriculture/Horticulture |
| JRF35 | 1 (earmarked for RRSC-South, Bengaluru) | B.E./B.Tech in Computer Science & Engineering/Data Science/Artificial Intelligence or equivalent, OR M.Sc. in Computer Science/Data Science or equivalent |
About the Research Scientist Role
Research Scientists at NRSC lead technical investigations into remote sensing applications – from glacial hazard assessment and climate modelling to geospatial AI and agricultural productivity analysis. The role is desk-based and project-based, typically located in Hyderabad or one of the RRSCs, with possible deployment anywhere in India under Department of Space direction. Research Scientists work directly with ISRO’s earth-observation satellite data, mentoring junior researchers and contributing to peer-reviewed publications. The position is temporary, extendable up to five years based on performance review and project continuation.
About the Project Associate Role
Project Associates function as technical specialists supporting research teams on defined satellite data analysis, software development, or geospatial information projects. Project Associate-I roles are entry-level, suited for recent engineering graduates with programming skills; Project Associate-II roles require two years of prior research or development experience. Day-to-day work involves data processing, coding in Python or related languages, database management, and documentation. The role is project-bound and temporary; continuation depends on project funding and individual performance.
About the Project Scientist Role
Project Scientists occupy a mid-career position between Associate and Research Scientist levels, leading sub-projects or research components within NRSC’s broader research agenda. Project Scientist-B roles suit candidates with a Master’s degree and emerging research capability; Project Scientist-I roles, at parity with Research Scientist pay, are for candidates with an M.Tech/M.E. and proven technical depth. Both are temporary, extendable up to five years, with periodic performance reviews determining continuation.
About the Junior Research Fellow Role
Junior Research Fellows are Master’s graduates pursuing research in earth sciences, remote sensing, geospatial technology, or agriculture under the mentorship of senior researchers. JRF roles require both a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline and a qualifying score from CSIR-UGC NET, GATE, or an equivalent national-level competitive examination. Successful JRFs are encouraged to register for a PhD with a recognised university on a research topic aligned with NRSC projects. After two years of satisfactory performance, JRFs may be elevated to Senior Research Fellow status with an increase in stipend.
Pay Scale and Benefits
| Position | Monthly Emoluments | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Research Scientist (RS20-RS25) | ₹56,100 + HRA + DA | DA and HRA as per Government of India norms; HRA paid only if accommodation is not provided at the posting location |
| Project Associate-I (PAI-06) | ₹31,000 + HRA | HRA as noted above |
| Project Associate-II (PAII-02, PAII-03) | ₹35,000 + HRA | HRA as noted above |
| Project Scientist-B (PSB03-PSB06) | ₹56,000 + HRA + 5% increment every two years (subject to performance review) | HRA as noted above |
| Project Scientist-I (PSI-06) | ₹56,000 + HRA | HRA as noted above |
| Junior Research Fellow (JRF30-JRF35) | ₹37,000 + HRA; possible increase to ₹42,000 as Senior Research Fellow after two years’ successful performance review | HRA as noted above |
Female candidates are eligible for maternity leave as per Government of India rules. All selected candidates are eligible for medical benefits for self as per NRSC/ISRO rules. Selected candidates will not receive other benefits or concessions admissible to regular employees. These provisions may change as per government policy.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee | Refundable |
|---|---|---|
| General/OBC/EWS | ₹250 | No – non-refundable |
| Women | ₹250 | Yes – refundable upon meeting eligibility criteria and appearing for interview |
| SC/ST | ₹250 | Yes – refundable upon meeting eligibility criteria and appearing for interview |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) | ₹250 | Yes – refundable upon meeting eligibility criteria and appearing for interview |
| Ex-Servicemen | ₹250 | Yes – refundable upon meeting eligibility criteria and appearing for interview |
Payment is online only through the Bharatkosh payment gateway; no cash, cheque, draft, money order, or IPO is accepted. The last date for fee payment is 21.08.2026 (17:00 hrs) – the same as the application closing date, with no extension. Refunds are made only to the bank account details submitted in the application. NRSC is not responsible for failed refunds due to incorrect bank details, and no refund is made if a candidate does not appear for the interview. Service charges levied by the payment platform are borne by the applicant.
Selection Process
Screening and Interview: NRSC screens all applications and may fix additional shortlisting criteria at its discretion. Meeting the minimum qualification does not guarantee an interview call. Shortlisted candidates are called before a Selection Committee; only shortlisted candidates are contacted by email.
The shortlist of selected candidates is published on the NRSC website. Documents uploaded during application are verified at the time of interview; admission to the interview does not guarantee final selection.
Tenure of Positions
All positions are purely temporary, for an initial period of one year subject to project validity, extendable further based on performance in periodic review or co-terminus with the project – up to a maximum of five years for JRF and Research Scientist posts. Positions approved for one specific project cannot be transferred or adjusted against any other project. Selected candidates have no claim or right to regular appointment in NRSC, ISRO, or the Department of Space. NRSC reserves the right to terminate services at any time without notice or reason.
Important Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Apply Now |
| Download Notification | Download PDF |
| Candidate Login/Portal | Candidate Login |
| Official Website | Visit Website |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can final-year postgraduate students apply for Research Scientist or Project Scientist roles?
Ans. No. NRSC explicitly requires that only candidates who have already passed out are eligible. Candidates awaiting final results should not apply. If you are currently in your final semester, wait until you have officially completed and received your degree certificate before applying.
Q2. I hold a B.Tech in Computer Science from an Open and Distance Learning (ODL) program. Am I eligible?
Ans. No. The notification specifically states that candidates who completed B.Tech/M.Tech through Open and Distance Learning (ODL) are not eligible, regardless of the marks obtained or the duration of the programme.
Q3. What happens if I don’t appear for the interview after being shortlisted?
Ans. If you are shortlisted and called for interview but do not appear, you forfeit your candidacy. Additionally, if you belong to a category eligible for fee refund (Women, SC/ST, PwBD, Ex-Servicemen), you will not receive the refund, as the refund is conditional on appearing for the interview.
Q4. Can I apply for two different post codes (e.g., RS20 and RS21) in a single application?
Ans. No. Each post code is a separate position tied to a specific research project. You must submit a separate online application for each post code you wish to apply for. Ensure you pay the ₹250 fee for each application.
Q5. I have a GATE score but no postgraduate degree yet. Can I apply for a JRF post?
Ans. No. JRF post codes require both a Master’s degree in a specified discipline and a valid GATE/NET score or equivalent. A GATE score alone, without the Master’s qualification, does not make you eligible.
Q6. My postgraduate degree is from a foreign university. Do I need any additional certificate?
Ans. Yes. Candidates with degrees from foreign universities must produce an equivalence certificate from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), New Delhi, before or at the time of interview. Without this certificate, your qualification will not be recognized.
Q7. What is the post code-to-project mapping? How do I know which post code aligns with my research interests?
Ans. Each of the 20 post codes is mapped to a specific NRSC research project (for example, glacial lake and GLOF hazard studies, ground station automation, GeoAI-based encroachment monitoring, NICES climate and ocean-related studies, horticulture/agriculture remote sensing). The full list is provided in the official notification PDF. Download the notification and review the post code-project mapping table to identify which project aligns with your expertise and interests.
Q8. If my application is screened out, can I request a reason or resubmit?
Ans. NRSC reserves the right to screen applications and fix additional shortlisting criteria as necessary. If you are not shortlisted, you will not receive a detailed reason. You cannot resubmit the same application. However, if you are ineligible now (e.g., you are awaiting results), you may apply in a future recruitment cycle once you meet all eligibility criteria.
