CSIR NPL Recruitment 2026 for Project Associate-I, Project Associate-II, Project Assistant & Other Posts: Walk-in Interview Guide
The CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL), New Delhi has announced a walk-in interview for 41 positions spread over 36 separate post codes under its externally funded projects. The posts include Project Associate-I, Project Associate-II, Project Assistant-I and II, JRF, SRF, Project Scientist-I and more. Monthly pay runs from ₹18,000 to ₹58,000 + HRA, depending on the post. If you hold a science or engineering degree, this is a real chance to work at India’s national metrology laboratory.
There is no online form and no application deadline. You simply turn up on the day for your post code: 21 October 2026 for codes 1.0 to 17.0 and 22 October 2026 for codes 18.0 to 36.0, between 9:00 and 10:00 AM. All posts are purely temporary and contractual. Read this guide fully, then check your post code in the tables below. Follow GovtJobsAlert.in for more such central government jobs.
CSIR NPL Recruitment 2026 Key Highlights
CSIR-NPL is a constituent laboratory of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. These posts are not regular government jobs. Each one belongs to a specific sponsored project with a fixed end date, so the engagement lasts only as long as the project and its funds do. The pay for every post code is stated in the notification.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | CSIR-National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi |
| Advertisement No. | Rectt./04/2026 |
| Total Positions | 41 |
| Post Codes | 36 separate codes |
| Nature of Job | Purely temporary and contractual, project based |
| Pay | ₹18,000 to ₹58,000 + HRA per month |
| Walk-in Dates | 21 October 2026 and 22 October 2026 |
| Reporting Time | 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM |
| Venue | Auditorium of the laboratory, Dr. K. S. Krishnan Marg, New Delhi |
What is the Vacancy and Salary for CSIR NPL Recruitment 2026 on Day 1 (Post Codes 1.0 to 17.0)?
The 21 October walk-in covers 21 positions. Where two pay figures are shown, the higher one is for candidates with NET or GATE (see the pay note below).
| Post Code and Post | Positions | Monthly Pay |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 Project Associate-II | 1 | ₹28,000 + HRA |
| 2.0 Project Assistant-II | 1 | ₹20,000 + HRA |
| 3.0 Project Assistant-II | 2 | ₹20,000 + HRA |
| 4.0 Senior Research Fellow (SRF) | 1 | ₹42,000 + HRA |
| 5.0 Research Associate-I | 1 | ₹58,000 + HRA |
| 6.0 Project Assistant-II | 1 | ₹20,000 + HRA |
| 7.0 Junior Research Fellow (JRF) | 2 | ₹37,000 + HRA |
| 8.0 Project Research Scientist-I (Non-Medical) | 1 | ₹56,000 + HRA |
| 9.0 Project Technical Support-I | 2 | ₹18,000 + HRA |
| 10.0 Project Associate-I | 2 | ₹31,000 or ₹25,000 + HRA |
| 11.0 Project Associate-II | 1 | ₹28,000 + HRA |
| 12.0 Project Associate-I | 1 | ₹25,000 + HRA |
| 13.0 Project Associate-II | 1 | ₹28,000 + HRA |
| 14.0 Project Assistant-I | 1 | ₹18,000 + HRA |
| 15.0 Senior PAT | 1 | ₹42,000 + HRA |
| 16.0 Senior Research Fellow (SRF) | 1 | ₹42,000 + HRA |
| 17.0 Project Associate-II | 1 | ₹35,000 or ₹28,000 + HRA |
What is the Vacancy and Salary for CSIR NPL Recruitment 2026 on Day 2 (Post Codes 18.0 to 36.0)?
The 22 October walk-in covers 20 positions.
| Post Code and Post | Positions | Monthly Pay |
|---|---|---|
| 18.0 Project Associate-I | 1 | ₹31,000 or ₹25,000 + HRA |
| 19.0 Project Associate-I | 1 | ₹37,000 or ₹30,000 + HRA |
| 20.0 Project Scientist-I | 1 | ₹56,000 + HRA |
| 21.0 Project Associate-I | 1 | ₹31,000 or ₹25,000 + HRA |
| 22.0 Project Associate-I | 1 | ₹25,000 + HRA |
| 23.0 Project Scientist-I | 1 | ₹56,000 + HRA |
| 24.0 Project Associate-I | 1 | ₹31,000 or ₹25,000 + HRA |
| 25.0 Project Associate-I | 1 | ₹25,000 + HRA |
| 26.0 Senior PAT | 1 | ₹42,000 + HRA |
| 27.0 Project Associate-I | 1 | ₹31,000 or ₹25,000 + HRA |
| 28.0 Junior Research Fellow (JRF) | 2 | ₹37,000 + HRA |
| 29.0 Project Associate-I | 1 | ₹31,000 or ₹25,000 + HRA |
| 30.0 Senior PAT | 1 | ₹42,000 + HRA |
| 31.0 Project Associate-I | 1 | ₹31,000 or ₹25,000 + HRA |
| 32.0 Project Associate-I | 1 | ₹37,000 or ₹30,000 + HRA |
| 33.0 Project Associate-I | 1 | ₹37,000 or ₹30,000 + HRA |
| 34.0 Project Associate-I | 1 | ₹25,000 + HRA |
| 35.0 Project Associate-I | 1 | ₹31,000 or ₹25,000 + HRA |
| 36.0 Project Associate-II | 1 | ₹35,000 or ₹28,000 + HRA |
Notice how many post codes carry just one seat. You may apply for at most two post codes, so choose the ones that match your degree, experience and age most closely. The notification gives no grand total and no category-wise reservation split. The total of 41 is the sum of the positions in the rows above.
Who Gets Higher Salary in CSIR NPL Recruitment 2026? NET and GATE Stipend Rules
The pay depends on your post and, for many Project Associate posts, on whether you hold NET or GATE. Check the table below before you decide which code to go for. There is no increment component, and the consolidated amount may be called a “Stipend”. Maternity leave of 180 days and paternity leave of 15 days (only for two surviving children) apply as per CSIR norms.
| Post Codes | Higher pay is for |
|---|---|
| 10.0, 17.0, 18.0, 24.0, 27.0, 29.0, 31.0, 35.0, 36.0 | Candidates who have qualified CSIR-UGC, ICAR or ICMR NET (including lectureship or assistant professorship) or GATE, or a national-level exam of a central government department like DBT or DST (or equivalent, or their agencies). Others get the lower figure. |
| 19.0, 21.0, 32.0, 33.0 | Scholars selected through NET or GATE, or through a selection process of a national-level exam conducted by central government departments, agencies and institutions. Others get the lower figure. |
What is the Eligibility for CSIR NPL Recruitment 2026?
Read only the row for your own post code, because the qualification and experience differ a lot from one code to the next. Many rows also list a desirable skill. That is a preference, not a bar. You must be a citizen of India. The essential qualification must be completed with the result declared. Result awaited, final semester appeared or appearing, and Ph.D submitted candidates are not eligible for any post. Any experience asked for must be after the qualification. If your degree shows CGPA or GPA, convert it to a percentage with your university’s formula and carry a copy of that formula. For more options, see post graduate government jobs and engineering government jobs.
Educational Qualification: Day 1 (21 October)
| Post Code and Post | Essential Qualification and Experience |
|---|---|
| 1.0 Project Associate-II | M.Sc. in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry or Organic Chemistry, plus 2 years’ experience in phytochemical analysis, extraction and isolation of natural products, HPLC, GC-MS, LC-MS, method development and laboratory documentation in R&D laboratories |
| 2.0 Project Assistant-II | B.Sc. (PCM) or 3-year Diploma in Chemical Engineering or Technology. Desirable: good knowledge of chemistry and physics |
| 3.0 Project Assistant-II | B.Sc. in Chemistry or 3-year Diploma in Chemical Engineering or Technology. Desirable: knowledge of metrology, product or process development |
| 4.0 SRF | M.Sc. Chemistry or B.Tech Chemical Engineering, with NET or GATE (or the national-level exams noted in the pay table), plus 2 years’ research experience. Desirable: experience in cement and building materials. Work is on deputation at NCBBM, Ballabhgarh |
| 5.0 Research Associate-I | Ph.D. awarded in Chemistry. Desirable: experience in cement and building materials and cement testing |
| 6.0 Project Assistant-II | B.Sc. in Chemistry or 3-year Diploma in Chemical Engineering. Desirable: laboratory experience or M.Sc. in Chemistry |
| 7.0 JRF | M.Sc. in Environmental Science, with NET or GATE (or the national-level exams noted in the pay table). Desirable: experience in air pollution measurement |
| 8.0 Project Research Scientist-I (Non-Medical) | Post-graduate degree, including integrated PG, in environmental science or atmospheric science. Desirable: air quality monitoring, aerosol characterisation and instrumentation, or a Ph.D. in Atmospheric Sciences |
| 9.0 Project Technical Support-I | 3-year graduate degree in environmental science, physics, chemistry or biology, plus 1 year’s relevant experience after the graduate degree. Desirable: experience in air quality monitoring, or a post-graduate degree in these subjects |
| 10.0 Project Associate-I | Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Technology (Electronics, Instrumentation, Biotechnology or Biomedical). Preference to GATE-qualified candidates or those with biomedical experience |
| 11.0 Project Associate-II | B.Tech in Electronics or ECE, plus 2 years’ R&D experience in an industrial or academic institution or scientific organisation. Desirable: metrology or automation experience |
| 12.0 Project Associate-I | BE or B.Tech in Electronics or Electrical. Desirable: design and development experience, or M.Tech |
| 13.0 Project Associate-II | B.Tech or BE (Mechanical), plus 2 years’ R&D experience. Desirable: metrology experience |
| 14.0 Project Assistant-I | SSC with PCM, or 10th plus ITI (Electrical) |
| 15.0 Senior PAT | BE or B.Tech in Computer Science or IT, plus 3 years’ R&D experience in academic institutions or science and technology organisations. Desirable: teaching or school outreach experience |
| 16.0 SRF | M.Tech in CSE, IT, ECE or EE, or B.Tech in CSE or IT, or MCA, with NET or GATE (or the national-level exams noted in the pay table), plus 2 years’ research experience. Desirable: image processing, ML and Python |
| 17.0 Project Associate-II | BE or B.Tech in Computer Science or IT, or Master’s in Computer Science or IT, plus 2 years’ R&D experience. Desirable: web development using PHP Laravel |
Educational Qualification: Day 2 (22 October)
| Post Code and Post | Essential Qualification and Experience |
|---|---|
| 18.0 Project Associate-I | M.Sc. Physics |
| 19.0 Project Associate-I | M.Sc. Physics or Electronics. Desirable: electrochemical sensors and circuit design |
| 20.0 Project Scientist-I | Ph.D. in Physics or Electronics from a recognised university. Desirable: electronic and ultrasonic device development |
| 21.0 Project Associate-I | M.Sc. Physics or Electronics from a recognised university. Desirable: electronic device and circuit design, ultrasonics |
| 22.0 Project Associate-I | M.Sc. Physics or Electronics. Desirable: working experience with optics and lasers |
| 23.0 Project Scientist-I | Doctoral degree in Physics, plus 4 years’ R&D experience in industrial and academic institutions or science and technology organisations |
| 24.0 Project Associate-I | M.Sc. (Physics or Electronics). Desirable: electrical measurement, automation and circuit simulation |
| 25.0 Project Associate-I | M.Sc. Physics or Material Science. Desirable: electrochemistry, HPLC, NMR |
| 26.0 Senior PAT | Master’s or integrated Master’s in Physics or a related branch, plus 3 years’ R&D experience in academic institutions or science and technology organisations |
| 27.0 Project Associate-I | Master’s or integrated Master’s in Physics or a related branch. Desirable: teaching or school outreach experience |
| 28.0 JRF | M.Sc. in Physics, with NET or GATE (or the national-level exams noted in the pay table). Desirable: experience in air pollution monitoring |
| 29.0 Project Associate-I | Master’s or integrated Master’s in Physics, or B.Tech in Nanotechnology. Desirable: nanofabrication (FIB or EBL) and cryogenic measurements |
| 30.0 Senior PAT | Ph.D. (Doctoral) in Physics, Optics, Nanotechnology or Material Science, or equivalent, from a recognised university. Desirable: nanofabrication and low-temperature measurements |
| 31.0 Project Associate-I | Master’s or integrated Master’s in Physics, or B.Tech in Nanotechnology. Desirable: nanofabrication and microscopy |
| 32.0 Project Associate-I | M.Sc. Physics, Electronics or Material Science. Desirable: thin film deposition by PLD |
| 33.0 Project Associate-I | M.Sc. Physics, Electronics or Material Science. Desirable: thin film deposition and low-temperature measurement |
| 34.0 Project Associate-I | Master’s or integrated Master’s in Physics or Applied Physics. Desirable: optical measurements and instrumentation |
| 35.0 Project Associate-I | M.Sc. Physics, Electronics or Instrumentation, or B.Tech in Electrical, Electronics or Instrumentation. Desirable: experience in solar photovoltaics |
| 36.0 Project Associate-II | M.Sc. in Physics, Applied Physics or Electronics, or B.Tech in Electronics, plus 2 years’ R&D experience; or M.Tech or M.E. in Photonics, Laser, Optics, Electronics or ECE. Desirable: terahertz, ultrafast or laser experience |
Age Limit
Age is counted on your walk-in date: 21 October 2026 for codes 1.0 to 17.0 and 22 October 2026 for codes 18.0 to 36.0. No minimum age is stated.
| Maximum Age | Post Codes |
|---|---|
| 28 years | 7.0, 9.0, 28.0 |
| 32 years | 4.0, 16.0 |
| 35 years | 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 5.0, 6.0, 8.0, 10.0, 11.0, 12.0, 13.0, 14.0, 17.0, 18.0, 20.0, 21.0, 22.0, 23.0, 24.0, 25.0, 27.0, 29.0, 31.0, 34.0, 35.0, 36.0 |
| 40 years | 15.0, 26.0, 30.0 |
| 50 years | 19.0, 32.0, 33.0 |
🎂 Not sure if you meet the age criteria? Use our free Age Calculator for Government Exams to find your exact age on the cut-off date and instantly check your eligibility — including any age relaxation you qualify for. →
For SC, ST, OBC, PwBD and women candidates, the notification says age relaxation for project staff is as per Government of India rules. It does not state the number of years, so carry your category certificate and confirm the relaxation at the venue.
What is the Selection Process for CSIR NPL Recruitment 2026?
The notification names only one selection method. Selection is through a Floating (Walk-in) Interview. If a large number of candidates arrive, a screening committee may shortlist them on academic qualification and/or experience, using its own criteria. You may answer in Hindi during the interview. The notification describes no written test. The Director also reserves the right to cancel recruitment for any or all positions and to reject any application without giving a reason.
How to Apply for CSIR NPL Walk-in Interview 2026?
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Download the application form from the official CSIR-NPL website (link in Essential Links below). The notification itself carries no form or web address |
| 2 | Fill it in completely, with marks from the secondary examination onwards. Use a separate form for each post code; you may apply for a maximum of two posts |
| 3 | Reach the auditorium on your day between 9:00 and 10:00 AM with the form and the documents |
| 4 | Carry the latest passport-size colour photograph and original plus self-attested copies of all certificates and mark sheets from secondary onwards |
| 5 | Register at the venue; the interview follows |
Keep the originals together and the photocopies self-attested before you leave home, because the registration desk decides who goes forward. Also carry experience certificates and your NET or GATE proof where your post needs it. SC, ST, OBC and PwBD candidates must bring their category certificates. OBC candidates need a Non-Creamy Layer certificate issued before the interview date, showing the previous year’s family income from all sources. No TA is paid for attending the interview.
What are the Important Dates for CSIR NPL Walk-in Interview 2026?
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification issue date | Not printed in the notification |
| Walk-in interview, post codes 1.0 to 17.0 | 21 October 2026 |
| Walk-in interview, post codes 18.0 to 36.0 | 22 October 2026 |
| Reporting time on both days | 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM |
Is There Any Application Fee for CSIR NPL Recruitment 2026?
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| All candidates | The notification mentions no application fee |
Conditions That Can Cost You the Post
| Condition | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Late arrival | Candidates will not be entertained after 10:00 AM under any circumstance |
| Missing original documents | If you fail to produce any of the documents or testimonials mentioned in the notification in original at the time of registration, you shall not be allowed to register for the further process |
| Result awaited | Final semester or Ph.D. submitted candidates are not eligible for any post |
| Six-year limit | Anyone who has worked as CSIR project staff for 6 years or more is not eligible; others’ tenure ends on completing 6 years in total |
| Current project staff | Candidates continuing in CSIR or CSIR-NPL projects are considered only on submitting a No Objection Certificate from their current PI |
| New project joining | Appointment under a new project only after No Demand and No Dues Certificates and resignation from the previous project |
| Wrong information | Incomplete or wrong information can lead to rejection at any stage; false information means cancelled candidature and a ban from future interviews |
| Not meeting qualifications | Applying without the essential qualification counts as misleading information, and candidature may be rejected even after selection |
| Canvassing | Canvassing or bringing influence in any form is a disqualification |
| Fund dependent | A position code will be cancelled if funds are not available in the advertised project, and all positions are provisional until funds are confirmed |
| No right to regular job | The engagement gives no claim to regular appointment, and total project engagement cannot exceed 6 years |
| Employed candidates | A relieving letter is required at joining if you are currently employed |
| Notice | CSIR-NPL can end the engagement at any time, without giving reasons, by one month’s notice. If you leave, you must give one month’s notice or pay one month’s stipend in lieu |
Offers are for 6 months or 1 year, extendable on the Principal Investigator’s recommendation but never beyond the project tenure. Ph.D. registration may be allowed if the project runs for at least 3 years, but the tenure shall not be extended merely because the Ph.D. is not completed.
CSIR NPL Recruitment 2026 Essential Links
- Download Official Notification PDF
- Visit CSIR NPL Official Website
- Join WhatsApp Channel for Government Jobs
- Join Telegram Channel for Government Jobs
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This walk-in is a good chance for M.Sc., B.Tech and Ph.D. holders, and also for B.Sc., diploma and ITI candidates, who can aim at the Project Assistant posts. Do not leave this for the last moment. Check your post code, match your qualification and age to the tables, and keep your original documents in one folder. Reach the venue before 10:00 AM on 21 or 22 October 2026, because latecomers are not entertained. Keep visiting GovtJobsAlert.in for the latest Delhi government jobs and walk-in updates.