CSIR-SERC Chennai Calls 64 Civil & Mechanical Engineers for a Single-Day Walk-in Interview
The CSIR – Structural Engineering Research Centre (CSIR-SERC), Taramani, Chennai has invited walk-in applications for 64 project positions across the cadres of Project Associate-II, Project Associate-I and Project Assistant-II. These purely temporary positions are available under four research projects in the broad area of structural, mechanical and aerospace engineering. If you are a fresh BE/B.Tech, M.E./M.Tech or 3-year Diploma holder looking for serious R&D exposure with a respected CSIR lab, this single-day walk-in is a great launchpad — especially for Tamil Nadu engineering aspirants.
The interview is scheduled for 21 May 2026 at CSIR-SERC, CSIR Road, Taramani, Chennai – 600 113, with reporting from 09:00 AM (entry closes at 10:30 AM). The online application window is open from 08 May 2026 to 21 May 2026 (10:30 AM) through the SERC online recruitment portal. Stipends range from ₹20,000 to ₹35,000 per month + HRA depending on the post and GATE/CSIR-NET status. In this GovtJobsAlert.in guide we cover the full vacancy split, eligibility, stipend slabs, walk-in process and step-by-step application route.
Key Highlights — CSIR-SERC Project Associate Recruitment 2026
CSIR-SERC is one of the premier laboratories of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), specialising in structural engineering R&D — wind engineering, earthquake engineering, fatigue & fracture, structural health monitoring, and concrete technology. Through this notification, SERC is hiring 64 project staff to support four ongoing externally-funded projects.
- Recruiting Body: CSIR – Structural Engineering Research Centre (CSIR-SERC), Chennai
- Notification No.: SE-2/2026 (File No. A1(680)2026-Rct.)
- Total Vacancies: 64
- Posts: Project Associate-II (19) + Project Associate-I (27) + Project Assistant-II (18)
- Monthly Stipend: ₹20,000 to ₹35,000 + HRA (slab-wise)
- Educational Qualification: BE/B.Tech / M.E./M.Tech / M.S. / 3-year Diploma in relevant disciplines
- Maximum Age: 35 years (with relaxation for SC/ST/Women/OBC/PwBD)
- Selection Mode: Walk-in Interview at SERC, Chennai
- Application Fee: NIL
- Interview Date: 21 May 2026 (Reporting 09:00 AM, entry closes 10:30 AM)
- Online Application Window: 08 May 2026 to 21 May 2026 (10:30 AM)
- Tenure: Co-terminus with project (up to March 2027 / 2028, project-wise)
Vacancy Breakdown — CSIR-SERC Project Associate 2026
The 64 vacancies are split across three designations and four projects (MMP045201, SSP 444, FCP512401 and MLP002638). The dominant project is MLP002638 (CSIR-SERC ULIP — Engineering Sustainable Structures), which alone accounts for 58 of the 64 posts.
| Designation | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Project Associate-II | 19 |
| Project Associate-I | 27 |
| Project Assistant-II | 18 |
The project-wise distribution is broadly:
- MMP045201 — Smart Village: Wind loads for cyclone shelter design — 4 posts (3 PA-II + 1 PA-I), tenure up to March 2028.
- SSP 444 — Vibration Qualification of Mast Hoisting Gear (MHG) System using 30T Shake Table — 1 PA-I post, tenure up to January 2027.
- FCP512401 — Vibration Testing under Controlled Environment — 1 PA-II post, tenure up to March 2027 (extendable to 2029).
- MLP002638 — CSIR-SERC ULIP: Engineering Sustainable Structures (Materials, Mechanics & Monitoring) — 58 posts (15 PA-II + 25 PA-I + 18 PA-Asst-II), tenure up to March 2027/2028.
Reservation as such is not specified for project posts — these are project-funded temporary positions and are filled on merit through the walk-in interview.
Eligibility Criteria — CSIR-SERC Project Associate 2026
Educational Qualification
The qualification differs by designation. Please match yourself to the right slot before walking in. Check our broader engineering govt jobs, diploma govt jobs and post graduate govt jobs pages for similar opportunities.
- Project Associate-II: BE/B.Tech in Civil, Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering with 2 years of R&D experience in industrial / academic / S&T institutions, OR M.E./M.Tech/M.S. in Structural / Civil / Mechanical / Earthquake / Aerospace / Ocean Engineering / CAD / CAM / Applied Mechanics or equivalent.
- Project Associate-I: BE/B.Tech in Civil, Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering from a recognised University. Freshers are eligible.
- Project Assistant-II: 3-year Diploma in Civil, Mechanical, Architecture, Electronics, Electrical or Instrumentation Engineering & Technology or equivalent.
Desirable Qualifications
- Valid GATE Score or CSIR-UGC NET qualification (gives the higher stipend slab)
- Hands-on experience with structural analysis software — ANSYS, STAAD Pro, ABAQUS, OpenSEES, ETABS, SAP2000
- Programming experience in MATLAB, Python, C, C++
- Exposure to CAD / AutoCAD, finite element analysis, CFD, experimental techniques and concrete technology
Age Limit
- Maximum Age: 35 years as on 21 May 2026 (Date of Interview)
- Age Relaxation:
- SC / ST / Women / PwBD: 5 years
- OBC: 3 years
- Important: Candidates who have already completed 6 years cumulative tenure as Project Staff in any CSIR Lab/Institute (per CSIR letter dated 02.09.2024) are NOT ELIGIBLE.
What is the Salary / Stipend for CSIR-SERC Project Associate 2026?
CSIR follows the standard pay slab issued by the Department of Science & Technology for project staff. The slab depends on your designation and your GATE / CSIR-NET status. House Rent Allowance (HRA) is paid extra as per CSIR rules.
- Project Associate-II (with GATE / CSIR-UGC NET): ₹35,000 per month + HRA
- Project Associate-II (without GATE / NET): ₹28,000 per month + HRA
- Project Associate-I (with GATE): ₹31,000 per month + HRA
- Project Associate-I (without GATE): ₹25,000 per month + HRA
- Project Assistant-II: ₹20,000 per month + HRA
Important on Tenure: All these positions are purely temporary and co-terminus with the sanctioned project period. There is no claim for permanent absorption in CSIR-SERC. Project end dates vary — SSP 444 runs up to January 2027, FCP512401 and MLP002638 up to March 2027 (some extendable to March 2028 or 2029), and MMP045201 up to March 2028. Treat this as a serious R&D stint that strengthens your CV for higher studies, PSU or industry R&D roles.
What is the Selection Process for CSIR-SERC Project Associate 2026?
There is no written exam. Selection is through a single-day walk-in interview at the CSIR-SERC campus. If a very large number of candidates turn up, the Selection Committee may apply a shortlisting filter based on higher qualifications, experience or marks.
- Submit the online application/registration form at the SERC recruitment portal before 21 May 2026 (10:30 AM)
- Carry the duly signed printout along with all original certificates and self-attested photocopies
- Reach the venue — CSIR-SERC, CSIR Road, Taramani, Chennai – 600 113 — by 09:00 AM on 21 May 2026
- Document verification at the venue (no entry permitted after 10:30 AM)
- Personal Interview before the Selection Committee
- Selection list will be published on the official CSIR-SERC website
- No TA/DA is payable for attending the interview
How to Apply Online for CSIR-SERC Project Associate 2026?
The application is a two-step process — fill the online form first, then walk in for the interview with the printed application and all original documents.
- Visit the official application link https://forms.serc.res.in/view.php?id=163839
- Fill the online application/registration form with your personal, educational and project preference details
- Upload self-attested copies of educational qualification, experience certificates, age proof (DOB) and category certificates
- Submit the form before 21 May 2026 at 10:30 AM — applications submitted after this will not be considered
- Take a printout of the duly signed online application
- Walk in to CSIR-SERC, Taramani, Chennai on 21 May 2026 with the printed application + originals + Aadhaar + mark sheets + GATE Score card (if applicable) + experience certificates
- Do not send any hard copy by post or courier — only walk-in will be entertained
Important Dates — CSIR-SERC Project Associate 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | 08 May 2026 |
| Online Application Start | 08 May 2026 |
| Online Application Last Date | 21 May 2026 (10:30 AM) |
| Walk-in Interview Date | 21 May 2026 |
| Reporting Time | 09:00 AM (entry closes 10:30 AM) |
Application Fees — CSIR-SERC Project Associate 2026
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| All Categories | NIL |
There is no application fee for any candidate. CSIR project recruitments do not levy an application fee, and the SERC notification has not announced any fee either.
Essential Links — CSIR-SERC Project Associate Recruitment 2026
- Download Official Notification PDF
- Apply Online for CSIR-SERC Project Associate 2026
- Visit CSIR-SERC Official Website
- Join WhatsApp Channel for Government Jobs
- Join Telegram Channel for Government Jobs
- Join Telegram Channel for Tamil Nadu Government Jobs
If you are an early-career engineer or diploma holder who wants to work shoulder-to-shoulder with CSIR scientists on real-world structural and earthquake engineering projects, this is a strong opportunity — even though it is temporary in nature. Block your calendar for 21 May 2026, file your online form well in time, carry every original certificate, and stay tuned to GovtJobsAlert.in for the final selection list update.