CSIR-TKDL Senior Project Associate & Project Associate-I Jobs 2026: 50 Vacancies, Eligibility and Test Dates
The CSIR-Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (CSIR-TKDL) Unit has announced 50 vacancies under Advertisement No. TKDL/08/2026 — 10 Senior Project Associate and 40 Project Associate-I posts. These are contract project jobs in Delhi, Jammu, Chennai, Hyderabad, Leh, Srinagar and Palampur. If you studied Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa, IT, chemistry, biology, Sanskrit or Yoga, there is a post for you here. Pay goes up to ₹42,000 + HRA a month. No post here needs a PhD; see more central government jobs in research bodies.
The online form closes on 12 October 2026 at 5:00 PM, and the written tests start just two days later, on 14 October 2026. So you need to apply and plan your travel at the same time. This article covers every post code, the qualification for each, salary, test dates and venues, and the rules that can cancel your candidature. Read it fully before you fill the form. GovtJobsAlert.in has checked every detail against the official advertisement.
What are the Key Highlights of CSIR TKDL Recruitment 2026?
CSIR-TKDL protects India’s traditional knowledge, including the Indian Systems of Medicine, by turning ancient texts into structured, modern-language records. It works under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). These posts are for the project “Information systems of traditional knowledge for protection and promotion” (TKDL-TK, MLP002639).
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | CSIR-TKDL Unit, New Delhi |
| Advertisement No. | TKDL/08/2026 |
| Posts | Senior Project Associate, Project Associate-I |
| Total Vacancies | 50 (10 + 40) |
| Monthly Pay | ₹25,000 to ₹42,000 + HRA |
| Job Type | Temporary, contract basis, co-terminus with the project |
| Job Locations | Delhi, Jammu, Chennai, Hyderabad, Leh, Srinagar, Palampur |
| Application Mode | Online only |
| Last Date | 12 October 2026, 5:00 PM |
How Many Vacancies are in CSIR TKDL Recruitment 2026? Post Code-wise Details
Each post code is a separate position at one location. Check your code carefully, because you must apply separately for each one.
| Post (Code) | Location | Positions |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Project Associate – IT (TKD3901) | Delhi | 1 |
| Project Associate-I – IT (TKJ3901) | Jammu | 1 |
| Project Associate-I – IT-Data Science (TKC3901) | Chennai | 1 |
| Project Associate-I – IT-Data Science (TKH3901) | Hyderabad | 1 |
| Project Associate-I – IT (TKL3901) | Leh | 1 |
| Project Associate-I – IT (TKS3901) | Srinagar | 1 |
| Project Associate-I – IT (TKP3901) | Palampur | 1 |
| Senior Project Associate – Ayurveda (TKD3902) | Delhi | 2 |
| Project Associate-I – Ayurveda (TKD3903) | Delhi | 2 |
| Project Associate-I – Ayurveda (TKJ3902) | Jammu | 3 |
| Project Associate-I – Unani (TKH3902) | Hyderabad | 4 |
| Project Associate-I – Unani (TKS3902) | Srinagar | 3 |
| Senior Project Associate – Sowa Rigpa (TKL3902) | Leh | 1 |
| Project Associate-I – Sowa Rigpa (TKL3903) | Leh | 2 |
| Project Associate-I – Sowa Rigpa (TKP3902) | Palampur | 3 |
| Senior Project Associate – Siddha (TKC3902) | Chennai | 3 |
| Project Associate-I – Siddha (TKC3903) | Chennai | 8 |
| Senior Project Associate – Patent (TKD3904) | Delhi | 1 |
| Project Associate-I – Patent (TKD3905) | Delhi | 3 |
| Senior Project Associate – Patent (TKH3903) | Hyderabad | 1 |
| Project Associate-I – Patent (TKH3904) | Hyderabad | 4 |
| Senior Project Associate – Sanskrit (TKD3906) | Delhi | 1 |
| Project Associate-I – Yoga (TKD3907) | Delhi | 2 |
| Total | — | 50 |
Look at the numbers before you pick. Siddha has the most seats (11, all in Chennai), followed by Patent (9) and Ayurveda and Unani (7 each). Every IT code has just one seat. But codes of one discipline in different cities test on the same day, so you can sit only one.
The notification does not publish a category-wise split of these positions. It also says a waiting panel will be made to fill future vacancies, valid for one year, and the posting location may change as per project needs.
What is the Eligibility for CSIR TKDL Senior Project Associate & Project Associate-I 2026?
Educational Qualification and Experience
| Post Code(s) | Requirement |
|---|---|
| TKD3901 (Senior, IT) | B.E./B.Tech in Computer Science or Information Technology from a recognised university or equivalent, or Masters in Computer Applications (MCA), with 3 years’ R&D experience; OR M.E./M.Tech in Computer Science or Information Technology with 2 years’ R&D experience. Experience must be in the Java stack (core/advanced Java, J2EE, Spring, Hibernate, SQL, Postgres) or in managing multiple relational databases including migration |
| TKC3901, TKH3901 (IT-Data Science) | B.E./B.Tech in Computer Science, IT, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science or Electronics, or MCA |
| TKJ3901, TKL3901, TKS3901, TKP3901 (IT) | B.E./B.Tech in Computer Science or Information Technology from a recognised university or equivalent, or Masters in Computer Applications (MCA) |
| TKD3902 (Senior, Ayurveda) | BAMS with 3 years’ R&D experience; OR MD (Ayurveda) with 2 years’ R&D experience |
| TKD3903, TKJ3902 (Ayurveda) | BAMS |
| TKH3902, TKS3902 (Unani) | BUMS |
| TKL3902 (Senior, Sowa Rigpa) | Bachelor’s in Sowa Rigpa medicine with 3 years’ R&D experience; OR MD (Sowa Rigpa) with 2 years’ R&D experience |
| TKL3903, TKP3902 (Sowa Rigpa) | Bachelor’s degree in Sowa Rigpa medicine |
| TKC3902 (Senior, Siddha) | BSMS with 3 years’ R&D experience; OR MD (Siddha) with 2 years’ R&D experience |
| TKC3903 (Siddha) | BSMS |
| TKD3904, TKH3903 (Senior, Patent) | Master’s in Chemical or Biological Sciences, Bioinformatics or Cheminformatics with 3 years’ R&D experience; OR Doctoral degree in Chemical or Biological Science with 2 years’ R&D experience |
| TKD3905, TKH3904 (Patent) | Master’s in Chemical or Biological Sciences, Bioinformatics or Cheminformatics |
| TKD3906 (Senior, Sanskrit) | Master’s in Sanskrit with 3 years’ R&D experience; OR Doctoral degree in Sanskrit with 2 years’ R&D experience |
| TKD3907 (Yoga) | Master’s Degree in Yoga |
Every degree must be from a recognised university or equivalent. The R&D experience must be in industrial and academic institutions or S&T organisations and scientific activities and services. IT applicants can browse more computer and IT government jobs, and AYUSH graduates can see other medical and healthcare vacancies.
| Preferred / Desirable | For |
|---|---|
| Java, Python, SQL, machine learning, data analysis | TKC3901, TKH3901 |
| Java frameworks and databases, or RHEL server administration | TKJ3901, TKL3901, TKS3901, TKP3901 |
| Sanskrit or Malayalam | TKD3902 |
| Arabic and/or Persian | TKH3902, TKS3902 |
| Patent analytics or informatics, PG Diploma in IPR, good English | Patent posts |
| Traditional medical texts and medical terms | TKD3906 |
The difference between the two levels is simple. Project Associate-I needs only the degree, so freshers can apply. Senior Project Associate needs the degree plus 3 years’ R&D experience, or a higher degree (M.E./M.Tech, MD or PhD, depending on the post) plus 2 years’ R&D experience. Count your experience honestly, and keep a proper experience certificate for it.
Desirable skills are not compulsory, but they can help you. The notification also prefers candidates who know the relevant languages and have working knowledge of computers.
Age Limit
| Post | Maximum Age |
|---|---|
| Senior Project Associate | 40 years |
| Project Associate-I | 35 years |
🎂 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. →
Age relaxation for SC, ST, OBC, PwD and women applies as per CSIR / Government of India rules. All essential criteria must be met as on 12 October 2026.
What is the Salary for CSIR TKDL Senior Project Associate & Project Associate-I 2026?
| Post | Monthly Emoluments |
|---|---|
| Senior Project Associate | ₹42,000 + HRA |
| Project Associate-I (CSIR-UGC NET incl. lectureship, or GATE, or selected through a national-level exam by a Central Government department or its agencies and institutions) | ₹31,000 + HRA |
| Project Associate-I (all others) | ₹25,000 + HRA |
For Project Associate-I, a NET / GATE qualification, or selection through a national-level exam of a Central Government department, adds ₹6,000 every month, so keep that certificate ready. HRA is paid on top of these amounts, but the notification does not state the HRA rate. The engagement runs initially up to 31 March 2027 and can go on until 31 March 2031 at most, subject to a yearly review.
What is the Selection Process and Written Test Date for CSIR TKDL Recruitment 2026?
| Stage | Detail |
|---|---|
| Written Test | At your post’s location, on the date and time in the schedule below |
| Written Test Result | Declared on the same day |
| Interview | For shortlisted candidates, in hybrid mode (offline and online), on the test day or another day; in person if the Committee wants |
| Post Code(s) | Test Date | Reporting Time |
|---|---|---|
| TKD3901, TKC3901 | 14 October 2026 | 9:00 AM |
| TKJ3901, TKH3901, TKS3901, TKP3901 | 14 October 2026 | 9:30 AM |
| TKL3901 | 14 October 2026 | 10:00 AM |
| TKL3902, TKL3903 | 15 October 2026 | 10:00 AM |
| TKP3902 | 15 October 2026 | 9:30 AM |
| TKH3902, TKS3902 | 16 October 2026 | 9:30 AM |
| TKD3902, TKD3903 | 22 October 2026 | 9:00 AM |
| TKJ3902 | 22 October 2026 | 9:30 AM |
| TKD3904, TKD3905 | 23 October 2026 | 9:00 AM |
| TKH3903, TKH3904 | 23 October 2026 | 9:30 AM |
| TKC3902, TKC3903 | 26 October 2026 | 9:00 AM |
| TKD3906, TKD3907 | 30 October 2026 | 9:00 AM |
| Location | Test Venue |
|---|---|
| Delhi | CSIR-TKDL Unit, 14 Satsang Vihar Marg, Spl. Institutional Area, New Delhi – 110067 |
| Hyderabad | CSIR-IICT, Uppal Road, Tarnaka, Hyderabad – 500007 |
| Chennai | CSIR-CLRI, Sardar Patel Road, Adyar, Chennai – 600020 |
| Jammu | CSIR-IIIM, Canal Road, Jammu – 180001 |
| Srinagar | CSIR-IIIM Branch Laboratory, Sanat Nagar, Srinagar – 190005 |
| Leh | National Institute for Sowa Rigpa, Skalzangling, Near Head Post Office, Leh – 194101, Ladakh |
| Palampur | CSIR-IHBT, Palampur – 176061 (H.P.) |
Notice how close the dates are. The IT tests are on 14 October, only two days after the form closes, so book your travel now rather than waiting for a call. There is no TA/DA, so Leh, Srinagar and Palampur candidates should plan the cost in advance.
You have to reach the venue yourself on the listed date. Carry original certificates, two self-attested photographs, a set of self-attested copies (age, qualification, marks, experience), and a typed bio-data on A4 paper. Reserved-category candidates must bring the original category certificate too. After the test, wait at the venue for results and instructions unless told otherwise. Revise your subject basics with a clear preparation strategy.
Which Conditions Can Cancel Your CSIR TKDL Recruitment 2026 Application?
| Condition | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Final semester / result awaited | You will not be eligible |
| Missing document uploads | You must upload scans of your original certificates while applying online (education from matriculation, age, category certificate if SC, ST, OBC, PwD or EWS, experience and publications if any, detailed bio-data), failing which your candidature will be summarily rejected |
| Incomplete or other-mode applications | Will not be accepted |
| Minimum qualification | Meeting it does not give you a right to an interview call |
| Canvassing | Canvassing in any form will render you disqualified |
| Travel cost | No TA/DA for the test or interview |
| Currently employed | No-objection certificate from your employer needed at joining |
| Performance | Staff not found up to the mark can be terminated without any reason given |
| Contract | No right to regularisation; either side can end it with one month’s notice or one month’s stipend; total CSIR tenure cannot exceed six years |
| Recruitment changes | Head, CSIR-TKDL can increase or decrease positions or cancel the process at any stage |
Candidature stays provisional until eligibility is confirmed. Selected staff may need to travel, and the CSIR project staff guidelines will apply.
How to Apply Online for CSIR TKDL Senior Project Associate & Project Associate-I 2026?
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Open the online application form on the CSIR website (link in Essential Links below) |
| 2 | Choose your post code; for more than one post, apply separately for each |
| 3 | Fill every detail of your qualification, category and experience |
| 4 | Upload scanned copies of all original certificates the notification lists |
| 5 | Submit before 12 October 2026, 5:00 PM |
| 6 | Note the application number for future correspondence |
If you apply for two codes, compare their test dates first. For example, TKD3901 (Delhi) and TKC3901 (Chennai) both test on the morning of 14 October, so you cannot sit both.
The notification asks for online applications only. Scan any category and experience certificates before you begin, because a missing upload leads straight to rejection.
What are the Important Dates for CSIR TKDL Recruitment 2026?
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Last date to apply online | 12 October 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Eligibility cut-off date | 12 October 2026 |
| Written tests | 14 October to 30 October 2026 (by post code) |
Is There an Application Fee for CSIR TKDL Recruitment 2026?
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| All candidates | Not mentioned in the notification |
The advertisement does not mention any application fee or payment step. Read the instructions on the portal carefully before you submit.
Essential Links for CSIR TKDL Senior Project Associate & Project Associate-I Recruitment 2026
- Download Official Notification PDF (Advertisement TKDL/08/2026)
- Apply Online for CSIR TKDL Recruitment 2026 – 50 Senior Project Associate & Project Associate-I Posts
- Visit CSIR Official Website
- Join WhatsApp Channel for Government Jobs
- Join Telegram Channel for Government Jobs
This is a real chance to work on protecting India’s traditional knowledge with a respected CSIR unit. Pick your post code, check the qualification row, and apply before 12 October 2026, 5:00 PM. Then mark your test date and plan the trip early. For more post graduate government jobs, keep visiting GovtJobsAlert.in. All the best!