UPSC Special Recruitment Drive 05/2026 — Big Chance to Join Central Government as a Specialist Officer
The Union Public Service Commission has released the UPSC Special Recruitment Drive Advt. No. 05/2026 with 193 vacancies across multiple different posts in many central government departments. From Airworthiness Officer in DGCA and Deputy Controller of Explosive in PESO, to Scientist-B in IMD and Associate Professor in the College of Military Engineering — this single notification opens many doors at one time. Pay ranges from Level-6F up to Academic Level-13A1, so almost every engineering, science, and language postgraduate has something to look at here. If you have been waiting for a specialist Engineering Govt Jobs opening through UPSC, this is your chance.
The online application window opens on 23 May 2026 and closes on 12 June 2026 (1800 Hrs). Application is fully online through the UPSC ORA portal and the fee is only Rs 25 — women, SC, ST and PwBD candidates are fully exempt. All 32 posts are filled by selection — interview, or recruitment test plus interview at UPSC’s discretion. In this article from GovtJobsAlert.in, we will explain every post, pay level, qualification, age limit, fee and how to apply step-by-step, so you can pick the right post and apply with confidence.
Key Highlights — UPSC SRD 05/2026
UPSC’s Special Recruitment Drive 05/2026 is a single advertisement covering 32 different posts across many central ministries — including Civil Aviation, Commerce & Industry, Posts, Food & Public Distribution, Consumer Affairs, Culture, Defence, Earth Sciences, Fisheries, Home Affairs, Jal Shakti, Labour & Employment, MSME, Mines and Tribal Affairs. Three posts are reserved exclusively for Ladakh UT domicile candidates.
- Recruiting Body: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
- Advertisement Number: 05/2026
- Total Posts: 32 distinct posts
- Total Vacancies: 193
- Pay Level Range: Level-6F to Academic Level-13A1 (7th CPC)
- Job Location: Across India (3 posts Ladakh UT only)
- Application Mode: Online via UPSC ORA portal
- Last Date to Apply: 12 June 2026 (1800 Hrs)
Vacancy Breakdown — UPSC SRD 05/2026 Post-Wise Distribution
Vacancies are spread across 32 posts. The table below shows the bigger posts (with 5 or more vacancies). Several smaller posts (Lecturer Persian, Lecturer Tibetan, Associate Professor CME Pune, Driller Ladakh and others) each have 1-4 vacancies — full post-wise list is in the official notification PDF linked in Essential Links below.
| Post Name | Department | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Deputy Controller of Explosive | PESO, Commerce & Industry | 44 |
| Scientist-B (General Meteorology) | IMD, Earth Sciences | 30 |
| Airworthiness Officer | DGCA, Civil Aviation | 25 |
| Scientist-B (Instrumentation) | IMD | 9 |
| Manager (Mail Motor Service) | Department of Posts | 8 |
| Deputy Director of Mines Safety (Mining) | DGMS, Labour | 8 |
| Scientist-B (Atmospheric Sciences) | IMD | 7 |
| Joint Assistant Director | DCPW, Home Affairs | 6 |
| Deputy Superintending Archaeological Engineer | ASI, Culture | 5 |
| Assistant Controller of Mines | IBM, Mines | 5 |
| Other 22 posts (1-4 vacancies each) | Various Ministries | 56 |
Most posts are Group A (Pay Level-10 and above). Reservation is post-specific — please check the exact UR / EWS / OBC / SC / ST / PwBD split for your chosen post in the notification PDF.
Eligibility Criteria — UPSC SRD 05/2026
Eligibility differs sharply post-to-post because every post belongs to a different cadre. The common rule: a recognised university qualification in the named subject, post-specific experience (most posts require 1 to 10 years of relevant experience), and age within the prescribed limit on the closing date.
Educational Qualification
Qualifications run across engineering, science, social science and language streams. A short overview:
- Engineering posts (Civil / Mechanical / Electrical / Electronics / Chemical / Mining / Metallurgy): B.E. / B.Tech. in the named branch, often with M.E. / M.Tech. or PhD for senior academic posts. See Engineering Govt Jobs page for similar openings.
- Science posts (IMD Scientist-B, NTH Scientific Officer, Chemical / Food / Hosiery / Leather IEDS, Antiquities): Master’s degree in the named science subject, or Bachelor’s in the named technology.
- Language posts (Lecturer Persian, Lecturer Tibetan): Master’s degree in the relevant language + 1 year teaching or translation experience.
- Mines Safety post: Mining Engineering degree + First Class Mine Manager’s Certificate (Coal or Metalliferous Unrestricted).
- Airworthiness Officer: Specified engineering / science degree + valid AME B1/B2 License (Aeronautical Engg degree holders exempt from license) + 3 years aircraft maintenance experience.
Full qualification details for every post are in the notification PDF. Always check the exact qualification clause before you apply.
Age Limit
Age limit varies post-wise — most posts are 35 years (UR / EWS), going up to 40-48 years for senior posts. Standard relaxations apply: OBC + 3 years, SC / ST + 5 years, PwBD + 10 years, Ex-Servicemen / Central Govt employees + 5 years as per rules. Posts 30, 31 and 32 are restricted to Ladakh UT domicile candidates only.
What is the Salary for UPSC SRD 05/2026 Posts?
Pay matrix levels in this drive run from Level-6F up to Academic Level-13A1 of the 7th Central Pay Commission. In simple in-hand terms, monthly take-home (after DA, HRA, TA and deductions) for the most common Level-10 posts is broadly in the range of Rs 80,000 — Rs 1,05,000 depending on city, with senior Level-12 and 13A1 posts going higher.
- Level-6F (Tourist Officer, Ladakh): Pay range Rs 35,400 to about Rs 1,12,400
- Level-7 (Junior Technical Officer & similar): Rs 44,900 to about Rs 1,42,400
- Level-8 (Scientific Officer, NTH): Rs 47,600 to about Rs 1,51,100
- Level-10 (Group A entry — most posts): Rs 56,100 to about Rs 1,77,500
- Level-11 (Deputy Director, CICEF): Rs 67,700 to about Rs 2,08,700
- Level-12 (Deputy Director of Mines Safety): Rs 78,800 to about Rs 2,09,200
- Academic Level-13A1 (Associate Professor, CME Pune): up to about Rs 2,24,100
In-hand range (most posts at Level-10): approximately Rs 80,000 — Rs 1,05,000 per month including allowances, with central government perks like LTC, GPF, NPS, medical benefits (CGHS), and pension benefits as per rules.
Each post carries a probation period of 1 to 2 years along with induction training during probation. Postings for many posts carry All India service liability, so be ready for transfer anywhere in India.
What is the Selection Process for UPSC SRD 05/2026?
The selection is “By Selection” — meaning UPSC interviews the candidates, with a Recruitment Test (RT) introduced where applications are heavy. The broad stages are:
- Online application screening through the UPSC ORA portal
- Computer-based Recruitment Test (RT) — held only if UPSC decides to conduct one
- Personal Interview at UPSC, New Delhi (100 marks)
- Document Verification of originals at the interview stage
- Medical Examination of finally recommended candidates
Minimum qualifying marks in the interview: UR — 50, OBC — 45, SC / ST / PH — 40 (out of 100). Recruitment Test centres, when held, are at Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Chennai, Delhi, Dispur, Jaipur, Jammu, Kochi, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Port Blair, Ranchi and Visakhapatnam. Ladakh-only posts have centres at Leh, Kargil, Srinagar and Delhi. For a complete exam calendar of all UPSC drives, you can refer to the UPSC Govt Jobs page.
How to Apply Online for UPSC SRD 05/2026?
Application is fully online through the UPSC’s ORA (Online Recruitment Application) portal. Visit the official application portal (link in Essential Links below). Keep your scanned photograph, signature, qualification certificates and category certificate ready as PDFs before you start.
- Visit the UPSC ORA portal — link available in Essential Links below.
- Register and create your account on the Online Application Portal (Cards 1 and 2).
- Generate your Universal Registration Number (URN) — this is common for all UPSC recruitments.
- Fill the Common Application Form (CAF), upload photograph, capture live photo and upload signature (signed three times on plain white paper with black ink).
- Fill the post-specific module (4th card) — a separate Application Number is generated for every post you apply to.
- Upload supporting documents in PDF: Matriculation certificate (DOB proof), Degree / Diploma certificates, experience certificates in prescribed proforma, caste / PwBD certificate, OBC non-creamy layer declaration (if applicable), age-relaxation certificate (if applicable).
- Pay the application fee of Rs 25 using Visa / Master / RuPay Credit Card, Debit Card, UPI or Internet Banking. Female, SC, ST and PwBD candidates are fully exempt.
- Submit your application before 12 June 2026, 1800 Hrs — once submitted, the application cannot be withdrawn and no modifications are permitted.
- Take a printout of the finally submitted application and keep it safely — do not send it to UPSC by post; carry it at the interview.
Important Dates — UPSC SRD 05/2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Start Date | 23 May 2026 |
| Application Last Date | 12 June 2026 (1800 Hrs) |
| Eligibility Cut-off Date | 12 June 2026 |
| Recruitment Test / Interview Dates | To be announced separately |
Application Fees — UPSC SRD 05/2026
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / EWS / OBC (Male) | Rs 25 |
| SC / ST / PwBD (All) | No Fee |
| Women (All Categories) | No Fee |
Payment Mode: Debit Card / Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, RuPay) / UPI / Internet Banking of any bank. Fee once paid is non-refundable and cannot be held in reserve for any other examination or selection.
Essential Links — UPSC SRD 05/2026
- Download Official Notification PDF
- Apply Online for UPSC SRD 05/2026
- Visit UPSC Official Website
- Join WhatsApp Channel for Government Jobs
- Join Telegram Channel for Government Jobs
This is one of those rare UPSC drives where 32 different posts are open at the same time — pick the post that matches your degree and experience, do not waste time applying to posts you do not qualify for. Read the notification PDF carefully for your chosen post, prepare your documents in advance, and submit the application well before 12 June 2026. For more such central government openings, keep visiting GovtJobsAlert.in — we cover every fresh UPSC, SSC and central PSU notification with simple, mentor-style explanation.