The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) has officially released a special recruitment notification (Advertisement No. E-I/RC/2026/2) for the recruitment of Assistant Section Officer (ASO) posts in the General, Finance & Accounts, and Stores & Purchase Cadres. This recruitment drive is exclusively intended for non-recommended candidates of UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024 (CSE-2024) whose details are available on the UPSC Pratibha Setu Portal.
A total of 100 vacancies have been announced under this special recruitment drive. Eligible candidates can submit their applications online from 23 June 2026 to 13 July 2026 through the official CSIR recruitment portal.
This is an excellent opportunity for UPSC CSE 2024 candidates seeking a prestigious Group-B Central Government position with attractive salary benefits under Pay Level-7.
CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026 Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) |
| Advertisement Number | E-I/RC/2026/2 |
| Post Name | Assistant Section Officer (ASO) |
| Total Vacancies | 100 Posts |
| Recruitment Type | Special Recruitment Drive |
| Eligible Candidates | Non-Recommended UPSC CSE 2024 Candidates |
| Pay Level | Level-7 |
| Pay Scale | ₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | 23 June 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 13 July 2026 |
| Official Website | csir.res.in |
CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Start Date | 23 June 2026 (10:00 AM) |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 13 July 2026 (05:00 PM) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 13 July 2026 (05:00 PM) |
| Computer Proficiency Test (CPT) | To Be Notified |
| Admit Card Release | Soon |
| Result Declaration | Soon |
CSIR ASO Vacancy 2026
A total of 100 vacancies have been announced across three different cadres.
Cadre Wise Vacancy Distribution
| Post Name | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Assistant Section Officer (General) | 61 |
| Assistant Section Officer (Finance & Accounts) | 18 |
| Assistant Section Officer (Stores & Purchase) | 21 |
| Total | 100 |
Category Wise Vacancy Details
Assistant Section Officer (General)
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| UR | 23 |
| OBC | 17 |
| SC | 07 |
| ST | 06 |
| EWS | 08 |
| Total | 61 |
Assistant Section Officer (Finance & Accounts)
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| UR | 04 |
| OBC | 06 |
| SC | 02 |
| ST | 02 |
| EWS | 01 |
| Total | 18 |
Assistant Section Officer (Stores & Purchase)
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| UR | 09 |
| OBC | 06 |
| SC | 04 |
| ST | 00 |
| EWS | 03 |
| Total | 21 |
Overall Category Wise Vacancy Summary
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| UR | 38 |
| OBC | 29 |
| SC | 13 |
| ST | 08 |
| EWS | 12 |
| Total | 100 |
CSIR ASO Eligibility Criteria 2026
Candidates must fulfill all eligibility conditions before applying.
Nationality
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian Citizen |
| Recruitment Category | UPSC CSE 2024 Non-Recommended Candidates Only |
Educational Qualification
| Qualification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Essential Qualification | Bachelor’s Degree |
| University | Recognized University |
| Degree Status | Completed Degree Mandatory |
Special Eligibility Requirement
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| UPSC CSE 2024 Appearance | Mandatory |
| Recommendation Status | Must be Non-Recommended |
| Pratibha Setu Portal Listing | Mandatory |
| Credential Verification | Through UPSC Pratibha Setu Portal |
Age Limit (As on 13 July 2026)
| Criteria | Age |
|---|---|
| Maximum Age | 33 Years |
Age Relaxation
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | 5 Years |
| OBC (NCL) | 3 Years |
| PwBD | 10-15 Years |
| Ex-Servicemen | As Per Government Rules |
Application Fee
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General | ₹500/- |
| OBC (NCL) | ₹500/- |
| EWS | ₹500/- |
| Women Candidates | Nil |
| SC | Nil |
| ST | Nil |
| PwBD | Nil |
| Ex-Servicemen | Nil |
Payment Mode
| Payment Method |
|---|
| SBI Collect |
| Net Banking |
| Debit Card |
| Credit Card |
| UPI |
Salary Structure
Selected candidates will be appointed under Pay Level-7.
Pay Scale Details
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Pay Level | Level-7 |
| Basic Pay | ₹44,900/- |
| Maximum Pay | ₹1,42,400/- |
| Pay Matrix | 7th CPC |
Additional Benefits
| Benefits |
|---|
| Dearness Allowance (DA) |
| House Rent Allowance (HRA) |
| Transport Allowance |
| Medical Facilities |
| Pension Benefits |
| Leave Travel Concession |
| Central Government Employee Benefits |
CSIR ASO Selection Process 2026
The selection process consists of two stages.
| Stage | Process |
|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Shortlisting Based on UPSC CSE 2024 Marks |
| Stage 2 | Computer Proficiency Test (CPT) |
Shortlisting Process
Candidates will be shortlisted in approximately 1:5 ratio based on:
| Criteria |
|---|
| UPSC CSE 2024 Mains Marks |
| UPSC Personality Test Marks |
| Combined Score Merit |
Computer Proficiency Test (CPT)
The CPT is qualifying in nature.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Duration | 1 Hour |
| Nature | Qualifying |
| Test Mode | Computer Based |
CPT Syllabus
| Subject | Assessment Area |
|---|---|
| Word Processing | MS Word Skills |
| Spreadsheet Management | Excel Skills |
| Presentation Creation | PowerPoint Skills |
CPT Qualifying Marks
| Category | Minimum Marks |
|---|---|
| UR | 40 Marks (40%) |
| OBC | 37 Marks (37%) |
| EWS | 37 Marks (37%) |
| SC/ST/PwBD | As Per CSIR Norms |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Start Date | 23 June 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 13 July 2026 |
| Fee Payment Last Date | 13 July 2026 |
| CPT Date | To Be Announced |
| Admit Card | Soon |
How to Apply for CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026
Step-by-Step Application Process
| Step | Process |
|---|---|
| 1 | Visit the Official CSIR Website |
| 2 | Open Recruitment Section |
| 3 | Click on ASO Recruitment 2026 |
| 4 | Register Using Valid Email ID |
| 5 | Fill Personal & Educational Details |
| 6 | Verify UPSC CSE Credentials |
| 7 | Upload Required Documents |
| 8 | Pay Application Fee |
| 9 | Submit Application Form |
| 10 | Download Confirmation Page |
Documents Required
| Document | Required |
|---|---|
| Graduation Certificate | Yes |
| UPSC CSE 2024 Details | Yes |
| Identity Proof | Yes |
| Photograph | Yes |
| Signature | Yes |
| Category Certificate | If Applicable |
| PwBD Certificate | If Applicable |
Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Candidate Login | Click Here |
| Official Notification PDF | Download Here |
| Official Website | csir.res.in |
Key Takeaways
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Vacancies | 100 |
| Post Name | Assistant Section Officer |
| Salary | ₹44,900 to ₹1,42,400 |
| Application Fee | ₹500 |
| Selection Process | UPSC Marks + CPT |
| CPT Marks | 100 |
| Last Date | 13 July 2026 |
| Eligibility | UPSC CSE 2024 Non-Recommended Candidates |
Why Apply for CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026?
The Assistant Section Officer post in CSIR offers a prestigious Group-B Central Government career with excellent salary, promotion opportunities, job security, and government benefits. Candidates who narrowly missed final recommendation in UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024 now have an exceptional opportunity to join one of India’s premier scientific organizations.
Final Thoughts on CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026
The CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026 is a unique and highly valuable opportunity exclusively designed for UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024 non-recommended candidates. With 100 vacancies, attractive Pay Level-7 salary, and a transparent selection process based on UPSC performance and Computer Proficiency Test, this recruitment is expected to witness significant competition.
Eligible candidates should complete their registration well before 13 July 2026 and ensure that their UPSC Pratibha Setu details are accurate. Early application is recommended to avoid last-minute technical issues.
FAQs
Q1. How many vacancies are available under CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026?
100 vacancies.
Q2. Who can apply for this recruitment?
Only UPSC CSE 2024 non-recommended candidates listed on the UPSC Pratibha Setu Portal.
Q3. What is the advertisement number?
E-I/RC/2026/2.
Q4. What is the last date to apply?
13 July 2026.
Q5. What is the application fee?
₹500 for General/OBC/EWS candidates.
Q6. Are women candidates exempted from fees?
Yes.
Q7. What is the salary of Assistant Section Officer?
₹44,900 to ₹1,42,400 under Pay Level-7.
Q8. What is the maximum age limit?
33 years.
Q9. What is the selection process?
UPSC CSE 2024 Marks Based Shortlisting and CPT.
Q10. What is the CPT duration?
1 Hour.
Q11. Is CPT qualifying in nature?
Yes.
Q12. How many marks does CPT carry?
100 marks.
Q13. What is the CPT qualifying mark for General candidates?
40 marks.
Q14. What is the CPT qualifying mark for OBC/EWS candidates?
37 marks.
Q15. Where will CPT be conducted?
Tentatively in Delhi.
Q16. Can cadre preferences be changed later?
No.
Q17. What is the official CSIR website?
csir.res.in.