C-DAC Project Engineer Age Limit 2026: 45 Years, DOB Cutoff, Relaxation & Eligibility

C-DAC Project Engineer Age Limit 2026 is an important eligibility check for experienced engineers applying to the latest Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Chennai recruitment. The current advertisement, dated 4 September 2026, includes 27 Project Engineer (Experienced) vacancies, with an upper age limit of 45 years and a minimum of 1 year of relevant post-qualification experience. Registration opened on 4 September 2026 and closes on 22 September 2026 at 5:00 PM. C-DAC states that the date for determining age, qualification and experience is the last date of registration.

This guide focuses specifically on the Project Engineer (Experienced) post, not the separate Project Associate or Senior Project Engineer posts. That distinction matters because C-DAC uses different age ceilings and experience requirements for different project-staff positions. The current Chennai notice lists 14 Project Associate vacancies, 27 Project Engineer vacancies, 10 Senior Project Engineer vacancies and 8 Project Manager vacancies.

C-DAC Project Engineer Age Limit 2026 at a Glance

These details come from the current C-DAC Chennai recruitment notice. The same notice says the initial contract tenure can be up to two years or co-terminus with the project, whichever is earlier, with extension possible depending on performance and project requirements.

What Is the C-DAC Project Engineer Age Limit in 2026?

The upper age limit for the C-DAC Project Engineer (Experienced) 2026 post is 45 years. C-DAC does not describe a lower age limit separately for this experienced post in the vacancy table. Instead, the practical eligibility test is whether the applicant satisfies the required qualification and at least one year of relevant post-qualification experience while remaining within the applicable upper-age limit.

The most important point is the cutoff date. C-DAC states in its general age rules that the date for determining the upper age limit, qualifications and experience is the last date of registration. For this Chennai recruitment, that date is 22 September 2026. Therefore, applicants should calculate their age as on 22 September 2026 rather than using the interview date or the date on which they complete the Google Form.

C-DAC Project Engineer DOB Cutoff 2026

Because the upper age limit is 45 years and the age is determined on 22 September 2026, a candidate must not have completed 46 years on that date.

For a straightforward unrelaxed 45-year ceiling, the practical DOB window is:

So, if you are checking only the base 45-year ceiling, a useful DOB range is 23 September 1980 to 22 September 2008 for candidates who are otherwise eligible and whose age is being considered without an applicable relaxation. The upper end simply reflects that the notice does not specify a separate minimum age for the experienced post; qualification and experience requirements remain decisive.

Do not rely on a simple “born in 1980” or “born after 1980” shortcut. The exact day and month matter. A candidate born on 22 September 1980 is already 46 on the cutoff date, while someone born one day later is still 45.

How to Calculate Your Age for C-DAC Project Engineer Recruitment

The correct method is to compare your complete date of birth with 22 September 2026.

1. Write your date of birth in day-month-year format.
2. Use 22 September 2026 as the reference date.
3. Subtract the birth year from 2026.
4. If your birthday for 2026 has not occurred by 22 September, reduce the completed-year age by one.
5. Check whether the resulting completed age is 45 or below, before applying any valid relaxation.
6. Separately confirm the one-year post-qualification experience requirement.

For example, a candidate born on 15 August 1981 is 45 years old on 22 September 2026. A candidate born on 30 September 1980 is also 45 on the cutoff date because the 2026 birthday falls after the cutoff. But a candidate born on 15 August 1980 is already 46 and fails the base 45-year ceiling.

For more general age calculations, you can also use the site’s exact age calculator by date of birth, then compare the completed age with the recruitment cutoff date.

C-DAC Project Engineer Age Relaxation 2026

C-DAC’s current Chennai notice provides for age relaxation under applicable rules. It states that applicants belonging to reserved categories such as SC, ST, OBC and EWS, PwD candidates and Ex-Servicemen are eligible for relaxations as per rules. It also states that Government employees are eligible for age relaxation by 5 years, including other applicable age relaxations.

The notification also contains a specific provision for widows, divorced women and women judicially separated from their husbands who have not remarried, with age relaxation up to five years including other applicable relaxations, subject to documentary evidence. PwD age relaxation is governed by Government of India instructions and requires the prescribed disability documentation.

Because the notification says relaxation is “as per rules,” candidates should not automatically add a fixed number of years to the 45-year limit merely because they belong to a category. The correct approach is to identify the applicable Government/C-DAC rule and keep the supporting certificate ready.

Government Employees

C-DAC specifically says Government employees are eligible for 5 years of age relaxation, including other applicable age relaxations. A government employee who is close to the base 45-year limit should therefore check the combined effect of the applicable provisions rather than assuming that the base limit alone decides eligibility.

SC, ST, OBC and EWS Candidates

The notification provides relaxation for reserved categories according to the applicable rules. OBC candidates must produce the required Non-Creamy Layer certificate in the prescribed Government of India format. The notice makes clear that candidates belonging to the creamy layer are not entitled to the OBC concession and must indicate their category as General/Unreserved.

PwD Candidates

C-DAC states that PwD candidates are eligible for age relaxation according to Government of India instructions. For reservation, the notification says candidates with a disability of 40% or more are eligible, subject to the applicable requirements and prescribed documentation.

Ex-Servicemen

Ex-Servicemen are included among the categories eligible for relaxation as per rules. The exact benefit should be established from the applicable Government provisions and the candidate’s service records rather than estimated from the 45-year figure alone.

C-DAC Project Engineer Qualification 2026

Age eligibility alone is not enough. For the Project Engineer (Experienced) post, C-DAC requires a B.E. or B.Tech with 60% or equivalent CGPA. The specified specializations are:

• Computer Science
• Information Technology
• Electronics & Communication
• Electrical & Electronics

The qualification must be considered along with the experience requirement. C-DAC specifies at least one year of relevant post-qualification experience. This means a candidate cannot simply count general employment time that was completed before obtaining the qualifying degree when the notice specifically asks for post-qualification experience.

The C-DAC notice also lists a wide range of desirable technical areas. These include Java and Spring ecosystems, frontend and web technologies, GIS, databases, AI and data science, networking, cloud technologies, messaging tools, secure coding, hardware security and cryptography. Some Project Engineer work also involves post-quantum cryptography testing and validation.

Project Engineer Vacancy, Salary and Work Location

The current Chennai recruitment contains 27 Project Engineer vacancies: 14 UR, 3 SC, 1 ST, 7 OBC and 2 EWS. The post is based in Chennai and is described as transferable.

The consolidated salary for Project Engineer is ₹40,000 per month, with the notice stating that the salary offer will be commensurate with qualification and relevant experience under C-DAC policy. It also gives a minimum annual CTC/pay package of ₹5.89 lakh.

If you want the broader pay comparison across C-DAC project-staff roles, the site also has a dedicated C-DAC Salary 2026 guide covering Project Associate, Project Engineer, Senior Project Engineer and Project Manager compensation.

Application and Interview Process for C-DAC Project Engineer

This recruitment is different from a standard online written-examination recruitment. C-DAC says candidates must first register through the Google Form provided in the notice and then download and complete the application form and one-page write-up for experienced posts. The documents must be brought to the interview.

Important Dates

C-DAC says the exact interview date and venue will be communicated to eligible candidates by email. The current notice therefore should be treated as the controlling source for any later schedule update.

Documents Needed for C-DAC Project Engineer Eligibility Verification

Candidates should prepare their documents before attending the interview. C-DAC asks applicants to carry originals and one set of self-attested photocopies. The notice specifically lists the following documents:

• Duly filled application form.
• Six sets of the one-page write-up for experienced posts.
• Valid photo ID containing date of birth.
• 10th and 12th certificates and relevant consolidated degree mark sheets.
• B.E./B.Tech qualification certificates and marksheets.
• Experience certificates covering the experience claimed in the application.
• SC/ST caste certificate where applicable.
• OBC Non-Creamy Layer certificate where applicable.
• PwD medical/disability certificate where applicable.
• NOC for candidates working in Central or State Government, PSUs or Government autonomous bodies.
• EWS Income and Asset certificate where applicable.

C-DAC specifically identifies the SSLC/SSC/ISC certificate or another valid document as proof of date of birth. It also warns that applications failing the prescribed age criteria can be rejected or cancelled without prior intimation.

If your DOB records contain inconsistencies, review them before the interview. The site also has a practical guide on date-of-birth proof for government jobs, which can help you understand why the primary DOB record matters during verification.

Seven Crucial Age-Eligibility Checks

1. Check the exact cutoff date

Use 22 September 2026, not the interview date, because C-DAC expressly uses the last date of registration to determine age, qualification and experience.

2. Calculate completed age, not birth-year difference

A person born in 1980 is not automatically overage. The exact birthday determines whether the person is 45 or 46 on the cutoff date.

3. Check post-qualification experience separately

Even an age-eligible candidate can fail if the required minimum one year of relevant post-qualification experience is not established.

4. Verify the specialization

The Project Engineer post specifies CSE, IT, ECE and Electrical & Electronics specializations. Do not assume that every engineering branch is covered simply because the post title says “Engineer.”

5. Confirm your percentage or CGPA

The essential educational requirement is 60% or equivalent CGPA. Keep the relevant marksheet and certificate ready.

6. Check relaxation documents before relying on relaxation

Category, PwD, Government employee, Ex-Servicemen and other relaxation claims can require specific evidence. A category claim without the prescribed document should not be treated as an automatic extension of the age limit.

7. Register only for the appropriate post

C-DAC says candidates are permitted to apply/attend any one of the notified posts and that multiple registration may result in cancellation. Choose the Project Engineer post only if its age, qualification and experience requirements match your profile.

C-DAC Project Engineer vs Project Associate Age Limit

The current Chennai recruitment makes a useful distinction between the two roles. The Project Associate (Fresher) post has an upper age limit of 30 years and no post-qualification relevant experience requirement, while the Project Engineer (Experienced) post has an upper age limit of 45 years and requires at least one year of relevant post-qualification experience.

The site has a separate C-DAC Project Associate Age Limit 2026 article. Keeping these two topics separate is useful because the age and experience rules are materially different.

Common C-DAC Project Engineer Age Mistakes

• Using the interview date: The official age reference is the last date of registration.
• Ignoring the exact birthday: One day can determine whether the applicant is 45 or 46.
• Counting pre-degree employment: The notice requires post-qualification relevant experience.
• Assuming every engineering branch qualifies: The notice specifies four specialization groups.
• Forgetting the 60% requirement: Relevant experience does not replace the essential qualification.
• Assuming category relaxation without proof: Certificates are part of verification.
• Submitting multiple registrations: C-DAC warns that multiple registration may lead to cancellation.
• Waiting until the interview to organize documents: Original certificates and self-attested copies are required.

Quick DOB Examples for C-DAC Project Engineer

A few edge cases make the cutoff easier to understand. A candidate born on 22 September 1981 turns 45 exactly on the reference date and is within the base age ceiling. A candidate born on 23 September 1980 is also still 45 because the 46th birthday occurs one day after the cutoff. In contrast, someone born on 21 September 1980 is already 46 on 22 September 2026 and is above the base limit.

The same principle applies to younger applicants: a 30-year-old candidate is not excluded merely because the post is labelled “Experienced”; the decisive issue is meeting the qualification and minimum relevant post-qualification experience. The notice does not prescribe a separate lower age limit for Project Engineer.

If you qualify for an age relaxation, do not replace the base calculation with a guess. First calculate your actual age on 22 September 2026, then verify the specific relaxation provision and the document required to support it. This avoids the common mistake of treating a category label as automatic proof of an extended age ceiling.

FAQ: C-DAC Project Engineer Age Limit 2026

What is the C-DAC Project Engineer age limit in 2026?

The upper age limit for the Project Engineer (Experienced) post in the current C-DAC Chennai recruitment is 45 years, subject to applicable relaxation rules.

What is the C-DAC Project Engineer age cutoff date?

The age, qualification and experience are determined as on the last date of registration, 22 September 2026.

What is the DOB range for the base 45-year limit?

For the unrelaxed 45-year ceiling, the practical DOB window is 23 September 1980 through 22 September 2008, with the qualification and experience requirements still applying.

Can a 46-year-old apply for C-DAC Project Engineer?

A candidate who is already 46 on 22 September 2026 does not meet the base 45-year age limit. However, an applicant with a valid applicable age relaxation must assess eligibility under that rule and provide the required supporting documents.

How much experience is required?

The Project Engineer (Experienced) post requires at least one year of relevant post-qualification experience.

What qualification is required?

C-DAC requires a B.E./B.Tech with 60% or equivalent CGPA in Computer Science, Information Technology, Electronics & Communication, or Electrical & Electronics for this post.

What is the C-DAC Project Engineer salary?

The current Chennai notice lists a consolidated salary of ₹40,000 per month and a minimum annual CTC/pay package of ₹5.89 lakh, with the salary offer commensurate with qualification and relevant experience under C-DAC policy.

Is the C-DAC Project Engineer job permanent?

No. The current Chennai Project Engineer recruitment is on a contractual basis. The initial contract can be up to two years or co-terminus with the project, whichever is earlier, with possible extension depending on performance and project requirements.

Final Eligibility Checklist

Before treating yourself as eligible for the C-DAC Project Engineer recruitment, confirm all of these points:

Bottom line: the current C-DAC Project Engineer Age Limit 2026 is 45 years, and the decisive age reference date is 22 September 2026, the final registration date. Candidates should then verify the separate requirements for 60% in the specified B.E./B.Tech specialization, at least one year of relevant post-qualification experience, and the required documents. C-DAC’s current notice also provides category and other relaxations according to applicable rules, so eligible candidates should check the exact relaxation provision rather than relying on a generic age calculation.

Official source: C-DAC Chennai recruitment notification and the C-DAC current jobs page should be checked for corrigenda, extensions and later updates.