UPSC Scientist-B Instrumentation Recruitment 2026 is a nine-post recruitment for the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Ministry of Earth Sciences. The post is a permanent Group A Gazetted, Non-Ministerial position in Pay Level 10 of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix. The original online application window ran from 23 May to 12 June 2026, so fresh applications are closed. The important current development is the scheduled Combined Recruitment Test on 11 October 2026.
This guide focuses specifically on Scientist-B (Instrumentation), including the age limit, engineering qualifications, vacancy breakup, recruitment-test pattern, syllabus, selection process, salary framework and the documents candidates should keep ready for the next stage.
UPSC Scientist-B Instrumentation 2026: Quick Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting authority | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Department | Indian Meteorological Department, Ministry of Earth Sciences |
| Post | Scientist-B (Instrumentation) |
| Vacancy number | 26050514623 |
| Vacancies | 9 |
| Pay level | Level 10, 7th CPC Pay Matrix |
| Age limit | 35 years UR/EWS; 38 years OBC; 40 years SC |
| Application period | 23 May–12 June 2026 |
| Current stage | Combined Recruitment Test scheduled |
| Recruitment Test date | 11 October 2026 |
| Test time | 2:00 PM–4:00 PM |
| Test mode | Offline, pen-and-paper, objective MCQ |
| Test medium | English only |
The current test notice groups Scientist-B (Instrumentation) with Scientist-B (Atmospheric Sciences), Scientist-B (General Meteorology), and several Assistant Director posts for a common recruitment-test arrangement. The UPSC notice dated 15 September 2026 superseded the earlier addendum and confirmed that the test medium is English only.
UPSC Scientist-B Instrumentation Vacancy 2026
There are 9 vacancies for Scientist-B (Instrumentation). The reservation distribution in Advertisement No. 05/2026 is UR-03, EWS-03, OBC-02 and SC-01. One vacancy is horizontally reserved for a PwBD candidate within the notified suitability and reservation framework.
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| UR | 3 |
| EWS | 3 |
| OBC | 2 |
| SC | 1 |
| Total | 9 |
| PwBD | 1 horizontal reservation within the notified vacancies |
UPSC Scientist-B Instrumentation Age Limit 2026
The upper age limit for Scientist-B (Instrumentation) is 35 years for UR/EWS candidates, 38 years for OBC candidates and 40 years for SC candidates. The age is reckoned with reference to the closing date of the online application, 12 June 2026.
| Category | Maximum age |
|---|---|
| UR / EWS | 35 years |
| OBC | 38 years |
| SC | 40 years |
| PwBD | Additional relaxation as applicable under the notified rules |
The relevant date is important because the application period has already closed. Candidates who applied should use the DOB recorded in their application and supporting documents when checking their eligibility. Our exact age calculator by date of birth can be used to check completed age on a fixed date, but the UPSC notification remains the controlling document for eligibility.
DOB Proof and Age Verification
For UPSC recruitment, the date of birth entered in the application must be supported by the prescribed documentary proof. Candidates should keep their matriculation or equivalent certificate and other original documents ready for later verification. An age calculation tool can help with arithmetic, but it does not replace the documentary DOB requirement.
UPSC Scientist-B Instrumentation Eligibility
The essential educational qualification is a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Technology from a recognised university or institute in one of the specified streams. The notification lists Electronics and Communication Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Information Technology, Instrumentation and Technology, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
- Electronics and Communication Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Information Technology
- Instrumentation and Technology
- Mechatronics
- Electrical Engineering
- Computer Science
The recruitment notice does not prescribe a separate mandatory experience requirement for this post. Candidates must nevertheless satisfy the recognition, age, reservation and other conditions contained in Advertisement No. 05/2026.
What Does a Scientist-B (Instrumentation) Do?
The notified duties are connected with meteorological operations and technical administration. They include supervising meteorological observations, providing climatological information and serving as administrative or technical heads of meteorological centres, flood meteorological offices, radar stations, agrometeorological advisory units, the Positional Astronomical Centre and other meteorological offices.
The role therefore combines engineering knowledge with the operation and management of technical systems used by the meteorological organisation. The exact place of posting can vary because the post carries an all-India service liability.
UPSC Scientist-B Instrumentation Salary 2026
Scientist-B (Instrumentation) is placed at Level 10 of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix. The post is described as a permanent Group A Gazetted, Non-Ministerial position. In addition to basic pay under the pay matrix, a selected officer is eligible for admissible government allowances and service benefits under the applicable rules.
| Salary feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Pay level | Level 10 |
| Pay framework | 7th Central Pay Commission |
| Service classification | Group A Gazetted, Non-Ministerial |
| Nature of post | Permanent |
| Probation | 2 years |
| Headquarters | New Delhi, with all-India service liability |
The pay level should not be confused with an exact in-hand salary. The amount received each month depends on applicable allowances, deductions, posting and government service rules.
UPSC Scientist-B Instrumentation Recruitment Test 2026
The current UPSC notice schedules an offline pen-and-paper Combined Recruitment Test on Sunday, 11 October 2026, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. The test is used for shortlisting candidates for interview. The notice specifies objective-type multiple-choice questions and a two-hour duration.
| Test feature | Rule |
|---|---|
| Date | 11 October 2026 |
| Time | 2:00 PM–4:00 PM |
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Mode | Offline pen and paper |
| Question type | Objective multiple choice |
| Medium | English only |
| Negative marking | One-third of the marks assigned to the question for each wrong answer |
| Unanswered question | No penalty |
The test notice says that all questions carry equal marks. Candidates should therefore manage time across the complete paper rather than spending too long on a single question.
UPSC Scientist-B Instrumentation Syllabus 2026
The Combined Recruitment Test syllabus listed in the current notice covers broad aptitude, technology and professional-awareness areas rather than a narrowly defined engineering-subject paper. The notified areas include:
- Current issues of national and international importance related to social, economic and industrial development.
- Aptitude, including logical reasoning and analytical ability.
- Mathematics and numerical ability.
- Basics of energy and environment.
- Basics of project management.
- Basics of material science.
- Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), including networking, e-governance and technology-based education applications.
- Human values and professional ethics.
These topics are specified in the common recruitment-test notice for the participating posts. Candidates should use the latest UPSC notice and any admit-card instructions for the final test arrangements rather than relying on older preparation material.
UPSC Scientist-B Instrumentation Selection Process
The recruitment uses a shortlisting test followed by interview for candidates who satisfy the post’s eligibility conditions. The current addendum states that the Combined Recruitment Test and interview carry a 75:25 weightage. Only candidates shortlisted in the recruitment test and found to fulfil the eligibility requirements are called for interview.
- Stage 1 — Combined Recruitment Test: Offline objective test on 11 October 2026.
- Stage 2 — Interview: Candidates shortlisted through the test and meeting eligibility conditions proceed to interview.
- Final assessment: The notice specifies a 75:25 weightage for the recruitment test and interview.
UPSC Scientist-B Instrumentation Exam Centres
The current notice lists recruitment-test centres including Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Chennai, Delhi, Dispur (Guwahati), Jaipur, Jammu, Kochi, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Port Blair, Ranchi and Vishakhapatnam. The venue allotted to an individual candidate is communicated through the recruitment-test/admit-card process.
| Centre | Code |
|---|---|
| Ahmedabad | 01 |
| Bhopal | 04 |
| Chennai | 12 |
| Delhi | 08 |
| Dispur (Guwahati) | 09 |
| Jaipur | 11 |
| Jammu | 34 |
| Kochi | 24 |
| Kolkata | 06 |
| Lucknow | 26 |
| Mumbai | 05 |
| Nagpur | 13 |
| Port Blair | 37 |
| Ranchi | 41 |
| Vishakhapatnam | 51 |
UPSC Scientist-B Instrumentation Application Form: Status
The application window for Advertisement No. 05/2026 was open from 23 May 2026 to 12 June 2026. The last date for submitting the online application was 12 June 2026, so the recruitment is no longer accepting fresh applications for this vacancy.
For candidates who already applied, the relevant next steps are to monitor UPSC communications for the recruitment-test admit card, centre information and subsequent interview-related notices. The UPSC website’s recruitment and examination sections remain the authoritative source for updates.
Documents to Keep Ready
Applicants who reach document verification or interview should keep the original documents and required copies ready. The exact documentary requirements depend on the claims made in the application and the UPSC instructions.
- Matriculation or equivalent certificate for date of birth.
- Bachelor’s Degree certificate and marks records.
- Engineering/Technology qualification showing the eligible stream.
- Category certificate where reservation is claimed.
- PwBD certificate where applicable.
- Application and registration details.
- Government-issued photo identification.
- Any additional document specifically requested by UPSC.
How to Prepare for the Scientist-B Instrumentation Test
Because the current syllabus is broad, preparation should be organised around the eight areas listed in the UPSC notice. Candidates can divide their revision into aptitude, numerical ability, current affairs, environment and energy, project management, material science, ICT and professional ethics.
- Revise basic quantitative concepts and practise timed numerical questions.
- Work through logical-reasoning sets to improve speed and accuracy.
- Review major national and international developments relevant to social, economic and industrial activity.
- Revise core concepts in energy, environment and material science.
- Review project-management fundamentals, terminology and common processes.
- Revise networking, e-governance and other ICT fundamentals.
- Read professional-ethics principles and apply them to workplace situations.
- Practise objective questions while accounting for the one-third negative marking.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using the wrong age date. The application closing date, 12 June 2026, is the relevant eligibility reference.
- Assuming every engineering branch qualifies. Only the streams specified in the advertisement satisfy the stated educational route.
- Ignoring the test medium. The revised notice specifies English only.
- Forgetting negative marking. One-third of the assigned marks is deducted for an incorrect answer.
- Treating the recruitment test as the final stage. Shortlisted eligible candidates proceed to interview.
- Using the old test notice. The 15 September 2026 notice superseded the earlier addendum and should be used for the revised test instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Scientist-B Instrumentation vacancies are there in UPSC 2026?
There are 9 notified vacancies for Scientist-B (Instrumentation) in the Indian Meteorological Department under Ministry of Earth Sciences.
What is the UPSC Scientist-B Instrumentation age limit?
The upper age limit is 35 years for UR/EWS, 38 years for OBC and 40 years for SC candidates, subject to the applicable relaxation rules.
What qualification is required for Scientist-B Instrumentation?
A Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Technology is required in one of the specified streams: Electronics and Communication, Mechanical, Information Technology, Instrumentation and Technology, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering or Computer Science.
When is the UPSC Scientist-B Instrumentation exam?
The Combined Recruitment Test is scheduled for 11 October 2026 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
Is the Scientist-B Instrumentation application still open?
No. The application window closed on 12 June 2026. The current stage is the recruitment test for candidates who applied and remain eligible.
What is the salary level for UPSC Scientist-B Instrumentation?
The post is in Level 10 of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix. It is a permanent Group A Gazetted, Non-Ministerial position.
Is there negative marking in the recruitment test?
Yes. The current test notice specifies a deduction of one-third of the marks assigned to a question for every wrong answer. Unanswered questions carry no penalty.
What is the test language?
The revised September 2026 addendum specifies that the medium of the Combined Recruitment Test is English only.
Official UPSC Resources
- UPSC official website
- UPSC recruitment-test notices
- UPSC Online Recruitment Application portal
- Related UPSC Scientist-B Instrumentation Age Limit guide
- Exact Age Calculator by Date of Birth
Last reviewed: 22 September 2026. Recruitment-test dates, venue instructions, admit-card details and subsequent selection notices can change. Candidates should verify the latest communication directly on the UPSC website.
Final Summary
UPSC Scientist-B (Instrumentation) Recruitment 2026 has 9 vacancies in the Indian Meteorological Department. The post is Level 10, requires a specified engineering or technology degree, and carries category-specific upper-age limits of 35, 38 and 40 years for UR/EWS, OBC and SC candidates respectively.
The application stage is closed, but the recruitment remains active for applicants because UPSC has scheduled the Combined Recruitment Test for 11 October 2026, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. The test is offline, objective, English-only and has one-third negative marking. Candidates who are shortlisted and satisfy the eligibility conditions can then proceed to interview.
