C-DAC Project Associate Recruitment 2026 Age Limit: 30 Years, DOB Cutoff & Eligibility

C-DAC Project Associate Recruitment 2026 Age Limit: The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Chennai has announced a fresh recruitment drive for Project Staff, including 14 Project Associate (Fresher) vacancies. The key age rule is a maximum of 30 years, with age, qualification and experience determined as on the last date of registration. Registration opened on 4 September 2026 and closes on 22 September 2026 at 5:00 PM. The Project Associate role is specifically aimed at freshers with a B.E./B.Tech background in Computer Science, Information Technology, Electronics & Communication, or Electrical & Electronics Engineering.

Image source: Wikimedia Commons. The C-DAC wordmark is identified as a Government of India work and is listed as public domain on Wikimedia Commons.

C-DAC Project Associate Recruitment 2026 Age Limit: Quick Answer

If you are searching for the C-DAC Project Associate Recruitment 2026 age limit, the headline requirement is simple: the Project Associate (Fresher) post has an upper age limit of 30 years. C-DAC states that the date for determining the upper age limit, qualification and experience is the last date of registration. For this recruitment, that means 22 September 2026. Candidates should therefore compare their date of birth with the notification’s cutoff framework rather than checking age only on the day they register.

The post has 14 vacancies: UR-8, SC-1, ST-1, OBC-3 and EWS-1. It is located at Chennai, with the notification describing the location as transferable. No post-qualification relevant experience is required.

What Is New in C-DAC Recruitment 2026?

C-DAC Chennai has issued Advertisement No. C-DAC/CHN/02/RCT/2026, dated 4 September 2026, for project staff on contract positions. The recruitment covers Project Associate (Fresher), Project Engineer, Senior Project Engineer and Project Manager posts. The Project Associate vacancy is particularly notable because it is explicitly marked as a fresher position, making it a different search opportunity from experienced C-DAC engineering recruitments.

The current C-DAC careers page lists this Chennai recruitment among its current openings. C-DAC is a scientific society under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and works across high-performance computing, software technologies, cyber security, electronics, health informatics and other ICT&E areas.

C-DAC Project Associate Vacancy 2026

The 14-post vacancy is part of a larger Chennai project-staff recruitment. C-DAC separately lists 27 Project Engineer, 10 Senior Project Engineer and 8 Project Manager positions. Candidates are permitted to apply or attend for only one of the advertised posts; the notification warns that multiple registration can result in cancellation of candidature.

C-DAC Project Associate Age Limit 2026: DOB Cutoff Explained

The most important age-rule detail is that C-DAC does not ask candidates to calculate eligibility merely from their age on the registration day. The notification says the date for determining the upper age limit, qualification and experience is the last date of registration. Since registration closes on 22 September 2026 at 5:00 PM, that date is the controlling date for the age check.

C-DAC also states that an SSLC/SSC/ISC mark sheet or certificate, or another valid document, will be considered as proof of date of birth. An application that does not meet the prescribed age criteria can be rejected or cancelled without prior intimation.

This is why candidates should not simply enter their current age and assume that the result is enough. After identifying the correct cutoff date, candidates can also use the site’s exact age calculator by date of birth as a calculation aid. First identify the official cutoff date, then compare the date of birth shown on the accepted proof document with the applicable maximum age.

Who Can Apply for the Project Associate Fresher Post?

The Project Associate (Fresher) post requires a B.E. or B.Tech qualification. The specified specializations are Computer Science, Information Technology, Electronics & Communication, and Electrical & Electronics. The notification states that post-qualification relevant experience is nil, which is the feature that makes this position particularly suitable for recent engineering graduates who meet the other conditions.

Candidates should read the specialization requirement carefully. Having a general engineering degree does not automatically mean that every branch is covered. The safest approach is to compare the exact branch printed on the degree and marksheets with the branches named in the notification.

Educational Qualification: B.E. or B.Tech

The minimum educational requirement for Project Associate (Fresher) is B.E./B.Tech in one of four listed technical areas:

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

C-DAC’s general conditions also state that candidates in the last semester who will complete their course before appointment can apply, but if selected, joining will be after they pass the examination with the required minimum score. Candidates should therefore verify their completion status and documents before attending the interview.

Desirable Skills for C-DAC Project Associate 2026

The notification gives a wide set of desirable technical skills. They include Java and .NET, web technologies such as CSS, HTML, jQuery, JavaScript, Bootstrap, Angular, NodeJS and ReactJS, communication frameworks such as RESTful web services and microservices, and RDBMS databases. Basic knowledge of Java or .NET, web services such as REST and SOAP, and JavaScript is also listed. Good communication skills in English and Hindi are desirable.

These are described as desirable skill sets rather than a replacement for the essential degree requirement. A fresher should therefore avoid assuming that a long list of programming technologies is mandatory if the advertisement does not classify each item as an essential qualification.

C-DAC Project Associate Salary 2026

The advertised consolidated salary for the Project Associate (Fresher) post is ₹34,000 per month. C-DAC also specifies a minimum CTC/annual pay package of ₹5.06 lakh. This is a project-based contractual position, so candidates should distinguish the consolidated monthly remuneration from a permanent government pay matrix.

The initial contract tenure is stated as up to two years or co-terminus with the project, whichever is earlier. The notification says the contract may be extended depending on performance and project requirements.

Image source: Wikimedia Commons. The photograph was published by the Press Information Bureau on behalf of the Ministry of Science & Technology and is licensed under the Government Open Data Licence–India.

C-DAC Project Associate Job Profile

The role is technical and project-oriented. The notification describes work involving designing, developing, evaluating and maintaining applications, electronic systems and components; configuring and troubleshooting systems, applications, databases and servers; understanding client requirements; defining and optimizing new features; testing and quality-control procedures; and working in collaborative project teams.

The profile also mentions bug fixing, application performance improvement, technical writing and the ability to use data-driven insights. For a fresher, this means the recruitment is not simply a clerical government position: candidates should be prepared to demonstrate technical understanding and the ability to work in a development or technology environment.

C-DAC Project Associate Selection Process 2026

The Project Associate post is advertised with a walk-in interview mode. Registered candidates who report at the designated venue during the specified reporting period are allowed to attend the interview. C-DAC says the venue location will be informed through a separate email, and the tentative interview is scheduled for the fourth week of September 2026. Eligible candidates are to receive confirmation information by email.

This means candidates should complete the registration step first and then watch the email address used for registration for the venue and interview communication. It is not enough to see the recruitment notice and simply arrive at a C-DAC office without completing the required registration process.

C-DAC Project Associate Application Dates 2026

The official C-DAC notice should be checked for any subsequent corrigendum, extension or change. C-DAC specifically advises candidates to visit its website regularly because updates are published there.

How to Register for C-DAC Project Associate Recruitment 2026

The first step is to register the candidature using the Google Form linked from the official recruitment notice. After registration, candidates must complete the application-form requirements and prepare the documents for the interview. The official notice says the application form should be downloaded, completed and accompanied by a recent passport-size photograph.

1. Open the current C-DAC Chennai recruitment notice.
2. Read the Project Associate eligibility conditions carefully.
3. Complete the registration form before 22 September 2026 at 5:00 PM.
4. Download and complete the prescribed application form.
5. Attach the required recent photograph.
6. Prepare original certificates and one set of self-attested photocopies.
7. Watch the registered email for confirmation and interview venue information.
8. Report during the specified time if called for the walk-in interview.

Documents Required for the Interview

C-DAC lists several documents for interview and certificate verification. Candidates should carry the completed application form, valid photo ID showing date of birth, 10th and 12th certificates, relevant graduation certificates and consolidated marksheets, and category or other reservation documents where applicable. Candidates claiming SC/ST reservation need the relevant caste certificate, while OBC candidates need the prescribed Non-Creamy Layer certificate. PwD candidates need the applicable medical certificate.

Government, PSU and autonomous-body employees must produce a No Objection Certificate from their parent organization where applicable. The notification also requires supporting documents for EWS and other categories claiming reservation or relaxation. Missing required documentation can lead to cancellation of candidature or appointment.

Age Relaxation in C-DAC Recruitment 2026

The base maximum age for Project Associate (Fresher) is 30 years. C-DAC states that reserved categories, PwD and ex-servicemen can receive relaxation according to applicable rules. Government employees are eligible for five years of age relaxation including other age relaxations as per the stated rules. C-DAC also describes a relaxation of up to five years, including other age relaxations, for eligible widows, divorced women and women judicially separated from their husbands who have not remarried, subject to documentary requirements.

Because several relaxation rules can interact, candidates should not simply add every possible relaxation together. The final permissible age depends on the applicable rule and the candidate’s category and circumstances. The official notification should control whenever a calculation is uncertain.

Common C-DAC Project Associate Eligibility Mistakes

1. Using today’s age instead of the official cutoff

The notification fixes the determining date as the last date of registration. Candidates should use 22 September 2026 rather than an informal “current age” test.

2. Assuming every engineering branch is eligible

The Project Associate notice names four branches. Candidates should compare their exact specialization with the listed branches before registering.

3. Missing the fresher-specific experience rule

The post requires no post-qualification relevant experience. Applicants should not reject themselves merely because they have no professional experience, provided they satisfy the essential degree and other conditions.

4. Registering for more than one post

C-DAC explicitly says candidates are permitted to apply or attend for only one of the advertised posts and warns that multiple registration may result in cancellation.

5. Arriving without completing registration

The interview admission procedure applies to registered candidates reporting at the designated venue. Complete the registration process and monitor the confirmation email.

Project Associate Fresher vs Project Engineer: Why the Difference Matters

The same September 2026 C-DAC Chennai notice contains both fresher and experienced positions. Project Associate (Fresher) has an upper age limit of 30 years and requires no post-qualification relevant experience. Project Engineer, by contrast, has an upper age limit of 45 years and requires at least one year of relevant post-qualification experience. The salary is also different: the Project Engineer consolidated salary is ₹40,000 per month compared with ₹34,000 for the fresher Project Associate.

This distinction is important for search intent and eligibility. A candidate who has just completed the required B.E./B.Tech should focus on the fresher post rather than assuming that every C-DAC Project Engineer opening is interchangeable with the Project Associate position.

Transfer and Contract Conditions

The Project Associate location is Chennai and the notification describes it as transferable. More broadly, C-DAC states that its projects operate at various locations across India and that selected candidates may be deputed or transferred from one project to another according to organizational requirements. Candidates should therefore read the location and mobility clauses before accepting an appointment.

The initial contract tenure is up to two years or until the project ends, whichever is earlier. Extension may be considered based on performance and project requirements. This is an important distinction from a permanent cadre appointment.

Who Should Apply for C-DAC Project Associate Recruitment 2026?

This recruitment is especially relevant to recent B.E./B.Tech graduates in the four specified engineering branches who want a technology-oriented project role and can satisfy the 30-year age ceiling. It is also useful for candidates who have skills in Java, .NET, web development, databases or related technologies, although the notice frames these as desirable skills rather than a substitute for the essential qualification.

Before registering, ask yourself:

• Is my age within the applicable limit on 22 September 2026?
• Does my B.E./B.Tech branch match one of the four specified specializations?
• Can I provide acceptable proof of date of birth and qualification?
• Can I attend the interview in Chennai if called?
• Have I completed registration before the deadline?
• Am I registering for only one of the advertised posts?

Official Verification and Application Safety

Candidates should use the official C-DAC careers/recruitment page as the primary source for the notice, registration instructions and subsequent updates. C-DAC’s current openings page lists the Chennai project-staff recruitment and advises candidates to keep checking the official website for corrigenda, extensions and other updates.

Do not rely on screenshots or social-media posts for a changed deadline or venue. Recruitment conditions can change, and C-DAC expressly states that official website updates should be followed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the C-DAC Project Associate Recruitment 2026 age limit?

The upper age limit for Project Associate (Fresher) is 30 years, with relaxation as per applicable rules. The age is determined using the last date of registration.

What is the C-DAC Project Associate DOB cutoff date?

The notification states that the last date of registration is the date for determining the upper age limit, qualification and experience. The registration deadline is 22 September 2026 at 5:00 PM.

How many Project Associate vacancies are there?

There are 14 Project Associate (Fresher) vacancies: UR-8, SC-1, ST-1, OBC-3 and EWS-1.

Is C-DAC Project Associate Recruitment 2026 for freshers?

Yes. The post is explicitly titled Project Associate (Fresher), and the notification specifies nil post-qualification relevant experience.

What qualification is required?

A B.E./B.Tech in Computer Science, Information Technology, Electronics & Communication, or Electrical & Electronics is required for the Project Associate post.

What is the Project Associate salary?

The consolidated salary is ₹34,000 per month, with a minimum CTC/annual pay package of ₹5.06 lakh.

When is the last date to register?

Registration closes on 22 September 2026 at 5:00 PM.

How will candidates be selected?

The Project Associate recruitment is through a walk-in interview process for registered candidates. The venue is to be communicated separately, and the tentative interview is scheduled for the fourth week of September 2026.

C-DAC Project Associate Recruitment 2026: Final Eligibility Checklist

Before submitting the registration, verify the following in order:

1. Check that your date of birth keeps you within the 30-year upper-age limit on the last registration date.
2. Confirm that your degree is B.E./B.Tech.
3. Confirm that your branch is Computer Science, Information Technology, Electronics & Communication, or Electrical & Electronics.
4. Remember that no post-qualification relevant experience is required for the fresher post.
5. Prepare your 10th, 12th and degree certificates and marksheets.
6. Prepare category, EWS, PwD or other relaxation documents if applicable.
7. Complete registration before 22 September 2026 at 5:00 PM.
8. Do not register for more than one advertised post.
9. Watch the registered email for confirmation and venue information.
10. Carry the prescribed original documents and photocopies to the interview.

Conclusion

The C-DAC Project Associate Recruitment 2026 age limit is 30 years for the Project Associate (Fresher) post, with applicable relaxation under the stated rules. The recruitment offers 14 Chennai vacancies and is particularly attractive to fresh B.E./B.Tech graduates because no post-qualification relevant experience is required. Registration began on 4 September 2026 and closes on 22 September 2026 at 5:00 PM.

The most important eligibility checks are the 30-year age ceiling, the last-date cutoff, the four eligible engineering specializations, document readiness and the one-post-only registration rule. Candidates should verify the latest official C-DAC notice before attending the interview because the organization can issue updates, corrigenda or changes through its careers page.

External sources: C-DAC Chennai recruitment notice, C-DAC current careers page, Wikimedia Commons logo source, and Wikimedia Commons photo source.