ISRO SAC Recruitment 2026: 48 Posts, Age Limit, Eligibility & Apply

ISRO SAC Recruitment 2026: Quick Overview

ISRO Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad has opened online applications for temporary research positions under Advertisement No. SAC:02:2026. The recruitment covers Junior Research Fellows (JRFs), Research Associates (RAs) and Project Scientist-I positions. The official advertisement is dated 10 September 2026, and the online portal is scheduled to remain open until 30 September 2026 at 5:00 PM.

The key age-limit point is that the notice uses two different upper-age limits. Applicants for JRF Post Codes 01 to 07 must be 28 years or younger as on 30 September 2026. Applicants for Post Codes 08 to 16 have a maximum age of 35 years as on 30 September 2026. SC/ST candidates receive 5 years of upper-age relaxation and OBC-NCL candidates receive 3 years, subject to the conditions in the notice.

For the official recruitment page and detailed notification, use the ISRO SAC recruitment page. The advertisement states that 30 September 2026 is the cut-off date for age and other eligibility conditions.

ISRO SAC Recruitment 2026 Age Limit

The age rule becomes clear once the 16 post codes are separated into JRF positions and the Research Associate/Project Scientist-I group.

The notice does not state a separate universal minimum-age number for these temporary research posts. Eligibility instead depends on the prescribed qualification, post-specific conditions and the maximum age. Candidates close to an age boundary should calculate their exact age on 30 September 2026 rather than relying on a rounded age.

Age relaxation

For OBC candidates, the advertisement says the relaxation is available only to candidates who do not fall in the creamy layer on the date of online application. The certificate must contain the required non-creamy-layer wording and be valid at the relevant time.

Post-Wise Vacancies and Qualifications

The recruitment has 48 temporary positions across 16 post codes. The research areas include semiconductor technology, electronics, photonics, atmospheric science, oceanography, geophysics, computer science, remote sensing, hydrology and environmental science.

The official notice specifies minimum marks for many prescribed degrees: M.E./M.Tech degrees require at least 60% aggregate or a 6.5/10 CGPA/CPI, while M.Sc., B.E. and B.Tech degrees require at least 65% aggregate or a 6.84/10 CGPA/CPI, wherever those qualifications are prescribed.

JRF Eligibility and National-Level Exam Requirement

JRF applicants for Post Codes 01 to 07 have an additional requirement beyond the academic qualification. The notification says applicants should have qualified one of the specified national-level examinations. These include CSIR-UGC NET including Lectureship/Assistant Professorship, GATE, or a national-level examination conducted by specified Central Government departments, agencies or institutions.

The relevant qualifying examination result or score card must be valid on the closing date, 30 September 2026. Simply having appeared in an examination in the past does not automatically satisfy the notice unless the result or score is valid on the specified date.

Research areas

The advertised research themes include RF and mixed-signal circuit design, semiconductor device modelling, photonics, satellite meteorology, oceanography, NISAR SAR data, hydrology, AI/ML, remote sensing and GIS. One computer-science JRF stream mentions agentic AI and LLM integration, prompt engineering, AI debugging and AI-based solutions for meteorology and oceanography. Other streams cover NISAR L- and S-band SAR data, geospatial databases and water-resource applications.

Fellowship and Monthly Benefits

The associateship level for Research Associates is fixed according to qualification and experience. HRA is payable at prescribed rates where hostel accommodation is not provided, subject to the stated rules. Medical benefits are for the selected candidate as specified in the advertisement. JRFs are initially engaged for one year and may be extended based on assessment of work and project requirements, with the maximum JRF engagement stated as five years.

Selection Process

This is a research recruitment rather than a conventional written competitive examination. The prescribed qualification is the minimum requirement and does not automatically guarantee selection.

1. SAC receives online applications.
2. If applications are numerous, candidates may be shortlisted using academic records and subject specialisation.
3. Shortlisted candidates are called for interview.
4. The selection panel is prepared on the basis of interview performance.

Shortlisted candidates are informed by email and interview details are published on the SAC website. Applicants should keep their registered email active and monitor the official recruitment page.

Important Dates and Application Window

The official ISRO recruitment page confirms the 30 September closing date and links to the detailed bilingual advertisement. The ISRO Current Opportunities page can also be checked for later updates.

Documents and Application Checklist

• Date-of-birth proof and the same DOB used in the application.
• Degree certificates and mark sheets.
• CGPA-to-percentage conversion documentation where applicable.
• CSIR-UGC NET, GATE or other qualifying examination score/result for JRF applicants.
• Research experience and publication details where required.
• SC/ST or OBC-NCL certificate where age relaxation is claimed.
• PwBD documentation where applicable.
• Recent photograph, signature and other online application files in the format requested.

For OBC-NCL applicants, the notice specifically requires the relevant creamy-layer exclusion wording. The age-relaxation claim should be supported by the prescribed certificate rather than only a community name.

DOB and Exact Age Examples

Because the crucial date is 30 September 2026, use that date in an age calculator rather than today’s date. The question is whether the applicant has crossed the applicable maximum age on the cut-off date.

These examples show why exact DOB checking matters. If your date of birth is close to the boundary, do not rely on a rounded completed-year age. Use the recruitment cut-off date and compare exact dates. You can also use the site’s Age Calculator and Government Job Eligibility Age Calculator guide.

How to Check ISRO SAC Age Eligibility Correctly

Start with the post code. A JRF candidate must use the 28-year ceiling, while a Research Associate or Project Scientist-I candidate must use the 35-year ceiling. Next, calculate exact age on 30 September 2026. Only after that should an eligible category relaxation be considered.

The advertisement also says candidates waiting for their relevant final-year or semester result on 30 September 2026 are not eligible. This makes the qualification cut-off just as important as the age cut-off.

Common Age-Limit and Application Mistakes

1. Using today’s age: age must be checked on the prescribed cut-off date.
2. Using the wrong age band: JRF and RA/PS-I have different upper limits.
3. Claiming relaxation without proof: category certificates and OBC-NCL conditions matter.
4. Ignoring qualification completion: pending final-year results on the closing date are not eligible.
5. Assuming all research posts have identical requirements: every post code has its own discipline and specialisation.
6. Relying on an old deadline: the official SAC notice should control if another source differs.

ISRO SAC Recruitment 2026 Research Areas in Simple Terms

The 48 positions span both technology development and Earth-observation research. Semiconductor and RF positions involve device modelling, high-frequency circuits, mixed-signal design and microwave systems. Photonics positions involve integrated photonics, quantum devices, infrared detectors and microelectronics packaging. Atmospheric and ocean research includes satellite meteorology, numerical weather prediction, data assimilation, ocean modelling and monsoon studies.

Earth-science positions cover geophysics, cryosphere studies and crustal deformation. Remote-sensing positions use NISAR and other satellite data for hydrology, wetlands, vegetation, soil moisture and GIS. Computer-science work includes AI/ML, LLM integration, scientific data processing and software interfaces. Candidates should compare their exact degree and specialisation with the post-code description instead of assuming that a broadly related degree is automatically acceptable.

Where to Verify the Latest Update

The official ISRO SAC recruitment page is the primary source for the advertisement and later shortlist or interview information. The official SAC centre page provides background on the Ahmedabad centre and its work in communication, navigation, Earth observation and remote sensing.

For age-form accuracy, readers can also use the site’s DOB and form-entry guide and government-job DOB proof guide. These supporting guides are useful when the application requires the date of birth to match official documentary evidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ISRO SAC Recruitment 2026 age limit?

For JRF Post Codes 01 to 07, the maximum age is 28 years as on 30 September 2026. For Post Codes 08 to 16, covering Research Associate and Project Scientist-I positions, the maximum age is 35 years on the same date.

What is the ISRO SAC Recruitment 2026 last date?

The online application portal closes on 30 September 2026 at 5:00 PM.

How many positions are advertised?

The 16 post codes add up to 48 temporary positions: 33 JRF positions, 8 Research Associate positions and 7 Project Scientist-I positions.

Is there age relaxation for SC/ST and OBC-NCL candidates?

Yes. The notification provides 5 years for SC/ST candidates and 3 years for OBC-NCL candidates, subject to the conditions stated in the advertisement. Other categories may receive relaxation under applicable Government of India rules.

Do JRF candidates need GATE or NET?

JRF applicants for Post Codes 01 to 07 must have qualified one of the listed national-level examinations, including CSIR-UGC NET, GATE or specified national-level examinations. The result or score must be valid on 30 September 2026.

What is the JRF fellowship?

The advertisement states ₹37,000 per month plus HRA for the first and second years, increasing to ₹42,000 per month plus HRA for subsequent years, subject to the stated rules.

Where is the recruitment located?

The recruitment is for Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad, an ISRO centre involved in space-borne and airborne instruments, payloads and applications.

Final Checklist Before Applying

• Confirm your exact post code and qualification.
• Check your age on 30 September 2026.
• Claim category relaxation only when you have the required certificate/status.
• For JRF posts, confirm that the qualifying examination result/score is valid on the closing date.
• Check minimum percentage/CGPA requirements.
• Keep DOB, degree, marksheet and category documents ready.
• Submit the application before 30 September 2026 at 5:00 PM.
• Save the final application details and monitor the official SAC page for updates.

Source note: This guide is based primarily on ISRO Space Applications Centre Advertisement No. SAC:02:2026 dated 10 September 2026 and the official ISRO SAC recruitment page. Always read the complete notification before submitting an application because post-specific qualifications and conditions can differ.