ISRO Scientist Engineer Exam Pattern 2026: 100 Marks, CBT & Interview Rules

ISRO Scientist Engineer Exam Pattern 2026 is one of the most important things to understand before applying for Advertisement No. ISRO:ICRB:03(EMC):2026. The current recruitment is for 175 Scientist/Engineer ‘SC’ posts in Electronics, Mechanical and Computer Science, with online applications open from 27 August to 16 September 2026, 11:55 PM. The selection route is an ISRO-conducted written test/Computer Based Test (CBT) followed by an interview, and the final panel gives equal weight to the written test and interview. citeturn2search2turn2search5

This guide focuses specifically on the ISRO Scientist Engineer exam pattern 2026, including the paper structure, marks, timing, negative marking, Part A discipline questions, Part B aptitude questions, shortlisting for interview, final merit calculation, exam strategy, and common mistakes. Candidates should always cross-check the latest notification and FAQ on the official ISRO recruitment portal because examination schedules and operational instructions can be updated.

ISRO Scientist Engineer Exam Pattern 2026: Quick Overview

The current ICRB recruitment uses a two-stage selection process: a written test/CBT and an interview. Secondary sources reproducing the current advertisement describe the written test as a 100-mark examination of 120 minutes. The written stage has two parts: a discipline-specific section carrying 80 marks and an aptitude/ability section carrying 20 marks. The final selection panel gives 50% weight to written-test marks and 50% to interview marks. citeturn2search3turn2search7

Particular	ISRO Scientist/Engineer ‘SC’ 2026
Advertisement	ISRO:ICRB:03(EMC):2026
Total vacancies	175 provisional posts
Disciplines	Electronics, Mechanical, Computer Science
Written test	CBT / written examination
Written-test marks	100 marks
Written-test duration	120 minutes
Part A	Discipline-specific MCQs; 80 marks
Part B	Aptitude and ability; 20 marks
Interview	Personal interview after written-test shortlisting
Final weightage	Written test 50% + Interview 50%
Application deadline	16 September 2026, 11:55 PM

How the ISRO Scientist Engineer Selection Process Works

The recruitment is not a single-exam-only process. Candidates first appear for the written examination/CBT. Candidates who satisfy the applicable shortlisting criteria are then called for the interview. The final panel is prepared using the written-test and interview performance with equal 50:50 weightage. citeturn2search2turn2search5

This distinction matters because a candidate cannot safely treat the CBT as the complete selection process. A strong written score is important for reaching the interview stage, but interview performance also contributes half of the final panel weight. Conversely, preparing only for an interview without taking the CBT seriously is risky because the written test is the gateway to the next stage.

Stage 1: Written Test / CBT

The written stage is a 100-mark computer-based test. The reported structure divides the paper into an 80-mark technical component and a 20-mark aptitude/ability component, within a total duration of 120 minutes. citeturn2search3turn2search7

Stage 2: Interview

Shortlisted candidates are called for a personal interview. The interview is not merely a document-checking exercise: it is part of the final selection weightage. The final panel uses a 50% written-test and 50% interview split. citeturn2search2turn2search5

ISRO Scientist Engineer CBT Pattern: Part A

Part A is the technical heart of the ISRO Scientist Engineer exam pattern 2026. It is based on the engineering discipline for which the candidate has applied. The current recruitment covers Electronics, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science. The reported structure gives Part A 80 marks and uses objective questions. citeturn2search7

Feature	Part A
Nature	Discipline-specific technical test
Marks	80
Question type	Objective / MCQ
Reported questions	80 MCQs
Reported time	90 minutes
Correct answer	+1
Unattempted	0
Wrong answer	-1/3

The detailed structure reported for the 2026 notice is 80 technical MCQs in 90 minutes, with one mark for a correct answer, no mark for an unattempted question and one-third negative marking for an incorrect answer. citeturn2search7

Electronics candidates

Electronics applicants should build their preparation around the prescribed Electronics/related engineering syllabus rather than relying on general aptitude preparation. A useful approach is to divide the syllabus into network and circuit fundamentals, electronic devices, analog and digital electronics, signals and systems, communication, control, electromagnetic concepts, microprocessors/microcontrollers and other notification-relevant engineering areas. The exact syllabus in the current advertisement should remain the controlling source.

Mechanical candidates

Mechanical applicants should give priority to core engineering concepts and problem solving. Typical preparation blocks include engineering mechanics, strength of materials, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, manufacturing, machine design, theory of machines, industrial engineering and related subjects prescribed for the recruitment. The objective should be conceptual speed rather than memorising isolated formulas.

Computer Science candidates

Computer Science applicants should prepare the core areas relevant to the notified discipline, such as programming, data structures, algorithms, operating systems, databases, computer networks, computer organisation, theory of computation, compiler concepts and software-related fundamentals where included in the prescribed syllabus. Practising objective questions under time pressure is especially useful because the technical section carries the majority of the written-test marks.

ISRO Scientist Engineer CBT Pattern: Part B

Part B is the aptitude and ability component. The reported 2026 structure assigns 20 marks to this part and allows up to 15 MCQs within 30 minutes. It covers numerical, logical, diagrammatic, abstract and deductive reasoning. The published summary of the current notification reports no negative marking in Part B. citeturn2search7

Feature	Part B
Nature	Aptitude and ability
Marks	20
Maximum reported questions	15 MCQs
Reported time	30 minutes
Areas	Numerical, logical, diagrammatic, abstract and deductive reasoning
Negative marking	Reported as none

Because Part B has fewer questions than Part A, candidates sometimes underestimate it. That can be a mistake. Twenty marks can materially affect the written-test total, and the aptitude section can be a comparatively efficient scoring opportunity for a well-prepared candidate.

ISRO Scientist Engineer Exam Timing: How to Use 120 Minutes

The reported written-test duration is 120 minutes. Within that overall window, the published pattern describes 90 minutes for Part A and 30 minutes for Part B. citeturn2search3turn2search7

A practical strategy is to treat the paper as two timed blocks during mock practice. For Part A, avoid spending several minutes on one difficult numerical or conceptual question. Mark it, move forward and return if time remains. In Part B, work quickly through the questions where the logic is immediately visible and avoid allowing one puzzle to consume the entire section.

The exact interface and navigation rules should be confirmed from the hall-ticket instructions when issued. Do not assume that every mock-test platform will reproduce the actual CBT interface.

Negative Marking in ISRO Scientist Engineer Exam 2026

Negative marking is particularly important in Part A. The reported scheme awards +1 for a correct answer, 0 for an unattempted question and -1/3 for an incorrect answer. Part B is reported as having no negative marking. citeturn2search7

For Part A, random guessing is therefore not a sound strategy. If you can eliminate options and have a reasoned probability of success, the decision can be different from a completely blind guess, but candidates should develop that judgement through timed practice rather than improvising in the actual exam.

A simple Part A score example

Suppose a candidate gets 60 technical questions correct, leaves 10 unattempted and answers 10 incorrectly. The technical score would be:

60 × 1 − 10 × 1/3 = 56.67 marks.

The example shows why accuracy matters. A candidate who attempts everything without controlling errors can lose a meaningful portion of the technical score.

ISRO Scientist Engineer Final Merit: 50% CBT + 50% Interview

The final panel is not based only on the raw CBT score. The current recruitment gives equal weight to the written test and interview: 50% to the written test and 50% to the interview. citeturn2search2turn2search5

For example, if a candidate’s normalised/eligible written-test component contributes 72 out of 100 and the interview component is 78 out of 100, a simple illustrative 50:50 combination would be:

(72 × 0.50) + (78 × 0.50) = 75.

This is only an illustration of the weightage and should not be treated as an official prediction of cutoff or selection. The recruitment authority’s final methodology and applicable category-wise rules remain controlling.

ISRO Scientist Engineer Exam Pattern 2026 vs GATE-Based Recruitment

A frequent source of confusion is the difference between the current CBT-based recruitment and other ISRO Scientist/Engineer recruitment routes. The current Advertisement No. ISRO:ICRB:03(EMC):2026 uses an ISRO written test/CBT plus interview. It is not the same process as a recruitment cycle in which GATE scores are used for shortlisting. citeturn2search2turn2search11

Point	Current ICRB:03(EMC):2026
Selection basis	ISRO written test/CBT + interview
GATE score for this drive	Not the selection basis
Written test	100 marks
Final weightage	50% written + 50% interview

Candidates should therefore prepare for the recruitment they are actually applying for, not for an older or different ISRO selection route.

ISRO Scientist Engineer Recruitment 2026: Vacancies and Eligibility Context

The current recruitment has 175 provisional vacancies. The reported discipline split is 100 Electronics posts, 53 Mechanical posts and 22 Computer Science posts when the respective PRL positions are included. Another presentation of the same total lists 99 Electronics, 52 Mechanical and 21 Computer Science posts at ISRO centres plus one PRL post in each discipline. citeturn2search2turn2search6

Discipline	Reported total including PRL
Electronics	100
Mechanical	53
Computer Science	22
Total	175

The broad eligibility reported for the current recruitment is a relevant BE/B.Tech or equivalent qualification with at least 65% marks or CGPA 6.84/10, subject to the detailed discipline and degree requirements in the official notification. The maximum age is reported as 28 years as on 16 September 2026. citeturn2search3turn2search5

ISRO Scientist Engineer Salary Context

The post carries Level 10 of the Pay Matrix, with a minimum basic pay of ₹56,100 per month, plus applicable allowances such as DA, HRA and Transport Allowance. citeturn2search2turn2search9

Do not confuse basic pay with total monthly earnings. The actual gross and in-hand amounts can vary according to posting, admissible allowances, deductions and other service conditions. Candidates should use the official advertisement for the authoritative pay and service-rule details.

ISRO Scientist Engineer Application Deadline 2026

The online application window for Advertisement No. ISRO:ICRB:03(EMC):2026 runs from 27 August 2026 to 16 September 2026 at 11:55 PM. ISRO’s current opportunities page also lists the recruitment with 16 September 2026 as the last date. citeturn0search0turn2search2

Because the deadline is close, eligible candidates should not wait until the final hour. Keep the registration details, educational records, photograph, signature, category certificates where applicable and payment information ready before beginning the final submission.

How to Prepare for the ISRO Scientist Engineer CBT

1. Start with the technical syllabus

Part A carries 80 of the 100 written-test marks, so technical preparation should receive the largest share of study time. Make a branch-wise checklist and classify every topic as strong, moderate or weak.

2. Build a formula and concept notebook

For Electronics and Mechanical candidates especially, a compact revision notebook can save time during the final week. Include formulas, standard results, common traps and short conceptual explanations. Computer Science candidates can use the same idea for algorithms, complexity, operating systems, networking and other high-frequency concepts.

3. Practise objective questions every day

The exam is objective, so reading theory without solving questions is incomplete preparation. Use timed sets and record why each wrong answer happened: knowledge gap, calculation error, misreading, overconfidence or time pressure.

4. Treat negative marking as part of preparation

Do not wait for the examination hall to learn how to manage negative marking. In mocks, calculate your score under the reported +1/0/-1/3 Part A scheme and identify the attempt level at which accuracy begins to fall.

5. Practise Part B separately

Part B has a smaller mark share but can provide relatively quick scoring opportunities. Include short reasoning and numerical sets in your daily schedule instead of leaving aptitude until the last few days.

6. Begin interview preparation before the CBT result

Since the final panel uses equal written-test and interview weightage, candidates who expect to clear the CBT should not postpone interview preparation. Review your final-year project, engineering fundamentals, internships, technical interests, current space missions and the practical application of your discipline to ISRO work.

Best Time Allocation Strategy for the ISRO Scientist Engineer Exam

A useful weekly preparation split for a candidate with a full-time study schedule is to allocate approximately 65–70% of preparation time to technical subjects, 15–20% to aptitude, and the remaining time to mock analysis and revision. This is a preparation recommendation, not an official ISRO rule.

Preparation activity	Suggested share
Core technical subjects	65–70%
Aptitude / Part B	15–20%
Timed mock tests	10%
Error analysis and revision	5–10%

The exact split should change according to your branch, strengths and remaining time. A candidate with excellent technical knowledge but weak aptitude should temporarily increase Part B practice; a candidate who is making too many technical errors should reduce new-topic learning and spend more time on question analysis.

Common Mistakes in ISRO Scientist Engineer CBT Preparation

• Preparing only from GATE books: engineering depth is useful, but the actual recruitment pattern should determine your practice.
• Ignoring Part B: twenty marks can matter in a competitive selection process.
• Blind guessing in Part A: the reported one-third negative marking makes uncontrolled attempts expensive.
• Ignoring time limits: 120 minutes sounds comfortable until a difficult technical question consumes several minutes.
• Not analysing mocks: the purpose of a mock is not only the score; it is to identify recurring errors.
• Waiting for the CBT result to prepare for interview: the interview carries half of the final weight.
• Following outdated ISRO patterns: different advertisements can use different selection routes.

Two Useful ISRO Recruitment Images

ISRO Scientist Engineer Exam Date 2026

The current recruitment information confirms the application window, but the written examination date is not yet announced in the sources reviewed for this guide. Candidates should monitor the official ISRO recruitment page and their registered email for the hall ticket and examination schedule. citeturn2search8turn0search0

Do not treat a coaching website’s projected exam date as an official date. For a recruitment this competitive, the safest approach is to prepare as though the examination could be scheduled soon and use only an official notice to confirm the final date.

Where to Check the Official ISRO Notification

The official ISRO opportunities page lists current recruitment openings and their application deadlines. The current listing includes Scientist/Engineer ‘SC’ recruitment under Advertisement No. ISRO:ICRB:03(EMC):2026 with a 16 September 2026 closing date. citeturn0search0

For application and recruitment updates, candidates should use the official ISRO Careers / All Current Opportunities page rather than relying on unofficial application links. For broader context, candidates can also review the official ISRO Launch Missions page to understand the organisation’s current mission activity.

For related preparation and decision-making, see our ISRO Scientist Engineer Recruitment 2026 guide, ISRO Scientist Engineer Salary 2026 guide, ISRO Scientist Engineer Age Limit 2026 guide, and ISRO Scientist Engineer pay and allowances guide.

ISRO Scientist Engineer Exam Pattern 2026: Final Checklist

• Check that your discipline matches the notified Electronics, Mechanical or Computer Science route.
• Remember that the written test is reported as 100 marks and 120 minutes.
• Prepare Part A as the main technical scoring section.
• Practise the reported 80-mark technical MCQ section under a 90-minute limit.
• Practise the 20-mark aptitude/ability section under a 30-minute limit.
• Account for reported negative marking in Part A.
• Do not assume a GATE score substitutes for the current CBT.
• Prepare for the interview because the final weightage is 50% written test and 50% interview.
• Keep documents and application details ready before the 16 September 2026, 11:55 PM deadline.
• Follow ISRO’s official website for the written-test date, hall ticket and later interview schedule.

FAQs on ISRO Scientist Engineer Exam Pattern 2026

How many marks is the ISRO Scientist Engineer written test?

The reported written-test structure is 100 marks in total: 80 marks for the discipline-specific Part A and 20 marks for Part B aptitude/ability. citeturn2search3turn2search7

What is the duration of the ISRO Scientist Engineer CBT?

The reported total duration is 120 minutes. The detailed pattern describes 90 minutes for Part A and 30 minutes for Part B. citeturn2search3turn2search7

Is there negative marking in the ISRO Scientist Engineer exam?

The reported Part A marking scheme gives +1 for a correct answer, 0 for an unattempted question and -1/3 for an incorrect answer. Part B is reported as having no negative marking. citeturn2search7

What is the final selection weightage?

The current recruitment is reported to use 50% written-test weightage and 50% interview weightage for the final panel. citeturn2search2turn2search5

Is GATE required for ISRO Scientist Engineer Recruitment 2026 under ICRB:03(EMC)?

No GATE score is used as the selection basis for this current CBT-based advertisement. The route is the ISRO written test/CBT followed by interview. citeturn2search2turn2search11

How many Scientist Engineer vacancies are available in 2026?

The current recruitment has 175 provisional vacancies across Electronics, Mechanical and Computer Science, including one PRL post in each discipline in the reported breakup. citeturn2search2turn2search6

When is the last date to apply for ISRO Scientist Engineer 2026?

The application deadline is 16 September 2026 at 11:55 PM. ISRO’s current opportunities listing also shows 16 September 2026 as the last date. citeturn0search0turn2search2

Bottom Line

The ISRO Scientist Engineer Exam Pattern 2026 rewards candidates who combine engineering depth with disciplined objective-test practice. The reported 100-mark, 120-minute CBT puts most of the written-test marks into the technical section, while Part B provides a smaller aptitude component. The most important strategic point is that the CBT is only the first major stage: the final panel gives equal weight to the written test and interview. citeturn2search3turn2search7

With 175 provisional Scientist/Engineer ‘SC’ vacancies and the application deadline approaching on 16 September 2026, candidates should complete the application carefully, build a branch-specific technical plan, practise the exact reported timing structure and monitor the official ISRO recruitment page for the examination schedule. citeturn0search0turn2search2