If you are checking the UPSC Scientist-B Atmospheric Sciences age limit 2026, the advertised upper age limit is 35 years for UR/EWS candidates and 40 years for SC candidates. The recruitment is for seven Scientist-B (Atmospheric Sciences) posts in the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Ministry of Earth Sciences, under UPSC Advertisement No. 05/2026.
This guide covers the category-wise age limit, DOB cutoff, PwBD position, vacancies, postgraduate qualification, experience requirement, duties, pay level, application dates and current UPSC status. The original application window closed in June 2026, so this page is intended to help candidates understand the notified eligibility and follow the later selection stage.
UPSC Scientist-B Atmospheric Sciences Age Limit 2026 at a Glance
| Category | Maximum age | Age reference date | Illustrative DOB boundary |
|---|---|---|---|
| UR | 35 years | 12 June 2026 | 13 June 1991 or later |
| EWS | 35 years | 12 June 2026 | 13 June 1991 or later |
| SC | 40 years | 12 June 2026 | 13 June 1986 or later |
| Eligible PwBD | Applicable concession under UPSC rules | As prescribed | Check the applicable concession |
The DOB examples are practical boundary illustrations. The exact eligibility decision should be based on the notification’s age-reckoning provision and the candidate’s valid category and supporting documents.
What Is the Scientist-B Atmospheric Sciences Age Limit?
UPSC Advertisement No. 05/2026 notified seven Scientist-B (Atmospheric Sciences) vacancies in the Indian Meteorological Department. The reservation position is UR-03, EWS-03 and SC-01. The advertisement states that the post is not reserved for PwBD candidates but is suitable for specified PwBD categories. That distinction matters when reading the reservation and age-concession provisions.
The upper age limit is 35 years for UR/EWS candidates and 40 years for SC candidates. There is no OBC or ST vacancy in the advertised reservation position for this particular Scientist-B discipline, so candidates should not transfer the category-wise limits from the separate General Meteorology or Instrumentation vacancies to Atmospheric Sciences.
UPSC Scientist-B Atmospheric Sciences DOB Cutoff 2026
The online application period for Advertisement No. 05/2026 opened on 23 May 2026 and closed on 12 June 2026. The eligibility date was tied to the recruitment’s prescribed closing-date framework, so the later selection process does not create a new age cutoff.
| Maximum age | Illustrative latest DOB | How to read the boundary |
|---|---|---|
| 35 years | 13 June 1991 | A candidate born on or after this date is within the 35-year ceiling on 12 June 2026. |
| 40 years | 13 June 1986 | A candidate born on or after this date is within the 40-year ceiling on 12 June 2026. |
For example, a candidate born on 13 June 1991 would be one day short of turning 35 on 12 June 2026. The same boundary method produces 13 June 1986 for the 40-year SC ceiling. These examples are useful for a quick check, but the UPSC notification remains the controlling source.
Age Relaxation for Scientist-B Atmospheric Sciences
Category-specific age limits can be supplemented by concessions available under applicable government and UPSC instructions. The post is stated to be suitable for specified PwBD categories, including certain locomotor-disability subcategories, but it does not carry a separately reserved PwBD vacancy. Eligible PwBD candidates should therefore check the applicable UPSC age-concession provisions for a suitable post and the required disability certification.
| Candidate situation | What to verify |
|---|---|
| UR/EWS | 35-year advertised upper-age limit. |
| SC | 40-year advertised upper-age limit. |
| PwBD | Post is suitable for specified PwBD categories; check the applicable UPSC concession and documentation. |
| Other special categories | Check the specific UPSC advertisement and applicable government instructions before claiming any concession. |
Age relaxations should not be combined automatically. The permissible upper age depends on the candidate’s exact status, the applicable rule and the documents accepted by UPSC. A concession also does not remove the requirement to meet the prescribed educational qualification.
Scientist-B Atmospheric Sciences Vacancy Details
| Recruitment detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Post | Scientist-B (Atmospheric Sciences) |
| Vacancy number | 26050512623 |
| Advertisement | UPSC Advertisement No. 05/2026 |
| Total vacancies | 7 |
| UR | 3 |
| EWS | 3 |
| SC | 1 |
| OBC/ST vacancy | None listed for this post |
| PwBD status | Post suitable for specified PwBD categories; not separately reserved |
| Department | Indian Meteorological Department, Ministry of Earth Sciences |
Educational Qualification
The essential qualification is a Master’s Degree in Engineering or Technology from a recognized University or Institute in one of the prescribed areas:
- Atmospheric Sciences
- Ocean Science
- Hydrology
- Atmospheric Physics
- Atmospheric Ocean Science & Technology
- Radar & Microwave Engineering
The qualification wording is specific. Candidates should compare the title and content of their postgraduate engineering or technology qualification with the prescribed fields instead of assuming that every meteorology, environmental science or earth-science qualification is automatically equivalent.
What the Atmospheric Sciences Degree Covers in This Recruitment
The listed postgraduate fields show that UPSC is seeking a technical engineering or technology background rather than a generic postgraduate qualification. Atmospheric Sciences and Atmospheric Physics are directly named, while Ocean Science, Hydrology, Atmospheric Ocean Science & Technology and Radar & Microwave Engineering are also expressly included. Candidates should preserve the exact degree nomenclature and supporting university documents used for their application.
This is especially important for candidates whose degree title is interdisciplinary. A programme may contain atmospheric or environmental subjects without having one of the qualification titles specified in the advertisement. Where there is uncertainty, the candidate should compare the official degree certificate and university programme with the wording in Advertisement No. 05/2026 and rely on UPSC’s determination.
Scientist-B Atmospheric Sciences: Age Limit vs Other Scientist-B Posts
| Scientist-B post | Advertised vacancies | Upper-age pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Atmospheric Sciences | 7 | 35 years UR/EWS; 40 years SC |
| General Meteorology | 30 | 35 years UR/EWS; 38 OBC; 40 SC/ST |
| Instrumentation | 9 | 35 years UR/EWS; 38 OBC; 40 SC |
These three Scientist-B recruitments appear together in Advertisement No. 05/2026, but their reservation positions and qualifications are different. The Atmospheric Sciences article should therefore be read on its own terms. In particular, the absence of an OBC vacancy in Atmospheric Sciences does not mean that the same category position applies to the other two Scientist-B disciplines.
Practical Age-Eligibility Checklist
- Confirm that your date of birth satisfies the 35-year UR/EWS or 40-year SC ceiling as of 12 June 2026.
- Confirm that your claimed category matches the reservation position notified for this post.
- If relying on PwBD suitability or a concession, verify the disability category, percentage and certificate requirements applicable to the post.
- Check the exact postgraduate engineering or technology discipline named on your qualification documents.
- Keep the original application information and supporting documents consistent with the details submitted to UPSC.
- For the selection stage, use the latest UPSC notice and e-Admit Card rather than older third-party schedules.
Is Experience Required for Scientist-B Atmospheric Sciences?
No separate prior experience requirement is prescribed in the essential qualification summary for this post. The principal academic requirement is the specified Master’s Degree in Engineering or Technology. Candidates must nevertheless satisfy the remaining conditions of the UPSC advertisement.
Scientist-B Atmospheric Sciences Duties
The Scientist-B role sits within IMD’s scientific and operational framework. The work can involve atmospheric observations, analysis and technical responsibilities supporting weather and climate services. The precise duties assigned to a selected candidate depend on the unit and operational requirements of the department.
- Supporting scientific and technical work related to atmospheric observations.
- Working with meteorological data and observation systems.
- Contributing to analysis and interpretation of atmospheric information.
- Supporting operational meteorological services and related IMD activities.
- Undertaking technical or administrative responsibilities assigned by the competent authority.
Because the post is within the Indian Meteorological Department, the work can intersect with forecasting, observation networks and specialized meteorological services. The notification’s prescribed qualification fields reflect the technical and scientific nature of the position.
Pay Level, Service Status and Posting
| Service detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Pay level | Level 10 under the 7th CPC Pay Matrix |
| Classification | General Central Service, Group A |
| Status | Gazetted, Non-Ministerial |
| Nature | Permanent |
| Probation | 2 years |
| Headquarters | New Delhi |
| Service liability | All India Service Liability |
Direct recruits are subject to the probation provisions in the advertisement. The post is part of the central government scientific and technical establishment administered through the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Application Dates and Current UPSC Status
| Application detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Advertisement | 05/2026 |
| Application opening | 23 May 2026 |
| Application closing | 12 June 2026 |
| Eligibility reference date | 12 June 2026 |
| Application mode | Online Recruitment Application (ORA) |
| Current status | Application window closed; UPSC selection-stage notices issued |
UPSC’s current Recruitment Test Notices page lists the seven Scientist-B (Atmospheric Sciences) vacancies under Advertisement No. 05/2026 and Vacancy No. 26050512623, with the notice uploaded on 15 September 2026. UPSC’s What’s New page also carries a dedicated addendum notice for the seven posts. Candidates who applied should use the latest UPSC notice and e-Admit Card instructions for any test date, centre or reporting requirements.
Recruitment Test and Selection Process
The recruitment is through UPSC’s direct recruitment-by-selection process. The applicable selection notice determines whether candidates are shortlisted through a Recruitment Test, interview or both, and it controls the marking scheme and any interview weightage. Candidates should rely on the current UPSC notice for Vacancy No. 26050512623 rather than applying the scheme of a different Scientist-B discipline.
For age eligibility, the important point is that the original application closing date remains the relevant reference. A later selection event does not reset the candidate’s age or create a fresh opportunity to apply.
How to Check Your Scientist-B Atmospheric Sciences Age Eligibility
- Identify whether your application category was UR, EWS or SC.
- Use 12 June 2026 as the recruitment’s eligibility reference date.
- Compare your date of birth with the applicable 35-year or 40-year ceiling.
- Check whether a valid PwBD or other government concession applies to your case.
- Match your Master’s Degree in Engineering or Technology against the six prescribed subject areas.
- Keep category, qualification and disability documents ready for any verification required by UPSC.
For a broader explanation of government recruitment age cutoffs, DOB boundaries and category-based eligibility, see our Government Job Age Eligibility Guide. This article is specifically about Scientist-B Atmospheric Sciences and should be read together with the original UPSC advertisement.
Important Documents to Verify
- Master’s Degree certificate or provisional degree and supporting marksheets.
- UR/EWS/SC documentation as applicable to the recruitment category.
- PwBD certificate and supporting documents where an applicable concession is claimed.
- Government-issued identity documents required by the UPSC process.
- UPSC application record and e-Admit Card information for candidates proceeding to the selection stage.
Key Points to Remember
- 35 years is the upper age limit for UR/EWS candidates.
- 40 years is the upper age limit for the SC vacancy.
- The original eligibility reference date was 12 June 2026.
- The post is suitable for specified PwBD categories but was not separately reserved for PwBD.
- There are 7 vacancies: UR-03, EWS-03 and SC-01.
- A prescribed Master’s Degree in Engineering or Technology is essential.
- No separate prior experience requirement is listed.
- The post is a permanent Group A Gazetted, Non-Ministerial Level 10 position.
- Applications are closed and UPSC has published selection-stage notices.
FAQ: UPSC Scientist-B Atmospheric Sciences Age Limit 2026
Official Sources and Final Eligibility Check
The primary reference is UPSC Advertisement No. 05/2026 and the vacancy details for Vacancy No. 26050512623. For current selection-stage information, candidates should consult UPSC’s Recruitment Test Notices and the dedicated addendum notice for Scientist-B (Atmospheric Sciences). Any later change to the selection schedule or instructions should be taken from UPSC directly.
- UPSC Recruitment Test Notices
- UPSC Scientist-B Atmospheric Sciences Addendum Notice
- UPSC Recruitment Advertisements
Bottom line: The UPSC Scientist-B Atmospheric Sciences recruitment has an advertised age ceiling of 35 years for UR/EWS and 40 years for SC, with the age condition tied to the 12 June 2026 eligibility reference date. Seven posts were notified, the application stage is closed, and UPSC’s current notices show the recruitment continuing through the selection process.
