CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026 - Apply Online for 100 Assistant Section Officer Posts

Quick Highlights - CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026

• Organization: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
• Advertisement No.: E-I/RC/2026/2
• Post Name: Assistant Section Officer (ASO) - General / Finance & Accounts / Stores & Purchase
• Total Vacancies: 100
• Pay Scale: Pay Level 7 (Rs. 44,900 - Rs. 1,42,400)
• Application Mode: Online Only
• Application Start Date: 23 June 2026 (10:00 AM)
• Last Date for CSIR ASO 2026 Online Form: 13 July 2026 (05:00 PM)
• Eligibility: University Graduate + Non-Recommended Candidate of UPSC CSE-2024

 

Important Dates - CSIR ASO 2026 Notification

Important: Candidates are strongly advised to apply well before the last date to avoid technical issues on the CSIR website due to heavy traffic near the deadline.

Application Fee - CSIR ASO Online Form 2026

Payment must be made online through SBI Collect using UPI, Debit Card, or Net Banking. After payment, download the e-Receipt and upload it in the application form before the closing date.

Vacancy Details - CSIR ASO 2026

CSIR has announced 100 total vacancies across three cadres of Assistant Section Officer. All posts are classified as Group B (Non-Gazetted) at Pay Level 7.

Reservation for Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD)

Out of the 100 vacancies, 07 posts (including 02 backlog) are reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disability (minimum 40% disability):

Notes on ST/OBC Backlog Vacancies:

• In ASO (Finance & Accounts): 01 vacancy under ST category is a Backlog Vacancy.
• In ASO (Finance & Accounts): 02 vacancies out of 06 OBC vacancies are Backlog Vacancies.

Eligibility Criteria - CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026

Educational Qualification

Candidates must hold a University Degree from a recognized university or institution approved by the Government of India. The final result must have been declared on or before the last date of receipt of online applications.

Special Eligibility Condition

This is a unique recruitment open exclusively to non-recommended candidates of UPSC Civil Services Examination-2024 (CSE-2024). The candidate's name must appear in the list/details available on the UPSC Pratibha Setu Portal. Candidates who do not fulfill both conditions (degree + non-recommended CSE-2024 status) must not apply.

Nationality

The applicant must be a citizen of India.

Age Limit - CSIR ASO 2026

The upper age limit is not exceeding 33 years as on the closing date of online application (13 July 2026).

Pay Scale - CSIR ASO Posts 2026

All three cadres of ASO carry the same pay structure under the 7th Central Pay Commission:

• Classification: Group B (Non-Gazetted)
• Pay Level: Level 7, Cell 1
• Pay Matrix: Rs. 44,900 to Rs. 1,42,400 per month

In addition to basic pay, selected candidates are entitled to:

• Dearness Allowance (DA)
• House Rent Allowance (HRA)
• Transport Allowance (TA)
• Reimbursement of Medical Expenses
• Leave Travel Concession (LTC)
• House Building Advance
• CSIR Residential Accommodation (subject to availability; HRA not admissible in that case)

The posts are governed by the New Pension System (NPS) applicable from 01 January 2004. However, candidates selected from other Government Departments/Autonomous Bodies/PSUs/Central Universities with a CCS Pension Scheme will continue under CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021.

Selection Process - CSIR ASO 2026

The selection process for CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026 involves two stages:

Stage 1: Shortlisting Based on UPSC CSE-2024 Marks

• Applications will be screened to shortlist candidates in a ratio of 1:5 (five times the total vacancies per category, minimum five).
• Shortlisting is based on total marks (Mains + Personality Test) obtained in UPSC CSE-2024, as mentioned in the official Mark Sheet.

Stage 2: Computer Proficiency Test (CPT)

• Shortlisted candidates must appear in the CPT (100 marks, 1 hour) - qualifying nature only.
• CPT tests: Word Processing, Spreadsheet, and Generation of Slides (PowerPoint).
• Tentatively to be held in Delhi. CSIR reserves the right to conduct it in more than one city.

Final Merit

Final selection is based on the total CSE-2024 marks (Mains + Personality Test), subject to qualifying the CPT with minimum threshold marks.

Tie-Breaking Criteria (in order)

1. Higher marks in CSE-2024 Mains Examination
2. Date of Birth (older candidate ranked higher)
3. Earlier acquisition of essential degree
4. Alphabetical order of first names

Computer Proficiency Test (CPT) - Exam Pattern & Minimum Marks

The CPT is qualifying in nature only and carries 100 marks for a duration of 1 hour. Candidates must secure the following minimum threshold marks to qualify:

CPT Components:

• Typing a passage / Word Processing exercises
• Preparation of Spreadsheet
• Preparation of PowerPoint Presentation

For PwBD candidates, Govt. of India / SSC rules on CPT shall be followed.

Cadre Allocation - CSIR ASO 2026

A single merit list will be prepared. Allocation of Cadre (General / Finance & Accounts / Stores & Purchase) will be decided by CSIR based on merit and the preference furnished by candidates in their online application form. The cadre once allotted is final and unchangeable.

How to Apply for CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026

Applications can be submitted online only through the official CSIR website. The portal is open from 23 June 2026 (10:00 AM) to 13 July 2026 (05:00 PM). Use Google Chrome for best results.

1. Visit the official CSIR website at csir.res.in or recruitment.csir.res.in using Google Chrome browser.
2. Click on the 'Apply Online' link for CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026 (Advertisement No. E-I/RC/2026/2).
3. Register using your UPSC Roll Number, valid email address, and mobile number. Note the User ID and password sent to your registered email and mobile.
4. Log in with your User ID and password. Complete your profile page with basic details including gender, date of birth, category, PwBD status, and Ex-Serviceman status. Verify and lock your profile (profile cannot be modified once locked).
5. Fill in all six tabs of the online application form: Personal Details, Education, Experience, Additional Details, Uploads, and Preview & Submit.
6. Upload scanned copies of your photograph (JPG, under 50 KB, 200x150 pixels) and signature (JPG, under 50 KB, 50x150 pixels) as per specifications.
7. Upload all required documents in PDF format (max 1 MB each): date of birth proof, educational certificates (10th onwards), CSE-2024 mark sheets (Preliminary + Mains/Personality Test), experience certificate (if any), caste/disability certificate (if applicable).
8. Preview the complete application form and click the Submit button. Note your Application Number generated after successful submission.
9. If applicable, pay the application fee of Rs. 500 via SBI Collect using UPI, Debit Card, or Net Banking. Download the e-Receipt and upload it in the online application before 13 July 2026 by 05:00 PM.
10. Take a printout of the submitted application form and keep it safely for future reference during document verification.

Documents Required for CSIR ASO 2026 Application

• Recent passport-size colour photograph (JPG, less than 50 KB)
• Signature on white paper in black ink (JPG, less than 50 KB)
• Proof of Date of Birth (PDF, less than 1 MB)
• Educational Certificates from 10th onwards with mark sheets - each as a separate PDF merged into one (less than 1 MB)
• CSE-2024 Mark Sheets - Preliminary Test and Mains + Personality Test (single merged PDF, less than 1 MB)
• Experience Certificate, if applicable (PDF, less than 1 MB)
• Caste / Community Certificate, if applicable (PDF, less than 1 MB)
• Disability Certificate (as per Govt. of India format), if applicable (PDF, less than 1 MB)
• No Objection Certificate (NOC) from current employer, if working in Government (required at Document Verification stage)
• Any other supporting document as required (PDF, less than 1 MB)

General Rules - CSIR ASO Vacancy 2026

• Only candidates who are non-recommended in UPSC CSE-2024 and listed on UPSC Pratibha Setu Portal are eligible.
• Candidates working in Government Departments must produce a No Objection Certificate (NOC) at the time of Document Verification. Their employer must be informed about the application.
• The number of vacancies is provisional and may vary at the time of final selection.
• Incomplete applications or lack of required documents are liable to rejection.
• Officers recruited will be on probation for 2 years from the date of joining, extendable at the authority's discretion.
• Selected officers may be posted anywhere in India across CSIR's 37 national laboratories or CSIR Headquarters.
• Canvassing in any form will be treated as a disqualification.
• If any information furnished is found false at any stage, the candidature may be cancelled and the candidate may be removed from service.
• The court of jurisdiction for any dispute is at Delhi only.
• CSIR reserves the right to modify, cancel, or alter the recruitment process without prior notice.
• Candidates are advised to keep their email ID and mobile number active throughout the recruitment process.
• For help with the online form or fee payment, contact: ra.helpdesk@csir.res.in
• PwBD candidates with grievances may contact the Grievance Redressal Officer at helpline no. 011-23470301.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - CSIR ASO 2026

Q1. Who is eligible to apply for CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026?

Only those candidates who hold a university degree and are non-recommended candidates of UPSC Civil Services Examination-2024 (CSE-2024) are eligible. Candidates must be listed on the UPSC Pratibha Setu Portal. Those who do not meet both conditions should not apply.

Q2. What is the total number of vacancies in CSIR ASO 2026?

CSIR has announced a total of 100 vacancies for the post of Assistant Section Officer across three cadres: General (61), Finance & Accounts (18), and Stores & Purchase (21). Out of these, 07 posts are reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD).

Q3. What is the application fee for CSIR ASO 2026?

Candidates from the Unreserved (UR), OBC (NCL), and EWS categories must pay Rs. 500 as the application fee. Women candidates, and candidates from SC, ST, PwBD, and Ex-Servicemen categories are fully exempted from the application fee.

Q4. What is the age limit for CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026?

The upper age limit is 33 years as on the closing date of online application (13 July 2026). Age relaxation is available: 5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC (NCL), 10 years for PwBD (UR), 15 years for PwBD (SC/ST), 13 years for PwBD (OBC), and 5 years for CSIR departmental candidates.

Q5. What is the Computer Proficiency Test (CPT) in CSIR ASO 2026?

The CPT is a qualifying test of 100 marks and 1 hour duration. It tests proficiency in Word Processing, Spreadsheet, and PowerPoint Presentation. The test will be held tentatively in Delhi. Category-wise minimum qualifying marks are: UR 40%, EWS/OBC 37%, SC/ST 35%, and all PwBD categories 30%.

Q6. What is the pay scale for CSIR ASO posts?

The posts are classified as Group B (Non-Gazetted) under the 7th Pay Commission Pay Level 7, Cell 1, with a pay range of Rs. 44,900 to Rs. 1,42,400 per month. In addition, selected candidates receive Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Transport Allowance (TA), medical reimbursement, and Leave Travel Concession as per Central Government rules.

Q7. How will the final selection be made for CSIR ASO 2026?

Candidates will be shortlisted in a ratio of 1:5 (five times the vacancies per category) based on total marks (Mains + Personality Test) from UPSC CSE-2024. Shortlisted candidates must appear in the Computer Proficiency Test (CPT). Final selection is based on CSE-2024 total marks, subject to qualifying the CPT with the prescribed minimum threshold marks.

Q8. What is the last date to apply for CSIR ASO 2026?

The last date to register and submit the online application for CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026 is 13 July 2026 by 05:00 PM. The online payment of the application fee must also be completed by 13 July 2026 by 05:00 PM. Applications will open from 23 June 2026 at 10:00 AM.

Source

This article is based on the official recruitment notification published by CSIR, Advertisement No. E-I/RC/2026/2, available on csir.res.in and recruitment.csir.res.in. Candidates must refer to the official notification PDF for complete and authoritative information before applying.

Disclaimer

VacancyPage.com provides this information for general awareness only. All details are sourced from the official CSIR notification. Candidates are advised to verify all information from the official CSIR website before submitting their application. VacancyPage.com is not responsible for any errors or updates made by the recruiting organization after publication of this article.