CSIR Assistant Section Officer (ASO) Recruitment 2026 - 100 Vacancies (UPSC CSE-2024 Non-Recommended)

Organization: Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi
Position: Assistant Section Officer (ASO)
Total Vacancies: 100 posts (61 General, 18 Finance & Accounts, 21 Stores & Purchase)
Notification Number: Advt. No. E-I/RC/2026/2
Post Classification: Group B (Non-Gazetted)
Pay Level: Level 7, Cell 1 (₹44,900 - ₹1,42,400)
Application Period: 23 June 2026 (10:00 AM) to 13 July 2026 (05:00 PM)
Official Website: csir.res.in / recruitment.csir.res.in

This is a unique recruitment opportunity exclusively designed for UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024 (CSE-2024) non-recommended candidates who hold a University degree and appear on the UPSC Pratibha Setu Portal. This is NOT a general recruitment - only eligible UPSC CSE-2024 candidates can apply.

Post-wise Breakdown:

• ASO (General): 61 posts (UR: 23, SC: 9, ST: 4, OBC(NCL): 17, EWS: 8)
• ASO (Finance & Accounts): 18 posts (UR: 7, SC: 2, ST: 2, OBC(NCL): 6, EWS: 1)
• ASO (Stores & Purchase): 21 posts (UR: 8, SC: 2, ST: 2, OBC(NCL): 6, EWS: 3)

PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities) Reservation:

• 7 posts reserved for PwBD candidates (40% or more disability)
• Blindness/Low Vision: 2 posts (1 backlog)
• Deaf & Hard of Hearing: 1 post
• Locomotor disability: 2 posts (1 backlog)
• Autism/Intellectual/Learning Disability/Mental Illness: 2 posts

Essential Qualification:

• Must be a non-recommended candidate of UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024 (CSE-2024)
• Must hold a University degree from a recognized institution
• Must appear on UPSC Pratibha Setu Portal as non-recommended
• NO branch or subject restriction on the degree

Age Limit (as on 13 July 2026):

• Upper age limit: 33 years
• Age relaxation available for reserved categories

Age Relaxation:

Important Note on Eligibility:

• Eligibility is STRICTLY tied to UPSC Pratibha Setu Portal listing
• General graduates NOT associated with CSE-2024 are NOT eligible
• Government employees must produce a valid No Objection Certificate (NOC) at document verification

Fee Payment: Online via SBI Collect (UPI, Debit Card, Net Banking)

Stage 1: Application Screening & Shortlisting

• Applications screened based on UPSC CSE-2024 marks
• Shortlisting ratio: 1:5 (5 candidates per vacancy per category, minimum 5)
• Basis: Total marks in UPSC CSE-2024 Mains + Personality Test

Stage 2: Computer Proficiency Test (CPT)

• Qualifying test (100 marks, 1 hour duration)
• Covers: Word Processing, Spreadsheet preparation, PowerPoint Presentation
• Category-wise minimum qualifying marks:
• UR: 40 marks (40%)
• EWS/OBC: 37 marks (37%)
• SC/ST: 35 marks (35%)
• PwBD: 30 marks (30%)
• Conducted tentatively in Delhi

Stage 3: Final Merit List & Cadre Allocation

• Final merit based on CSE-2024 total marks (subject to clearing CPT minimum)
• Single merit list prepared
• Cadre allocation (General / Finance & Accounts / Stores & Purchase) based on merit and candidate's choice

Tie-Breaking Methodology:

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

Document Verification:

• Shortlisted candidates called for original document verification
• CSIR may post selected officers across any of 37 national laboratories, institutes, or CSIR Headquarters

Pay Structure:

• Pay Level: Level 7, Cell 1 (7th CPC Pay Matrix)
• Basic Pay Range: ₹44,900 - ₹1,42,400 per month

Additional Benefits:

• Dearness Allowance (DA) - as per Central Government rates
• House Rent Allowance (HRA) - if CSIR accommodation not availed
• Transport Allowance - as per Central Government rates
• Medical Reimbursement - available
• Leave Travel Concession - available
• House Building Advance - available
• Pension: New Pension System (NPS) from 01.01.2004

Probation Period: 2 years from date of joining
Posting: Liable to serve anywhere in India across CSIR's 37 national laboratories, institutes, extension centres, or CSIR Headquarters (Anusandhan Bhawan, New Delhi)

Application Portal: https://www.csir.res.in or https://recruitment.csir.res.in
Step-by-Step Application Process:

1. Registration: Visit official portal and click 'Apply Online'
2. Register with:

• UPSC Roll Number
• Email address
• Mobile number
• User ID and password will be sent to registered email/mobile

1. Profile Page: Log in and complete profile details

• Gender, Date of Birth, Category
• PwBD status, Ex-Serviceman status
• CSIR Departmental candidate status
• Note: Once locked, profile cannot be modified

1. Application Form: Fill 6-tab form

• Tab 1: Apply
• Tab 2: Personal Details
• Tab 3: Education
• Tab 4: Experience
• Tab 5: Additional Details
• Tab 6: Uploads

1. Document Upload:

• Photograph: JPG only, <50 KB (200×150 pixels)
• Signature: JPG only, <50 KB (50×150 pixels)
• Certificates/Documents: PDF only, <1 MB each
• CSE-2024 Mark Sheets: Both Prelims & Mains+PT in single PDF, <1 MB

1. Preview & Submit:

• Preview complete form
• Click Submit
• Application Number generated

1. Fee Payment (if applicable):

• Pay ₹500 via SBI Collect
• Download e-Receipt
• Upload e-Receipt before 13 July 2026 (05:00 PM)

1. Final Step:

• Retain printout of submitted form for reference

For Application & Document Verification:

• Proof of Date of Birth (Birth Certificate/10th Pass Certificate)
• Educational qualification certificates (10th onwards)
• Degree certificate from recognized University
• CSE-2024 Mark Sheets (Prelims and Mains + Personality Test)
• Caste/Community certificate (if applicable)
• PwBD certificate (if applicable, with % of disability)
• Employment/Experience certificate (if applicable)
• No Objection Certificate from employer (mandatory if currently in government service)
• Aadhaar card
• PAN card
• Self-attested copies of all uploaded documents

Critical Points to Remember:

1. UPSC Pratibha Setu Portal Verification:

• Your name MUST appear on UPSC Pratibha Setu Portal as non-recommended CSE-2024 candidate
• Verify this before applying
• No exceptions - if not listed, you're ineligible

1. Profile Page Locking:

• Once profile is locked, NO modifications to name, category, DOB allowed
• Discrepancies found at document verification = cancellation of candidature

1. Degree Requirements:

• Must be from Government of India recognized University/Institution
• Final result declared on or before 13 July 2026
• No branch/subject restriction
• If CGPA awarded, convert to percentage using institution's formula

1. Fee Payment:

• Even if fee paid before deadline, uploading e-Receipt after 05:00 PM on 13 July = incomplete application
• Download e-Receipt immediately after payment

1. Government Employee NOC:

• Currently employed in government? Must produce valid NOC from employer
• Experience certificate or resignation undertaking NOT acceptable

1. Email ID Critical:

• Use active, frequently checked email ID
• All communications (CPT call letters, interview dates) sent via email only
• Check spam/junk folders regularly

1. Avoid These Mistakes:

• Not verifying UPSC portal eligibility before applying
• Locking profile with incorrect data
• Uploading degree from unrecognized institution
• Not uploading fee receipt before deadline
• Canvassing in any form (leads to permanent debarment)

Test Duration: 1 hour (60 minutes)
Total Marks: 100
Type: Qualifying (mandatory to clear)
Skills Tested:

• Word Processing: Document creation, formatting, typing exercises
• Spreadsheet: Data entry, formulas, basic calculations
• PowerPoint: Presentation creation, slide design

Venue: Tentatively Delhi (CSIR reserves right to conduct elsewhere)
Minimum Qualifying Marks (Category-wise):

Q1: Who is eligible for CSIR ASO 2026?

A: Only non-recommended candidates of UPSC CSE-2024 who appear on UPSC Pratibha Setu Portal with a University degree are eligible. General graduates are NOT eligible.

Q2: Can I apply if I didn't clear UPSC prelims/mains?

A: No. You must have appeared in CSE-2024 and be listed on UPSC Pratibha Setu Portal as non-recommended to be eligible.

Q3: What if I completed my degree after 13 July 2026?

A: Your degree must be declared on or before 13 July 2026 (the application closing date). If declared after, you're ineligible.

Q4: Can I apply for multiple cadres?

A: No. You can choose ONE cadre preference in your application. Cadre once allotted is final.

Q5: What happens after clearing CPT?

A: Merit list prepared based on CSE-2024 marks (Mains + PT), subject to CPT qualification. Document verification follows.

Q6: Is accommodation provided?

A: CSIR may provide accommodation based on availability. HRA not paid if accommodation is provided.

Q7: Can I change my cadre choice after selection?

A: No. Cadre allocation is final and based on merit and your choice at application time.

Q8: What is the probation period?

A: 2 years from date of joining. Satisfactory completion required for confirmation.

Q9: Where will I be posted?

A: CSIR has 37 national laboratories, institutes, extension centres, and headquarters. You can be posted anywhere.

Q10: If I'm a government employee, what do I need?

A: Valid No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your employer at document verification stage. Experience certificate alone won't suffice.

For the Computer Proficiency Test:

• Strengthen Word Processing skills (MS Word): formatting, document creation
• Practice Spreadsheet basics (Excel): formulas, data entry, calculations
• Learn PowerPoint: slide creation, design, transitions
• Take online practice tests for CPT-like scenarios

For Document Verification:

• Gather all certificates from 10th onwards
• Get CSE-2024 mark sheets (Prelims, Mains, Personality Test)
• Prepare NOC if in government service
• Get proper category certificate if applicable

Help Desk Email: ra.helpdesk@csir.res.in
Official Website: https://www.csir.res.in
Recruitment Portal: https://recruitment.csir.res.in

About CSIR:

• CSIR operates 37 national laboratories and research institutes across India
• Works on scientific research, technology development, and consulting
• Employs 10,000+ scientists and technical staff
• Contributes to India's research and development sector

CSIR Headquarters: Anusandhan Bhawan, New Delhi

This is a special recruitment opportunity for UPSC CSE-2024 candidates. Verify your eligibility on UPSC Pratibha Setu Portal before applying. Application deadline: 13 July 2026 (05:00 PM).