CSIR Assistant Section Officer (ASO) Recruitment 2026

• ASO (General) — 61 Posts
• ASO (Finance & Accounts) — 18 Posts
• ASO (Stores & Purchase) — 21 Posts

⚠️ CRITICAL: This recruitment is exclusively for non-recommended candidates of UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2024. Candidates who did not appear in UPSC CSE-2024 are NOT eligible, even if they hold a university degree.

⚠️ The last date to apply online is 13 July 2026 (5:00 PM). Do NOT wait for the last day. CSIR HQ does not bear responsibility if candidates cannot submit applications due to server issues or any other reason.

1. UPSC CSE-2024 Non-Recommended Status (MANDATORY): The candidate must have appeared in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024 (CSE-2024) and must be listed on the UPSC Pratibha Setu Portal as a non-recommended candidate. This means: candidates who appeared in UPSC CSE-2024 but were NOT finally selected/recommended for IAS/IPS/IFS/other services. Candidates who did NOT appear in UPSC CSE-2024 are completely ineligible — even if they hold all other qualifications.
2. Educational Qualification: Must hold a Bachelor's Degree (University Degree) from any recognized university in any discipline.
3. Age Limit: Must not exceed 33 years as on 13 July 2026 (with applicable relaxation for reserved categories).

Nationality: Must be an Indian Citizen as per the official notification.

• Only candidates listed on the Pratibha Setu Portal as non-recommended candidates of UPSC CSE-2024 are eligible to apply
• These are candidates who appeared in UPSC Mains + Personality Test (Interview) but were not finally recommended for any IAS/IPS/Central Services post
• CSIR uses the total marks obtained in UPSC CSE-2024 Mains + Personality Test to shortlist candidates for the Computer Proficiency Test (CPT) — no separate written exam is conducted
• Candidates who appeared only in UPSC Prelims or only in Mains but NOT in the Personality Test may not be on the Pratibha Setu Portal — check eligibility carefully

⚠️ Verify whether your name appears on the UPSC Pratibha Setu Portal before applying. Applications from candidates not listed on Pratibha Setu will be rejected.

CSIR will prepare a single combined merit list across all three cadres. Cadre allotment is based on merit rank and candidate preference — once allotted, a cadre cannot be changed. The complete category-wise vacancy breakup is available in the official notification PDF at csir.res.in.

There is NO minimum age specified in the official notification for CSIR ASO 2026. However, the candidate must possess a Bachelor's Degree — which typically means they are at least 21 years of age.

Fee is paid online through SBI Collect using Debit Card / Credit Card / Net Banking / UPI or SBI Challan. Fee once paid is non-refundable under any circumstances — including withdrawal of application, rejection, or disqualification. Candidates must download and keep the fee receipt for future reference.

1. Visit the official CSIR recruitment portal: recruitment.csir.res.in or main website csir.res.in
2. Click on the "Apply Online" link for "Recruitment for the post of Assistant Section Officer (ASO) from Non-Recommended Candidates of UPSC's Civil Services Examination-2024" (Advt. No. E-I/RC/2026/2)
3. Complete One-Time Registration using your basic details (Name, Email ID, Mobile Number, Date of Birth)
4. Log in using your User ID and Password
5. Fill in all required details: personal information, educational qualification, UPSC CSE-2024 details (Roll No., Mains marks, Personality Test marks), category, and cadre preferences
6. Upload required documents — photograph, signature, educational certificates, category certificate, UPSC CSE-2024 marksheet, etc. — in the prescribed format
7. Pay the applicable application fee (₹500 for General/OBC/EWS; NIL for SC/ST/PwBD/Female) through SBI Collect
8. Upload the fee payment receipt
9. Review all entries carefully and submit the final application form before 13 July 2026 (5:00 PM)
10. Download and print the final submitted application form for future reference

⚠️ Applications through any offline mode will not be accepted. CSIR HQ does not take responsibility for errors committed by the applicant in the online form. No refund of fee will be made for invalid applications.

1. Stage 1 — Application Screening / Shortlisting: Applications will be screened and candidates shortlisted at 1:5 ratio (5 times the total vacancies in each category, subject to a minimum of 5 candidates) based on total marks (Mains + Personality Test) obtained in UPSC CSE-2024, as per their UPSC marksheet. Higher UPSC scores = higher shortlisting priority.
2. Stage 2 — Computer Proficiency Test (CPT): Shortlisted candidates appear in a CPT of 100 marks and 1 hour duration. The CPT is qualifying in nature only — CPT marks are NOT added to the final merit. It tests proficiency in:
   • Word Processing (MS Word or equivalent)
   • Spread Sheet (MS Excel or equivalent)
   • Generation of Slides / Presentations (MS PowerPoint or equivalent)
   Minimum qualifying marks in CPT: UR/EWS — 40% | OBC-NCL — 37% | SC/ST — 35% | All PwBD — 30%. CPT will be held tentatively in Delhi (other cities may be added if needed).
3. Stage 3 — Document Verification: Candidates shortlisted from CPT-qualified pool (based on UPSC CSE-2024 merit) are called for document verification at CSIR HQ. Original documents must be produced.

Final Merit: Based entirely on UPSC CSE-2024 total marks (Mains + Personality Test) subject to qualifying the CPT. CPT marks have zero weightage. A single combined merit list is prepared for all three cadres. Cadre allotment is done based on merit rank and preference — no change of cadre is permitted after allotment.

The CPT tests practical hands-on computer skills required for day-to-day office work. Candidates should practise creating and editing Word documents, Excel spreadsheets (formulas, formatting, data entry), and PowerPoint presentations before the test. The CPT will be conducted by CSIR or an agency appointed by CSIR.

⚠️ Failure to achieve the minimum qualifying marks in CPT = elimination from the selection process, regardless of how high your UPSC CSE-2024 score is.

1. Higher Mains Marks: Candidate with higher marks in UPSC Mains Examination (CSE-2024) is ranked higher
2. Age (Date of Birth): If still tied, the older candidate (based on date of birth) is ranked higher
3. Earlier Acquisition of Degree: Candidate who obtained the required educational qualification (university degree) earlier is given preference
4. Alphabetical Order: If still unresolved, candidates are ranked according to the alphabetical order of their first names

Additional Benefits: DA (Dearness Allowance), HRA (House Rent Allowance), TA (Transport Allowance) — all at Central Government rates; reimbursement of medical expenses; Leave Travel Concession (LTC); House Building Advance as applicable; CSIR accommodation subject to availability; New Pension System (NPS) — the selected officers are governed by NPS from the date of joining.

Posting: Officers are liable to serve anywhere in India and may be transferred to any CSIR Laboratory, Institute, Unit, Extension Centre, or CSIR HQ across the country. Selected officers will be on probation for 2 years from the date of joining.

CSIR prepares a single merit list for all three cadres combined. Higher-ranked candidates get their preferred cadre based on availability. Once a cadre is allotted, it cannot be changed. Candidates should carefully indicate their cadre preference during the online application process.

• Printout of submitted online application form
• UPSC CSE-2024 Marksheet — showing marks in Mains and Personality Test (mandatory — this is the basis of selection)
• UPSC CSE-2024 Roll Number / Admit Card
• Educational Qualification: Bachelor's Degree Certificate and all academic marksheets
• Date of Birth Proof: Class 10th Certificate or Birth Certificate
• Category Certificate: SC/ST/OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) / EWS — in the prescribed format from competent authority (OBC-NCL certificate must be recent)
• PwBD Certificate: From a Competent Medical Authority showing at least 40% disability (if applicable)
• Ex-Servicemen Discharge Certificate (if applicable)
• NOC from employer (if currently employed in Central/State Government / PSU / Autonomous Body)
• Valid Photo ID Proof — Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Voter ID, or Passport
• Passport-size photographs as specified in the DV call letter

⚠️ Always carry BOTH originals AND self-attested photocopies. Candidates found ineligible at DV stage will be disqualified from the recruitment process even if they cleared CPT.

• Probation Period: Selected candidates will be on probation for 2 years from the date of joining, extendable or curtailable at the discretion of the Appointing Authority
• Pension Scheme: Governed by New Pension System (NPS) — not the Old Pension Scheme (OPS)
• Posting: Officers are liable to serve anywhere in India — they may be transferred to any CSIR Laboratory, Institute, Unit, Extension Centre, or CSIR HQ as per administrative requirements
• Accommodation: CSIR accommodation may be provided subject to availability at the place of posting
• Medical Benefits: Reimbursement of medical expenses as per Central Government rules
• Leave Benefits: As per Central Government service rules — Earned Leave, Casual Leave, Medical Leave, LTC, Child Care Leave, Maternity/Paternity Leave, etc.
• Cadre Change: Once a cadre is allotted (General / Finance & Accounts / Stores & Purchase), it cannot be changed at the candidate's request

• Official CSIR Website: www.csir.res.in
• Official CSIR Recruitment Portal (Online Application): recruitment.csir.res.in
• Direct Application Link: recruitment.csir.res.in/assistant_section_officer_2026/
• Official Notification PDF: Available on csir.res.in under Recruitment / What's New section (Advt. No. E-I/RC/2026/2)

⚠️ CSIR does NOT communicate recruitment updates by post. All CPT schedules, admit cards, and results will be posted on the official CSIR website only. Beware of fraudulent websites or agents claiming to offer CSIR ASO selections for a fee. Always verify from csir.res.in and recruitment.csir.res.in only.