CSIR Assistant Section Officer ASO 2026 Recruitment

The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) has released the CSIR Assistant Section Officer ASO 2026 Recruitment notification for 100 Assistant Section Officer (ASO) posts across three cadres — General, Finance & Accounts, and Stores & Purchase. This is not a standard open recruitment: applications are invited exclusively from non-recommended candidates of the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024 (CSE-2024) whose names appear on the UPSC Pratibha Setu Portal. Online applications opened on 23 June 2026, and the last date to apply is 13 July 2026. If you cleared multiple stages of UPSC CSE 2024 but were not finally recommended, this Group B central government position — with a pay package starting at Rs. 44,900 and total monthly emoluments ranging between Rs. 70,000 and Rs. 85,000 — deserves your immediate attention.

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CSIR Assistant Section Officer ASO 2026: Overview

Detail	Information
Recruitment Name	CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026
Organisation	Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR)
Advertisement No.	E-I/RC/2026/2
Post Names	ASO (General), ASO (Finance & Accounts), ASO (Stores & Purchase)
Total Vacancies	100
Post Classification	Group B (Non-Gazetted)
Pay Level	Level 7, Cell 1 (Rs. 44,900 – Rs. 1,42,400)
Eligibility	Non-recommended UPSC CSE 2024 candidates with a university degree
Age Limit	Not exceeding 33 years (as on the last date)
Application Mode	Online only
Apply Start Date	23 June 2026 (10:00 AM)
Apply Last Date	13 July 2026 (05:00 PM)
Help Desk Email	ra.helpdesk@csir.res.in
Official Website	https://www.csir.res.in
Recruitment Portal	https://recruitment.csir.res.in

CSIR Assistant Section Officer ASO 2026: Important Dates

Event	Date and Time
Online Application Opens	23 June 2026 (10:00 AM)
Last Date for Application Submission	13 July 2026 (05:00 PM)
Last Date for Online Fee Payment	13 July 2026 (05:00 PM)
Computer Proficiency Test (CPT) Date	Will be updated after official release
CPT Admit Card	Will be updated after official release
Final Result	Will be updated after official release

Note: Both the application submission deadline and the fee payment deadline fall on the same date. Candidates should apply well before 13 July 2026 to avoid last-minute server rush and technical failures.

Vacancy Details

Post-wise Vacancy Table:

Post Name	Post Code	Total Vacancies
ASO (General)	ASO	61
ASO (Finance & Accounts)	ASO	18
ASO (Stores & Purchase)	ASO	21
Total		100

Category-wise Vacancy Breakdown:

Post	UR	SC	ST	OBC (NCL)	EWS	Total
ASO (General)	23	09	04	17	08	61
ASO (Finance & Accounts)	07	02	02	06	01	18
ASO (Stores & Purchase)	08	02	02	06	03	21
Total	38	13	08	29	12	100

Out of the 100 vacancies, 7 posts (including 2 backlog vacancies) are reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) with at least 40% relevant disability. Within ASO (Finance & Accounts), 1 ST vacancy is a backlog vacancy, and 2 of the 6 OBC vacancies are backlog vacancies. Cadre allocation across General, Finance & Accounts, and Stores & Purchase will be decided by CSIR based on a single merit list and candidate preferences — once allotted, the cadre is final and non-changeable.

Eligibility Criteria

Age Limit

Category	Upper Age Limit
Unreserved (UR) / EWS	33 years
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)	36 years (33 + 3 years relaxation)
SC / ST	38 years (33 + 5 years relaxation)
PwBD (Unreserved)	43 years (33 + 10 years relaxation)
PwBD (OBC)	46 years (33 + 13 years relaxation)
PwBD (SC/ST)	48 years (33 + 15 years relaxation)
Ex-Servicemen	33 + 3 years after deduction of actual military service rendered
CSIR Departmental Candidates	38 years (33 + 5 years relaxation)
Any Other Category	No relaxation

Age is calculated as on the closing date of the online application, i.e., 13 July 2026. There is no minimum age prescribed in the notification.

Educational Qualification

Post	Essential Qualification
ASO (General / Finance & Accounts / Stores & Purchase)	University degree from a recognised university or institution approved by the Government of India or a Government regulatory body

The critical eligibility condition for this recruitment: You must be a non-recommended candidate of the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024 (CSE-2024) as per the details available on the UPSC Pratibha Setu Portal. This means you appeared in CSE-2024 but were not finally selected for any ICS/IAS/IPS or allied service. Candidates who did not appear in UPSC CSE 2024 at all — regardless of their degree — are not eligible. The degree’s final result must have been declared on or before 13 July 2026. There are no physical standard requirements for the ASO post.

Application Fee

Category	Application Fee
Unreserved (UR), OBC (Non-Creamy Layer), EWS	Rs. 500
Women / SC / ST / PwBD / Ex-Servicemen	NIL

Payment must be made online through SBI Collect using UPI, debit card, credit card, or net banking. After payment, download the e-Receipt from the SBI Collect site and upload it in the online application before the 13 July 2026 deadline. Applications for which the fee is paid but the e-Receipt is not uploaded will be treated as incomplete.

Salary and Pay Scale

Component	Details
Pay Level	Level 7, Cell 1 (7th CPC Pay Matrix)
Basic Pay	Rs. 44,900 per month
Pay Scale Range	Rs. 44,900 – Rs. 1,42,400
Dearness Allowance (DA)	As per Central Government rates, revised twice annually
House Rent Allowance (HRA)	27% of basic pay (X-class/metro cities), 18% (Y-class cities), 9% (Z-class cities)
Transport Allowance (TA)	As applicable to Central Government employees at the place of posting
Medical Benefits	Reimbursement of medical expenses as per CSIR rules
Leave Travel Concession (LTC)	Applicable as per Central Government rules
House Building Advance	Available as per rules
Pension	New Pension System (NPS) applicable from 01.01.2004

Estimated Monthly Emoluments: Including DA, HRA, and TA, the estimated gross monthly salary at a metro or X-class city posting ranges from approximately Rs. 75,000 to Rs. 85,000. At Y-class or Z-class city postings, the gross salary is in the range of Rs. 68,000 to Rs. 75,000. After NPS deductions (10% of basic pay + DA), the in-hand monthly salary at metro postings is estimated at Rs. 64,000 to Rs. 74,000. CSIR employees may additionally be allotted residential accommodation under CSIR Residence Allotment Rules depending on availability, in which case HRA is not paid separately — further reducing out-of-pocket housing expenses. This makes the compensation package competitive for a Group B central government post.

Selection Process

The CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026 has no separate written examination. The entire merit is based on your existing UPSC CSE 2024 scores. The selection stages are:

1. Application Screening: All valid applications are screened. Candidates are shortlisted for the Computer Proficiency Test (CPT) in the ratio of 1:5 per category — meaning up to five times the number of total vacancies per category are called, subject to a minimum of five. Shortlisting is based solely on total marks (Mains + Personality Test) obtained in UPSC CSE 2024, as mentioned in the official UPSC mark sheet.
2. Computer Proficiency Test (CPT): Shortlisted candidates appear for a 100-mark, 1-hour qualifying test at Delhi (tentative). The CPT tests practical proficiency in Word processing, Spreadsheet, and Presentation Slides. It is qualifying in nature only — CPT marks are not added to the final merit score, but failing to meet the minimum threshold disqualifies you regardless of your UPSC score.
3. Final Merit List: Prepared entirely on the basis of UPSC CSE 2024 total marks (Mains + Personality Test) among candidates who have successfully qualified the CPT. Your UPSC score is the sole determining factor for your final rank in the merit list.
4. Cadre Allocation: CSIR prepares a single merit list and allocates the cadre — General, Finance & Accounts, or Stores & Purchase — based on merit position and the candidate’s stated cadre preference in the application form. Once a cadre is allotted, it is final and cannot be changed.
5. Document Verification: Selected candidates are called for verification of original documents supporting age, educational qualifications, category, and employment status.

Tie-breaking rule: In the event of equal total UPSC CSE 2024 scores, merit is resolved in this order — (1) higher marks in the Mains Examination; (2) older date of birth; (3) earlier acquisition of the essential university degree; (4) alphabetical order of first names.

Computer Proficiency Test (CPT) — Pattern and Tasks

Since there is no written exam in this recruitment, the CPT is the only assessment you need to prepare for. It tests practical office software skills used in day-to-day government functions.

CPT Parameter	Details
Total Marks	100
Duration	1 hour
Nature	Qualifying only — marks not counted in final merit
Venue	Delhi (tentative; CSIR reserves the right to add other cities)

Category-wise Minimum Qualifying Marks:

Category	Minimum Percentage	Minimum Marks (out of 100)
UR	40%	40
EWS	37%	37
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)	37%	37
SC	35%	35
ST	35%	35
All PwBD Categories	30%	30

CPT Task Areas:

• Word Processing (MS Word): Typing a passage, document formatting, table insertion, headers and footers, and related word-processing exercises used in routine office functioning.
• Spreadsheet (MS Excel): Preparing a spreadsheet with data entry, applying formulas, sorting, and related exercises.
• Presentation Slides (MS PowerPoint): Building a presentation with appropriate slide layouts, content, and formatting.

PwBD candidates will be governed by Govt. of India / SSC rules for CPT accommodations.

Important Links

Description	Link
Join Whatsapp Channel	Click here
Apply Online	Registration, Login
Official Notification PDF	https://www.csir.res.in/sites/default/files/2026-06/final_advt_aso.pdf
Official CSIR Website	https://www.csir.res.in
UPSC Pratibha Setu Portal	https://pratibha.upsc.gov.in
CPT Admit Card	Will be updated after official release
CPT Result	Will be updated after official release
Final Result	Will be updated after official release

How to Apply Online

1. Open Google Chrome and visit the official CSIR recruitment portal at https://recruitment.csir.res.in or https://www.csir.res.in.
2. Click on the “Apply Online” link for CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026 (Advertisement No. E-I/RC/2026/2).
3. Click Register and enter your UPSC Roll Number, email address, and mobile number. You will receive a User ID and password via email and SMS.
4. Log in and complete your Profile Page — fill in gender, date of birth, marital status, category, PwBD status, Ex-Serviceman status, and CSIR or Government employee status. Carefully verify all entries before locking the profile; locked profile details cannot be modified later.
5. Fill in all application tabs in order: Personal Details → Education → Experience → Additional Details → Uploads → Preview & Submit.
6. Upload your photograph (JPG only, less than 50 KB, 200×150 pixels) — recent passport-size colour photo on a light background.
7. Upload your signature (JPG only, less than 50 KB, 50×150 pixels) — signed in black ink on white paper.
8. Upload all required documents in PDF format (max 1 MB each per document): date-of-birth proof, educational certificates, UPSC CSE 2024 Preliminary marksheet, Mains + Personality Test marksheet, and category/disability/experience certificates as applicable.
9. Preview the completed application thoroughly. Click Submit — no changes are permitted after submission.
10. Pay the application fee (if applicable) through SBI Collect. Download the e-Receipt and upload it in the application portal before the 13 July 2026 deadline. Generate and save your Application Number.

Take a printout of the submitted application form for future reference.

Documents Required

Document	Purpose
10th Certificate / Board Marksheet	Proof of date of birth
UPSC CSE 2024 Preliminary Examination Marksheet	Eligibility verification
UPSC CSE 2024 Mains + Personality Test Marksheet	Merit and eligibility verification
University Degree Certificate and Marksheets (10th onwards)	Educational qualification proof
SC / ST / OBC (NCL) Community Certificate	Category reservation
EWS Income & Asset Certificate	EWS reservation
PwBD Disability Certificate (as prescribed by Govt. of India)	Disability reservation and fee exemption
Ex-Serviceman Discharge Certificate	Category benefit and fee exemption
Experience Certificate (if claimed in application)	Supporting information
No Objection Certificate from current employer (for Govt. employees)	Required at document verification stage
Recent Passport-size Colour Photograph	Identity and application
SBI Collect e-Receipt	Proof of application fee payment

Previous Year Cut-off

No previous year cut-off is available for this specific recruitment route, which bases merit exclusively on UPSC CSE marks of non-recommended candidates. Cut-off for CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026 will be published after the CPT and final selection are concluded.

For contextual reference, the final merit cut-off for the ASO post in the separately conducted CSIR CASE 2023 regular examination was approximately 348 marks out of 500 for the General category. However, this figure is not comparable to the current 2026 route, where the merit score is derived from UPSC CSE 2024 Mains + Personality Test marks (out of a total of 2025 marks). The effective shortlisting threshold in this recruitment will depend on how many eligible candidates apply and the distribution of their UPSC CSE 2024 scores per category.

Preparation Tips

Since there is no separate written examination in this recruitment, focus all preparation on the CPT. Here are five specific, actionable tips:

1. Practice MS Word tasks under time pressure: Prepare for passage typing, paragraph formatting using built-in styles, table creation and formatting, insertion of headers and footers, and using track-changes. Complete each task type within a self-imposed time limit of 10–12 minutes to stay on track within the 1-hour CPT window.
2. Strengthen essential MS Excel skills: Practice data entry, SUM/AVERAGE/IF/VLOOKUP formulas, cell formatting, sorting and filtering data, and basic chart creation. A typical spreadsheet task in CPT can be completed comfortably if you can handle formulas without having to look them up.
3. Build PowerPoint fluency: Practise creating a clean 5–6 slide presentation with a title slide, content slides using bullet layouts, an inserted table or chart, and consistent font sizing. Focus on speed — design perfection is less important than completing all required elements.
4. Improve typing speed and accuracy: CPT includes a Word document typing task. Target at least 30–35 words per minute with 90%+ accuracy. Free tools like Typing.com or KeyBr can help you build this in 2–3 weeks of daily practice.
5. Keep your UPSC CSE 2024 documents ready: Since your final merit depends entirely on UPSC marks, ensure both your Preliminary and Mains + Personality Test marksheets are available as clear, legible PDFs under 1 MB each. Any illegibility in uploaded documents can cause issues during verification.

About CSIR

The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) was established in 1942 and functions as an autonomous body under the Department of Scientific & Industrial Research, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. It is India’s largest publicly funded scientific and industrial research organisation, operating through a network of 37 national laboratories spread across the country — covering domains that range from oceanography, space physics, chemicals, and drugs to aerospace, mining, and food science. With thousands of scientists, engineers, and administrative professionals on its rolls, CSIR is among the most reputable employers in India’s research and development ecosystem. Administrative officers joining CSIR support the functioning of these laboratories and the broader R&D mission, gaining exposure to a unique work environment at the intersection of science and governance.

Career Growth: The ASO post (Pay Level 7) is the entry point into CSIR’s administrative stream. The typical promotion path is: Assistant Section Officer → Section Officer (Level 8) → Under Secretary → Deputy Secretary, subject to vacancy availability, seniority, and departmental tests as prescribed by CSIR from time to time. Officers are liable to be posted at any of CSIR’s 37 laboratories, institutes, or at CSIR Headquarters at Anusandhan Bhawan, New Delhi.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the salary of a CSIR ASO?

The CSIR ASO post is at Pay Level 7, Cell 1 with a basic pay of Rs. 44,900 per month, which scales up to Rs. 1,42,400. Including Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and Transport Allowance (TA) at applicable central government rates, the estimated gross monthly salary ranges from approximately Rs. 68,000 to Rs. 85,000 depending on the city of posting. Metro city postings attract higher HRA, pushing gross emoluments toward the top of this range. Additional perks include medical expense reimbursement, Leave Travel Concession, and House Building Advance.

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

The last date for both online application submission and fee payment is 13 July 2026 at 05:00 PM. No application or fee will be accepted after this deadline. CSIR advises candidates to complete the process well in advance to avoid last-minute technical issues on the recruitment portal.

3. Can a regular graduate apply for CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026?

No. This recruitment is exclusively for non-recommended candidates of UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024. Only candidates whose names appear on the UPSC Pratibha Setu Portal are eligible. A university degree is also required. Graduates who did not appear in UPSC CSE 2024 — regardless of their academic qualifications — cannot apply for this notification.

4. Is there negative marking in the CPT?

The Computer Proficiency Test is a practical skills-based assessment, not a multiple-choice question paper. You are evaluated on your ability to complete Word, Excel, and PowerPoint tasks within 1 hour. Conventional negative marking for wrong answers does not apply. You simply need to meet or exceed the minimum qualifying marks for your category to be eligible for the final merit list.

5. What is the selection process for CSIR ASO 2026?

Selection involves three main stages. First, candidates are shortlisted for the CPT based on their UPSC CSE 2024 Mains + Personality Test marks, in a ratio of 1:5 per category. Second, shortlisted candidates appear for a 100-mark, 1-hour Computer Proficiency Test (qualifying in nature). Third, the final merit list is prepared using UPSC CSE 2024 total marks (Mains + Personality Test) only, among candidates who qualify the CPT. Document verification is conducted before the final appointment.

6. What documents are needed for CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026?

The key documents include proof of date of birth (10th certificate), UPSC CSE 2024 Preliminary and Mains + Personality Test marksheets, university degree certificate and marksheets from 10th onwards, category certificates (SC/ST/OBC/EWS) if applicable, PwBD disability certificate where relevant, Ex-Serviceman discharge certificate if applicable, and experience certificates if any. Government employees must additionally produce a No Objection Certificate from their employer at the time of document verification.

7. Can female candidates apply for CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026?

Yes, female candidates who are non-recommended UPSC CSE 2024 candidates and meet the age and educational qualification requirements are fully eligible to apply. Furthermore, female candidates are completely exempt from the application fee and can apply at no cost, regardless of their category.

8. What happens if two candidates have the same UPSC CSE 2024 total score?

CSIR resolves such ties by applying criteria in this order: (1) the candidate with higher marks in the Mains Examination of CSE 2024 is placed higher; (2) if still tied, the candidate with the older date of birth is ranked higher; (3) the candidate who acquired the essential university degree earlier is placed higher; and (4) as a final tiebreaker, candidates are ranked in alphabetical order of their first names.

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The CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026 is a rare, well-structured opportunity that directly leverages the effort you have already invested in UPSC CSE 2024. With 100 Group B posts, a gross monthly salary of Rs. 70,000 to Rs. 85,000, and the security and prestige of a central government career at India’s premier research organisation, this notification should not be overlooked. Eligible candidates must complete their online application at https://recruitment.csir.res.in before 13 July 2026 at 05:00 PM. Focus your remaining preparation time on the Computer Proficiency Test — it is the one active hurdle standing between you and your appointment.