The National Informatics Centre (NIC) has released the detailed notification for the Scientific/Technical Assistant-A Recruitment 2026, with 376 vacancies. The posts will be filled through direct recruitment across the disciplines of Computer Science & Information Technology, Electronics & Communication Engineering, and Data Science & Artificial Intelligence.
The online application process will begin on September 1, 2026, at 10:00 AM and remain open until September 30, 2026, at 5:30 PM. One of the most important points for candidates is that there will be no separate written examination. NIC will prepare discipline-wise and category-wise merit lists using valid GATE 2024, 2025, or 2026 scores.
Selected candidates will be appointed to a Group B, Scientific & Technical, Non-Gazetted post at Pay Level 6, carrying a pay scale of ₹35,400 to ₹1,12,400 under the 7th CPC.
Table of Contents
NIC Scientific Technical Assistant Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | National Informatics Centre |
| Ministry | Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology |
| Post | Scientific/Technical Assistant-A |
| Advertisement No. | NIC/STA/2026/2 |
| Total Vacancies | 376 |
| Recruitment Type | Direct Recruitment |
| Application Start | September 1, 2026, 10:00 AM |
| Last Date to Apply | September 30, 2026, 5:30 PM |
| Selection Basis | GATE 2024/2025/2026 Score |
| Experience | Not required |
| Pay Level | Level 6 |
| Pay Scale | ₹35,400–₹1,12,400 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Posting | Anywhere in India; outside India if required |
The notification states that the advertised number of posts is tentative and may be increased or decreased at NIC’s discretion.
Vacancy
NIC has distributed the 376 vacancies across three technical disciplines.
| Discipline | Total | UR | SC | ST | OBC-NCL | EWS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science & Information Technology | 300 | 122 | 45 | 22 | 81 | 30 |
| Electronics & Communication Engineering | 26 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 2 |
| Data Science & Artificial Intelligence | 50 | 22 | 7 | 3 | 13 | 5 |
| Total | 376 | 157 | 55 | 26 | 101 | 37 |
Horizontal reservation has also been provided for eligible Persons with Benchmark Disabilities. The detailed discipline-wise PwBD distribution is specified in the recruitment advertisement.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Starts | September 1, 2026, at 10:00 AM |
| Last Date to Apply | September 30, 2026, at 5:30 PM |
| Eligibility Cut-off Date | September 30, 2026 |
| Document Verification Schedule | To be announced |
Candidates should note that September 30, 2026, is the crucial date for determining age, educational qualification, category and other eligibility conditions. The notification states that this eligibility date will remain unchanged even if the application deadline is subsequently extended.
GATE Score Required for NIC Recruitment 2026
Candidates must possess a valid score in GATE 2024, 2025 or 2026 in the paper corresponding to the discipline for which they are applying.
| NIC Discipline | Required GATE Paper | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science & Information Technology | Computer Science and Information Technology | CS |
| Electronics & Communication Engineering | Electronics and Communication Engineering | EC |
| Data Science & Artificial Intelligence | Data Science and Artificial Intelligence | DA |
Candidates must submit their best GATE score from an eligible year in the concerned discipline.
Importantly, NIC has stated that equal weightage will be given to GATE 2024, GATE 2025 and GATE 2026 scores.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must have passed M.Sc., MS, MCA, B.E. or B.Tech. in one or a combination of the prescribed technical fields.
The accepted fields listed in the notification include:
- Electronics
- Electronics and Communication
- Electronics & Telecommunication
- Computer Sciences
- Computer and Networking Security
- Software System
- Information Technology
- Informatics
In addition to the prescribed qualification, candidates must possess a valid GATE score corresponding to the discipline for which they apply.
The essential qualification must have been obtained on or before September 30, 2026. NIC has explicitly stated that claims of qualifications merely being equivalent to the prescribed qualification will not be entertained.
Is Experience Required?
No. The detailed notification clearly states:
No experience is required for the Scientific/Technical Assistant-A recruitment.
Age Limit
The upper age limit will be calculated as of September 30, 2026.
| Category | Upper Age Limit |
|---|---|
| UR/EWS | 30 years |
| OBC-NCL | 33 years |
| SC/ST | 35 years |
| PwBD – UR/EWS | 40 years |
| PwBD – OBC-NCL | 43 years |
| PwBD – SC/ST | 45 years |
Eligible government service candidates can receive relaxation, subject to the conditions prescribed in the advertisement. Ex-servicemen will receive relaxation in accordance with the applicable Government of India rules.
The notification further provides up to a 5-year age relaxation for eligible candidates serving in government organisations in the same line or allied cadres, subject to the prescribed conditions.
Application Fee
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| SC/ST, PwBD and women candidates | Nil |
| UR, OBC-NCL and EWS candidates | ₹800 |
Candidates applying for more than one discipline must pay ₹800 separately for each discipline where the application fee applies.
The fee must be paid online. Payment through cash, demand draft, pay order, cheque, or challan will not be accepted, and the application fee, once paid, is non-refundable.
Selection Process
The recruitment process is particularly significant because NIC has not prescribed a separate recruitment examination.
Selection will broadly involve:
- Scrutiny of eligibility and successful online applications.
- Preparation of discipline-wise and category-wise merit lists based on GATE scores.
- Shortlisting candidates for document verification.
- Verification of original documents and eligibility.
- Provisional appointment of candidates found eligible.
Final selection will therefore depend on the prescribed eligibility criteria and the candidate’s valid GATE score.
How Will GATE Scores Be Considered?
NIC will give equal weightage to scores from GATE 2024, 2025 and 2026.
Candidates should provide the best valid GATE score from one of these years for their relevant discipline.
Tie-Breaking Rules
If two or more candidates have the same GATE score, NIC will resolve the tie in the following order:
- A candidate with the older-year GATE score will be ranked higher.
- If the GATE score and year are the same, the older candidate by age will rank higher.
- If the tie continues, the candidate with the higher percentage in the essential qualification will receive the higher merit position.
Where marks are expressed as CGPA and the university does not prescribe a conversion formula, candidates will need the appropriate certificate from the university Registrar.
Salary
Scientific/Technical Assistant-A is classified as a Group B Scientific & Technical Non-Gazetted post.
The post carries:
- Pay Level: Level 6
- Pay Scale: ₹35,400 to ₹1,12,400 under the 7th CPC
Other admissible allowances will be governed by applicable Central Government rules.
Candidates should also be aware that the post carries an All India posting liability. The selected person may be posted anywhere in India and, in the interest of the organisation, may also be posted outside India.
Documents Required for NIC Recruitment Application
Before beginning the online application, candidates should keep the required documents ready.
Photograph and Signature
- Recent colour photograph in JPEG/JPG format: 50 KB to 200 KB
- Signature in blue or black ink in JPEG/JPG format: 10 KB to 50 KB
Supporting Documents
Self-attested scanned copies should generally be uploaded in PDF format between 10 KB and 500 KB, including the applicable documents below:
- Date of birth proof
- Matriculation certificate
- Senior Secondary certificate
- Valid GATE 2024/2025/2026 scorecard
- M.Sc./MS/MCA/B.E./B.Tech. pass certificate
- Qualifying degree marksheets
- CGPA conversion certificate, where applicable
- SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS certificate, where applicable
- PwBD certificate, where applicable
- Experience certificate, if any
- NOC, where applicable
- Age-relaxation certificate, where applicable
The notification specifically warns candidates to upload relevant, complete and legible documents, as incomplete or illegible submissions can result in rejection.
Aadhaar Authentication Mandatory During Recruitment
NIC states that Aadhaar-based authentication will be used at every stage of the recruitment process.
Candidates will therefore need to produce an Aadhaar card during document verification, along with another acceptable photo identity document such as a PAN card, driving licence, EPIC ID or another government-issued ID.
How to Apply for NIC Scientific Technical Assistant Recruitment 2026
Applications will be accepted online at recruitment.nic.in from September 1 to September 30, 2026.
The application process consists of four mandatory stages:
- Complete online registration.
- Fill in the application form and upload the required documents.
- Pay the application fee online, if applicable.
- Download the confirmation page.
The application will be considered complete only after all applicable steps have been successfully completed.
Candidates should enter their details carefully, as the notification states that changes to name, category, address, mobile number, email ID, and other particulars will not be permitted after submission.
NIC Document Verification
Candidates shortlisted through the GATE-based merit list will be called for document verification.
NIC states that document verification may be conducted in Delhi or another location/mode approved by the competent authority. Requests for postponement or change of location will not be entertained.
Candidates must produce their original documents. Failure to produce the required originals or a mismatch between the application information and the documents can lead to cancellation of candidature.
NIC will not pay TA/DA for attending document verification.
Important Certificate Requirements
Candidates applying under reserved categories should pay particular attention to the validity of their certificates.
For OBC-NCL, the certificate must be valid for appointment to posts under the Government of India and establish inclusion in the Central OBC list. A certificate intended only for state government employment or educational admission will not be accepted.
For EWS, candidates need a valid income certificate for the Financial Year 2025-26, valid for 2026-27.
PwBD candidates must possess the applicable permanent disability certificate showing at least 40% permanent disability, wherever required under the notification.
Candidates working in the Central Government, State Government, PSUs, aided institutions or autonomous bodies will also need the prescribed No Objection Certificate.
