ISRO Scientist/Engineer Recruitment 2026 – ICRB Exam | Reach for the Stars

The Pioneers of Indian Space Exploration

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is a globally respected space agency, known for executing complex interplanetary missions—like Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan—at a fraction of the cost of its western counterparts. As a Scientist/Engineer 'SC' at ISRO, you are not just an employee; you are a nation-builder. You work on launch vehicles (PSLV, GSLV, LVM3), satellite communication, remote sensing, and advanced propulsion systems.

Working at ISRO facilities like the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram, the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, or the U.R. Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) in Bengaluru is a badge of absolute intellectual honor. It is a career driven purely by passion for science and engineering.

Eligibility: No Compromise on Academics

ISRO recruits primarily through the ISRO Centralised Recruitment Board (ICRB), and they demand top-tier academic consistency.

Educational Qualification: Candidates must possess a B.E., B.Tech, or equivalent degree in First Class with an aggregate minimum of 65% marks or a CGPA of 6.84/10 (average of all semesters). The primary branches recruited are Electronics, Mechanical, and Computer Science. Unlike DRDO, ISRO generally does not require a GATE score; they conduct their own written exam, which levels the playing field for candidates who might not have performed well in GATE.

Age Limit: The upper age limit is 28 years for General and EWS candidates. OBC candidates get a relaxation up to 31 years, and SC/ST candidates up to 33 years. Central Government employees and Ex-Servicemen get age relaxation as per government orders.

Salary and Allowances: Group 'A' Status

The position of Scientist/Engineer 'SC' is a Group 'A' Gazetted post.

Monthly Salary: Appointed at Level 10 of the Pay Matrix, the basic pay starts at ,56,100 per month. With Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, and Transport Allowance, the gross salary at the time of joining comes to around ,85,000 per month.

Perks: ISRO scientists receive the Performance Related Incentive Scheme (PRIS), which provides a substantial lump-sum cash incentive based on individual and organizational performance. They also get heavily subsidized accommodation in ISRO townships, excellent medical facilities (CHSS), and leave travel concession. The townships are self-contained ecosystems with schools (Kendriya Vidyalayas), hospitals, and sports complexes, providing an excellent quality of life for families.

The Selection Process: Knowledge Trumps All

The ICRB exam pattern is straightforward but highly demanding of your core engineering knowledge.

Stage 1: Written Examination
The written test consists of 80 objective-type questions to be solved in 90 minutes. Each correct answer carries 3 marks, and there is a negative marking of 1 mark for every wrong answer. The syllabus is heavily focused on the core B.Tech curriculum. For Mechanical engineers, subjects like Fluid Mechanics, Thermodynamics, and Strength of Materials dominate. The questions are conceptual and often require rapid numerical calculation without a calculator. The written test is purely a screening tool; marks scored here do NOT count towards the final selection.

Stage 2: Personal Interview
Candidates who clear the written cutoff (usually the top candidates in a 1:7 ratio to the vacancies) are called for the interview. The entire final selection is based 100% on your performance in the interview.
ISRO interviews are legendary for their technical depth. The panel typically consists of 6 to 8 senior scientists. They do not ask HR questions. Instead, they will hand you a marker and a whiteboard and ask you to draw diagrams, derive equations, and solve practical engineering problems from first principles. They assess your conceptual clarity, your ability to think under pressure, and your fundamental understanding of physics and engineering mechanics. Securing a minimum of 60% marks in the interview is mandatory to be empanelled.