The National Testing Agency (NTA), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Education, Government of India, has released a Vacancy Notification (No. A-A8/18/2026-Admin (15068), dated 25 July 2026) inviting applications from Young Professionals (YPs) for engagement on a contract basis, through the Pratibha Setu Portal of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). A total of 16 positions are on offer across three streams – Academic Research, Legal Research, and Finance and Accounts Research. Eligible candidates registered on the Pratibha Setu portal can apply by email to dir-admin@nta.gov.in, within 30 days from the date of publication of this advertisement (i.e., by around 24 August 2026).
Important Note: Applications will be considered only from candidates registered on the Pratibha Setu portal of UPSC, who have appeared in the Civil Services Examination. This is not a general open recruitment – candidates must first be on the Pratibha Setu portal to be eligible.
NTA Young Professionals Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | National Testing Agency (NTA), Ministry of Education |
| Notification No. | A-A8/18/2026-Admin (15068), dated 25 July 2026 |
| Post Name | Young Professional (YP) |
| Engagement Mode | Contract basis, via Pratibha Setu Portal (UPSC) |
| Total Vacancies | 16 (12 Academic Research + 2 Legal Research + 2 Finance and Accounts Research) |
| Application Mode | |
| Application Email | dir-admin@nta.gov.in |
| Application Deadline | Within 30 days from 25 July 2026 (approx. 24 August 2026) |
| Consolidated Remuneration | Rs. 80,000 per month (fixed, all-inclusive) |
| Duration | Initial 24 months, extendable by 12 months (up to 36 months total) |
| Place of Work | NTA premises, Delhi |
| Official Website | nta.ac.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | 25 July 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | Within 30 days from date of publication (approx. 24 August 2026) |
Vacancy Details (Stream-Wise)
| S.No. | Stream | Number | Placement in NTA |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Academic Research | 12 | Academic Unit of NTA, across subject areas including engineering & physical sciences, life sciences & medicine, humanities & social sciences, management, and CUET/UGC-NET disciplines |
| 2 | Legal Research | 2 | Legal Unit of NTA, supporting drafting of affidavits, legal research, and coordination with counsel |
| 3 | Finance and Accounts Research | 2 | Finance and Accounts Unit of NTA, supporting budgeting, financial analysis, and appraisal work |
| Total | 16 |
Scope of Work (Indicative)
Academic Research stream: Research into NTA’s exam syllabi, patterns and trends; analysis of candidate performance across exams; support to academic experts and psychometricians in question bank design; building a research/knowledge repository; support to engagement with academic institutions; drafting analytical notes and research briefs.
Legal Research stream: Legal research on exam conduct, candidate grievance, and disciplinary matters; support to drafting affidavits, counter-affidavits, and pleadings before courts/tribunals; compilation of case-law digests; preparation of briefing notes for external counsel; support on contract review and regulatory compliance; drafting responses to RTI queries and grievances.
Finance and Accounts Research stream: Support to annual budgeting and revenue projections; preparation of financial appraisal notes for institutional initiatives; analysis of exam-wise cost structures; support to internal/statutory/CAG audit processes; analytical support on procurement and financial compliance under GFRs.
Note: The actual work assigned may include tasks not specifically listed, consistent with the stream of engagement, as determined by the Director General.
Eligibility Criteria (Stream-Wise)
Academic Research stream:
- Must have appeared in the Civil Services Examination and be registered on the Pratibha Setu portal.
- Postgraduate degree in the relevant subject area, or CSE optional subject aligned to an NTA exam subject area, preferred.
- Doctoral qualification (PhD, submitted or awarded) in a relevant discipline given preference.
- Prior experience in academic research, teaching, or educational assessment preferred.
Legal Research stream:
- Must have appeared in the Civil Services Examination with Law as an optional subject, and be registered on the Pratibha Setu portal.
- A Master’s degree in Law (LLM) from a recognised university.
- Prior experience in legal research, litigation support, or work with a court, tribunal, law firm, or Government legal department preferred.
Finance and Accounts Research stream:
- Must have appeared in the Civil Services Examination and be registered on the Pratibha Setu portal.
- Postgraduate degree in Commerce, Economics, Finance, or a related discipline; or a professional qualification such as CA, CMA, or CS.
- Prior experience in financial analysis, audit, budgeting, or accounts preferred.
Age Limit
Candidates should be within the age limit prescribed by the Pratibha Setu portal for engagement as Young Professionals.
Salary / Remuneration
A consolidated remuneration of Rs. 80,000 per month (fixed, all-inclusive; no separate allowances), subject to applicable statutory deductions.
Terms of Engagement
| Item | Terms |
|---|---|
| Duration | Initial 24 months, extendable by a further 12 months (up to 36 months total), based on performance and organizational need |
| Place of Work | NTA premises in Delhi; occasional travel within India may be required (reimbursed as per NTA norms) |
| Leave | 8 days per year, pro-rata; public holidays as observed by NTA; no other leave/allowance entitlement |
| Working Hours | Full-time, 5 days a week; extended hours/weekend work may be required during exam cycles |
| Nature of Engagement | Contractual for a defined period – does not create any right to regularisation, permanent absorption, or claim to a Government post |
| Termination | Either side may terminate on 30 days’ written notice; NTA may terminate without notice for unsatisfactory performance, misconduct, or breach of confidentiality/terms |
| Confidentiality | Each YP signs a Non-Disclosure Agreement at joining; breach is grounds for immediate termination |
Reporting and Supervision
- Academic Research YPs report to the Head of the Academic Unit (or officer designated by the DG).
- Legal Research YPs report to the Head of the Legal Unit (or officer designated by the DG).
- Finance and Accounts Research YPs report to the Head of the Finance and Accounts Unit (or officer designated by the DG).
- Each YP is assigned a mentor/supervising officer; performance is reviewed after 6 months, then annually.
Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest
- Each YP signs a Non-Disclosure Agreement at joining, in the form prescribed by NTA.
- All information/records/data accessed during engagement is confidential and cannot be disclosed, shared, or used beyond NTA’s assigned work – this obligation continues even after the engagement ends.
- YPs cannot engage in other paid work, consultancy, teaching, coaching, or advisory roles that create a conflict of interest, particularly with coaching institutes, publishers, or exam-preparation agencies.
- Any potential conflict of interest must be declared at joining and immediately if it arises later.
Selection Process
- NTA shortlists candidates based on eligibility criteria and profile fit with the assigned stream.
- Shortlisted candidates are called for an interview (in person at NTA premises, or via video-conference).
- The interview assesses academic/analytical capability, understanding of NTA’s work, and motivation.
- NTA reserves the right to conduct a written test or task-based assessment as part of selection, for any stream.
- Final selection is at NTA’s sole discretion; no correspondence will be entertained on the outcome.
Required Documents
- Registration proof on the Pratibha Setu portal (UPSC)
- Civil Services Examination appearance proof
- Educational qualification certificates (relevant postgraduate degree, LLM, or professional qualification, as applicable)
- Proof of relevant work experience, where applicable
- All required documents as mentioned in the detailed advertisement
How to Apply for NTA Young Professionals Recruitment 2026
- Confirm your registration on the Pratibha Setu Portal of UPSC.
- Review the detailed advertisement attached with the Vacancy Notification for full eligibility, qualification, and experience criteria.
- Prepare your application along with all required documents as mentioned in the detailed advertisement.
- Send the completed application by email to: dir-admin@nta.gov.in.
- Ensure your application reaches NTA within 30 days from the date of publication of the advertisement (25 July 2026).
Important Instructions
- Applications are considered only from candidates registered on the Pratibha Setu portal.
- NTA reserves the right to accept or reject any application without assigning a reason.
- NTA reserves the right to modify the number of positions in any stream, or not fill any position, at any stage.
- Mere fulfilment of eligibility criteria does not create any right to be shortlisted or selected.
- This is a contractual engagement; it does not create any right to regularisation, permanent absorption, or a claim to a Government post.
Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Official NTA Website | Click Here |
| Apply via Email | dir-admin@nta.gov.in |
NTA Young Professionals Recruitment 2026 – FAQs
Q1. How many vacancies are there in this recruitment?
✅ 16 positions – 12 Academic Research, 2 Legal Research, and 2 Finance and Accounts Research.
Q2. Who is eligible to apply?
✅ Only candidates registered on the Pratibha Setu portal of UPSC who have appeared in the Civil Services Examination, meeting stream-specific qualification criteria.
Q3. What is the salary for this post?
✅ A consolidated remuneration of Rs. 80,000 per month (fixed, all-inclusive).
Q4. What is the duration of this engagement?
✅ Initially 24 months, extendable by 12 months (up to 36 months total), based on performance.
Q5. How can I apply?
✅ By sending your application and required documents via email to dir-admin@nta.gov.in, within 30 days from 25 July 2026.
Q6. What is the selection process?
✅ Shortlisting, followed by an interview (in-person or video-conference); NTA may also conduct a written test or task-based assessment.
Q7. Is this a permanent government job?
✅ No, it is a contractual engagement and does not create any right to regularisation or a Government post.
Q8. Where will selected candidates be posted?
✅ At NTA premises in Delhi, with occasional travel within India as required.
Disclaimer
The information above is compiled from the official Vacancy Notification (No. A-A8/18/2026-Admin (15068), dated 25 July 2026) issued by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Candidates are strongly advised to verify all details, especially eligibility on the Pratibha Setu portal, directly on the official website, nta.ac.in, before applying.
