The National Informatics Centre (NIC), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India, has released Advertisement No. NIC/STA/2026/2 inviting online applications for 376 posts of Scientific/Technical Assistant-A, a Group-B S&T (Non-Gazetted) post at Pay Level 6 (Rs. 35,400-1,12,400). What sets this recruitment apart from most central government posts is that there is no written examination and no interview – selection is made purely on the basis of a valid GATE score from 2024, 2025 or 2026. Three disciplines are covered: Computer Sciences and Information Technology (300 posts, GATE Code CS), Electronics and Communication Engineering (26 posts, GATE Code EC) and Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (50 posts, GATE Code DA). The online application window opens on 1 September 2026 at 10:00 AM and closes on 30 September 2026 at 5:30 PM at recruitment.nic.in. Selected candidates may be posted anywhere in India or outside India.
Important – Read Before You Apply: Four things about this recruitment that every eligible candidate must understand before starting the application. First, your GATE score is your only selection criterion – NIC prepares a category-wise merit list per discipline based entirely on GATE score; a higher score from a more recent year does not automatically rank higher than an older year; if two candidates have the same score, the one with the older-year GATE is ranked higher, followed by the older candidate by date of birth, then the higher percentage in the essential qualification. Second, you must submit your best score from any one eligible year – GATE 2024, 2025 and 2026 carry equal weightage; pick the year where your score is highest. Third, if you are applying for more than one discipline, you must fill a separate application and pay a separate fee of Rs. 800 per discipline – a single application does not cover multiple disciplines. Fourth, the post carries All India liability and the candidate may be posted anywhere in India or outside India – there is no home-state or preferred-location option; if this is a constraint, factor it in before applying.
NIC Scientific/Technical Assistant Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | National Informatics Centre (NIC), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, GoI |
| Advertisement No. | NIC/STA/2026/2 |
| Post Name | Scientific/Technical Assistant-A |
| Post Classification | Group-B S&T, Non-Gazetted |
| Total Vacancies | 376 (tentative – may increase or decrease) |
| Pay Level | Level 6, 7th CPC (Rs. 35,400-1,12,400) |
| Selection Basis | Valid GATE Score from 2024, 2025 or 2026 only |
| Written Examination | None |
| Interview | None |
| Application Mode | Online – recruitment.nic.in |
| Application Opens | 1 September 2026 at 10:00 AM |
| Application Last Date | 30 September 2026 at 5:30 PM |
| Eligibility Cut-off Date | 30 September 2026 (same as application closing date) |
| Job Location | Anywhere in India or outside India |
| Official Website | nic.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date/Time |
|---|---|
| Application opens | 1 September 2026 at 10:00 AM |
| Application last date | 30 September 2026 at 5:30 PM |
| Eligibility cut-off date | 30 September 2026 |
| Document Verification | To be announced on recruitment.nic.in |
The eligibility cut-off date for age, qualification and category remains 30 September 2026 even if the application window is subsequently extended.
Vacancy Details
| S.No. | Discipline | GATE Code | Total Posts | UR | SC | ST | OBC-NCL | EWS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Computer Sciences and Information Technology | CS | 300 | 122 | 45 | 22 | 81 | 30 |
| 2 | Electronics and Communication Engineering | EC | 26 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 2 |
| 3 | Data Science and Artificial Intelligence | DA | 50 | 22 | 7 | 3 | 13 | 5 |
| Total | 376 | 157 | 55 | 26 | 101 | 37 |
PwBD horizontal reservation: Computer Sciences and IT – 15 posts (Locomotor Disability-4, Hard of Hearing-4, Multiple Disabilities-7, including a 3-post PH-MD backlog vacancy); Electronics and Communication Engineering – 2 posts (Locomotor Disability-1, Hard of Hearing-1); Data Science and AI – 2 posts (Locomotor Disability-1, Hard of Hearing-1).
Eligibility Criteria
| Discipline | Essential Qualification | GATE Paper Code Required |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Sciences and Information Technology | M.Sc./MS/MCA/B.E./B.Tech. in Electronics, Electronics and Communication, Electronics and Telecommunication, Computer Sciences, Computer and Networking Security, Software System, Information Technology, or Informatics (single or in combination) | CS |
| Electronics and Communication Engineering | Degree in the relevant Engineering discipline | EC |
| Data Science and Artificial Intelligence | Degree in the relevant discipline | DA |
The essential qualification must have been obtained on or before 30 September 2026. No claim of an equivalent qualification will be entertained. There is no experience requirement. Only qualifications obtained through Distance Education/Open University mode recognised by the Distance Education Council (and AICTE where necessary) are considered eligible.
Age Limit
Age is reckoned as on 30 September 2026.
| Category | Upper Age Limit |
|---|---|
| UR/EWS | 30 years |
| SC/ST | 35 years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 33 years |
| PwBD – UR/EWS | 40 years |
| PwBD – OBC (NCL) | 43 years |
| PwBD – SC/ST | 45 years |
| Service Candidates – UR/EWS | 35 years |
| Service Candidates – OBC (NCL) | 38 years |
| Service Candidates – SC/ST | 40 years |
| Ex-servicemen | As per Government of India rules |
An additional 5-year relaxation applies to candidates serving in Government organisations in the same line or allied cadres where their existing service is relevant. Age relaxation for SC/ST/OBC(NCL) applies only to posts reserved for those categories. PwBD relaxation applies irrespective of reservation status, provided the post is identified as suitable for their disability.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| SC/ST/PwBD/Women | Nil |
| UR/OBC (NCL)/EWS | Rs. 800 per discipline applied |
Candidates applying for more than one discipline pay Rs. 800 per discipline separately. Payment is online only through Credit Card, Debit Card or Net Banking. Cash, Demand Draft, Pay Order and Cheques are not accepted. Bank charges are borne by the candidate. Fee is non-refundable.
Pay Scale
Pay Level 6 under the 7th Central Pay Commission: Rs. 35,400 to Rs. 1,12,400 per month, plus allowances as per Government of India norms applicable to NIC employees.
Selection Process
No written examination. No interview. Selection is based entirely on GATE score.
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Merit List Preparation | Category-wise merit list prepared per discipline based on valid GATE score |
| GATE Years Accepted | GATE 2024, 2025 and 2026 only – equal weightage across all three years |
| Score to Submit | Best score from any one eligible year |
| Tie-breaking Rule 1 | Older GATE year ranks higher (GATE 2024 > GATE 2025 > GATE 2026 at the same score) |
| Tie-breaking Rule 2 | Older candidate by date of birth ranks higher |
| Tie-breaking Rule 3 | Higher percentage in the essential qualification ranks higher |
| Document Verification | Shortlisted candidates called for DV at Delhi or another location approved by NIC |
| TA/DA for DV | Not paid. No postponement or change of location entertained |
| Provisional Appointment | After successful document verification |
How to Apply
The four-step application process must be completed in full. An incomplete application is summarily rejected.
- Go to the official NIC recruitment portal – the direct link is in the Important Links table below.
- Step 1 – Registration: Register using a valid email ID and active mobile number.
- Step 2 – Application Form: Fill the online application form and upload all required documents including photograph (JPEG/JPG, 50 KB-200 KB), signature in blue or black ink (JPEG/JPG, 10 KB-50 KB), and all eligibility certificates (PDF, 10 KB-500 KB each, self-attested).
- Step 3 – Fee Payment: Pay Rs. 800 online if applicable to your category. SC/ST/PwBD/Women candidates pay Nil.
- Step 4 – Download Confirmation: Download the Confirmation Page after successful submission. Note your Application ID.
- Take a printout of the Confirmation Page for future reference.
No change in name, category, address, mobile number or email ID is permitted after submission. Aadhaar-based authentication is used at every stage of the process.
Documents to Upload
| Document | Specification |
|---|---|
| Recent colour photograph | JPEG/JPG, 50 KB to 200 KB |
| Signature (blue or black ink) | JPEG/JPG, 10 KB to 50 KB |
| Date of Birth proof (Municipality certificate or Class X/SSC certificate) | PDF, 10-500 KB, self-attested |
| Matriculation Certificate | PDF, self-attested |
| Senior Secondary Certificate | PDF, self-attested |
| Valid GATE Score Card (2024/2025/2026) | PDF, self-attested |
| Essential Qualification Certificate with all marksheets | PDF, self-attested |
| CGPA conversion certificate from University Registrar | If applicable |
| Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS) | If applicable |
| PwBD Certificate (minimum 40% permanent disability) | If applicable |
| No Objection Certificate | If currently employed in Central/State Government or PSU |
| Age relaxation certificate | If applicable |
| Aadhaar Card | For Aadhaar-based authentication |
Important Instructions
- No written examination and no interview. GATE score is the only basis of merit.
- Applications open on 1 September 2026 at 10:00 AM. Do not wait until the last date.
- Apply for each discipline separately with a separate fee if applying to more than one discipline.
- No change to any application field is permitted after final submission.
- Government, PSU and Autonomous Body employees must furnish an NOC confirming no disciplinary or vigilance case is pending or contemplated.
- The post carries All India service liability – posting may be anywhere in India or outside India.
- No query on eligibility or preferred posting location will be entertained.
- Aadhaar-based authentication will be used at every stage.
- Furnishing false information or suppressing material facts may lead to rejection, debarment and criminal prosecution.
- Court jurisdiction for any dispute is Delhi.
- Technical issues: email
[email protected]with the advertisement number in the subject line.
Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online – NIC Recruitment Portal | Click Here |
| Official Notification PDF – Advt. NIC/STA/2026/2 | Click Here |
| NIC Official Website | Click Here |
Frequently Asked Questions – NIC Scientific/Technical Assistant Recruitment 2026
Q1. Is there a written exam for NIC Scientific/Technical Assistant Recruitment 2026?
✅ No. There is no written examination and no interview at any stage. Selection is made entirely on the basis of a valid GATE score from 2024, 2025 or 2026 in the corresponding paper code for the discipline applied for.
Q2. Which GATE years are accepted for NIC STA Recruitment 2026?
✅ GATE 2024, GATE 2025 and GATE 2026 are all accepted, with equal weightage. Candidates must submit their best score from any one of these three years. Older GATE year ranks higher in a tie – GATE 2024 outranks GATE 2025 or 2026 at the same score value.
Q3. Which disciplines and GATE codes are covered?
✅ Three disciplines: Computer Sciences and Information Technology (GATE Code CS, 300 posts), Electronics and Communication Engineering (GATE Code EC, 26 posts) and Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (GATE Code DA, 50 posts). You must have a valid GATE score in the paper code matching the discipline you apply for.
Q4. What are the application dates for NIC STA Recruitment 2026?
✅ Applications open on 1 September 2026 at 10:00 AM and close on 30 September 2026 at 5:30 PM at the official NIC recruitment portal at recruitment.nic.in.
Q5. What is the pay scale for NIC Scientific/Technical Assistant-A?
✅ Pay Level 6 under the 7th CPC – Rs. 35,400 to Rs. 1,12,400 per month plus allowances as per Government of India norms.
Q6. What is the age limit?
✅ 30 years for UR/EWS; 33 years for OBC (NCL); 35 years for SC/ST as on the closing date 30 September 2026. Additional relaxation for PwBD (up to 40/43/45 years), service candidates (+5 years over category limit) and Ex-servicemen as per Government rules.
Q7. What is the application fee?
✅ Rs. 800 per discipline for UR/OBC (NCL)/EWS candidates; Nil for SC/ST/PwBD/Women. Candidates applying for more than one discipline pay Rs. 800 for each discipline separately. Fee is online only and non-refundable.
Q8. Can I apply for more than one discipline?
✅ Yes, if eligible. But a completely separate application with a separate fee of Rs. 800 must be submitted for each discipline. A single application does not cover multiple disciplines.
Q9. Where will selected candidates be posted?
✅ Anywhere in India or outside India, at NIC’s discretion. The post carries All India service liability. No request for preferred location will be entertained.
Q10. What qualification is needed for the Computer Sciences and IT discipline?
✅ M.Sc./MS/MCA/B.E./B.Tech. in Electronics, Electronics and Communication, Electronics and Telecommunication, Computer Sciences, Computer and Networking Security, Software System, Information Technology or Informatics from a recognised university, along with a valid GATE score in Paper Code CS from 2024, 2025 or 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is based on Advertisement No. NIC/STA/2026/2 released by the National Informatics Centre (NIC), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India, for 376 tentative posts of Scientific/Technical Assistant-A (Group-B S&T, Non-Gazetted) at Pay Level 6. Selection is purely on the basis of a valid GATE score from 2024, 2025 or 2026. Online applications are open from 1 September 2026 at 10:00 AM to 30 September 2026 at 5:30 PM. The eligibility cut-off date is 30 September 2026. Vacancy numbers are tentative and may change. The post carries All India service liability. NIC reserves the right to modify or cancel the recruitment. Candidates must verify all details from the official notification PDF at recruitment.nic.in. JobShouter.com is not associated with the National Informatics Centre (NIC) in any manner.
