ISRO Scientist Exam Pattern, Eligibility, Important Dates

For every ICRB post: a BE/B.Tech or equivalent in the discipline with at least 65% aggregate or CGPA 6.84 out of 10, completed within the normal course duration. The GATE route also needs a valid GATE score from the last two years in the matching paper. Architecture needs a B.Arch and Council of Architecture registration.

ISRO will not convert a CGPA into a percentage, even if your university prescribes a formula. The age limit for both 2026 ICRB advertisements was 28.

Centre posts set their own terms: LPSC's 2026 posts asked for 65% in the B.E./B.Tech plus 60% or CGPA 6.5 in the M.E./M.Tech, with an age limit of 30.

Every route ends in a 100-mark interview, and the final list counts the test (or GATE score) and the interview at 50% each. ICRB's interview gives 40 marks to technical knowledge, 20 to awareness in the field, 20 to presentation, 10 to comprehension and 10 to academic record.

The written test shortlists five candidates per post; the GATE route seven. To be selected, a UR candidate needs 50% in the test or GATE score, 50% in the interview and 60% overall.

Level 10: ₹56,100 basic, rising to ₹1,77,500 within the level, plus DA, HRA and Transport Allowance. NPS or UPS pension. Scientists are promoted under the Merit Promotion Scheme, without waiting for vacancies.

All applications are online, through the advertisement pages on the ISRO Careers page. ICRB's written-test route and LPSC's 2026 SC advertisement both take ₹750 up front and refund ₹500 (or the full amount for women, SC, ST, PwBD and ex-servicemen) to those who sit the test. The 2026 GATE route charged ₹250, with those same categories exempt.

ICRB vacancies in 2026

PRL is the Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad, an autonomous body under the Department of Space; its posts are Group A non-gazetted. ISRO posts can be at any centre, including URSC, LPSC, HSFC and ISRO HQ in Bengaluru, VSSC and LPSC near Thiruvananthapuram, SDSC SHAR, SAC Ahmedabad, NRSC Hyderabad, IPRC Mahendragiri and MCF Hassan.

Centre advertisements open in 2026

• LPSC/03/2026 (26 September 2026): one post each in Welding, Turbo Machinery and Power Electronics at Valiamala. Needs a BE/B.Tech plus an M.E./M.Tech in the field; age limit 30.
• URSC:01:2026 (21 March 2026): included Scientist/Engineer 'SC' (Industrial Engineering), whose written test was held on 27 September 2026.

The ICRB written-test advertisement came in May in 2025 and August in 2026.

From the 2025 cut-off notice and the 2026 GATE cut-off notice.

• ICRB publishes its own past papers for Electronics, Mechanical and Computer Science (2023 and 2025) on the 2026 advertisement page. Start there.
• Take GATE seriously even if you plan to sit ICRB's test. A good score gives you the second route.
• Check the 65% or 6.84 CGPA rule against your certificate before applying.

• ISRO Careers
• ICRB 03(EMC):2026, written test
• ICRB 02(EMC-CEPO):2026, GATE route
• LPSC/03/2026
• URSC:01:2026
• Old question papers of ISRO centres

What is the starting pay of an ISRO scientist?

₹56,100 basic at Level 10, plus allowances.

Is GATE compulsory?

Only for the GATE route. ICRB's written-test route needs no GATE score.

Which branches does ICRB's written test cover?

Electronics, Mechanical and Computer Science, with allied branches listed in the FAQ.

What does 'SC' mean?

It's the grade name for entry-level scientists. It is not a reserved post.

What is the age limit?

28 for ICRB posts in 2026; LPSC's M.Tech-level posts allowed up to 30.