CSIR NPL Technician Recruitment 2026 Notification Out for 20 Posts, Eligibility & Application Form
Job Notification Summary & Quick Facts
CSIR - National Physical Laboratory (NPL), India's premier statutory National Metrology Institute established by an act of Parliament, is recruiting 20 Technician (1) positions across six specialized technical trades. This recruitment offers young Indian citizens with ITI qualifications or relevant technical experience an opportunity to work in cutting-edge scientific domains including quantum metrology, nanotechnology, precision measurement, and biomedical instrumentation at one of India's scientific research institutions.
| Organization | CSIR - National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi |
|---|---|
| Post Name | Technician (1) |
| Advertisement | Advertisement No. Rectt./02/2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 20 Posts |
| Category of Job | Central Government Scientific Institution |
| Application Mode | Offline (By Post Only) |
| Official Website | www.nplindia.in |
| Last Date for Receipt | 30.06.2026 |
Total Vacancies Breakdown & Responsibility Structure
The recruitment comprises 20 technical positions distributed across six specialized trades, all falling under Pay Level 02 (Rs.19,900-63,200) with basic pay of Rs.19,900/- and approximate total emoluments of Rs.44,428/- per month including HRA for Class X cities.
| Post Code | Technical Trade | UR | EWS | OBC (NCL) | ST | Total | PwBD Reservation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T2-01 | Electronics Mechanic/Electronics Trade | 02 | 02 | 05 | 01 | 10 | 01 (Category b) |
| T2-02 | Electrician Trade | 01 | 01 | 03 | - | 05 | 01 (Category b) |
| T2-03 | Computer Operator & Programming Assistant (COPA) | 01 | - | 01 | - | 02 | - |
| T2-04 | Multimedia, Animation & Special Effects | 01 | - | - | - | 01 | - |
| T2-05 | Digital Photographer/Photographer | 01 | - | - | - | 01 | - |
| T2-06 | Mechanic Motor Vehicle | 01 | - | - | - | 01 | - |
| GRAND TOTAL | - | 07 | 03 | 09 | 01 | 20 | 02 |
Job Responsibilities: Selected candidates will provide technical assistance to Scientific & Technical Staff across CSIR-NPL's six scientific divisions: Physico-Mechanical Metrology, Electrical & Electronics Metrology, Environment Sciences & Biomedical Metrology, Advanced Materials & Devices and Metrology, Bhartiya Nirdeshak Dravya (BND), and Indian Standard Time Division. The work involves supporting precision measurement activities, calibration protocols, equipment maintenance, research instrumentation, and technical documentation in advanced scientific laboratories.
Eligibility Criteria & Essential Experience Requirements
Trade-Specific Qualification Pathways
Candidates must satisfy any ONE of the following three alternative routes for their chosen trade:
Route A: ITI Certificate Route
ITI certificate or national/state trade certificate in the specific trade (Electronics Mechanic, Electrician, COPA, Multimedia Animation, Digital Photography, or Motor Vehicle Mechanic as applicable)
Route B: Apprenticeship Route
2 years full-time experience as an apprentice trainee from a recognized institution in the relevant trade
Route C: Government Work Experience Route
3 years of work experience in the relevant trade in a Ministry/Department/Organisation/Public Sector Undertaking/Autonomous Body under Government of India/State/UT
Post-Wise Detailed Eligibility
T2-01: Electronics Mechanic/Electronics Trade (10 Posts)
- Essential: SSC with 55% marks + Science subjects
- Plus ONE of: ITI in Electronics Mechanic/Electronics Trade OR 2-year apprenticeship in Electronics trade OR 3-year government work experience in Electronics trade
T2-02: Electrician Trade (05 Posts)
- Essential: SSC with 55% marks + Science subjects
- Plus ONE of: ITI in Electrician Trade OR 2-year apprenticeship in Electrician trade OR 3-year government work experience in Electrician trade
T2-03: Computer Operator & Programming Assistant (02 Posts)
- Essential: SSC with 55% marks + Science subjects
- Plus ONE of: ITI in COPA Trade OR 2-year apprenticeship in COPA trade OR 3-year government work experience in COPA trade
T2-04: Multimedia, Animation and Special Effects (01 Post)
- Essential: SSC with 55% marks + Science subjects
- Plus ONE of: ITI in Multimedia, Animation and Special Effects Trade OR 2-year apprenticeship in this trade OR 3-year government work experience in this trade
T2-05: Digital Photographer/Photographer (01 Post)
- Essential: SSC with 55% marks + Science subjects
- Plus ONE of: ITI in Digital Photographer/Photographer Trade OR 2-year apprenticeship in Photography trade OR 3-year government work experience in Photography trade
T2-06: Mechanic Motor Vehicle (01 Post)
- Essential: SSC with 55% marks + Science subjects
- Plus ONE of: ITI in Mechanic Motor Vehicle Trade OR 2-year apprenticeship in Motor Vehicle trade OR 3-year government work experience in Motor Vehicle trade
Important Experience Validation Rules
What Experience DOES NOT Count: The notification explicitly excludes the following from valid experience calculation:
- Part-time basis work
- Daily wage employment
- Visiting or guest faculty positions
- Contractual/project-based appointments
- Temporary assignments without regular status
When Experience Starts Counting: Experience period shall be counted only after the date of acquiring the minimum essential educational qualification (i.e., after completing SSC with 55% marks). Any experience before completing your SSC will not be considered.
Training Period & Bond Agreements
Probation Period: 02 (Two) years from the date of taking over charge.
Service Restrictions During Probation:
- Selected candidates will NOT be permitted to apply for appointment elsewhere during the probationary period
Age Criteria & Upper Age Relaxations
Age Limits is calculated as on 30.06.2026
Minimum Age: Not less than 18 years Maximum Age: Not exceeding 28 years
Age Relaxation Matrix
| Category | Relaxation | Maximum Age After Relaxation | Applicability Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| General/EWS/UR | None | 28 years | Standard upper limit |
| SC/ST | +05 years | 33 years | Only for posts reserved for SC/ST |
| OBC (NCL) | +03 years | 31 years | Only for posts reserved for OBC |
| PwBD (Unreserved) | +10 years | 38 years | Irrespective of post reservation |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | +15 years | 43 years | Cumulative (10+5) for reserved posts |
| PwBD (OBC-NCL) | +13 years | 41 years | Cumulative (10+3) for reserved posts |
| Ex-Servicemen | +03 years | 31 years | After deducting military service from actual age |
| Central Govt/CSIR Employees | +05 years | 33 years | With 3 years continuous regular service |
| Govt Employees (SC/ST) | +10 years | 38 years | Cumulative (5+5) for reserved posts |
| Govt Employees (OBC-NCL) | +08 years | 36 years | Cumulative (5+3) for reserved posts |
Category-Wise Application Fees & Payment Info
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General (UR)/EWS/OBC (NCL) | Rs. 500/- |
| SC/ST/PwBD (All Categories)/Female Candidates (All Categories)/CSIR Employees/Transgender Candidates | NIL |
Payment Mode & Specifications
Accepted Payment Mode: Crossed Demand Draft (DD) or Pay Order ONLY
DD/Pay Order Specifications:
- In favour of: "Director, National Physical Laboratory"
- Payable at: New Delhi
- Validity: Must be valid for at least 3 months from date of issue
- Mandatory Endorsement: Write your full name and post code applied for on the back side of the DD/Pay Order
Important Financial Terms:
- Application fee is non-refundable under any circumstances
Recruitment Scheme & Comprehensive Test Syllabus
Selection Process Architecture
The selection follows a multi-stage screening and assessment framework:
Stage 1: Application Screening
Stage 2: Trade Test (Qualifying Nature)
Stage 3: Competitive Written Examination (Decisive)
Stage 4: Document Verification & Medical Examination
Comprehensive Written Examination Pattern
Examination Mode: OMR-Based or Computer-Based Objective Type Multiple Choice Questions
Language Medium: Questions will be set in both English and Hindi (except English Language section)
Examination Standard: SSC + ITI / XII Standard
Total Questions: 150
Total Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Paper-I: Mental Ability Test (Qualifying Paper)
Duration: 1 hour
| Subject | Questions | Marks per Question | Total Marks | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mental Ability Test | 50 | 2 | 100 | No Negative Marking |
Coverage: General Intelligence, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, Problem Solving, Situational Judgement, Logical Deduction Critical Note: Paper-I is qualifying in nature. Only candidates securing minimum threshold marks (to be determined by Selection Committee and notified before the exam) will have their Paper-II and Paper-III evaluated. Marks obtained in Paper-I will NOT be counted for final merit preparation.
Paper-II: General Awareness & English Language
Duration: 30 minutes
| Subject | Questions | Marks per Question | Total Marks | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 25 | 3 | 75 | -1 mark per wrong answer |
| English Language | 25 | 3 | 75 | -1 mark per wrong answer |
| Total | 50 | - | 150 | - |
Paper-III: Concerned Subject/Trade (Technical Paper)
Duration: 1 hour
| Subject | Questions | Marks per Question | Total Marks | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concerned Subject/Trade | 50 | 3 | 150 | -1 mark per wrong answer |
Concerned Subject/Trade refers to the specific technical domain for which you have applied:
- Electronics Mechanic/Electronics Trade (for T2-01)
- Electrician Trade (for T2-02)
- Computer Operator & Programming Assistant (for T2-03)
- Multimedia, Animation and Special Effects (for T2-04)
- Digital Photographer/Photographer (for T2-05)
- Mechanic Motor Vehicle (for T2-06)
Final Merit Ranking: Based on combined marks obtained in Paper-II + Paper-III only Maximum Possible Score for Merit: 300 marks (150 from Paper-II + 150 from Paper-III)
How to Apply
Unlike most modern recruitments, CSIR-NPL Technician (1) recruitment uses traditional postal application submission. There is NO online portal, NO online registration, NO online form filling.
Step-by-Step Application Procedure
Step 1: Download Application Form
- Visit official website: www.nplindia.in
- Navigate to Recruitment section
- Download the prescribed application form for Advertisement No. Rectt./02/2026
- Download all certificate formats (Proformas I to VIII) from the website
Step 2: Fill Application Form Manually
- Print the downloaded application form
- Fill all sections neatly in BLOCK LETTERS using black/blue pen
- Part I of Application: Paste recent passport-size color photograph and sign across it
- Part II of Application: Paste another recent passport-size color photograph but do NOT sign across this one
- Ensure your name, date of birth, and father's/mother's name exactly match your SSC/10th certificate
Step 3: Arrange Application Fee (if applicable)
- Visit any nationalized bank
- Obtain a Crossed Demand Draft of Rs.500/- (if you are not in exempted category)
Step 4: Assemble Application Packet Arrange documents in this order:
- Completed application form (Parts I and II)
- Demand Draft (if applicable)
- Self-attested photocopy of SSC certificate
- Self-attested photocopy of SSC mark sheet
- Self-attested photocopy of ITI certificate or experience certificates
- Self-attested photocopy of caste certificate (if applicable)
- Self-attested photocopy of PwBD certificate (if applicable)
- Self-attested photocopy of NOC from employer (if applicable)
- Any other relevant certificates
Step 5: Prepare Mailing Envelope
- Use a sturdy A4-size envelope
- Superscribe clearly on the envelope: "APPLICATION FOR THE POST OF TECHNICIAN(1) - (Post Code No._____)"
- Write the post code number clearly (T2-01 or T2-02 or T2-03, etc.)
Step 6: Dispatch by Post
Send by ordinary post or speed post to: Senior Controller of Administration CSIR - National Physical Laboratory Dr. K.S. Krishnan Marg New Delhi - 110012
Deadline: Application must reach on or before 30.06.2026
Special Instructions for Government/CSIR/PSU Employees
If you are a regular permanent employee of CSIR/Government Department/Autonomous Body/PSU:
- You MUST apply through proper channel
- First send an advance copy of your application before the deadline
- Your employer must forward your application with:
No Objection Certificate (NOC) in Proforma VII format
Vigilance clearance certificate
Certificate that you will be relieved within one month if selected
Note: Temporary/contractual/project staff of CSIR/Government organizations should indicate "NO" in Government Employee Status and need not apply through proper channel.
Candidate Decision Corner: Career Analysis
Work Culture, Salary Structure, and Career Path
Institutional Prestige & Work Environment: CSIR-NPL is India's statutory National Metrology Institute created by an act of Parliament. Working here places you at the apex of India's scientific calibration and measurement standards ecosystem. The laboratory maintains India's primary standards for physical quantities and provides traceability to international SI units. The work environment is research-intensive, academically rigorous, and exposes technical staff to state-of-the-art instrumentation across quantum metrology, cryogenics, nanotechnology, biomedical metrology, and precision engineering domains.
Salary Structure Breakdown:
| Component | Amount/Details |
|---|---|
| Basic Pay | Rs. 19,900/- (Pay Level 02) |
| HRA | As per Class X/Y/Z city classification (approx. 24%/16%/8% of Basic) |
| Transport Allowance | As per 7th CPC rates for Central Govt employees |
| Dearness Allowance (DA) | Revised twice yearly as per GoI orders (currently ~50% approx) |
| Approximate Total Emoluments | Rs. 44,428/- per month in Class X cities |
Career Progression Path: One of the aspects of CSIR technical staff positions is the Assessment Promotion Scheme. This allows technical staff to advance to higher pay levels and designations based on:
- Performance assessment by superiors
- Completion of minimum service period in current grade
- Fulfillment of eligibility criteria
Promotions under this scheme do NOT require appearing for competitive examinations, making career growth smoother and more predictable compared to many other technical roles. Typical career progression for Technician (1): Technician (1) [Level 02] → Technician (2) [Level 03] → Technician (3) [Level 04] → Senior Technician (1) [Level 05] → Senior Technician (2) [Level 06] → Senior Technician (3) [Level 07]
Location Considerations: All posts are based at CSIR-NPL, Dr. K.S. Krishnan Marg, New Delhi. While New Delhi offers excellent connectivity, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and cultural exposure, the cost of living is significantly higher than tier-2/3 cities. Accommodation in Delhi NCR can consume a substantial portion of salary, especially for those not allotted government accommodation.
Transfer Liability: Selected candidates can be transferred to any of the 37 CSIR laboratories/institutes spread across India. While this offers exposure to different scientific domains and locations, it may be challenging for candidates with family roots or property in specific regions.
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Real Candidate FAQs
Q1. What is the minimum educational qualification required?
Answer: Candidates must have passed 10th/SSC with Science subjects securing minimum 55% marks. Additionally, ITI certificate in relevant trade OR 2 years apprenticeship OR 3 years government work experience is required.
Q2. What is the age limit for this recruitment?
Answer: Minimum age is 18 years and maximum is 28 years as on 30.06.2026. Age relaxation of 5 years for SC/ST and 3 years for OBC candidates is available for reserved category posts only.
Q3. How many vacancies are available?
Answer: Total 20 posts are available across 6 different trades including Electronics (10), Electrical (5), COPA (2), Multimedia (1), Photographer (1), and Mechanic Motor Vehicle (1). Out of 20 posts, 2 are reserved for PwBD candidates.
Q4. What is the application fee?
Answer: General, OBC, and EWS candidates must pay Rs. 500/- through Demand Draft. SC, ST, PwBD, and Women candidates are completely exempted from paying any application fee.
Q5. What is the selection process?
Answer: Selection involves three stages: Trade Test (qualifying nature), followed by Written Examination with 3 papers. Final merit will be based on performance in Paper-II (General Awareness + English) and Paper-III (Concerned Subject).
Q6. What is the last date to apply?
Answer: The last date for receipt of application form at CSIR-NPL is 30.06.2026. Applications must be sent by post to Senior Controller of Administration, CSIR-NPL, New Delhi-110012.
This article has been prepared by analyzing the official recruitment notification (Advertisement No. Rectt./02/2026) issued by CSIR - National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi. While comprehensive effort has been invested to decode, explain, and present the information accurately in candidate-friendly language, this article is intended for informational and guidance purposes only.
Candidates are mandatorily required to:
- Download and read the complete official notification PDF from www.nplindia.in
- Verify all details including eligibility criteria, educational qualifications, experience requirements, age limits, application fees, important dates, and application procedure from the official notification
- Download all prescribed certificate formats (Proformas I to VIII) from the official website
- Cross-check all information before filling and submitting the application form
- Rely on the official notification as the final and binding document for all purposes
Last Updated Based On: Advertisement No. Rectt./02/2026 with last date of receipt of applications as 30.06.2026.
| Notification Release Date | 26.05.2026 |
| Last Date for Receipt of Application | 30.06.2026 |
| Crucial Date for Age/Qualification | 30.06.2026 |
| Note | Applications received after the closing date for any reason (postal delay, wrong addressing, etc.) will not be entertained. |