ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC), Bengaluru
Last Date: June 27, 2026

ISRO's Telemetry Tracking and Command Network has published Advertisement No. ISTRAC:02:2026 for 26 posts across six categories, including Technical Assistant, Scientific Assistant, Library Assistant-A, Technician-B, Draughtsman-B, and Cook-A. The notification is dated June 27, 2026, and the online application window opened the same day at 10:00 AM. The last date to submit applications is July 20, 2026, at 11:55 PM.

ISRO ISTRAC Recruitment 2026: Quick Overview

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ISRO ISTRAC Recruitment 2026: Quick Intro

ISTRAC is the ground operations backbone of India's space program. Every satellite that ISRO launches relies on ISTRAC's tracking and command infrastructure to stay in communication with the ground. The organization runs ground stations across India and internationally, i.e., Mauritius, Brunei, and Biak in Indonesia, and operates the Deep Space Network stations that support missions beyond Earth orbit.

This recruitment under Advt. No. ISTRAC:02:2026 covers 26 posts across six categories, with the actual vacant positions across multiple facilities and specific posting locations are also pointed out in the official notification.  

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Vacancy Details

The 26 posts break down across 10 post codes, in which Post Code 001 carries the largest single group of 8 Technician-B posts in the ITI Electronics Mechanic discipline, of which 5 are at ISTRAC Bengaluru and 3 are at the Master Control Facility in Hassan. Also, one of the three Hassan posts is identified for PwBD candidates in the Hearing Impaired (HH) category. See below table for complete breakdown of available posts:

> OBC candidates have the highest share of reserved vacancies, covering Carpenter, both Draughtsman-B trades, Technical Assistant Mechanical, Scientific Assistant Computer Science, and Library Assistant-A.
All vacancy numbers are provisional and may vary based on actual requirements.

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Application Fee

The fee mechanism of this recruitment is slightly different, as all candidates pay a higher initial processing fee at the time of application but After the Written Test or CBT, a portion of this is refunded to candidates who actually appear for the exam. The Complete Category wise fee structure is shown below:

Note: Payment must be made through the Bharatkosh e-payment gateway only, using internet banking, UPI, or domestic debit cards. Cash, cheques, drafts, and money orders are not accepted. Also all transaction service charges are borne by the applicant. The refund amount goes back to the bank account entered in the application form, so candidates must enter those details accurately. ISTRAC will not be responsible for refund failures caused by incorrect bank details provided by the candidate. If a candidate does not appear for the Written Test or CBT, no refund is processed regardless of the reason for absence.

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Age Limit

The age limit for all posts is 18 to 35 years, calculated as on July 20, 2026 (the last date for online applications). SC/ST candidates get 5 years of upper age relaxation, and OBC candidates get 3 years, but both apply only where the post is specifically reserved for that category.

Where a vacancy is listed as Unreserved, no age relaxation is available to SC/ST, OBC, or EWS candidates. EWS candidates are not eligible for any age relaxation under any post, including EWS-reserved vacancies. PwBD, Ex-Servicemen, Departmental Candidates, Meritorious Sports Persons, Widows, and Divorced Women are eligible for relaxation as per Government of India orders, on production of relevant certificates from competent authorities.

Note: July 20, 2026 is the cut-off date for all purposes, such as, age, completion of qualifying examination, and fulfillment of experience requirements. 

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Educational Qualification

The qualification requirements differ by post code and meeting the minimum is compulsory, as all the academic docuement will be varified at the Skill Test stage. Post wise Qualification requirements are detailed below:

Post Code 001, Technician-B (ITI Electronics Mechanic): SSC/SSLC/Matriculation plus ITI/NTC/NAC in Electronics Mechanic, Technician Power Electronic Systems, Mechanic Consumer Electronic Appliances, or Mechanic Industrial Electronics from NCVT.

Post Code 002, Technician-B (ITI Carpenter): SSC/SSLC/Matriculation plus ITI/NTC/NAC in Carpenter trade from NCVT.

Post Code 003, Draughtsman-B (Civil): SSC/SSLC/Matriculation plus ITI/NTC/NAC in Draughtsman Civil trade from NCVT.

Post Code 004, Draughtsman-B (Mechanical): SSC/SSLC/Matriculation plus ITI/NTC/NAC in Draughtsman Mechanical trade from NCVT.

Post Code 005, Technical Assistant (Electronics): First Class Diploma in Electronics and Communication Engineering from a recognized State Board.

Post Code 006, Technical Assistant (Mechanical): First Class Diploma in Mechanical Engineering from a recognized State Board.

Post Code 007, Scientific Assistant (Computer Science): First Class B.Sc. with Computer Science as the main subject from a recognized University or Institution.

Post Code 008, Scientific Assistant (Mathematics): First Class B.Sc. with Mathematics as the main subject from a recognized University or Institution.

Post Code 009, Library Assistant-A: First Class in graduation, plus First Class Master's degree in Library Science or Library and Information Science from a recognized University or Institution.

Post Code 010, Cook-A: SSC/SSLC pass or equivalent, plus 5 years of experience as a cook in a well-established hotel or canteen. Experience certificates issued by individuals are not accepted under any circumstance. Only institutional employer certificates are valid for this post.

Note: Candidates who completed their diploma or professional course through Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode are not eligible to apply for Technical Assistant posts, regardless of whether the institution or board is recognized. Additionally, only candidates who have already passed their qualifying examination may apply. Students awaiting final results as of July 20, 2026 cannot submit applications.

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Selection Process

There is a three-stage selection process in this recruitment. Each stage will eliminate candidates, and academic performance carries weight across all three.

The first stage is an initial screening before the Written Test, where ISTRAC reviews academic performance and other parameters from the online application. Meeting the minimum qualification does not automatically entitle a candidate to a Written Test call. Only screened-in candidates receive the exam call.

The second stage is Written Test or CBT. For Technical Assistant, Scientific Assistant, Library Assistant-A, Technician-B, and Draughtsman-B, the exam pattern is shown below: 

And for Cook-A, the exam pattern is as follows: 

Note: All posts follow the same marking scheme: +1 for each correct answer and -0.33 for each wrong answer. The minimum passing mark is 32 out of 80 for Unreserved candidates and 24 out of 80 for Reserved category candidates, which is applicable only where the post is reserved for their category. ISTRAC may conduct the written test online or offline andmcan be held in Bengaluru or across different cities in India. Candidates may choose Hindi or English as the medium of examination.

The third stage is Skill Test, and it is conducted only in Bengaluru for all posts. Candidates are shortlisted for the Skill Test in a 1:5 ratio relative to the number of vacancies, with a minimum of 10 candidates per category. For Technical Assistant, Scientific Assistant, Library Assistant-A, Technician-B, and Draughtsman-B, the Skill Test is qualifying in nature and conducted for 100 marks. The passing mark is 50 out of 100 for Unreserved candidates and 40 out of 100 for Reserved candidates. For Cook-A, the qualifying mark is 60 out of 100, with no category relaxation in the Skill Test for any Cook-A candidate. Final selection across all posts is based on Written Test or CBT marks, and will be drawn from the pool of candidates who qualify the Skill Test.

Tie Breaking Rule: In case of tied Written Test scores, academic marks in the essential qualifying examination serve as the tiebreaker. For Technician-B and Draughtsman-B specifically, if both Written Test scores and academic marks are tied between candidates, those with a valid NAC certification are preferred over candidates holding only NTC or ITI credentials.

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Salary, Job Location, and Service Conditions

Salary varies by post which are shown below:

Note: Beyond the salary, ISRO also provides free transport in lieu of Transport Allowance, limited housing in lieu of House Rent Allowance, subsidized canteen, group insurance, Leave Travel Concession, advances for computer purchase and house construction, and a medical scheme covering employees and eligible dependents. Employees are also covered under the National Pension System or the Unified Pension Scheme.

> Career progression for Scientific and Technical personnel in ISRO goes through the Merit Promotion Scheme, where employees are reviewed and promoted to the next grade based on merit after a defined residency period. This does not require a vacant position to exist, which is a meaningfully better structure than the vacancy-based promotion system. 

> All selected candidates are liable to be posted anywhere in India under the Department of Space or ISRO. For Post Code 005 (Technical Assistant Electronics), posting destinations are NESAC Umiam for the ST-01 vacancy, Sri Vijayapuram in A&N Islands for the OBC-01 vacancy, SDSC SHAR in Andhra Pradesh for the SC-01 vacancy, ISTRAC Bengaluru for the UR-01 and EWS-01 vacancies, and ISTRAC Thiruvananthapuram for the remaining UR-01. Candidates applying under this post should check these locations before submitting, because the posting destination is not subject to negotiation later. All appointees are liable to work in round-the-clock shifts, which is standard at ground stations that track satellite and launch vehicle missions continuously.

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How to Apply

1. Visit the official website at www.isro.gov.in or www.istrac.gov.in.
2. Go to the Careers or Recruitment section and find the notification for Advertisement No. ISTRAC:02:2026.
3. Register using a valid email ID and active mobile number. Note the online Registration Number provided after registration and keep it safe for future reference.
4. Fill in the application form carefully with accurate personal, educational, and experience details.
5. Upload a recent colour passport-size photograph not older than 6 months, in .jpg or .jpeg format only, size between 50 KB and 100 KB.
6. Upload your signature in .jpg or .jpeg format only, size between 50 KB and 100 KB.
7. Upload all required educational qualification and experience certificates as applicable.
8. Upload your category certificate (SC/ST/PwBD/Ex-Serviceman) if claiming fee exemption or reservation benefits.
9. Enter your bank account details correctly: bank name, branch, account holder name, account number, and IFSC code, as these are used for processing fee refund.
10. Pay the processing fee through the Bharatkosh e-payment gateway using internet banking, UPI, or domestic debit card.
11. Review every detail in the application before final submission, because Online applications cannot be edited after submission under any circumstance.
12. Submit the application and take a printout of the confirmation page for future reference.

Candidates registered on the National Career Service (NCS) portal who meet the eligibility criteria may also apply by visiting the Careers page at www.isro.gov.in or www.istrac.gov.in and following the same process.

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Required Documents and Important Instructions

Keep these below mentioned documents scanned and ready before starting the form:
> a recent colour passport-size photograph taken within the last six months,
> a clear legible signature image,
> all educational qualification certificates,
> experience certificates (mandatory for Cook-A),
> and applicable category certificates.
Applications submitted without uploading required documents will be treated as invalid.

Note: The photograph must be clear enough to identify the candidate, and the signature must be legible. Applications where either is unclear will be cancelled. Appearing in the Written Test or CBT does not itself confirm eligibility. Documents uploaded are also verified at the Skill Test stage, and discrepancies found at any point, including after the exam, will result in cancellation of candidature.

Candidates currently employed under Central Government, State Government, PSUs, or Autonomous Bodies must obtain prior permission from their employer before applying and submit a No Objection Certificate from the employer at the time of the Skill Test. Failing to produce the NOC means the candidate will not be allowed to appear for the Skill Test, no travelling allowance will be paid, and no further participation in the recruitment process will be entertained.

All future communications, including Written Test hall tickets and Skill Test call letters, will be sent only to the registered email ID via email or SMS. Check your inbox regularly, including spam and junk folders. Any corrigendum/addendum to this notification will be published only on www.isro.gov.in and www.istrac.gov.in, and not in any newspaper. 

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A candidate should also Read these important points for better understanding of this recruitment process:

What the Initial Screening Stage Actually Means for Your Application

Unlike other govt. jobs in this recruitment there is an initial screening step before the Written Test or CBT, based on academic performance and other parameters from the online application. But its also important to note that merely holding the minimum qualification doesn't automatically entitle a candidate to a Written Test call.  Academic marks in your ITI, diploma, or degree will be reviewed at this stage. Candidates with stronger marks in their qualifying examination are in a materially better position than those who only just cleared the minimum.

The Six Technical Assistant Electronics Postings and Why Location Matters Before You Apply

ISTRAC has already named the posting destination for each of the six Technical Assistant Electronics vacancies in Post Code 005. The OBC-reserved vacancy goes to Sri Vijayapuram in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The ST-reserved post is at NESAC Umiam in Meghalaya. The SC-reserved post is at SDSC SHAR in Andhra Pradesh. Two UR posts go to ISTRAC Bengaluru, and the remaining UR post is at ISTRAC Thiruvananthapuram. Candidates who may face difficulty with certain postings for personal or family reasons should understand this clearly and take a decision before applying.

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❓Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many total vacancies are there in ISTRAC Recruitment 2026?

There are 26 posts in total: Technician-B (9 posts across Electronics Mechanic and Carpenter trades), Draughtsman-B (2 posts, Civil and Mechanical), Technical Assistant (7 posts, Electronics and Mechanical), Scientific Assistant (5 posts, Computer Science and Mathematics), Library Assistant-A (1 post), and Cook-A (2 posts).

What is the last date to submit the online application for ISTRAC 2026?

July 20, 2026, at 11:55 PM is the final deadline. This is also the cut-off date for age computation, qualifying the required examination, and completing any experience requirement. The application fee must also be paid by this date.

Who is eligible to apply for ISTRAC Recruitment 2026?

Indian nationals between 18 and 35 years of age as on July 20, 2026, who hold the specific qualification for their chosen post and have already passed (not awaiting results) their qualifying examination are eligible to apply.

What qualifications are required for Technical Assistant Electronics?

First Class Diploma in Electronics and Communication Engineering from a recognized State Board is the requirement. Candidates who completed the diploma through Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode cannot apply for Technical Assistant posts regardless of the institution.

What is the age relaxation for SC/ST and OBC candidates?

SC/ST candidates get 5 years and OBC candidates get 3 years of upper age relaxation, but only for posts specifically reserved for their respective category. No relaxation is available for Unreserved posts, and EWS candidates receive no age relaxation under any circumstance in this notification.

What is the selection process for ISTRAC Recruitment 2026?

The process runs through three stages: initial screening based on academic performance, Written Test or CBT (80 MCQs for most posts and 60 MCQs for Cook-A, in 90 minutes, with +1 and -0.33 marking), and a qualifying Skill Test held only in Bengaluru. Final merit is based on Written Test or CBT marks among candidates who pass the Skill Test.

What is the salary for Technical Assistant and Scientific Assistant posts?

Both Technical Assistant and Scientific Assistant fall at Pay Level 7 with a basic pay of Rs. 44,900 per month plus allowances. ISRO additionally provides free transport, subsidized canteen, limited housing, and a medical scheme for employees and eligible dependents.

What is the application fee, and how does the refund work?

For Technical Assistant, Scientific Assistant, and Library Assistant-A, all candidates initially pay Rs. 750 as processing fee, of which Rs. 250 is non-refundable. Rs. 500 is returned to general category candidates who appear in the Written Test or CBT. For Technician-B, Draughtsman-B, and Cook-A, the initial processing fee is Rs. 500, of which Rs. 100 is non-refundable and Rs. 400 is refunded on appearing in the exam. Women, SC/ST, PwBD, and Ex-Servicemen candidates get the full processing fee refunded on appearing in the exam.

How to apply for ISTRAC Recruitment 2026 online?

Visit www.isro.gov.in or www.istrac.gov.in, go to the Careers section, and apply under Advertisement ISTRAC:02:2026. Register with a valid email ID and mobile number, fill the form accurately, upload required documents, enter correct bank details, pay the processing fee via Bharatkosh gateway, and submit before July 20, 2026.

Is the Skill Test held in multiple cities or only in Bengaluru?

The Skill Test is conducted exclusively in Bengaluru for all candidates, regardless of post or application location. The Written Test or CBT may be held in Bengaluru or in different cities across India. Outstation candidates shortlisted for the Skill Test are reimbursed second-class sleeper railway fare by the shortest route from the address given in the application.

Can a student still awaiting their final exam results apply for ISTRAC 2026?

No. Only candidates who have already passed their qualifying examination may apply. Students waiting for final results must not submit applications. The eligibility cut-off date for this purpose is July 20, 2026.

Does NAC certification give any advantage in the ISTRAC 2026 Technician-B selection?

Yes, but only in tiebreaker situations. For Technician-B and Draughtsman-B posts, if two or more candidates have identical Written Test scores and identical academic marks in their qualifying examination, candidates with a valid NAC certification are preferred over those holding only NTC or ITI credentials.

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Conclusion

After reading through all the information provided above, we hope you are now well aware about the process of this recruitment. Still few things need your close attention such as, before the application window closes, two things need to varified specifically i.e., First, check whether your diploma or technical qualification was completed through regular mode as ODL graduates are excluded from Technical Assistant posts, and this will be checked against certificates at the Skill Test stage. Second, if you are applying for Cook-A, confirm that your experience certificates come from an institutional employer. Individual certificates will not be accepted.

Once the application is submitted, nothing can be changed, including Email ID, bank account number, category, educational marks, and posting preferences all will be locked at the time of final submission. It is also important to note that, Errors in bank details can cause the processing fee refund to fail, and errors in qualification or category data can lead to rejection at the Skill Test stage.

Keep checking www.isro.gov.in and www.istrac.gov.in for the Written Test date announcement, admit card release, and Skill Test schedule. All corrigendums and updates will appear there only (you can also bookmark this page and follow our social media handles such as telegram and WhatsApp for quick updates). For clarifications, the designated email is rmt-istrac@istrac.gov.in. 

This article is based on the official notification and simplified for easy understanding. For the most accurate and updated information, always refer to the official website.