C-DAC JIT Recruitment 2026: 805 Contractual Vacancies for Engineers & Managers Across India

C-DAC Recruitment 2026 – Overview

The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), a premier R&D organization under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), has launched a major Joint India-wide Talent (JIT) search for the year 2026. This recruitment drive aims to fill over 700 contractual positions across its centres in Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mohali, Mumbai, Noida, Pune, Thiruvananthapuram, and Guwahati. The openings are for cutting-edge national projects in domains like Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing, Cyber Security, and High-Performance Computing (HPC). These roles offer a unique opportunity to contribute to prestigious mission-mode programmes on a contract basis.

Eligibility, Selection Process & Key Highlights

Candidates must possess a BE/B.Tech, ME/M.Tech, MCA, or relevant PG degree with a minimum of 60% aggregate marks. The selection process involves initial screening, followed by written tests and/or interviews as decided by the respective C-DAC centre. It is crucial to understand that all positions are purely contractual for up to 3 years and do not lead to permanent absorption in C-DAC. Candidates must apply separately for each post and centre, adhering to specific deadlines.

About Important Dates of C-DAC JIT Recruitment 2026

The application timeline for C-DAC JIT Recruitment 2026 is decentralized, meaning each centre has its own specific start and end times. This is a critical detail often missed by candidates applying to multiple locations. The last date to apply is 20th February 2026, but the closing hour varies—for example, Delhi centre closes at 6:00 PM while Bangalore closes at 11:55 PM. The "cut-off" date for calculating age is also 20th February 2026. Missing a centre-specific deadline, even by minutes, leads to automatic rejection. Furthermore, interview dates are not fixed and will be intimated only via email, making it imperative for candidates to monitor their registered email inbox, including spam folders, regularly after the application period ends. This decentralized approach requires careful planning and independent tracking for each application submitted.

About Application Fees for C-DAC JIT Recruitment 2026

A significant advantage for all candidates is that C-DAC has waived the application fee for this recruitment drive entirely. This "no fee" policy applies uniformly across all posts, categories, and centres, removing a financial barrier and encouraging a wider pool of applicants, including freshers and candidates from economically weaker sections. Since there is no fee, steps involving payment gateway selection and transaction receipts are eliminated, simplifying the application process. However, candidates should not mistake the absence of a fee for a lower level of competition or seriousness in the process. In fact, this policy often leads to a significantly higher number of applications, making the initial screening based on academic credentials and experience even more stringent. Candidates must still complete all other application steps with utmost care and accuracy.

About Age Limit for C-DAC JIT Recruitment 2026

The age limit policy for C-DAC JIT recruitment is uniquely tiered, considering both the post level and whether the candidate is a fresher or experienced professional. For instance, a "Project Engineer" role has two distinct age caps: 30 years for freshers and 45 years for experienced candidates. This design allows seasoned industry professionals to transition into R&D roles later in their careers, recognizing the value of practical experience. The age limit extends up to 56 years for Project Manager positions, acknowledging the need for mature leadership in complex national projects. It is vital to calculate your age as of 20th February 2026, the last date of application. Age relaxation for reserved categories follows Central Government standards, but candidates must possess valid, format-prescribed certificates. A frequently overlooked rule is that internal C-DAC candidates applying for a higher post must have completed at least two years in their current role as of the notification date (1st Feb 2026).

About Eligibility Criteria for C-DAC JIT Recruitment 2026

The eligibility criteria set a high academic bar, mandating a minimum of 60% aggregate marks or an equivalent CGPA in the qualifying degree, applicable uniformly from BE/B.Tech to Ph.D. candidates. A critical procedural requirement is for graduates from universities using CGPA or letter grades: they must obtain and submit an official university-issued document proving the equivalent percentage. Self-calculated percentages are not accepted and can lead to rejection. The advertisement clarifies that academic research, internships, or NGO work done as part of a curriculum are not considered post-qualification experience unless explicitly specified for a particular post. Experience must be validated through official appointment letters or certificates from past/current employers stating the exact tenure, position, and salary. For freshers in their final semester, application is allowed, but final joining is strictly contingent upon submitting the final mark sheet and degree certificate meeting the 60% criteria.

The notification provides an explicit category-wise breakdown for specific centres. For other centres, vacancies are filled as per the Government of India reservation norms. Candidates must refer to the individual centre advertisement for precise numbers.

Centre	Post	UR	OBC	SC	ST	EWS
Kolkata	Project Associate (Fresher)	5	1	Not Specified	Not Specified	Not Specified
CINE Guwahati	Various Posts (Total 27)	16	06	02	01	01

Reservation benefits are extended as per the standard Government of India norms.

• Age Relaxation: Applicable for SC/ST/OBC/PwD/Ex-Servicemen candidates as per central government rules.
• Application Fee: Complete waiver for all categories. There is no fee for any candidate.
• Reservation in Posts: Vacancies are reserved for SC, ST, OBC, and EWS categories as per prescribed percentages.
• Minimum Qualification Marks: No relaxation. The requirement of 60% aggregate marks applies uniformly to all categories.
• Government Employees: Eligible for an additional 5-year age relaxation beyond category-based relaxations.

Important: Candidates must possess valid caste/ category certificates in the prescribed Government of India format issued by competent authorities.

Step-by-Step Procedure to Fill Form

Step 1	Visit C-DAC's official website: www.cdac.in and go to 'Careers'.
Step 2	Find and open the advertisement for your desired centre (e.g., CORP/JIT/01/2026 for Bangalore).
Step 3	Click 'Apply' against your chosen post. Log in using your Mobile Number & OTP.
Step 4	Fill/Edit the pre-filled application form carefully. Upload documents: Photograph: .jpg format, size less than 400KB Resume: PDF format, size less than 500KB
Step 5	Submit the form. Note down the generated Application Number for future reference.
Step 6	Govt. Employees: Must forward the application printout through the proper channel OR bring a 'No Objection Certificate (NOC)' at the interview stage.

Critical Warning: You must submit a separate application for each post, even within the same centre.

• Purely Contractual: All posts are contractual for up to 3 years (Mohali: 1-3 years), extendable based on project needs. There is no right to permanent absorption in C-DAC.
• Pan-India Transfer Liability: C-DAC reserves the right to transfer selected candidates to any project location across India during the contract period.
• Strict Application Rules: A separate online application is mandatory for each post. Incorrectly sized uploads (photo >400KB, resume >500KB) are a common cause for rejection.
• Decentralized Deadlines: Application end dates and times vary by centre. Assuming a universal deadline can lead to automatic rejection.
• Communication: All communication (interview call, etc.) will be sent only via email to the registered ID. Regularly check your inbox and spam folder.
• No TA/DA: No Travel or Dearness Allowance will be paid for attending the written test or interview.
• Right to Modify: C-DAC management reserves the right to cancel or modify the selection process without assigning any reason.

Understanding the Domain-Specific Nature of Recruitment

This C-DAC recruitment is not generic IT hiring; it is a targeted search for specific R&D projects under national "Mission Mode Programmes" like Exascale Computing and Quantum Computing. The job title alone, such as "Project Engineer," is insufficient. Candidates must deeply examine the "Domain(s)" column for each post. For example, a "Project Engineer - Quantum Computing" in Bangalore requires niche skills in FPGA design for Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) networks, while a "Project Engineer - Cyber Security" could be focused on VAPT (Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing). Applying without aligning your specific skills with the domain requirement is a common mistake that leads to rejection during screening or the technical interview. This focused approach means that candidates with precise, verified expertise in these advanced areas have a significant advantage.

Consolidated Salary Structure and Its Implications

The offered Salary or Initial CTC (Cost to Company) is a consolidated amount, meaning it is a lump-sum monthly payment without the traditional breakdown of basic pay, DA, HRA, etc., found in regular government jobs. This structure is a direct reflection of the purely contractual nature of the engagement. The provided ranges (e.g., ₹4.49-7.11 LPA for Project Engineers) are starting points for the minimum experience required. A candidate with 3 years of experience applying for a Project Engineer post (0-4 yrs bracket) will likely be offered a salary higher than ₹4.49 LPA, as per C-DAC's internal policy. It is important for candidates to calculate their in-hand salary as the CTC divided by 12, minus applicable taxes. While this is not a permanent government position with pensions, the CTC is competitive within the R&D sector and provides stable remuneration for the contract duration, along with the unparalleled value of working on national-level projects.

1. Is there any application fee for C-DAC JIT Recruitment 2026?

No. C-DAC does not charge any application fee for this recruitment. The process is completely free for all candidates across all categories and centres.

2. I have a CGPA. How do I prove I have 60% marks?

You must obtain an official document from your University/Institute that provides the equivalent percentage for your CGPA. Self-calculated percentages are not acceptable.

3. Can I apply for multiple posts and multiple centres?

Yes, but you must submit a separate online application for each post, even within the same centre. You can apply to different centres if you meet their specific criteria.

4. What is the difference between 'Project Engineer (Fresher)' and 'Project Engineer (Experienced)'?

The primary difference is the upper age limit (30 vs. 45 years) and the requirement of relevant work experience for the 'Experienced' category. The offered salary may also differ.

5. Will TA/DA be paid for attending the interview?

No. The notification clearly states that no Travel Allowance or Dearness Allowance will be paid for attending the written test or interview.

6. Is there a written exam, or is it only an interview?

The selection process is decided by each C-DAC centre. It may involve only an interview or a written test followed by an interview, depending on the role and applicant pool.

7. I am currently a government employee. How can I apply?

You must apply online and then either forward the printed application through the proper channel to C-DAC HR or bring a 'No Objection Certificate (NOC)' from your employer at the interview.

8. What is the meaning of 'Consolidated Emoluments'?

It means you will receive a fixed lump-sum salary (CTC) every month, not a pay scale with separate basic pay, DA, and HRA. It is your total monthly compensation.

9. Can final year students of BE/B.Tech apply?

Yes, final semester/year students can apply provisionally. However, joining is permitted only after submitting the final degree/mark sheet proving 60% or more.

10. Where will I be posted if selected?

You will initially be posted at the centre mentioned in the job details. However, C-DAC can transfer you to any other project location across India during your contract.

11. Are internships considered as work experience?

Generally, No. Internships or project work done as part of an academic curriculum are not considered post-qualification experience unless explicitly specified for a post.

12. What is the service bond period?

There is no mention of a service bond in the notification. The engagement is contract-based, governed by the terms of the contract agreement.

13. How will I know if I am shortlisted?

All communication regarding interview calls will be sent only via email to the email ID provided in your online application. No physical letters will be sent.

14. Is there any reservation for EWS category?

Yes, reservations are as per Government of India norms. EWS candidates must produce a valid certificate in the prescribed DoPT format.

15. What happens after the 3-year contract ends?

The contract may be considered for extension based on your performance and project requirements. However, there is no automatic extension or absorption into a permanent role.