CSIR-NPL Technical Assistant Recruitment 2025-26: Apply Online for 18 Posts | Level-6 Pay, ₹72,240 Salary

The Critical Importance of the Application Start Date (28 Jan 2026, 10 AM)

The online application portal for the CSIR-NPL Technical Assistant posts will open at 10:00 AM on 28 January 2026. This start date is your signal to begin the meticulous process, not to delay it. Starting early is a strategic advantage for several key reasons. First, the application requires you to choose a specific Post Code (TA01 to TA06) based on your exact diploma or degree discipline. You must cross-verify that your core subject and experience align perfectly with the post's requirements. An early start gives you time to gather all necessary documents: your diploma/degree mark sheets, experience certificates specifying the duration and nature of work, category certificates (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD) in the strict Government of India format, and a CGPA to percentage conversion certificate if applicable. Secondly, the online form involves uploading a photograph (max 50 KB), signature (max 50 KB), and various certificates (max 1 MB each). Resizing and optimizing these documents to meet the portal's specifications often takes time and multiple attempts. By starting early, you can troubleshoot any technical issues well before the deadline and avoid the last-minute server rush, which is a common cause of failed submissions.

Understanding the Two Deadlines: Online Submission (27 Feb) and Hard Copy (09 Mar)

This recruitment has a unique two-stage deadline that candidates must fully comprehend to avoid disqualification. The first and non-negotiable deadline is 27 February 2026 at 11:59 PM, when the online application link will be disabled. Your online registration, form filling, fee payment (if applicable), and final submission must be completed by this time. A critical mistake is assuming you can complete the process at 11:58 PM; internet connectivity issues or portal overload can easily prevent submission. It is strongly advised to submit your online application at least 2-3 days prior. The second crucial deadline is 09 March 2026. This is the last date for the signed hard copy of your online application, along with all self-attested documents, to physically reach the NPL office in New Delhi via Speed or Registered Post. Merely dispatching it by this date is not enough; it must be received. Therefore, you should send the hard copy well in advance, preferably within a week of your online submission. Applications missing either the online submission or the hard copy receipt are treated as incomplete and summarily rejected without any correspondence.

Navigating the Fee Payment Process and Understanding Exemptions

The application fee for this recruitment is ₹500 for candidates belonging to the General (UR), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) categories. It is crucial to understand that this fee is non-refundable under any circumstances. The payment must be made online through the dedicated payment gateway link provided on the recruitment portal (recruitment.nplindia.org/technical_2025/payment.php). After successful payment, you will receive an e-receipt or transaction reference number, which you must upload in the online application form. Failure to do so will lead to the rejection of your application for fee-paying categories. On the other hand, candidates from SC, ST, PwBD, Women, and Ex-Servicemen categories are fully exempt from paying the fee. However, exemption is not automatic. To claim fee exemption, you must upload the valid and relevant certificate (SC/ST/PwBD/Ex-Servicemen) in the prescribed format during the online application. Women candidates simply need to select the correct gender; no separate certificate is needed for fee exemption. A common error is when OBC or EWS candidates assume they are fee-exempt; they are not, and their applications will be rejected if the fee is not paid.

Precise Age Calculation with Real-World Examples (Cut-off: 27.02.2026)

Your eligibility is determined by your age as of 27 February 2026, the last date for online application. The upper age limit for the general category is 28 years, meaning you should not have attained 29 years of age on or before this date. Your age proof will be your Matriculation (10th) certificate or equivalent. Let's illustrate with examples for a General candidate. If your date of birth is 26 February 1998, as of 27 February 2026, you will be exactly 28 years and 1 day old. Since you have attained 28 years, you are ELIGIBLE (the limit is "not exceeding 28", so 28 is allowed). If your date of birth is 28 February 1998, as of 27 Feb 2026, you are 27 years, 11 months, and 30 days old. You are ELIGIBLE. If your date of birth is 26 February 1997, as of 27 Feb 2026, you will be 29 years and 1 day old, which exceeds the limit, making you INELIGIBLE in the general category. Candidates must use only their 10th standard marksheet for this calculation; no other document is accepted.

Clarity on Age Relaxation Rules and Category-Specific Application

Age relaxation is a critical benefit but comes with specific conditions that candidates often misunderstand. For SC/ST candidates, the 5-year relaxation applies only if they are applying for a post specifically reserved for SC or ST. If an SC candidate applies for a UR (unreserved) post, they will be treated as a General candidate with an upper age limit of 28 years. Similarly, OBC candidates get 3 years relaxation only for OBC-reserved posts and must also submit a valid Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) certificate. The relaxation for PwBD candidates is substantial (10-15 years) and applies irrespective of whether the post is reserved for PwBD, provided the post is identified as suitable for their disability category. Ex-Servicemen get an age relaxation of their period of military service plus 3 years. It is vital to upload the correct category certificate to claim these benefits provisionally. Any false claim will lead to termination at any stage. Remember, these relaxations are over and above the general age limit of 28 years.

Decoding the Qualification and Experience Requirements

The eligibility for each post is tightly defined. The minimum percentage requirement is 60% aggregate marks in the essential qualification (Diploma or B.Sc.). For candidates with CGPA grades, it is mandatory to provide a conversion certificate from the university/institution stating the equivalent percentage. Without this, the application may be rejected. The experience required is post-qualification, meaning it should be gained after obtaining the essential diploma or degree. Experience certificates must be on organization letterhead, clearly mentioning the job title, duration (from & to dates), nature of duties, and should be issued by a competent authority. Part-time, honorary, or freelance work is not counted. For the B.Sc. posts (TA05 & TA06), a critical note is that Physics/Chemistry/Computer Science must have been a main or core subject in your degree, not just an ancillary or elective paper. Candidates with a B.Sc. (General) where these subjects were part of a combination may need to check their detailed syllabus to confirm eligibility.

Lateral Entry Diploma and Equivalence Clarifications

For engineering posts, the advertisement explicitly considers lateral entry diplomas of 2 years full-time duration as equivalent to the standard 3-year diploma, provided the candidate has the required 60% marks. This is a significant provision for many candidates. Furthermore, all educational qualifications must be from institutions recognized by the Government of India or appropriate regulatory bodies like AICTE. If you hold a qualification that you believe is equivalent to the prescribed one (e.g., a different diploma name or a foreign degree), you must support this claim with an official equivalence certificate from a recognized authority like the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). Relying on self-declared equivalence is a common mistake that leads to rejection during the detailed scrutiny stage.

Understanding the Vacancy Matrix and Your Competition

The total of 18 vacancies is distributed across six specialized posts. It is essential to apply for the correct Post Code (TA01 to TA06) that matches your educational background. For instance, a candidate with a Diploma in Electronics can only apply for TA02, not for TA01 (Mechanical). The category-wise break-up shows how many seats are reserved for UR (Unreserved), OBC, EWS, SC, and ST candidates within each post. For example, in TA02 (Electronics), there are 2 UR, 1 OBC, 1 EWS, and 2 ST vacancies. This means ST candidates have a specific reservation in this post. If you are an OBC candidate, you can compete for the 1 OBC seat in TA02, and if you are highly meritorious, you can also be considered against the UR seats. Candidates should carefully analyze this matrix to understand the number of available seats in their category for their desired post, which gives a realistic view of the competition. Remember, these are advertised vacancies; CSIR-NPL reserves the right to increase or decrease them.

The detailed caste-wise vacancy matrix is provided in the table above. It is crucial to note that reservations for SC, ST, and OBC are vertical reservations, meaning specific seats are earmarked for these categories within each post. The EWS reservation is also vertical, with 10% of posts reserved as per government norms. Additionally, there is horizontal reservation for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) and Ex-Servicemen (ESM). This means that within each vertical category (like UR, OBC, SC, etc.), a certain percentage is further reserved for PwBD/ESM candidates. For example, an SC candidate who is also a PwBD will be adjusted against the SC quota and will also avail the PwBD horizontal reservation benefits. Candidates must submit the correct certificates to claim these reservations. The OBC certificate must explicitly mention "Non-Creamy Layer" and be issued in the current financial year. EWS candidates must ensure their family income is below ₹8 Lakh and they do not possess any of the disallowed assets (like 5+ acres of agricultural land).

Comprehensive Guide to Reservations and Concessions

Eligible candidates from reserved categories are entitled to several benefits as per Government of India rules: 1. Age Relaxation: As detailed in the Age Limit section, SC/ST/OBC/PwBD/ESM/Govt employees get additional years over the upper age limit. 2. Application Fee Exemption: SC, ST, PwBD, Women, and Ex-Servicemen candidates do not have to pay the ₹500 application fee. 3. Relaxation in Qualifying Marks: While the advertisement mandates 60% in the essential qualification, the Selection Committee may set lower qualifying/cut-off marks in the Trade Test and Written Examination for reserved category candidates. These separate cut-offs will be notified on the website before the exam. 4. Reservation in Posts: Specific vacancies are reserved as per the matrix, providing a protected pool for competition. 5. EWS Specifics: EWS candidates get reservation and age relaxation but are not exempt from the application fee unless they also fall under another exempted category (e.g., EWS woman). Their certificate must be valid as of the closing date of the application (27.02.2026) and adhere to strict income and asset criteria. It is paramount that all benefits are claimed provisionally upon submission of valid certificates. Any discrepancy or false claim will result in disqualification and possible legal action.

Step-by-Step Breakdown of the Selection Stages

The selection process for CSIR-NPL Technical Assistant is rigorous and consists of three main stages after application submission. Stage 1: Screening of Applications. A committee will scrutinize all applications against the advertised eligibility criteria (age, qualification, experience, category). Only candidates who meet all criteria will be shortlisted for the next stage. Stage 2: Trade Test (Qualifying Nature). Shortlisted candidates will be called for a practical Trade Test in their respective discipline (e.g., Mechanical, Electronics). This test is designed to assess hands-on skills and practical knowledge. While it is qualifying (pass/fail), candidates must secure minimum threshold marks set by the committee. The marks obtained here are not added to the final merit. Stage 3: Competitive Written Examination. Only those who qualify in the Trade Test will be allowed to appear for the Written Exam, which is the merit-deciding stage. The exam pattern is detailed in the table. It's crucial to note that only marks from Paper-II and Paper-III are considered for the final merit list. Paper-I (Mental Ability) is a qualifying paper with its own cut-off.

Exam Strategy and Tie-Breaker Rules

To maximize your score, focus your preparation on Paper-III (Concerned Subject - 300 marks), as it carries the highest weightage. For Paper-II, work on General Awareness (current affairs, science, history) and English (grammar, comprehension). Since there is negative marking in Papers II and III, avoid blind guessing. For tie-breaking situations where two or more candidates score the same aggregate marks in Papers II & III, the following order is used: 1. Candidate with higher marks in Paper-III (Subject) is placed higher. 2. If still tied, candidate with fewer negative marks in Paper-III. 3. If still tied, candidate with fewer total negative marks in Papers II & III combined. 4. Thereafter, older candidate gets preference. This underscores the supreme importance of scoring high in your core subject paper.

Detailed Guide to Filling the Online Application Form

The application is ONLINE ONLY, but the hard copy is MANDATORY. Begin by visiting the official recruitment portal. After registration, you will receive login credentials. Log in and carefully select your Post Code (TA01 to TA06) – you can apply for more than one post code but need separate applications and fees for each. Fill in personal, educational, and experience details exactly as they appear on your certificates. For experience, ensure the dates and job description match your experience certificate. Upload scanned images of your recent photograph (light background, formal attire), signature, and all required certificates. The file size limits are strict; use online tools to compress files if needed. A critical step is the final submission. Once you click it, no changes are allowed. Therefore, use the preview option extensively. After final submission, immediately take a printout. This printout, along with documents, constitutes your hard copy application.

Hard Copy Checklist and Dispatch Instructions

The hard copy package must include the following self-attested documents in order: 1. Signed printout of the online application with photo pasted and signed across. 2. Matric/10th certificate (for DOB proof). 3. All educational mark sheets and degree/diploma certificates. 4. CGPA to percentage conversion certificate (if applicable). 5. Experience certificates. 6. Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD) in prescribed GOI format. 7. OBC Non-Creamy Layer Declaration (Proforma I-A). 8. EWS Income & Asset Certificate. 9. Ex-Servicemen/Discharge book copy (if applicable). 10. No Objection Certificate from current employer (if working in Govt./PSU). 11. Fee payment e-receipt (if applicable). Arrange these documents in sequence, clip them with the application, and place them in an envelope. Superscribe the envelope clearly with "Application for the Post of Technical Assistant, Post Code ____, Advt. No. NPL/Rectt./05/2025". Send it well before 09.03.2026 to the address: Recruitment & Assessment Section, CSIR-NPL, Dr. K.S. Krishnan Marg, New Delhi – 110012.

Understanding the Total Compensation Package

The post of Technical Assistant at CSIR-NPL is in Pay Level-6, which is a respectable entry-level position for technical staff in central government institutions. The basic pay starts at ₹35,400. On this, Dearness Allowance (DA), currently around 46%, is added, which is a significant component and is revised every six months to offset inflation. If you are not provided with government accommodation, you will receive House Rent Allowance (HRA) – at the highest rate of 24% for Delhi, 16% for other major cities, and 8% for smaller towns. Adding Transport Allowance and other minor allowances, the approximate gross monthly salary at the start is ₹72,240 for Delhi. Beyond the salary, the job offers immense job security, a defined pension scheme under the National Pension System (NPS), comprehensive medical coverage for you and your family, and ample leave. Furthermore, CSIR has a well-structured Assessment Promotion Scheme that allows Technical Assistants to progress to higher grades (Senior Technical Assistant, Technical Officer, etc.) based on performance and seniority, making it a career with long-term growth potential.

Critical Warnings to Avoid Rejection

1. Dual Application Rule: You can apply for multiple Post Codes, but for each, you need a separate online application, separate fee (if applicable), and a separate hard copy envelope. Submitting multiple applications for the SAME Post Code will get all but your latest application rejected. 2. Document Authenticity: All certificates (caste, EWS, PwBD, experience) must be in the prescribed Government of India formats (Proformas I to VIII provided in the advertisement). Certificates in other formats or issued by unauthorized authorities will be rejected. 3. Experience Certificate Clarity: The certificate must clearly state it is for post-qualification experience, with specific dates (dd/mm/yyyy) and a description of duties relevant to the applied post. Vague certificates like "worked from 2024 to 2025" may not be accepted. 4. No Interim Correspondence: The helpdesk email (helpdesk.nplindia@csir.res.in) is only for technical issues with the online portal. Queries regarding eligibility, age relaxation, or selection process will not be entertained. All updates will be posted on the official website only. 5. Probation and Transfer: Upon selection, you will be on probation for 1 year. Also, as a CSIR employee, you are liable for transfer to any CSIR laboratory or institute across India as per administrative requirements.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Any deviation from the instructions can lead to serious consequences: Applications missing the hard copy or received after 09.03.2026 are summarily rejected. Providing false information or fabricated documents will lead not only to rejection but also to termination if discovered after appointment, and may involve legal action under the Indian Penal Code. Canvassing in any form (trying to influence the selection committee through recommendations) is a disqualification. The decision of CSIR-NPL on all matters related to this recruitment is final and binding. Candidates are advised to read the official advertisement thoroughly and follow each instruction meticulously to ensure their application is considered.

1. What is the last date to apply online for CSIR-NPL Technical Assistant 2025?

The last date for online application and fee payment is 27 February 2026, up to 11:59 PM. The portal will be disabled after this time. However, the hard copy must reach NPL by 09 March 2026.

2. I am an OBC candidate. Do I get age relaxation for all posts?

No. OBC age relaxation of 3 years applies only when you apply for a post specifically reserved for OBC (as per the vacancy table). If you apply for a UR (Unreserved) post, you will be treated as a General candidate with an upper age limit of 28 years.

3. Is the Trade Test and Written Exam in Hindi language?

The question papers for the Written Examination will be set in both English and Hindi, except for the English Language section of Paper-II. The Trade Test instructions will likely be in both languages, but the practical nature may require understanding technical terms commonly in English.

4. I have a 3-year B.Sc. (Computer Science). Can I apply for TA04?

Yes, you can. For Post Code TA04 (CS/IT), one of the eligibility options is B.Sc. (Computer Science/IT) with 60% marks and 1 year of experience. You do not need a diploma for this option.

5. What is the syllabus for the Written Exam?

The official notification does not provide a detailed syllabus. For Paper-III (Concerned Subject), you should prepare based on the core subjects of your diploma or B.Sc. degree. For Paper-I (Mental Ability) and Paper-II (General Awareness & English), standard competitive exam preparation books for SSC or similar exams are recommended.

6. Can final year students apply?

No. You must have completed the essential qualification (Diploma/B.Sc.) and have the required experience as on the last date of online application (27.02.2026). Final results must have been declared by this date.

7. Is there any interview round?

No. The selection is based solely on the Trade Test (qualifying) and the Competitive Written Examination (merit). There is no separate interview or personality test.

8. How will I know if I am shortlisted for the Trade Test?

All communications regarding shortlisting, admit cards for Trade Test/Written Exam, and results will be published only on the official CSIR-NPL website (www.nplindia.in / recruitment.nplindia.org). No individual call letters will be sent by post. Candidates must regularly check the website.

9. Is the ₹500 application fee refundable if my application is rejected?

No. The application fee is non-refundable under any circumstances, including if your application is rejected due to ineligibility or incompleteness.

10. What does "all-India transfer liability" mean?

It means that once appointed as a Technical Assistant in CSIR-NPL, you can be transferred to any other CSIR laboratory or institute located anywhere in India during your service career, based on organizational needs. This is a standard condition for CSIR employees.