NCERT Direct Recruitment 2026: 117 Vacancies for Professor & Associate Professor Posts

NCERT Recruitment 2026 – Overview

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), India's premier organization for curriculum development and educational research, has officially announced a major recruitment drive via Advertisement No. 177/2026. This notification invites online applications for 117 prestigious academic positions including Professor, Associate Professor, Assistant Professor, Deputy Librarian, and Assistant Librarian. The recruitment is for positions at NCERT headquarters in New Delhi and its Regional Institutes of Education (RIEs) located in Ajmer, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Mysuru, and Shillong. This is a significant opportunity for qualified scholars and educators to contribute to shaping the future of school education in India. The entire application process is online, and selection is based on academic merit and interview performance as per the latest UGC regulations.

Eligibility, Selection Process & Key Highlights

Candidates must possess a Ph.D. degree in the relevant discipline along with requisite teaching/research experience and publications as per UGC norms. The selection process involves a meticulous shortlisting based on the Academic Performance Indicator (API) score, followed by a personal interview which is the sole determinant of final selection. Key dates are crucial: the online application portal opens on 31 January 2026 and closes on 20 February 2026 (5:00 PM). Applicants must pay careful attention to category-specific requirements, including valid OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) and EWS certificates with mandatory self-declaration forms. Government employees must apply with a proper NOC. With a well-defined process and attractive pay scales, this recruitment seeks to bring the best academic talent into the NCERT fold.

About Important Dates for NCERT Recruitment 2026

The NCERT recruitment timeline is clearly defined, with the online application window open from 31 January to 20 February 2026. The deadline of 5:00 PM on 20 February is strict; applications submitted even a minute later will not be accepted. This date is doubly important as it is also the "closing date for eligibility criteria," meaning all qualifications, age, and experience must be met as on this date. There is no mention of a correction window, which places a high burden on candidates to ensure their application is flawless upon first submission. All subsequent stages—release of the shortlist, interview dates, and the final result—will be announced exclusively on the NCERT website. Candidates must bookmark the site and check it regularly, as no individual communications will be sent. Missing an update due to not checking the website is a common and costly mistake.

About Application Fees for NCERT Recruitment 2026

The application fee structure follows standard government recruitment norms. General, OBC, and EWS category candidates are required to pay ₹1000/-. This fee is mandatory and must be paid only through the online payment gateway integrated into the application portal; no other modes like cash or demand draft are accepted. A significant benefit is that all women candidates and candidates belonging to SC, ST, and PwD categories are fully exempt from paying the fee. This exemption is automatic upon selecting the respective category in the application form. It is critical to note that the fee, once paid, is non-refundable, even if the application is rejected or the candidate decides not to proceed. Therefore, candidates should double-check their eligibility and form details before initiating the payment. An incomplete transaction or failure to complete the payment process will result in an incomplete application.

About Vacancy Details for NCERT Recruitment 2026

The distribution of 117 vacancies across numerous academic departments highlights NCERT's focus on strengthening core educational research and subject-specific expertise. Disciplines like Education (Science, Teacher, Special), Zoology, and English have a higher number of openings, indicating institutional priorities. It is vital to understand that these are positions within a premier national research council, not just teaching jobs. The work involves curriculum design, textbook development, pedagogical research, and teacher training. Postings are across multiple locations, and while candidates may have a preference, the final allocation rests solely with NCERT. The council explicitly reserves the right to not fill any or all posts or even cancel the process, meaning vacancies are indicative and subject to change. Candidates should apply for the discipline that matches their research profile precisely.

About Eligibility Criteria for NCERT Recruitment 2026

The eligibility criteria are stringent and non-negotiable, governed by UGC Regulations 2018. For Professor and Associate Professor, a Ph.D. is mandatory, accompanied by a proven track record of publications and teaching/research experience quantified by a "research score." The Assistant Professor criteria present two clear paths: the traditional NET/SET route or a Ph.D.-based exemption. For the Ph.D. exemption, the regulations differ based on the date of registration. Candidates registered before 11 July 2009 must meet five specific conditions (thesis evaluation, publications, presentations) and get them certified by their University Registrar. A common pitfall is assuming all Ph.D. holders are exempt; the degree must be awarded under specific UGC regulations and in regular mode. For foreign Ph.D. holders, the university must have been in the top 500 of QS/THE/ARWU rankings at any time, not necessarily at the time of degree completion.

About Category Wise Posts in NCERT Recruitment

Reservation is implemented as per Government of India mandates. The most critical instruction is that candidates must explicitly select their category (UR/SC/ST/OBC/EWS) in the application form. Leaving this column blank will not default to Unreserved; instead, the application will be rejected as incomplete. For OBC candidates, the certificate must be valid for Central Government employment and clearly state Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) status. They must also upload a self-declaration (Annexure-I). Similarly, EWS candidates require a valid income and asset certificate and a separate self-declaration (Annexure-II). Posts earmarked for PwD candidates require a disability certificate from a competent government medical board certifying a benchmark disability of 40% or more. Applying under a reserved category without the valid, prescribed documents will lead to candidature being considered under the General category, if eligible, or outright rejection.

About Selection Process for NCERT Recruitment 2026

The selection is a transparent two-step process. First, shortlisting is done purely on the basis of the Academic Score (API), which is a numerical representation of a candidate's academic achievements (publications, experience, research guidance, etc.) as per a pre-defined UGC formula. It is crucial to understand that this score is used only for screening and does not contribute to the final merit. The second and final stage is the Interview. The notification emphatically states that "selections shall be based only on the performance in the interview." This places immense importance on the interview, where candidates must defend their research, demonstrate subject mastery, and articulate their vision for contributing to NCERT's mission. The number of candidates called per category is capped, making the shortlisting stage highly competitive. Even with a high API score, if many top-scoring candidates apply for a single post, only the top few will be called.

About Salary for NCERT Academic Posts

The pay scales are highly attractive and aligned with the UGC pay structure for Central Universities under the 7th Central Pay Commission. The "Rationalized Entry Pay" mentioned is the starting basic pay within the designated Academic Level. For example, a newly recruited Professor starts at a basic pay of ₹1,44,200 in Level 14. On top of this, employees receive all applicable central government allowances: Dearness Allowance (DA)—revised quarterly to counter inflation, House Rent Allowance (HRA)—which varies from 24% to 8% of basic pay depending on the city of posting, and Transport Allowance. Additional benefits include membership in the National Pension System (NPS), medical facilities, leave travel concession (LTC), and ample opportunities for professional development. This comprehensive compensation package makes NCERT positions among the most sought-after in the Indian academic sector.

About Age Limit and Relaxation

The notification does not specify a numerical upper age limit (like 40 or 50 years). Instead, it states that the "age of retirement on superannuation" will be as per UGC/NCERT norms. This typically means the age limit is calculated backwards from the retirement age (often 65 or 62 for professors). However, standard age relaxations are applicable for candidates from reserved categories as per Government of India orders. For candidates with disabilities, the rules are specific: the disability must be 40% or more, and the certificate must be issued by a designated government medical board. Certificates from private practitioners are invalid. The relaxation applies to both the upper age limit and the minimum qualifying marks in the Master's degree. Candidates must ensure their certificates are valid, in the prescribed format, and issued by the competent authority for Central Government jobs.

About the Syllabus for NCERT Recruitment 2026

Since there is no written test, the "syllabus" refers to the comprehensive evaluation framework. The initial shortlisting hinges on your Academic Performance Indicator (API) score, a points-based system defined in UGC's Appendix II. Candidates must self-assess their score accurately based on points for publications (in peer-reviewed/UGC-listed journals), years of teaching/research experience, research projects guided, PhDs supervised, and participation in conferences. Underestimating or overestimating this score can mislead your chances. The interview "syllabus" is your entire professional and academic profile. You must be prepared to discuss your research in depth, its implications for school education, your teaching pedagogy, and your awareness of NCERT’s ongoing projects like the National Curriculum Framework (NCF). The interview panel seeks candidates who are not just scholars but also potential contributors to national educational policy.

About How to Apply for NCERT Recruitment 2026

The application process is 100% online and meticulous. Before starting, gather all scanned documents (photo, signature, certificates, NOC, publications list) in prescribed formats. The most common errors are in the experience certificates: they must be on organizational letterhead, specify the exact period, post held, basic pay, grade pay, and scale of pay. Government employees must upload the NOC in the exact format provided in the notification at the time of application, not later. A critical rule is that only one application per post per candidate is allowed. If you apply twice for the same post, your candidature may be cancelled. For multiple posts, separate applications are mandatory. After submission, no changes are permitted, making the review step crucial. Always use a stable internet connection and complete the process well before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical glitches.

The NCERT notification includes several critical clauses that go beyond basic eligibility. Understanding these nuances is essential for a smooth application process and to avoid unforeseen disqualification.

Critical Instructions on Application Submission and Scrutiny

The application process is designed for precision. Candidates must note that fields marked with a star (*) are mandatory; leaving any of them blank will prevent submission. The system allows for only one application per candidate per post. If you submit multiple applications for the same post, all may be rejected. For candidates applying to multiple disciplines, a separate application and separate fee payment (if applicable) is required for each post. The council has made it clear that no changes will be entertained after final submission. This places the onus entirely on the candidate to verify every detail—from personal information to complex research scores—before clicking the submit button. Any discrepancy found later, even if unintentional, can be grounds for rejection at any stage of the recruitment.

Specifics for Reserved Categories and Employed Candidates

The requirements for reserved category candidates are particularly stringent. For OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates, two documents beyond the caste certificate are mandatory: a valid Non-Creamy Layer certificate (often issued after the application closing date) and the self-declaration in Annexure-I. The NCL certificate must be valid for central government appointments. For employed candidates in government, PSUs, or autonomous bodies, the rule to apply "through proper channel" is strictly enforced. This means you must obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your current employer in the exact format provided in the notification and upload it during the online application. Submitting the application without this NOC or trying to provide it later at the interview stage is not acceptable and will lead to rejection.

Council's Prerogatives, Travel, and Legal Jurisdiction

NCERT reserves several important rights that candidates should acknowledge. The council can increase or decrease the number of vacancies, not fill any post, or even cancel the entire recruitment process without assigning any reason. This underscores the tentative nature of the advertised vacancies. On a positive note, shortlisted non-local candidates called for the interview are eligible for travel reimbursement—3rd AC train fare (excluding premium trains) or actual fare, whichever is less—upon submission of tickets. From a legal standpoint, any dispute related to this recruitment will be subject to the jurisdiction of courts in Delhi only. Candidates are also explicitly warned that canvassing or lobbying in any form will lead to immediate disqualification. The selection is meant to be purely merit-based.

1. What is the last date to apply for NCERT Recruitment 2026?

The last date and time to submit the online application is 20 February 2026, 5:00 PM. This is also the closing date for all eligibility criteria (age, qualification, experience).

2. I have a Ph.D. Am I exempt from the NET requirement for Assistant Professor?

Yes, if your Ph.D. was awarded as per UGC Regulations 2009 or 2016. If you registered before 11 July 2009, you must also fulfill 5 specific conditions and provide a certificate from your University Registrar/Dean confirming this.

3. Is there any written exam for NCERT Professor posts?

No. There is no written examination. The selection is based solely on shortlisting (via Academic Score) followed by a personal interview. The interview performance is 100% decisive.

4. How many candidates are called for the interview per post?

For Assistant Professor: Up to 50 candidates (category-wise) for the first vacancy + 5 for each additional vacancy. For Professor/Associate Professor: Up to 10 + 5 respectively. A minimum academic score is required.

5. What is the salary for an NCERT Associate Professor?

The post is in Academic Level 13A with a rationalized entry basic pay of ₹1,31,400/- per month. With Dearness Allowance, HRA, and other benefits, the in-hand salary will be significantly higher.

6. I am an OBC candidate. What documents do I need?

You need three things: 1) A valid OBC certificate, 2) A latest Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) certificate, and 3) A filled self-declaration as per Annexure-I. All must be for Central Government appointments.

7. What is the application fee and who is exempt?

The fee is ₹1000 for General, OBC, and EWS candidates. SC, ST, PwD, and all Women candidates are fully exempt from paying any application fee.

8. I work in a government college. How do I apply "through proper channel"?

You must obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your employer in the exact format given in the notification and upload it at the time of online application submission.

9. Can I apply for more than one post?

Yes, but you must submit separate online applications and pay the fee separately (if applicable) for each post you wish to apply for.

10. Where will the interview be conducted?

Interviews are typically held at NCERT headquarters in New Delhi. The exact venue and schedule will be communicated to shortlisted candidates via the NCERT website.

11. What if I forget to mention my caste category in the form?

Your application will be rejected as incomplete. The form will not default to 'Unreserved'. You must explicitly select your correct category (UR/SC/ST/OBC/EWS).

12. Are these permanent jobs at NCERT?

Yes, these are regular, permanent positions under direct recruitment in NCERT, an autonomous organization of the Government of India, subject to a probation period.

13. My Master's degree marks are 54%. Can I apply?

If you belong to SC/ST/OBC(NCL)/EWS/PwD categories, relaxation in the minimum percentage is provided as per Government rules. Check the official notification for the exact relaxed percentage.

14. What is the age limit for these posts?

The notification states the age of retirement will be as per UGC/NCERT norms. The effective age limit is calculated accordingly, with standard relaxations for reserved categories.

15. How can I get updates on shortlist and interview dates?

All updates will be displayed only on the official NCERT website: www.ncert.nic.in. No individual communication will be sent. Candidates must check the website regularly.