NIT Jalandhar Faculty Recruitment 2026 – Apply Online for 101 Professor, Associate Professor Vacancies | Last Date 27 Feb 2026

Navigating the Application Window: From Opening to Final Submission

The application window for NIT Jalandhar faculty posts 2026 is open for over a month, from 22 January to 27 February 2026. The portal will be activated on the Institute website (www.nitj.ac.in) on the starting date. It is crucial to understand that the deadline of 27th February is absolute – the system will close at midnight, and no submissions will be accepted thereafter. Unlike some recruitments, there is no separate last date for fee payment; both form submission and fee payment must be completed by this single deadline. Candidates, especially those requiring documents from current employers like NOC, should start the process early. A common mistake is to wait until the final week, risking last-minute technical glitches or delays in obtaining necessary certificates. Plan to submit your application at least 3-4 days before the deadline to account for any unforeseen issues.

Understanding the Age Limit Policy for Faculty Appointments

The notification states a clear policy regarding the age of fresh appointees. While appointments beyond the age of 60 years are generally "discouraged," the institute has made a specific and important exception. Candidates with an exceptionally brilliant research or academic career, supported by a record of high-impact publications, and who have ongoing or approved externally funded research projects, may be considered even if they are above 60. This clause is aimed at attracting eminent scholars and scientists to the institute. For all other candidates, the standard age limit norms apply. Candidates from SC, ST, OBC, and PwBD categories are eligible for age relaxation as per the latest Government of India orders. It is mandatory to provide a valid proof of date of birth (like a 10th certificate) during the application, and this date will be treated as final for all purposes.

Decoding the Vacancy Table: Departments, Levels, and Reservations

The 101 vacancies are spread across 15 departments including Biotechnology, Computer Science & Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics & Communication, Civil, Mechanical, Humanities & Management, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics & Computing, and Textile Technology. The distribution follows Government of India reservation rules. Importantly, there are backlog vacancies marked for SC (08), ST (08), and OBC-NCL (26). Additionally, 9 vacancies are reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD). A significant provision allows exceptional candidates belonging to Scheduled Tribe (ST) and PwBD categories to apply against any post in any pay level, provided they meet the eligibility and specialization criteria. The total number of posts is indicative; the Institute reserves the right to increase, decrease, or not fill some posts based on circumstances.

The Non-Negotiable Academic Bar: First Division, PhD, and Institution Pedigree

The eligibility criteria set a high academic bar. For engineering departments, candidates must have a UG and PG degree in Engineering with a PhD in the relevant branch. Integrated UG-PG pathways are also accepted. Crucially, a first division (or equivalent 6.5 CGPA/60%) is mandatory in both UG and PG. For Science and Humanities departments, similar stringent norms apply with relevant BSc/MSc/MA/MBA and PhD combinations. The "new entrant" rule is vital: anyone not currently a faculty member at NIT Jalandhar must have a PhD. Furthermore, to ensure quality, at least one of your degrees (UG, PG, or PhD) must be from a reputable institution: a Centrally Funded Technical Institute (CFTI like other NITs/IITs), a Central/State Government University, or an institution that has featured in the top 100 of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) at any time. Degrees from foreign institutions are considered only if the university was within the top 500 of QS or Times Higher Education (THE) rankings at the time of award.

Reservation Policy: Understanding Backlog, EWS, and PwBD Quotas

The reservation is implemented as per the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Teachers' Cadre) Act, 2019. The institute is treated as a single unit for this purpose. The presence of backlog vacancies (marked 'B') for SC, ST, and OBC-NCL indicates that these positions remained unfilled in previous recruitment cycles and are being carried forward. Candidates applying for these reserved posts must submit valid caste certificates in the prescribed format. For OBC-NCL, the certificate must be issued on or after 1st April 2025 and must confirm the candidate's non-creamy layer status based on the family income of the three preceding financial years. For EWS candidates, the family's gross annual income for the financial year 2024-25 must be below ₹8 Lakh, and they must not possess the excluded assets (like agricultural land over 5 acres). The 9 PwBD vacancies are distributed across various disability types as per the latest Government of India notification.

Attractive Salary and Career Growth in the NIT System

Appointments are made in the respective pay levels of the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) matrix, ensuring a competitive and structured salary. For instance, an Assistant Professor at Level 10 starts with a basic pay of ₹57,700, which, after adding Dearness Allowance (currently around 46%), House Rent Allowance (city-dependent: 27%/18%/9%), and other admissible allowances, results in a gross monthly salary of approximately ₹78,000-₹85,000. The pay levels for Associate Professor (13A2) and Professor (14A) are significantly higher, reflecting greater responsibility and experience. Besides the attractive pay, faculty at NITs enjoy benefits like a conducive research environment with seed grants, opportunities for consultancy, professional development leave (sabbatical), a robust pension scheme under the National Pension System (NPS), and on-campus facilities. The career progression from Assistant to Associate to Professor is well-defined based on performance and achievements.

How to Apply Online: A Step-by-Step Guide for Candidates

The application process is completely online. No hard copies are to be sent by post. Follow these steps carefully:
Step 1: Visit the Official Website – Go to www.nitj.ac.in on or after 22 January 2026.
Step 2: Find the Recruitment Link – Look for the "Faculty Recruitment 2026" or similar link under the "Careers" or "Recruitment" section.
Step 3: Register & Login – Click on "Apply Online" and register using a valid email ID and mobile number. Existing NIT Jalandhar faculty must use their institute email ID.
Step 4: Fill the Application Form – Carefully enter all personal, educational, and experience details. Select the post, department, and pay level you are applying for.
Step 5: Upload Documents – Upload scanned copies of all required documents (photograph, signature, certificates, etc.) in the prescribed size and format (PDF/JPG).
Step 6: Pay Application Fee – Proceed to pay the non-refundable fee online. Keep the payment receipt/transaction ID.
Step 7: Final Submission – Review the entire application thoroughly. Once satisfied, submit it finally. After final submission, you can download/print the application form for your records.

Important Note: If you wish to apply for more than one post (even in the same department), you must submit separate applications and pay fees for each.

Crucial Document Guidelines: Certificates, NOC, and Proof of Claims

Your application's success hinges on the authenticity and correctness of uploaded documents. The Date of Birth proof is critical and must match the details entered. All academic mark sheets must clearly show the award of first division or the required CGPA/percentage. For PhD, the certificate or provisional award letter is mandatory. Candidates claiming reservation benefits must upload the relevant certificate in the exact format provided in the notification's annexures (Annexure-III for SC/ST, IV for OBC-NCL, V for EWS, VI for PwBD). The OBC-NCL and EWS certificates have strict validity dates (issued on or after 01.04.2025). If currently employed, an NOC from your employer is required at the time of the interview, if not uploaded. All experience claims, publications, and research projects must be supported by verifiable documents. Applications without fee payment or without mandatory documents will be summarily rejected.

The Two-Tier Selection: Presentation and Interview

The selection process is designed to assess both subject knowledge and teaching/research aptitude. Shortlisting is the first filter, where departments may set criteria higher than the minimum to limit the number of candidates called for the presentation. Merely meeting eligibility does not guarantee a call. The Departmental Presentation is a critical and mandatory stage. Candidates are required to deliver a presentation on their teaching and research plans. The department evaluates this presentation, and only those who are successful are recommended for the interview. The final Interview is conducted by a Selection Committee constituted as per statutes. The committee assesses the candidate's overall academic and research profile, including publications, projects, and domain expertise. The committee's recommendation is sent to the Board of Governors (BOG) for final approval and appointment. No TA/DA is paid for attending the presentation or interview.

What Counts as Valid Academic/Professional Experience?

The notification clearly defines the institutions where prior experience will be considered valid. This includes all fully funded Central Government Institutions (like other IITs/NITs), State Government Institutions, and institutions that have been ranked within the top 100 of NIRF (in relevant categories) for at least two years. Experience from overseas universities is valued only if the university was ever ranked within the top 500 of QS or THE world rankings. This emphasis on institutional pedigree ensures a high standard. Experience as a Post-Doctoral Fellow (PDF) is considered for Assistant Professor positions. Research experience in premier national R&D labs (CSIR, DRDO, ISRO etc.) is also valid. Industrial experience is considered only if it is from a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU), an Autonomous Body, or a private company with an annual turnover exceeding ₹500 Crores. Candidates must provide supporting documents like experience certificates, appointment letters, and pay slips to substantiate all claims.

Critical Instructions & Warnings for Applicants

1. Specialization is Key: Your claimed area of specialization (from Annexure-I) must be supported by your thesis work, publications, and research output in SCI journals.
2. Avoid Inbreeding: Candidates who obtained their PhD from NIT Jalandhar are not eligible to apply for a period of 3 years from the date of award.
3. Overseas Candidates: Those with post-doctoral experience from a QS/THE top-500 university may be directly called for presentation/interview. Overseas candidates may request an online interview.
4. Probation: All selected candidates will be placed on probation, which may be extended based on performance.
5. Institute's Rights: NIT Jalandhar reserves the right to cancel, defer, or modify the recruitment process, and not to fill any post. Its decisions are final.
6. No Canvassing: Any form of canvassing will lead to disqualification.
7. Jurisdiction: Any legal dispute will be subject to the courts in Jalandhar.

1. I have a CGPA of 6.4 on a 10-point scale in my PG. Am I eligible?

No. The notification is very clear on this point. If your university does not mention "First Division" on the degree/mark sheet, you must have secured a minimum of 6.5 CGPA on a 10-point scale OR 60% marks in aggregate. A CGPA of 6.4 is below the threshold and will make you ineligible, irrespective of your category. Conversion from CGPA to percentage using a university formula is not allowed for determining eligibility. If your university uses a different point scale (like 8-point), you must obtain a certificate from the university authorities (Registrar/Controller of Exams) stating that your CGPA is equivalent to first class on that scale, or equivalently convert it to a 6.5+ on a 10-point scale.

2. My PhD is from a foreign university ranked 600 in QS. Is it valid?

For the degree itself to be considered, the foreign institution must have been ranked within the top 500 of either QS or Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings at any time. If your university was never in the top 500, your PhD will not satisfy the institutional pedigree requirement. However, please note the separate rule for experience: if you gained post-doctoral or work experience at a university that was ever in the top 500, that experience would be considered valid, even if your PhD is from a different, lower-ranked institution.

3. I am an existing Assistant Professor at another NIT. Do I need a NOC to apply?

Yes. Since you are serving in a Government Educational Institution, you are required to produce a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the competent authority of your current institute (e.g., Director/Registrar). This can be submitted at the time of the interview if not uploaded with the application. Failure to produce a valid NOC at the time of the interview will lead to you not being allowed to appear before the selection committee. In contrast, existing faculty members of NIT Jalandhar itself do not need an NOC from the Institute but must inform their Head of Department.

4. What is the "Credit Point System" mentioned in the notification?

The Credit Point System is a quantitative method defined in Schedule "E" of the NIT Statutes (Refer Gazette of India dated 24 July 2017). It is used to evaluate a candidate's academic and research performance. Points are assigned for parameters like PhD quality, publications in SCI/SCOPUS journals, patents, research projects guided/sponsored, books published, awards, etc. The detailed table is provided in Annexure-II & IIa of the official notification PDF. During selection, candidates may need to submit a detailed CV claiming these points, which will be verified by the committee. Grossly inappropriate claims without documents can lead to rejection.

5. Can I apply if my area of specialization is not listed in Annexure-I for my desired department?

No. Candidates must apply only for the specific "areas of specialization" mentioned against each department and post level in Annexure-I. Your UG/PG/PhD thesis, publications, and research work must align with one of these listed areas. The department will shortlist based on this match. The only exception is for the existing faculty of NIT Jalandhar applying for movement to a higher pay level; for them, there is no constraint related to specialization.

6. Is there any written exam for this recruitment?

No. There is no written examination for this direct recruitment of faculty. The selection is based entirely on the evaluation of your academic credentials, experience, a departmental presentation, and a personal interview before the Selection Committee. The presentation is a crucial eliminatory stage where you present your past research and future plans.

7. My EWS certificate is from April 2024. Is it valid?

No. The notification specifies that the Income and Asset Certificate for EWS category must be issued on or after 1st April 2025. This is because the income considered is for the financial year 2024-25. A certificate issued in 2024 would be for the previous financial year (2023-24) and hence not valid. Ensure you obtain a fresh certificate from the competent authority as per the format in Annexure-V after the stipulated date.

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

All communication regarding shortlisting, presentation schedule, and interview will be published on the Institute website (www.nitj.ac.in) only. You will also be able to check your application status by logging into the portal using your credentials. The Institute will not send individual call letters by post or email. It is your responsibility to regularly check the website for updates after the application deadline.