CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026: 100 Vacancies for UPSC CSE 2024 Candidates - Latest Updates

CSIR ASO Exam Date 2026

Following the conclusion of the application window, candidates who applied for the 100 Assistant Section Officer (ASO) roles are eagerly awaiting the official CSIR ASO Exam Date 2026. The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) will publish the finalized schedule on its official portal shortly.

CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026

The CSIR ASO 2026 recruitment drive is specifically designed to fill Assistant Section Officer positions across General, Finance & Accounts, and Stores & Purchase cadres. Eligibility is strictly limited to non-recommended candidates from the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2024 who are listed on the UPSC Pratibha Setu Portal.

Prior to finalizing their applications, candidates are advised to thoroughly review the official notification to ensure a clear understanding of the eligibility criteria, the unique selection process, and other critical recruitment guidelines.

Download Official CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026 Notification PDF

CSIR Assistant Section Officer Exam 2026: Overview

Note: This recruitment drive is exclusively open to eligible non-recommended candidates who appeared for the UPSC CSE-2024.

CSIR ASO Exam 2026: Important Dates

CSIR ASO Vacancy Details Category-wise

The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) has announced 100 ASO vacancies covering General, Finance & Accounts, and Stores & Purchase cadres. Please refer to the table below for a detailed breakdown of the vacancy distribution by cadre and category.

CSIR ASO Eligibility

Verify that you satisfy all mandatory eligibility conditions before proceeding. This CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026 is a specialized hiring process and is not open to the general public.

Age Limit (As of 13 July 2026):

Applicants must not exceed the maximum age limit of 33 years as of 13 July 2026, the official deadline for online application submissions.

Age Relaxation Policies:

Candidates from reserved categories, including SC, ST, OBC, PwBD, and Ex-Servicemen, are entitled to age relaxation as per established Government of India regulations.

Educational Qualifications Required:

To qualify for the CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026, candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university and have appeared for the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2024.

Eligibility is strictly reserved for those whose names appear on the UPSC Pratibha Setu Portal as non-recommended candidates. Candidates who did not participate in the UPSC CSE 2024 are ineligible for this position.

CSIR ASO Apply Online Link

The online application phase for the CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026 has concluded. All eligible applicants were required to submit their details during the official registration window.

Application Fee

Steps to Apply for the CSIR ASO Application Form 2026

Candidates interested in the Assistant Section Officer (ASO) path can follow our step-by-step application and preparation guide provided below.

1. Visit the official website: https://www.csir.res.in or https://recruitment.csir.res.in
2. Click on “Apply Online” and complete the registration process.
3. Log in using your User ID and password.
4. Fill in your personal details, education details, and other required information.
5. Upload your photo, signature, and necessary documents.
6. Check all details carefully and submit the application form.
7. Pay the application fee (if applicable) through SBI Collect.
8. Download the fee receipt and keep a printout of the final submitted form for future use.

Document Upload Specification

CSIR ASO Selection Process

The selection process evaluates candidates based on their UPSC CSE 2024 performance followed by a mandatory Computer Proficiency Test (CPT). There is no requirement for a separate written test.

1. Shortlisting: Candidates will be shortlisted for the CPT based on their total marks in UPSC CSE 2024 (Mains + Personality Test).
2. Computer Proficiency Test (CPT): Shortlisted candidates must appear for a qualifying CPT of 100 marks.
3. Final Merit List: The final merit list will be prepared based on UPSC CSE 2024 marks, subject to qualifying the CPT.
4. Cadre Allocation: Selected candidates will be allotted General, Finance & Accounts, or Stores & Purchase cadre based on merit and preference.
5. Document Verification: Candidates selected in the merit list will be called for document verification before appointment.

CSIR ASO CPT Exam Pattern

Shortlisted candidates will face a Computer Proficiency Test (CPT) to assess their practical skills in routine office software. The CPT is a qualifying, 1-hour test worth 100 marks.

Minimum Qualifying Marks (Category-wise)

Candidates must achieve the category-specific minimum qualifying marks to successfully pass the Computer Proficiency Test:

CSIR ASO Syllabus

The CPT is designed to test technical competencies across three key areas essential for administrative support.

• Word Processing: Typing passages, document formatting, editing, and other MS Word-related tasks.
• Spreadsheet Preparation: Creating and managing spreadsheets, using formulas, formatting data, and performing basic calculations in MS Excel.
• Presentation Creation: Preparing PowerPoint presentations, inserting text, images, tables, and applying formatting features.

CSIR ASO Tie-Breaking Policy

In instances of a tie where two or more candidates achieve identical scores, CSIR will implement specific resolution criteria to determine final rankings.

1. Higher Marks in Mains Examination: The candidate securing higher marks in the UPSC Mains Examination (CSE-2024) will be ranked higher in the merit list.
2. Date of Birth: If the tie persists, the older candidate (based on date of birth) will be placed higher.
3. Earlier Acquisition of Essential Degree: Candidates who obtained the required educational qualification earlier will be given preference.
4. Alphabetical Order of First Name: If the tie remains unresolved after applying the above criteria, candidates will be ranked according to the alphabetical order of their first names.

CSIR ASO Salary

Selected Assistant Section Officers at CSIR are appointed under Pay Level 7 of the 7th Pay Commission. The starting basic salary is ₹44,900 per month, with potential growth up to ₹1,42,400 based on career progression.

Beyond the base salary, ASOs receive comprehensive Central Government benefits including Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Transport Allowance, medical coverage, and Leave Travel Concessions (LTC).

Successful candidates will serve a 2-year probation period and may be deployed to any CSIR laboratory, institute, center, or headquarters across India.