CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026: Apply for 100 Vacancies | UPSC CSE 2024 Candidates

CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026

The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), under the Ministry of Science & Technology, has officially launched the recruitment drive for Assistant Section Officer (ASO) roles across General, Finance & Accounts, and Stores & Purchase cadres.

Interested individuals should submit their applications before the deadline. This drive is exclusively reserved for candidates who appeared for the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2024 and are currently listed as non-recommended on the official UPSC Pratibha Setu Portal.

Download Official CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026 Notification PDF

CSIR Assistant Section Officer Exam 2026: Overview

Important Note: This recruitment is strictly limited to eligible UPSC CSE-2024 non-recommended candidates only.

CSIR ASO Exam 2026: Important Dates

We strongly encourage applicants to complete their registration well before the deadline to prevent any potential last-minute technical delays.

CSIR ASO Vacancy 2026

CSIR has announced a total of 100 Assistant Section Officer (ASO) vacancies spanning the General, Finance & Accounts, and Stores & Purchase cadres. Refer to the table below for a comprehensive breakdown of vacancies by category.

CSIR ASO Eligibility Criteria 2026

Prospective candidates must carefully review all eligibility requirements before applying. Please note that the CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026 is a targeted hiring initiative and is not open to general applicants.

Age Limit (As of 13 July 2026):

Applicants must not exceed the age of 33 years as of 13 July 2026, which serves as the final date for online application submission.

Age Relaxation:

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 Qualification:

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 limited to those appearing as non-recommended on the UPSC Pratibha Setu Portal.

CSIR ASO Application Form 2026

The online application portal for CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026 is currently active. Interested and eligible candidates should submit their forms through the official CSIR website by the deadline of 13 July 2026.

CSIR ASO Online Application Link 2026 – (Apply Now)

Application Fee

Steps to Apply Online for CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026

Eligible candidates interested in these ASO positions should follow our comprehensive, step-by-step application guide below to ensure error-free submission.

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 2026

The selection criteria for this recruitment rely on the candidates' performance in the UPSC CSE 2024, followed by a qualifying Computer Proficiency Test (CPT). No separate written examination will be conducted.

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

The Computer Proficiency Test (CPT) is a qualifying assessment designed to evaluate practical IT skills essential for daily administrative operations. The test lasts 1 hour and carries 100 marks.

Minimum Qualifying Marks (Category-wise)

Candidates are required to achieve the minimum qualifying score stipulated for their specific category to successfully pass the CPT.

CSIR ASO Syllabus

The evaluation structure for the test focuses on three core competency areas:

• 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 the event of a tie in scores, CSIR will implement standardized tie-breaking protocols to determine candidate ranking.

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 2026

Selected candidates will be appointed under Pay Level 7 of the 7th Pay Commission Pay Matrix. The starting basic salary is ₹44,900 per month, with potential growth up to ₹1,42,400 based on performance and career progression.

Beyond the base pay, employees receive comprehensive government benefits, including Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Transport Allowance, medical coverage, and Leave Travel Concession (LTC) as per CSIR policies.

Selected officers will serve a 2-year probation period and may be posted at any CSIR laboratory, research institute, extension center, or the CSIR Headquarters.