The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) is inviting online applications for 100 Assistant Section Officer (ASO) posts through the CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026. Eligible candidates can submit their applications on the official website by 13 July 2026.
Selected candidates will be appointed to Group B (Non-Gazetted) posts and will receive an attractive salary, government allowances, and other benefits as per Central Government rules.
CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026
The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) has started the application process for Assistant Section Officer (ASO) posts in the General, Finance & Accounts, and Stores & Purchase cadres.
Candidates whose names are available on the UPSC Pratibha Setu Portal as non-recommended UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2024 candidates are eligible to apply. Interested applicants must complete the online application process before the last date.
Download CSIR ASO Notification 2026 PDF
CSIR Assistant Section Officer Exam 2026: Overview
| Particulars | Details |
| Organization |
Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) |
| Post Name |
Assistant Section Officer (ASO) |
| Advertisement Number | E-I/RC/2026/2 |
| Total Vacancies | 100 |
| Post Classification | |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | 23 June to 13 July 2026 |
| Pay Level | Level 7 |
| Salary |
Rs 44,900 – Rs 1,42,400 |
| Official Website | csir.res.in |
| Job Category | |
| Help Desk Email |
Note: The recruitment is specifically meant for eligible UPSC CSE-2024 non-recommended candidates.
CSIR ASO Exam: Important Dates
Candidates are advised to complete their applications well before the closing date to avoid last-minute technical issues.
| Event | Date |
| Notification Release Date | 23 June 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | |
| Last Date to Apply Online | |
| Last Date for Fee Payment |
CSIR ASO Vacancy Details Category Wise
CSIR has notified 100 Assistant Section Officer (ASO) vacancies under the General, Finance & Accounts, and Stores & Purchase cadres. The category-wise distribution of vacancies for each cadre is provided in the table below.
| Post Name | UR | SC | ST | OBC (NCL) | EWS | Total |
| ASO (General) | 23 | 9 | 4 | 17 | 8 | 61 |
| ASO (Finance & Accounts) | 7 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 18 |
| ASO (Stores & Purchase) | 8 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 21 |
| Total | 38 | 13 | 8 | 29 | 12 | 100 |
CSIR ASO Eligibility
Candidates are advised to verify the prescribed eligibility requirements before submitting their applications. The CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026 is open only to a specific category of eligible candidates and is not intended for general applicants.
Age Limit (As on 13 July 2026):
The maximum age limit for applying is 33 years as on 13 July 2026, which is the closing date for online applications.
Age Relaxation:
Candidates belonging to reserved categories such as SC, ST, OBC, PwBD, and Ex-Servicemen will be eligible for age relaxation as per Government of India rules.
| Category | |
| SC / ST | 5 Years |
| OBC (NCL) | 3 Years |
| PwBD (Unreserved) | 10 Years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 15 Years |
| PwBD (OBC) | 13 Years |
| Ex-Servicemen |
3 years after deducting actual military service from age on the closing date |
| CSIR Departmental Candidates | 5 Years |
| Any Other Category |
Educational Qualification:
To apply for CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026, candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university and must have appeared in the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2024. Only candidates listed as non-recommended on the UPSC Pratibha Setu Portal are eligible. Candidates who did not appear in UPSC CSE 2024 are not eligible to apply.
CSIR ASO Apply Online Link
CSIR has started accepting online applications for the ASO Recruitment 2026 through its official website. Interested and eligible candidates can complete the application process online on or before 13 July 2026.
CSIR ASO Apply Online 2026 Link – (Active)
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
| Unreserved (UR), OBC (NCL), EWS | Rs 500 |
| Women / SC / ST / PwBD / Ex-Servicemen | NIL |
Steps to Apply for the CSIR ASO Application Form 2026
Candidates interested in applying for Assistant Section Officer (ASO) posts can follow the step-by-step guide below.
- Visit the official website: https://www.csir.res.in or https://recruitment.csir.res.in
- Click on “Apply Online” and complete the registration process.
- Log in using your User ID and password.
- Fill in your personal details, education details, and other required information.
- Upload your photo, signature, and necessary documents.
- Check all details carefully and submit the application form.
- Pay the application fee (if applicable) through SBI Collect.
- Download the fee receipt and keep a printout of the final submitted form for future use.
Document Upload Specification
| S.No. | Document Required | Format |
Max. Size / Specification |
| 1 | Photograph | JPG |
Below 50 KB (200 × 150 pixels) |
| 2 | Signature | JPG |
Below 50 KB (50 × 150 pixels) |
| 3 | Certificates/Documents | ||
| 4 | CSE-2024 Mark Sheets (Prelims + Mains + PT) | PDF (combined in one file) | Below 1 MB |
CSIR ASO Selection Process
The selection process is based on candidates’ performance in UPSC CSE 2024 and a Computer Proficiency Test (CPT). There is no separate written examination.
- Shortlisting: Candidates will be shortlisted for the CPT based on their total marks in UPSC CSE 2024 (Mains + Personality Test).
- Computer Proficiency Test (CPT): Shortlisted candidates must appear for a qualifying CPT of 100 marks.
- Final Merit List: The final merit list will be prepared based on UPSC CSE 2024 marks, subject to qualifying the CPT.
- Cadre Allocation: Selected candidates will be allotted General, Finance & Accounts, or Stores & Purchase cadre based on merit and preference.
- 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 qualifying in nature and is conducted to assess a candidate’s practical computer skills required for day-to-day office work. The CPT carries 100 marks and has a duration of 1 hour.
Minimum Qualifying Marks (Category-wise)
Candidates must secure the minimum qualifying marks prescribed for their category to qualify for the Computer Proficiency Test:
| Category | Minimum Percentage(%) |
Minimum Marks (Out of 100) |
| UR | 40% | 40 |
| EWS | 37% | 37 |
| OBC | 37% | 37 |
| SC | 35% | 35 |
| ST | 35% | 35 |
| PwBD (All Categories) | 30% | 30 |
CSIR ASO Syllabus
The test evaluates candidates on three key 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 cases where two or more candidates obtain the same score in the recruitment process, the CSIR will resolve the tie by applying the following criteria:
- 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.
- Date of Birth: If the tie persists, the older candidate (based on date of birth) will be placed higher.
- Earlier Acquisition of Essential Degree: Candidates who obtained the required educational qualification earlier will be given preference.
- 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
Candidates selected for the Assistant Section Officer (ASO) post in CSIR will receive a salary under Pay Level 7, Cell 1 of the 7th Pay Commission Pay Matrix. The starting basic pay is Rs 44,900 per month, which can increase up to R 1,42,400 with experience and career progression.
In addition to the basic pay, selected candidates will receive several benefits under Central Government rules, including Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Transport Allowance, medical facilities, Leave Travel Concession (LTC), and other admissible allowances as per CSIR regulations.
Selected officers will have a 2-year probation period and may be posted anywhere across CSIR laboratories, institutes, extension centres, or CSIR Headquarters.
| Salary Component | Details |
| Post |
Assistant Section Officer (ASO) |
| Pay Level | Level 7, Cell 1 |
| Basic Pay | |
| Maximum Pay Scale | Up to ₹1,42,400 |
| Dearness Allowance (DA) |
As per Central Government rates |
| House Rent Allowance (HRA) |
As applicable (not provided if CSIR accommodation is used) |
| Transport Allowance |
As per Central Government rules |
| Medical Benefits |
Available as per CSIR rules |
| Pension Scheme |
New Pension System (NPS) applicable from 01.01.2004 |
| Posting Location |
Anywhere in India under CSIR laboratories/institutes or CSIR Headquarters, New Delhi |