National Informatics Centre (NIC) has opened applications for 376 Scientific/Technical Assistant-A posts under advertisement NIC/STA/2026/2. This is direct recruitment to a Group B scientific and technical, non-Gazetted post. It is a government job opportunity, not an internship, and the notification explicitly states that previous work experience is not required.
The important qualification filter is a valid GATE score from 2024, 2025 or 2026 in the paper corresponding to the discipline applied for. A relevant degree alone is not sufficient. Online applications close on 30 September 2026 at 5:30 PM. This guide explains the vacancy split, education requirements, age limits, fees, selection process and application documents using NIC's official advertisement.
NIC Recruitment 2026: Key Details
| Organisation | National Informatics Centre, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology |
|---|---|
| Position | Scientific/Technical Assistant-A |
| Advertisement | NIC/STA/2026/2 |
| Vacancies | 376 across three disciplines; advertised numbers are tentative |
| Pay | Level 6: ₹35,400–₹1,12,400 |
| Experience | No experience required |
| Application period | 1 September 2026, 10 AM to 30 September 2026, 5:30 PM |
| Selection basis | Discipline-wise and category-wise GATE merit, followed by document verification |
| Posting | Anywhere in India; posting outside India is also possible in organisational interest |
Vacancies by Discipline and Category
Computer Sciences and Information Technology accounts for 300 posts. The remaining opportunities are in Electronics and Communication Engineering, and Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. NIC can increase or decrease the advertised vacancy numbers.
| Discipline | Total | UR | SC | ST | OBC-NCL | EWS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Sciences & Information Technology | 300 | 122 | 45 | 22 | 81 | 30 |
| Electronics & Communication Engineering | 26 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 2 |
| Data Science & Artificial Intelligence | 50 | 22 | 7 | 3 | 13 | 5 |
The notification also provides horizontal reservation for persons with benchmark disabilities: 15 places in Computer Sciences and IT, and two each in the other disciplines. These are included within the vacancies, not additional posts. Applicants should check the specific disability categories and suitability identified in the official vacancy table.
Educational Qualification and GATE Eligibility
Applicants must have passed an M.Sc., MS, MCA, BE or BTech in one or a combination of the fields listed by NIC: Electronics; Electronics and Communication; Electronics and Telecommunication; Computer Sciences; Computer and Networking Security; Software System; Information Technology; or Informatics.
The essential qualification must already have been obtained by 30 September 2026. The advertisement does not accept claims that an unlisted qualification is equivalent to a prescribed one. Candidates should therefore compare the actual degree and specialisation printed on their documents against the official eligibility table before paying a fee.
A valid GATE score from one of the three accepted years must match the application discipline:
- Computer Sciences and IT: GATE Computer Science and Information Technology, paper code CS.
- Electronics and Communication Engineering: GATE Electronics and Communication Engineering, paper code EC.
- Data Science and Artificial Intelligence: GATE Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, paper code DA.
NIC asks candidates to provide their best eligible GATE score for the discipline. Scores from 2024, 2025 and 2026 receive equal weightage. Having no employment experience does not prevent an application, but all education, GATE, age and other eligibility requirements still apply.
Age Limit and Relaxations
The age calculation date is 30 September 2026. The standard upper age limit is 30 years for UR and EWS candidates. The notification specifies 35 years for SC/ST and 33 years for OBC-NCL candidates, with the applicable reservation conditions.
For eligible PwBD candidates, the upper limits are 40 years, 45 years for SC/ST PwBD, and 43 years for OBC-NCL PwBD. SC/ST/OBC age relaxation applies to posts reserved for those categories. PwBD relaxation is subject to the post being identified as suitable, whether or not the particular vacancy is reserved for PwBD.
Eligible government service candidates have separate limits of 35 years for UR/EWS, 40 years for SC/ST and 38 years for OBC-NCL. This concession is conditional: the existing service must be in the same or an allied cadre and relevant to the advertised duties. Ex-servicemen relaxation follows government rules. Applicants claiming a concession should read the notice and prepare the prescribed supporting certificate.
Pay Scale, Organisation and Posting
The post carries Pay Level 6, ₹35,400–₹1,12,400. This is the notified pay scale; it should not be read as a promise of ₹1,12,400 starting monthly salary or a statement of take-home pay. The advertisement does not provide a fixed net salary figure.
NIC works on government digital infrastructure and e-governance applications, alongside consultancy, research and capacity building. Those are organisational activities, not a guaranteed individual project allocation. Selected candidates may be posted anywhere in India or outside India in NIC's interest. The notice does not advertise this as a work-from-home role or guarantee a preferred city.
How Selection Will Work
NIC will prepare separate category-wise merit lists for each discipline using GATE scores. Shortlisted applicants will then be called for document verification against the vacancies before provisional appointment. Meeting the minimum eligibility conditions or completing registration does not guarantee selection.
If GATE scores are tied, the stated order of resolution is: first, the older GATE examination year; next, the candidate who is older in age if score and year are identical; and finally, the higher percentage in the essential qualification if a tie remains.
The document-verification schedule will be announced on the recruitment website. Candidates must attend at the specified time with original documents. NIC states that verification may take place in Delhi or another approved location or mode, and that no travel or daily allowance will be paid. The selection section describes GATE merit and verification; it does not announce a separate recruitment written-test date.
Application Fee
The application fee is ₹800 per discipline for UR, OBC-NCL and EWS candidates. SC, ST, PwBD and women candidates are exempt. Applicable banking charges are additional. Payment must be made online through the application process, and fees once paid are non-refundable.
Applicants should confirm successful payment and completion of the application instead of relying only on a bank debit notification. NIC places responsibility for a complete transaction on the candidate. Those applying under an exempt category should still complete every other required stage and download the confirmation page.
Documents and Upload Requirements
Prepare a recent photograph in JPEG/JPG format between 50 and 200 KB, and a signature in blue or black ink in JPEG/JPG format between 10 and 50 KB. The listed supporting documents must be self-attested and uploaded separately as PDF files of 10–500 KB, as applicable.
- Date-of-birth proof and Class 10 and Class 12 certificates or marksheets.
- The relevant GATE 2024, 2025 or 2026 scorecard.
- Qualifying degree or provisional pass certificate and marksheets showing the result date.
- University CGPA conversion certificate, where applicable.
- Category, disability, age-relaxation and ex-servicemen documents, where applicable.
- No Objection Certificate for applicants employed in the government, PSUs, aided institutions or autonomous bodies, where required.
- Name-change documentation, if applicable, and identity documents required for verification.
OBC-NCL applicants need the prescribed central-government appointment certificate and Central List eligibility; a state-list or educational-admission certificate is not sufficient. EWS certificates must relate to financial year 2025–26 and be valid for 2026–27. PwBD applicants should check the prescribed permanent-disability certification requirements. The advertisement includes certificate formats in its annexures.
How to Apply Online
- Open the official NIC recruitment website and select the Scientific/Technical Assistant-A recruitment for advertisement NIC/STA/2026/2. Other NIC recruitment notices on the same site are separate exercises.
- Read the detailed advertisement and confirm the qualification, GATE paper, age and category conditions that apply to you.
- Use the linked application portal to register with an active personal email address and mobile number. Keep access to both for recruitment communications.
- Complete the application, enter the correct GATE details, and upload the required photograph, signature and supporting documents.
- Review every entry before final submission. The notice restricts changes to details including name, category, address, mobile number and email after final submission.
- Pay the applicable fee online, complete the process and download the confirmation page. Retain it along with the payment record and uploaded documents.
Only online applications are accepted. The notice requires Aadhaar-based authentication during recruitment. Do not leave submission until the final minutes of the 5:30 PM deadline. Technical application queries can be sent to helpdesk-nic@nic.in, mentioning the advertisement number; this helpdesk is not a substitute for checking eligibility in the notification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can freshers apply?
Yes. Experience is not required, but freshers must hold the prescribed completed qualification and a valid matching GATE score, and satisfy the other conditions.
Is this the NIC Scientist-B recruitment?
No. This article concerns Scientific/Technical Assistant-A under NIC/STA/2026/2. Use the matching notice and application link rather than another recruitment listed on the portal.
Can someone without GATE apply for these posts?
A valid score in CS, EC or DA from GATE 2024, 2025 or 2026, corresponding to the applied discipline, is an essential condition of this recruitment.
Official Links and Final Check
Official recruitment page and application link · Detailed notification and certificate formats · NIC online application portal.
Details were checked against NIC's official notice on 17 September 2026. Read the complete advertisement, including citizenship and reservation provisions, before applying. Check the official recruitment page for corrections, verification dates and subsequent updates; only NIC can determine an applicant's eligibility and selection.
