Council of Scientific & Industrial Research – National Physical Laboratory (CSIR‑NPL) has just announced a walk‑in interview for ten coveted research positions across ten funded projects. The selection will be made on 12 February 2026 at the laboratory’s auditorium in New Delhi. With salaries ranging from ₹18,000 to ₹42,000 plus HRA, the recruitment is a golden chance for fresh M.Tech, M.Sc, Ph.D. or B.Tech graduates eager to work on cutting‑edge topics such as deep‑sea exploration, solar photovoltaics, quantum metrology and artificial intelligence. No written test is required – candidates only need to appear in person, meet the eligibility norms and clear the interview.
Recruitment/Exam Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Department/Board | CSIR – National Physical Laboratory (CSIR‑NPL) |
| Post Name(s) | Senior Research Fellow (SRF), Junior Research Fellow (JRF), Project Associate, Project Assistant, Research Intern |
| Exam Name | Walk‑in Interview (Direct Recruitment) |
| Total Vacancy | 10 |
| Category | Job / Recruitment |
| Application Mode | Walk‑in (Offline) |
| State / Location | New Delhi, India |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Walk‑in Interview Date | 12 February 2026 |
| Reporting Time | 09:00 AM – 10:00 AM |
| Advertisement Release | Details to be updated soon |
| Last Date to Apply (Walk‑in) | 12 February 2026 (same day) |
| Result / Selection | Same day (post‑interview) |
Application Fee details
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | Details to be updated soon |
| SC / ST / PH | Details to be updated soon |
| Payment Mode | Details to be updated soon |
Note: The official notification PDF will confirm any fee requirement. Until then, candidates should assume that the walk‑in process is fee‑free.
Vacancy & Eligibility Criteria
- Age Limit: The maximum age for each post is shown in the vacancy table below (25 – 40 years). Age is calculated as on 12 Feb 2026. Relaxations for SC/ST/OBC, PwBD and women follow the Government of India guidelines.
- Citizenship: Only Indian citizens are eligible.
- Result Status: Candidates must have a declared result for the required qualification. Those awaiting final semester results are not eligible.
- Experience: Where experience is mentioned, it must be post‑qualification and not part of a six‑year continuous CSIR project engagement.
Vacancy Summary & Pay Scale
| Post Code | Post Name | No. of Posts | Pay Scale / Stipend (incl. HRA) | Age Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | Senior Research Fellow (SRF) | 1 | ₹42,000 + HRA | 32 Years |
| 2.0 | Junior Research Fellow (JRF) | 1 | ₹37,000 + HRA | 28 Years |
| 3.0 | Junior Research Fellow (JRF) | 1 | ₹37,000 + HRA | 28 Years |
| 4.0 | Project Assistant‑I (PA‑I) | 1 | ₹18,000 + HRA | 35 Years |
| 5.0 | Senior Project Associate | 1 | ₹42,000 + HRA | 40 Years |
| 6.0 | Senior Project Associate | 1 | ₹42,000 + HRA | 40 Years |
| 7.0 | Project Associate‑I | 1 | ₹31,000 or ₹25,000 + HRA | 35 Years |
| 8.0 | Senior Project Associate | 1 | ₹42,000 + HRA | 40 Years |
| 9.0 | Research Intern | 1 | ₹24,000 + HRA | 25 Years |
| 10.0 | Project Associate‑II | 1 | ₹35,000 or ₹28,000 + HRA | 35 Years |
Post‑wise Educational Requirements
| Post | Qualification (must be completed) |
|---|---|
| SRF | M.Tech in CSE/IT/ECE/EE or B.Tech in CSE/IT or MCA with ≥2 years research experience. Must have qualified CSIR‑UGC NET / GATE / any central government exam (DST, DBT, DRDO, IIT, etc.). |
| JRF (1) | M.Sc. Physics / Applied Physics / Electronics or B.Tech/B.E. Electronics/Instrumentation. Must hold NET/GATE/central‑exam qualification. Project leads to Ph.D. registration. |
| JRF (2) | Same as JRF (1) – preference for candidates experienced in Solar Photovoltaics. |
| Project Assistant‑I | SSC / 10th Pass plus ITI (Electrical or Mechanical). |
| Senior Project Associate (Physics) | Ph.D. in Physics or M.Tech in Nanotechnology or M.Sc./M.A. in Physics/Materials Science with ≥3 years R&D experience. |
| Senior Project Associate (Chemistry) | M.Sc. Chemistry with ≥3 years R&D experience in micro‑fluidics. |
| Project Associate‑I | Masters in Chemistry / Materials Science. ₹31,000 salary if NET/GATE/central‑exam qualified; ₹25,000 if not. |
| Senior Project Associate (ECE/Physics) | M.Sc. Physics or B.Tech ECE with ≥3 years experience or Ph.D. in Physics. |
| Research Intern | M.Sc. (1st Class) in Electronics / Physics. |
| Project Associate‑II | M.Sc./B.Tech in CS/AI/Electronics with ≥2 years experience or Masters in Engineering. |
How to Appear for the Walk‑in Interview?
- Visit the official portal – https://www.nplindia.org.
- Download the application format (if provided) or prepare a concise biodata sheet covering personal, academic and experience details.
- Complete the form – Write down every mark sheet from secondary school onward, list all certificates, and mention the post you are targeting.
- Gather supporting documents – Originals and self‑attested copies of:
- All educational certificates & mark sheets
- Experience letters (if required)
- NET/GATE/central‑exam qualification certificates (where applicable)
- SC/ST/OBC/PwBD certificates (if you claim relaxation)
- One recent passport‑size photograph
- Reach the venue – Auditorium, CSIR‑NPL, Dr. K.S. Krishnan Marg, New Delhi – 110012.
- Report between 09:00 AM and 10:00 AM. Late arrivals will not be entertained under any circumstances.
- Interview – A panel will assess your academic background, research exposure and suitability for the project. You may respond in Hindi or English.
Pro tip: Carry a printed copy of the advertisement (PDF) and your biodata for quick reference during the interview.
Important Links
| Link Name | Direct Link |
|---|---|
| Walk‑in Interview Details | Download Notification PDF |
| Official Website | https://www.nplindia.org |
| Join WhatsApp Group | Join Now |
| Join Telegram Channel | Join Now |
Conclusion
CSIR‑NPL’s walk‑in interview on 12 Feb 2026 offers ten high‑profile research positions with attractive stipends. Candidates must verify their eligibility, bring all required documents and reach the auditorium before 10 AM. Always cross‑check the official notification for any last‑minute changes before attending.
FAQs.
Q1. Who can attend the CSIR‑NPL walk‑in interview?
Ans: Any Indian citizen who has already obtained the required degree and, where mentioned, a valid NET/GATE/central‑exam qualification. Candidates must have their final results declared before 12 Feb 2026.
Q2. Is there any written test before the interview?
Ans: No. The selection is solely based on the walk‑in interview conducted on the day of reporting.
Q3. What happens if I reach the venue after 10 AM?
Ans: Candidates arriving after the 10 AM cut‑off will be turned away and will not be considered for any post.
Q4. Can I apply for more than one post?
Ans: Yes, you may apply for multiple vacancies, but you must submit separate biodata sheets for each post and be prepared to discuss the specific project during the interview.
