Overview: NIC Scientist C D Recruitment 2026
National Informatics Centre (NIC), operating under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, has released a detailed advertisement for direct recruitment to Scientific and Technical posts in the grade of Scientist-C and Scientist-D. This is a golden opportunity for engineering graduates and postgraduates with relevant experience in IT, computer science, electronics, and allied fields to join one of India’s premier central government technology organisations. A total of 153 posts are being filled through Advertisement No. NIC/SC-C&D/2026/3. Online applications are open from 08 April 2026 to 30 April 2026 at https://recruitment.nic.in/.
Table of Contents
Key Highlights: NIC Scientist C D Recruitment 2026
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | National Informatics Centre (NIC), MeitY |
| Advertisement No. | NIC/SC-C&D/2026/3 |
| Post Names | Scientist-C, Scientist-D |
| Total Vacancies | 153 |
| Pay Level | Level 11 (Scientist-C), Level 12 (Scientist-D) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | 08 April 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 30 April 2026 (5:30 PM) |
| Official Website | recruitment.nic.in |
Why Apply for NIC Scientist C and D Recruitment 2026?
Prestigious Central Government Organisation: NIC is the backbone of India’s digital governance infrastructure, working directly under MeitY. Joining NIC means contributing to national e-governance projects of strategic importance.
Attractive Pay Scale: Scientist-C posts carry Pay Level 11 (Rs. 67700 – 208700/-) and Scientist-D posts carry Pay Level 12 (Rs. 78800 – 209200/-), along with all applicable Central Government allowances and benefits.
Pan-India and International Postings: Selected candidates are liable to be posted anywhere in India and outside India, offering wide-ranging exposure and career growth.
Opportunity for Experienced IT Professionals: This recruitment specifically targets experienced professionals from IT, computer science, electronics, and related fields, making it ideal for those who have built relevant domain expertise.
Strong Reservation and Inclusion Policy: Posts are reserved across SC, ST, OBC (NCL), EWS, and PwBD categories as per Government of India norms, ensuring equal opportunity for all eligible candidates.
Important Dates: NIC Scientist C D Recruitment 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Start Date | 08 April 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 30 April 2026 (5:30 PM) |
| Cut-off Date for Age/Qualification/Experience | 21 November 2022 |
Vacancy Details: NIC Scientist C D Recruitment 2026
Post-wise and Category-wise Vacancy Breakdown:
| Post | Pay Level | Total | UR | SC | ST | OBC (NCL) | EWS | PwBD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scientist-D | Level 12 (Rs. 78800–209200) | 12 | 7 | 1 | – | 3 | 1 | NIL |
| Scientist-C | Level 11 (Rs. 67700–208700) | 141 | 59 | 21 | 10 | 38 | 13 | 06 |
| Total | 153 |
PwBD Reservation for Scientist-C (06 posts):
- Locomotor Disability (OA, OL, BL, OAL) including leprosy cured, dwarfism, acid attack victims and muscular dystrophy – 02
- Hard of Hearing (HH) – 02
- Multiple disabilities from amongst (a) to (b) except deaf & blindness – 02
Note: The number of advertised posts is tentative and may increase or decrease depending on requirement.
Eligibility Criteria: NIC Scientist C D Recruitment 2026
Essential Educational Qualification:
Candidates must hold one of the following qualifications in the relevant field:
Bachelor of Engineering (BE) or Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech), OR Department of Electronics and Accreditation of Computer Course B-Level, OR Associate Member of Institute of Engineers, OR Graduate of Institute of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers (IETE), OR Master of Science (M.Sc.), OR Master of Computer Applications (MCA), OR Master of Engineering (ME) / Master of Technology (M.Tech), OR Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.)
Relevant Fields (Single or in combination): Physics, Applied Physics, Electronics, Electronics and Communication, Electronics and Telecommunication, Radio Physics and Electronics, Chemistry, Applied Chemistry, Materials Science, Environmental Science, Computer Sciences, Computer Science and Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Communication, Computer and Networking Security, Computer Application, Software Engineering, Software System, Information Technology, Information Technology Management, Informatics, Computer Management, Cyber Law, Bioinformatics, Remote Sensing, Geographical Information Systems (GIS), Geography, Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Operations Research, Total Quality Management, Statistics, Computational Linguistics, Information Science, Information Science and Engineering, Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, Production, Industrial Electronics, Instrumentation, Electronics and Instrumentation, Power Electronics, Design.
Desirable Qualification: Doctorate (Ph.D.) in Science, Engineering, or Information Communication Technology.
Minimum Relevant Experience
| Post | Minimum Experience | Nature of Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Scientist-C | 4 years | Research or development in industrial and academic institutions or Science and Technology organisations or in both |
| Scientist-D | 8 years | Research or development in industrial and academic institutions or Science and Technology organisations or in both |
Note 1: Candidates holding ME / M.Tech / M.Phil degree are eligible for 2 years’ relaxation in the experience requirement.
Note 2: Experience must be in one or more of the following areas after acquiring the essential qualification: Integration and implementation of IT solutions, Testing, Quality Control, Capacity Development in e-Governance, IT, Computer Science, Cyber Security, Communication including Data Communications, Network and Software Engineering, or Cyber Law.
Note 3: Experience is counted only after the date on which the essential qualification has been acquired. Part-time, daily wages, trainee, visiting/guest faculty, Teaching Assistant, Research Assistant, JRF/SRF, Project Assistant experience will not be counted.
Age Limit: NIC Scientist C D Recruitment 2026
Age Reckoned as on: 21 November 2022
| Post | Upper Age Limit |
|---|---|
| Scientist-D | 40 years |
| Scientist-C | 35 years |
Age Relaxation:
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | 5 years |
| OBC (NCL) | 3 years |
| PwBD (General) | 10 years |
| PwBD (OBC) | 13 years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 15 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | As per Central Govt. rules |
| Serving Civilian Central Govt. Employees (same line/allied cadres) | Up to 5 years |
| MeitY and its organisations’ Scientific & Technical officers (regular basis) | As per extant rules |
Pay Scale: NIC Scientist C D Recruitment 2026
| Post | Pay Level | Pay Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Scientist-D | Pay Level 12 | Rs. 78800 – 209200/- |
| Scientist-C | Pay Level 11 | Rs. 67700 – 208700/- |
In addition to basic pay, candidates will be entitled to Central Government allowances including HRA, DA, TA, and other admissible perquisites as per prevailing rules.
Selection Process: NIC Scientist C D Recruitment 2026
Mode of Selection: The direct recruitment process for both Scientist-C and Scientist-D involves three stages:
Stage 1 – Screening Test:
- Online Objective Type (MCQ) examination
- 150 Multiple-Choice Questions to be answered in 3 hours
- Subjects: Reasoning, Basic Mathematics, English, Aptitude, Attitude and Leadership Quality
- Each question carries 1 mark; medium is English only
- Qualifying marks: Minimum 60% for UR/EWS; relaxed to 50% for OBC and 40% for SC/ST/PwBD if sufficient candidates are not available at 60%
- Candidates qualifying screening test will be shortlisted in a ratio of 1:6 per post per category
Stage 2 – Evaluation of Academic Records:
- Shortlisted candidates’ academic records and experience will be evaluated by a Screening Evaluation Committee
- Marks awarded on parameters as per Annexure I (Scientist-C) and Annexure II (Scientist-D)
- Maximum marks at this stage (excluding interview): 120
- Candidates in ratio of 1:3 per post will be called for interview
Stage 3 – Personal Interaction / Interview:
- Conducted at Delhi or any other location/mode approved by the competent authority
- Maximum marks for interview: 30
- No request for postponement or change of date/location will be entertained
Final Merit: Based on total marks out of 150 (120 for Evaluation + 30 for Interview)
Score Normalization: In case the examination is conducted in multiple batches/sessions, normalization formula will be applied to ensure parity across batches.
Exam Centres: Agartala, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Gangtok, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kochi, Lucknow, Mumbai, Patna, Raipur, Ranchi, Kolkata, Visakhapatnam, Port Blair (21 centres)
Evaluation Parameters (Weightage of Marks)
For Scientist-C (Total: 150 Marks):
| Parameter | Max Marks |
|---|---|
| Matriculation (Class X) | 10 |
| 10+2 (PCM) | 20 |
| GATE Score | 5 |
| Essential Qualification Degree | 40 |
| Ph.D. in relevant field | 10 |
| Experience in relevant field (max 4 years) | 18 |
| Journal Publications | 12 |
| Conference Publications | 5 |
| Interview / Personal Interaction | 30 |
| Total | 150 |
For Scientist-D (Total: 150 Marks):
| Parameter | Max Marks |
|---|---|
| Matriculation (Class X) | 8 |
| 10+2 (PCM) | 12 |
| GATE Score | 5 |
| Essential Qualification Degree | 40 |
| Ph.D. in relevant field | 10 |
| Experience in relevant field (max 8 years) | 24 |
| Journal Publications | 14 |
| Conference Publications | 7 |
| Interview / Personal Interaction | 30 |
| Total | 150 |
Application Fee
Mode of Payment: Online only (Credit Card / Debit Card / Net Banking)
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| SC / ST / PwBD / Women Candidates | Nil |
| General / All Others | Rs. 800/- per application per post |
Candidates applying for more than one post must pay Rs. 800/- for each post separately. Application fee once paid is non-refundable. Candidates who had applied against Advertisement No. NIELIT/NIC/2022/2 are exempted from paying the fee, provided they quote their previous application number.
How to Apply: NIC Scientist C D Recruitment 2026
Candidates must apply online at https://recruitment.nic.in/ between 08 April 2026 and 30 April 2026 (5:30 PM). The application process involves four mandatory steps:
Step 1 – Registration: Register on the portal with a valid email ID and active mobile number. Aadhaar-based authentication will be used at every stage.
Step 2 – Fill Online Application Form and Upload Documents: Fill all required details and upload scanned copies of photograph, signature, age proof, educational certificates, category certificates, experience certificates, GATE scorecard (if applicable), Statement of Purpose (SOP), and other relevant documents as listed in the checklist.
Step 3 – Payment of Application Fee (if applicable): Complete online fee payment through the application portal.
Step 4 – Download Confirmation Page: Download and save the confirmation page. The application is treated as complete only after all four steps are successfully completed.
Important: Only one application per post is permitted. Change of category will not be permitted at any stage after submission.
Important Instructions
Candidates must carefully read the official notification before applying. Aadhaar-based authentication is mandatory at every stage of the recruitment process. Serving government employees (Central/State/PSU/Autonomous bodies) must upload a signed CCA Declaration at the time of application and produce proof of communication with their employer at the time of interview. Candidates must bring the downloaded Interview Call Letter along with self-attested copies and originals of all testimonials at the time of interview. No TA/DA will be paid for attending the interview. Qualifications obtained through Open Universities/Distance Education mode approved by DEC and recognised for Central Government employment will be considered eligible. Canvassing in any form will result in disqualification. For technical issues, contact helpdesk-nic@nic.in with the advertisement number in the subject line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): NIC Scientist C D Recruitment 2026
Q1. What is the total number of vacancies in NIC Scientist C D Recruitment 2026? A total of 153 posts are being filled – 12 for Scientist-D and 141 for Scientist-C.
Q2. What is the last date to apply for NIC Scientist C D Recruitment 2026? The last date to submit the online application is 30 April 2026 by 5:30 PM.
Q3. What is the age limit for NIC Scientist C Recruitment 2026? The upper age limit for Scientist-C is 35 years and for Scientist-D is 40 years, reckoned as on 21 November 2022.
Q4. Is a Ph.D. mandatory for NIC Scientist C and D posts? No, Ph.D. is only a desirable qualification. However, holding a Ph.D. in a relevant field earns additional marks in the evaluation process.
Q5. What is the application fee for NIC Scientist C D Recruitment 2026? General and other candidates must pay Rs. 800/- per application per post. SC/ST/PwBD/Women candidates are exempted.
Q6. What is the selection process for NIC Scientist C and D posts? Selection is through three stages: Online Screening Test (qualifying), Evaluation of Academic Records, and Personal Interaction/Interview. Final merit is based on a total of 150 marks.
Q7. Can candidates apply for both Scientist-C and Scientist-D posts? Yes, candidates can apply for both posts, but must pay the application fee separately for each post (if applicable).
Q8. What experience is required for NIC Scientist C Recruitment 2026? Minimum 4 years of post-qualification experience in research or development in industrial/academic institutions or Science and Technology organisations. Candidates with ME/M.Tech/M.Phil are eligible for a 2-year relaxation.
Q9. Where will the screening test be conducted? The screening test will be conducted in 21 cities across India including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Bhopal, and others.
Q10. Will experience from private organisations be counted? Yes, experience from private organisations is considered but carries lower marks weightage compared to Government/Semi-Government experience in the evaluation process.
Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Notification (PDF) | Download Here |
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Official Website | recruitment.nic.in |
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