The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Telemetry Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC), based in Bengaluru, has officially introduced its newest recruitment campaign for the financial year 2026.
This dynamic central government employment opportunity aims to onboard young, competent, and technically sound Indian citizens to manage critical mission operations, satellite tracking grids, and computational architectures. Candidates looking to establish a highly secure and technologically advanced career in India’s leading space research agency can utilize this recruitment framework to apply. The administration accepts applications purely through its dedicated online electronic gateway.
Official Notification Overview and Recent Updates
The formal announcement has been published under Advertisement Number ISTRAC:02:2026. This recruitment drive introduces critical updates aimed at streamlining tracking frameworks, standardizing tech qualifications, and improving testing transparency. The agency has designed this round to secure long-term human resource sustainability for its modern telemetry and command ground stations.
The most notable changes and structural points introduced in the 2026 recruitment drive include:
- Centralized Application Gateway: All registration steps have transitioned fully into an updated, secure system hosted via the TCS iON digital platform.
- Refundable Fee Policy: The upfront processing fee structure will be refunded entirely to all candidates who actively appear for the Phase-I written examination.
- Temporary but Progressive Status: Although the initial appointments are designated as temporary, the official notification states that these positions are highly likely to continue indefinitely. The Times of India
- Pan-India Transfer Options: Selected technical experts will undergo core placement in Bengaluru but retain liability for all-India transfers depending on mission requirements. The Times of India
ISRO ISTRAC Recruitment Complete Overview Table
To help job seekers find all critical data points at a single glance, the primary details of the newly launched ISTRAC selection exercise are arranged below.
| Recruitment Component | Official Details and Values |
|---|---|
| Conducting Authority | ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) |
| Advertisement Number | ISTRAC:02:2026 |
| Total Available Vacancies | 26 Specialized Posts |
| Name of Open Positions | Technical Assistant, Scientific Assistant, Technician-B, Cook-A |
| Application Windows | June 27, 2026, to July 20, 2026 (11:55 PM Cutoff) |
| Mode of Application | Exclusively Online Mode |
| Selection Methods | Competitive Written Test / CBT followed by Trade-Specific Skill Test |
| Baseline Age Criteria | 18 to 35 Years as of July 20, 2026 |
| Primary Base Location | Bengaluru (Karnataka) with Pan-India service liability |
| Official Digital Gateway | istrac.gov.in / isro.gov.in |
Important Dates and Active Selection Timelines
Candidates must plan their registration steps and fee payments strictly inside the operational dates provided by the ISRO human resource division. Delayed submissions or pending bank transactions after the cutoff time will be rejected automatically.
The detailed administrative schedule is outlined below:
- Commencement of Online Registration: June 27, 2026, starting at 10:00 AM The Times of India
- Final Date for Submitting Online Applications: July 20, 2026, closing at 11:55 PM The Times of India
- Last Date for Online Fee Payments: July 20, 2026 Result Bharat
- Release of Written Test Call Letters: To be announced later via registered emails
- Computer Based Test (CBT) Date: Tentatively scheduled for Late Q3 2026
- Declaration of Written Test Results: To be published on the official web portal
- Conduct of Practical Skill Tests: Within 30 to 45 days post written test declarations
Post Wise Vacancy Distribution Breakdown
The overall pool of 26 vacancies is split across various technical departments, laboratory divisions, and core support wings to handle specialized tasks in space telemetry operations.
The exact discipline-wise vacancy mapping includes:
| Name of the Recruited Post & Discipline | Total Allotted Seats | Mandatory Base Qualifications |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Assistant (Electronics) | 6 | First Class Diploma in Electronics Engineering |
| Technical Assistant (Mechanical) | 1 | First Class Diploma in Mechanical Engineering |
| Technician-B (Electronics Mechanic) | 8 | 10th Pass (SSLC) + ITI / NTC / NAC in Trade |
| Technician-B (Carpenter) | 1 | 10th Pass (SSLC) + ITI / NTC / NAC in Trade |
| Draughtsman-B (Civil) | 1 | 10th Pass + ITI / NTC / NAC in Civil Draughtsman |
| Draughtsman-B (Mechanical) | 1 | 10th Pass + ITI / NTC / NAC in Mech Draughtsman |
| Scientific Assistant (Mathematics) | 1 | First Class Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Maths |
| Scientific Assistant (Computer Science) | 4 | First Class Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in CS |
| Library Assistant-A | 1 | Graduation + First Class Master’s Degree in Library Science |
| Cook-A | 2 | 10th Pass + 5 Years Experience in Established Hotels |
| Total Combined Openings | 26 | – |
Age Limit and Community Relaxation Guidelines
Applicants must ensure their baseline age matches the parameters specified by the Department of Space. The final age calculation reference point is fixed as of the closing date of application, which is July 20, 2026.
The upper age boundaries and community relaxations are detailed below:
- Minimum Age Prerequisite: 18 Years completed for all open posts. Result Bharat
- Maximum Age Upper Limit: 35 Years for General and Unreserved candidates. Result Bharat
- Other Backward Classes (OBC-NCL): Upper age limit relaxed up to 38 years for reserved seats.
- Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST): Upper age limit relaxed up to 40 years for reserved seats.
- Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD): Eligible for relaxations on top of baseline limits as per Government of India directives. Andhra Pradesh Government Jobs
- Ex-Servicemen & Central Government Employees: Concessions granted according to active institutional service rules.
Educational Qualification and Board Eligibility
All educational marks and training credentials must come from a board, university, or technical council recognized by the Government of India or state technical departments.
The essential academic requirements are:
- Technical Assistant Cadres: Candidates must hold a valid, full-time State Board Diploma in the matching engineering branch with a definitive First Class status. Andhra Pradesh Government Jobs
- Scientific Assistant Cadres: Applicants must have completed a full-time Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in the matching discipline with a definitive First Class aggregate.
- Technician and Draughtsman Cadres: Candidates require a pass in Matriculation / SSLC along with an ITI, National Trade Certificate (NTC), or National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) from an NCVT approved institution. Result Bharat
- Library Assistant Profile: Requires a regular Graduate degree followed by a First Class Master’s degree in Library Science or Library & Information Science. Testbook
Technical Assistant Post Specific Criteria
The Technical Assistant rank represents a crucial supervisory cadre inside the ground station networks, requiring excellent technical understanding and academic excellence.
Key operational points for this cadre include:
- No Rounding Off Allowed: The requirement for a “First Class” qualification means candidates must have scored an aggregate of 60% or more, or a CGPA of 6.84 out of 10. Forms showing 59.99% will be automatically rejected.
- Lateral Entry Acceptability: Candidates who completed a 3-year regular diploma or entered via an approved lateral entry path after 12th standard are both fully eligible to apply.
- Discipline Alignment: Electronics engineering streams include specialized branches like Electronics & Communication, Electronics & Telecommunication, and Telecommunication Engineering.
Technician B Trade Specific Requirements
The Technician-B position forms the foundation of the maintenance and assembly line at tracking stations. Candidates must verify that their ITI certificate precisely matches the advertised trades.
The trade-specific rules include:
- Approved Electronics Electronics Trades: The agency accepts qualifications in Electronics Mechanic, Technician Power Electronic Systems, Mechanic Consumer Electronic Appliances, and Mechanic Industrial Electronics. Result Bharat
- NCVT Authentication: The ITI certificate must be approved by the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT). Certificates from purely state-run SCVT lines without NCVT conversion are generally not accepted. Result Bharat
- Apprenticeship Count: Candidates holding a National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) issued after direct plant training without an ITI course are also eligible to apply.
Comprehensive Structure of Application Fees
The fee framework is split into two distinct tiers: an application fee and a refundable processing fee. This ensures that only serious candidates block examination slots.
The financial breakdown is outlined in the table below:
| Post Category Segments | Base Application Fee | Refundable Processing Fee | Total Paid Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical & Scientific Assistants | ₹250/- | ₹500/- | ₹750/- |
| Technician-B, Draughtsman & Cook | ₹1000/- | ₹400/- | ₹500/- |
Important Fee Refund Clause: The processing fee component (₹500 for Assistants and ₹400 for Technicians) will be refunded entirely to all SC, ST, PwBD, Women, and Ex-Servicemen candidates who appear for the written test. For General, EWS, and OBC male candidates, the processing fee will be refunded after a deduction of a ₹100 standard administrative charge, provided they sit for the test.
Selection Methodology and Exam Layout
Landing a technical role at ISRO requires clearing a two-stage evaluation grid designed to test both theoretical knowledge and practical trade proficiency.
The progressive evaluation steps involve:
- Phase-I Written Test / CBT: A comprehensive computer-based test featuring multiple-choice questions designed to analyze core technical engineering subjects or trade theories. Testbook
- Phase-II Practical Skill Test: Shortlisted candidates are called in a 1:5 ratio based on written scores. The skill test is purely qualifying in nature (carrying 100 marks), and candidates must score a minimum of 50% to pass (40% for reserved spots).
- Final Merit Selection: The final ranking list is prepared based entirely on the marks secured in the Phase-I Written Test, provided the candidate qualifies in the Phase-II Skill Test.
Salary Matrix and Monthly Emoluments
ISRO offers competitive pay structures governed by the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC), along with exceptional research-backed social benefits.
The salary levels and approximate monthly gross figures include:
- Technical Assistant & Scientific Assistant (Pay Level 7): Basic entry pay of ₹44,900/- per month. The approximate gross emoluments, including Dearness Allowance (DA) and House Rent Allowance (HRA), stand at ₹65,000/- per month. Result Bharat
- Technician-B & Draughtsman-B (Pay Level 3): Basic entry pay of ₹21,700/- per month. The approximate gross emoluments at Bengaluru stations stand at ₹34,000/- per month. Result Bharat
- Cook-A (Pay Level 2): Basic entry pay of ₹19,900/- per month. The approximate gross emoluments stand at ₹31,500/- per month. Result Bharat
Step by Step Online Application Process
Applying for these space science support roles requires navigating a clear pathway on the official digital portal.
The sequential steps to complete your registration include:
1.Access the Recruitment Portal
Open your web browser, navigate to istrac.gov.in or isro.gov.in, and select the ‘Careers’ link. Click on ‘Advt No. ISTRAC:02:2026’.
2.Create User Credentials
Click on ‘New Registration’, enter your legal name, a working mobile number, and your primary email address to receive your system login ID and password.
3.Fill the Online Application Form
Log in with your credentials and fill out your biographical profile, community codes, and your exact final-year graduation or ITI marks.
4.Upload Digital Documents
Upload a clean passport photograph and signature, along with scanned PDF copies of your graduation diploma, ITI certificates, and caste proof.
5.Process Fee Payment
Navigate to the integrated payment page to complete your transaction via UPI, Net Banking, or Credit/Debit Cards.
6.Final Printout Generation
Review your details on the form preview, click ‘Submit’, and save a printed copy of the final submitted application form for future reference.
Document Scanning and Sizing Standards
To ensure your digital application passes the initial automated screening checks without errors, format your files according to the rules below:
- Passport Photograph: Must be a recent color photograph taken against a plain, light-colored background, saved in JPG/JPEG format with a file size between 20 KB and 50 KB. Testbook
- Candidate Signature: Must be signed on clean white paper using a black ink pen, saved in JPG/JPEG format with a file size between 10 KB and 20 KB.
- Certificate Uploads: All academic mark sheets, diplomas, and caste certificates must be scanned clearly and saved as individual PDF files before uploading. Andhra Pradesh Government Jobs
Important Links and Official Notification Resources
Use the direct verified resources below to complete your application safely. Avoid third-party links to protect your personal details from data harvesting scams.
- Official ISRO Corporate Home: isro.gov.in
- Official ISTRAC Sub-Portal: istrac.gov.in
- Direct Application Registration Link: ISRO ISTRAC 2026 Application Portal
- Official Notification PDF Download: Download ISRO ISTRAC 02:2026 Notification
Frequently Asked Questions and Solutions
Here are answers to the most common queries candidates have about this recruitment drive:
How many total vacancies are open under the ISRO ISTRAC 2026 notification?
There are a total of 26 specialized vacancies open across technical, scientific, library, and support frameworks.
What is the final cutoff date to submit the online form for ISTRAC?
The online registration window closes on July 20, 2026, at 11:55 PM. Both form submission and fee payments must be finished before this time.
Is any part of the application fee refundable for candidates?
Yes, the processing fee component (₹500 for Assistants, ₹400 for Technicians) will be refunded to all applicants who appear for the written test.
What is the age criteria required to apply for these posts?
Applicants must be between 18 and 35 years old as of July 20, 2026. Age relaxations apply to reserved categories as per government rules.
Can final year Diploma or B.Sc. students apply for this selection cycle?
No, candidates must possess the complete essential educational qualifications and certificates on or before the closing date of application.
What is the selection process for the Technical Assistant posts?
Selection is based on a two-tier process: a competitive online Written Test / CBT followed by a practical, qualifying Skill Test.
What is the starting monthly gross salary for a Technical Assistant at ISTRAC?
A Technical Assistant starts at Pay Level 7, which offers an approximate monthly gross salary of ₹65,000/- including local allowances.
Are female applicants exempted from paying the application processing fees?
All female candidates must pay the fee initially, but they receive a full 100% refund of the processing fee after appearing for the written test.
Can ITI candidates with an SCVT certificate apply for Technician-B posts?
Candidates must hold an ITI certificate approved by NCVT. Pure SCVT certificates are accepted only if they carry an official NCVT conversion.
Where will the written examinations and practical skill tests be conducted?
The written examination will be conducted as a Computer Based Test (CBT) across multiple major cities in India, while skill tests are held in Bengaluru.