CSIR NAL Recruitment 2026 – Walk-in for 89 Project Assistant, Project Associate & More Posts
This information is from a third-party source. Always verify job details, eligibility, deadlines, and application procedures from the official government website before applying.
CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL), Bengaluru, has released Advertisement No. 13/2026/PS dated 5 August 2026, inviting candidates for around 89 Project Staff positions — Project Assistant, Project Associate, Senior PAT, and Principal PAT — to work on CSIR and externally-funded research projects. There's no online form to fill here; this is a pure Walk-in-Interview drive running from 10 August to 25 August 2026, with each specialization assigned its own interview date. If you hold a qualification in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electronics, Chemistry, Metallurgy, or Computer Science, here's everything you need to know before you walk in.
Table of Contents
About CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories
CSIR-NAL is India's premier civil aerospace R&D lab, functioning under the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Ministry of Science and Technology. Based in Bengaluru, it works on aircraft design, composites, wind tunnel testing, and a wide range of aerospace and allied research programs. Project Staff hired through drives like this one work directly under CSIR-NAL's scientists on live, funded research projects rather than in a permanent administrative role.
CSIR-NAL Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Organization Name | CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL), Bengaluru |
|---|---|
| Parent Body | Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), Ministry of Science & Technology |
| Advertisement No. | 13/2026/PS, dated 05.08.2026 |
| Post Name | Project Assistant (PA-I, PA-II), Project Associate (PAT-I, PAT-I NET/GATE, PAT-II, PAT-II NET/GATE), Senior PAT, Principal PAT |
| Total Vacancies | 89 Posts (approx., across specializations) |
| Nature of Engagement | Temporary, project-based contract (max. 6 years across CSIR-NAL/CSIR labs) |
| Job Location | Bengaluru, Karnataka |
| Application Mode | Walk-in Interview only (no online/postal/email applications) |
| Walk-in Period | 10 August 2026 to 25 August 2026 |
| Official Website | nal.res.in |
Important Dates – Walk-in Schedule
Each specialization group has its own fixed interview date, so check carefully which date applies to your discipline before turning up.
| Specialization / Post Group | Interview Date |
|---|---|
| Mechanical/Aerospace/Aeronautical/Civil (PAT-I) & Aerospace/Aeronautical/Mechanical/Control (PAT-II NET/GATE) | 10 August 2026 (Monday) |
| ECE/Electronics/Instrumentation/Control/EEE/AI-ML/Computer Science | 12 August 2026 (Wednesday) |
| Chemistry/Materials Science/Chemical Engineering & Metallurgical Engineering | 14 August 2026 (Friday) |
| Chemistry/Analytical-General-Physical Chemistry/Chemical Engineering (PAT-II) | 17 August 2026 (Monday) |
| Aerospace/Aeronautical/Mechanical/Machine Design/Thermal Engg/Structures (PAT-II) | 21 August 2026 (Friday) |
| Project Assistant (PA-I Fitter, PA-II Mechanical/Chemistry) | 24 August 2026 (Monday) |
| Senior PAT (Electronics) & Principal PAT (Aerospace/Aeronautical/Mechanical) | 25 August 2026 (Tuesday) |
| Registration Time (every interview date) | 9:00 AM to 9:45 AM (no entry after 9:45 AM) |
Vacancy Details – Post & Specialization Wise
The 89 openings are spread across roughly 14 post-specialization combinations. Position numbers may change depending on ongoing project requirements, so treat these figures as indicative rather than final.
| Post | Interview Date | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Project Associate-I / PAT-I (₹25,000+HRA) | 10.08.2026 | 16 |
| Project Associate-II (NET/GATE) (₹35,000+HRA) | 10.08.2026 | 2 |
| Project Associate-I / PAT-I (₹25,000+HRA) | 12.08.2026 | 12 |
| Project Associate-II / PAT-II (₹28,000+HRA) | 12.08.2026 | 15 |
| Project Associate-II (NET/GATE) (₹35,000+HRA) | 12.08.2026 | 2 |
| Project Associate-I (₹25,000+HRA) | 14.08.2026 | 3 |
| Project Associate-I (NET/GATE) (₹31,000+HRA) | 14.08.2026 | 1 |
| Project Associate-II (NET/GATE) (₹35,000+HRA) | 14.08.2026 | 2 |
| Project Associate-II (₹28,000+HRA) | 17.08.2026 | 4 |
| Project Associate-II / PAT-II (₹28,000+HRA) | 21.08.2026 | 16 |
| Project Assistant-I / PA-I (₹18,000+HRA) | 24.08.2026 | 8 |
| Project Assistant-II / PA-II (₹20,000+HRA) | 24.08.2026 | 5 |
| Senior PAT (₹42,000+HRA) | 25.08.2026 | 1 |
| Principal PAT (emoluments not specified) | 25.08.2026 | 2 |
| Total | - | 89 |
CSIR-NAL will also form a waitlist panel of suitable candidates from this drive, valid for one year from the result date or till project completion, whichever comes first.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
| Post | Essential Qualification |
|---|---|
| Project Assistant-I (PA-I) | SSC/10th plus ITI in Fitter trade |
| Project Assistant-II (PA-II) | Diploma in Engineering/Technology |
| Project Associate-I (PAT-I) | Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Technology (or Master's/Integrated Master's for some specializations), or an equivalent qualification recognized as per project needs |
| Project Associate-I (PAT-I, NET/GATE) | Same as PAT-I, with a valid NET/GATE score |
| Project Associate-II (PAT-II) | Bachelor's degree with 2 years' relevant R&D experience, OR Master's/Integrated Master's in Engineering/Technology |
| Project Associate-II (PAT-II, NET/GATE) | Same as PAT-II, with valid NET/GATE (some specializations also accept a Master's in Science) |
| Senior PAT | Bachelor's with 3 years' R&D experience, OR Master's/Integrated Master's with 2 years' R&D experience, in the relevant discipline |
| Principal PAT | BE/B.Tech with 3 years' experience, OR ME/M.Tech with valid NET/GATE, OR Ph.D., in the relevant discipline |
Only candidates who have already completed their qualifying degree/diploma can attend — those still awaiting a result are not eligible. If you're claiming an equivalent qualification, carry the official order or letter recognizing that equivalence, or your application may be rejected.
Age Limit (as on the date of Walk-in-Interview)
- Maximum Age (all posts): 35 Years
Age Relaxation
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC / ST / PwBD / Women | 5 Years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 Years |
Category proof must be carried and produced on the interview date itself — without documentary evidence, age relaxation won't be given and the candidate may not be allowed to appear.
Salary Details
Monthly emoluments (plus HRA as applicable) differ by post level, as shown below.
| Post | Monthly Emoluments |
|---|---|
| Project Assistant-I (PA-I) | ₹18,000 + HRA |
| Project Assistant-II (PA-II) | ₹20,000 + HRA |
| Project Associate-I (PAT-I) | ₹25,000 + HRA |
| Project Associate-I (PAT-I, NET/GATE) | ₹31,000 + HRA |
| Project Associate-II (PAT-II) | ₹28,000 + HRA |
| Project Associate-II (PAT-II, NET/GATE) | ₹35,000 + HRA |
| Senior PAT | ₹42,000 + HRA |
| Principal PAT | Not specified in the notification |
Selection Process
Selection rests mainly on how candidates perform in the interview, along with any other criteria the Selection Committee decides to apply.
- Walk-in Interview
- Written Test / Additional Shortlisting (only if the number of candidates is very high, at the Committee's discretion)
- Formation of a Panel of Waitlisted Candidates (valid for 1 year)
Getting on the panel doesn't automatically guarantee engagement — it depends on how many project positions actually open up during that period.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| All Candidates | No fee mentioned in the notification |
| TA/DA for Interview | Not paid to any candidate |
Documents Required
Carry the originals along with one set of photocopies to the interview venue — incomplete documentation can cost you a chance even if you're otherwise qualified.
- Duly filled Application Form for Walk-in-Interview (downloaded from the CSIR-NAL website)
- Aadhaar Card or other Government-issued photo ID
- Latest Passport-size Photograph
- Original Educational Certificates with all mark sheets, plus one set of photocopies
- Experience Certificates (where applicable), plus photocopies
- Caste Certificate in the proper format (for SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD candidates), plus photocopy
- Valid NET/GATE Score Card (for posts that require it)
- No Objection Certificate from Project Leader/HOD (only if currently working in CSIR-NAL/any CSIR lab)
How to Attend the Walk-in Interview
- Visit the official website: nal.res.in
- Download the prescribed Application Form for Walk-in-Interview (Advt. No. 13/2026/PS) and fill it completely.
- Report in person at CSIR-NAL (RAB Meeting Complex, National Aerospace Laboratories), Adjacent to SBI NAL Branch, Kodihalli, Bengaluru – 560017, between 9:00 AM and 9:45 AM on the date fixed for your post/specialization.
- Carry the filled application form, a recent passport-size photo, a valid photo ID, and original certificates with one set of photocopies.
- If applying for more than one post, submit a separate application for each.
- Be ready to return the next day if your interview isn't completed on the scheduled date.
Remember: applications sent by post, speed post, or e-mail are not accepted under this notification — only in-person walk-ins are considered.
Important Instructions
- No online application, postal application, or email application will be accepted — attend the Walk-in-Interview in person only.
- No entry is permitted after 9:45 AM registration cut-off on the interview date.
- Candidates already working in CSIR-NAL or another CSIR lab must bring an NOC from their Project Leader/HOD.
- No TA/DA is paid for attending the interview.
- The engagement is purely temporary, confers no right to regularization, and can end with one month's notice or stipend in lieu from either side.
- Total tenure across CSIR-NAL/CSIR labs, combined, cannot exceed 6 years.
Why Should You Apply?
This drive is a solid entry point into hands-on aerospace and allied R&D work at one of India's leading CSIR labs, especially for fresh diploma/degree holders and NET/GATE qualified candidates looking to build a research profile. With no written exam stage for most posts and a same-week interview-to-outcome cycle, it's also one of the faster-moving recruitment processes compared to typical government exams. The wide spread of disciplines — Mechanical, Electronics, Chemistry, Computer Science — means there's likely a slot that matches your specific background.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Is there a last date to apply for CSIR-NAL Recruitment 2026?
Ans: There's no application deadline as such — this is a walk-in drive with interviews held on fixed dates between 10 and 25 August 2026, depending on the post and specialization.
Q2. How many vacancies are there in this recruitment?
Ans: Adding up the post-wise figures across specializations gives around 89 posts; the exact number may vary as per project requirements.
Q3. What is the qualification required for these posts?
Ans: It ranges from SSC plus ITI for Project Assistant-I to a Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. in the relevant discipline for higher-level posts.
Q4. What is the age limit for CSIR-NAL Recruitment 2026?
Ans: The maximum age is 35 years for all posts, with relaxation of 5 years for SC/ST/PwBD/Women and 3 years for OBC candidates.
Q5. Is there an application fee for this recruitment?
Ans: No application fee is mentioned in the notification.
Q6. How can I apply for this job?
Ans: There's no online application — attend the Walk-in-Interview in person at CSIR-NAL, Kodihalli, Bengaluru, on the date fixed for your post, with the filled form and original documents.
Important Links
Final Words
CSIR-NAL's 2026 Project Staff walk-in is a fast-moving opportunity for around 89 openings across engineering and science disciplines in Bengaluru, with interviews spread across 10–25 August 2026 by specialization. Since there's no online form and no postal option, the only way in is showing up in person with your documents in order on the right date. Share this post with anyone in your network working in aerospace, mechanical, electronics, chemistry, or computer science research, and follow our Telegram channel above for more walk-in and CSIR job alerts.