CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026 - Apply Online for 100 Assistant Section Officer Posts

CSIR Headquarters has released the official recruitment notification for the post of Assistant Section Officer across three cadres - General, Finance & Accounts, and Stores & Purchase. This is a unique opportunity designed exclusively for UPSC CSE-2024 aspirants who cleared various stages but were not finally recommended for IAS/IPS or allied services. Eligible candidates can apply online through the CSIR recruitment portal before the deadline.

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Candidates planning to apply for CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026 should mark these dates carefully. The application portal opened on 23 June 2026 and will close on 13 July 2026 at 5:00 PM. Both the application submission and fee payment deadlines fall on the same date, so candidates should avoid waiting until the last day.

CSIR has advertised 100 ASO posts across three specialised cadres. All three posts share the same pay scale at Pay Level 7, Cell 1. Category-wise distribution ensures representation across UR, SC, ST, OBC (NCL), and EWS groups. Candidates should note that 7 of these 100 posts (including 2 backlog) are reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) with not less than 40% of relevant disability. Note on backlog vacancies: In the ASO (Finance & Accounts) category, 1 vacancy under ST is a Backlog Vacancy, and 2 of the 6 OBC vacancies are Backlog Vacancies.

PwBD Vacancy Breakup (Out of 7 Reserved Posts)

The eligibility for CSIR ASO Recruitment 2026 is highly specific and differs from standard government job notifications. Only candidates who appeared in UPSC's Civil Services Examination 2024 but were not finally recommended for any service - and whose details appear on the UPSC Pratibha Setu Portal - are eligible. General graduates not associated with CSE-2024 are not eligible for this recruitment. Candidates must hold a University degree and must be non-recommended candidates of UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024 (CSE-2024) , as per details available on the UPSC Pratibha Setu Portal. There is no branch or subject restriction on the degree - any graduate from a recognised university qualifies on academic grounds, provided the CSE-2024 condition is met. Candidates wondering about the age limit for CSIR ASO 2026 should note that the upper age limit is 33 years as on the closing date of

The application fee for CSIR ASO 2026 is payable online through SBI Collect. Women candidates, SC, ST, PwBD, and Ex-Servicemen candidates are fully exempted from paying any fee. Fee-paying candidates must upload the e-Receipt in the online application before the submission deadline.

The CSIR ASO 2026 selection process involves two key stages - shortlisting based on CSE-2024 marks, followed by a Computer Proficiency Test (CPT). The final merit is determined by CSE-2024 total marks (Mains + Personality Test), subject to qualifying the CPT. Candidates who clear the CPT but score lower in CSE-2024 will rank below those with higher CSE-2024 scores, making UPSC marks the decisive factor. Application Screening: Applications are screened and candidates are shortlisted for CPT in the ratio of 1:5 (i.e., 5 times total vacancies per category, subject to a minimum of five). Shortlisting is based on total marks obtained in UPSC CSE-2024 Mains plus Personality Test. Computer Proficiency Test (CPT): Shortlisted candidates appear for a qualifying CPT of 100 marks and 1-hour duration. Qualifying the CPT is mandatory for further consideration. Final Merit List: Prepared based on tota

The Computer Proficiency Test for CSIR ASO 2026 is qualifying in nature and carries 100 marks with a duration of 1 hour. Candidates who fail to secure the prescribed minimum threshold marks will be eliminated from further consideration regardless of their CSE-2024 scores. The CPT will be held tentatively in Delhi, though CSIR reserves the right to conduct it in other cities as well. The CPT will assess proficiency in Word Processing (typing and document exercises), Spreadsheet preparation, and PowerPoint Presentation - skills essential to day-to-day office functioning. For PwBD candidates, Govt. of India / Staff Selection Commission (SSC) rules on CPT shall apply.

Candidates selected as Assistant Section Officer in CSIR will be placed at Pay Level 7, Cell 1 of the 7th Pay Commission Pay Matrix, with a starting basic pay of ₹44,900 per month scaling up to ₹1,42,400. Beyond the base salary, CSIR employees receive a comprehensive benefits package aligned with Central Government norms. Officers appointed will be liable to serve anywhere in India across any of CSIR's 37 national laboratories, institutes, extension centres, or CSIR Headquarters at Anusandhan Bhawan, New Delhi. Calculate your exact in-hand Salary in 10 seconds - Calculate Now