ISRO URSC JRF Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 17 Junior Research Fellow Vacancies

The U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC), the premier lead facility of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for satellite technology design and development, has officially rolled out its structural recruitment notification for the year 2026. Under Advertisement Number URSC:02:2026, dated 12th June 2026, ISRO invites online applications from dynamic, highly qualified, and research-oriented Indian nationals to fill 17 vacancies for the position of Junior Research Fellow (JRF).

This presents an elite avenue for post-graduate engineering and science professionals to directly participate in state-of-the-art space exploration missions, satellite fabrication setups, and advanced deep-space research applications based out of Bengaluru. The dedicated application portal went live on 12th June 2026, and candidates must submit their online profiles before the digital deadline on 11th July 2026.

Recruitment Notification Overview

Particulars	Official Technical Details
Recruiting Organization	U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC), Bengaluru
Apex Space Body	Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) / Department of Space
Advertisement Number	Advt No. URSC:02:2026
Designation Offered	Junior Research Fellow (JRF)
Total Open Positions	17 Vacancies
Job Nature / Mode	Contractual Fellowship Framework
Application Mode	Online Only
Online Application Dates	12th June 2026 to 11th July 2026
Official ISRO Careers Link	www.isro.gov.in

Crucial Recruitment Timelines

Applicants are advised to register and submit their portfolios early to avoid high traffic loads on the central servers near the final cutoff dates.

• Date of Official Notification Release: 12th June 2026
• Commencement of Online Applications: 12th June 2026 (10:00 AM)
• Final Closing Date to Apply Online: 11th July 2026 (Till 11:59 PM)
• Reckoning Base Date for Age & Degree Limits: 11th July 2026
• Publication of Shortlisted Candidates List: To be announced later via email/website
• Personal Interview & Viva-Voce Dates: To be notified individually (Conducted at Bengaluru)

Post Codes & Discipline Allocation Matrix

The 2026 drive covers 16 distinct technical profiles categorized under specific post codes (JRF-E1 to JRF-E13 and JRF-M1 to JRF-M3). Each allocation addresses precise technical domains:

Post Code Grid	Open Seats	Core Discipline Requirements	Target Area of Research Work
JRF-E1	01	M.E / M.Tech / M.Sc (Engg.) in Microelectronics	Microcircuits Assembly and Advanced Semiconductor Packaging
JRF-E2 to JRF-E5	04	M.E / M.Tech in VLSI / Digital Electronics / Signal Processing / Embedded Systems	Spaceborne FPGA Design, Signal Processing, and ASIC Verification
JRF-E6	01	M.E / M.Tech in Engineering Physics / Applied Optics / Optical Engineering	Segmented Mirror Optics characterization and Large Telescope Alignment
JRF-E7	01	M.E / M.Tech in Applied Physics / Opto-Electronics	Photonic sensors, payload sub-system designs, and optical links
JRF-E8 to JRF-E12	05	M.E / M.Tech in Power Electronics / RF / Microwave / Electrical / Control Systems	Spacecraft power distribution grids, high-frequency antenna synthesis, and automated telemetry systems
JRF-E13	02	M.Sc in Mathematics / Physics OR M.Tech in Aerospace Engineering	Orbit Mechanics modeling, Deep-Space Trajectory simulation, and Flight Dynamics
JRF-M1 to JRF-M3	03	M.E / M.Tech in Mechanical Engineering / Thermal / Structural / Materials Science	Satellite Thermal Control, Structural Dynamics analysis, and advanced multi-layer alloy testing
Cumulative Total	17	Post-Graduate Technical Core Units	Active Satellite and Payload Missions

Fellowship Stipend & Remuneration Structure

The fellowship values comply structurally with the guidelines laid out by the Department of Space (DoS) and Central Central Government frameworks:

• Initial Monthly Stipend (JRF Phase): ₹37,000 per month for the first 2 years of the contract.
• Elevated Monthly Stipend (SRF Phase): On completing exactly two years, performance undergoes an expert administrative review. Upon a favorable recommendation, the fellow scales up to a Senior Research Fellow (SRF) drawing ₹42,000 per month for the remaining tenure.
• House Rent Allowance (HRA): HRA will be provided at standard Class-X city rates (Bengaluru bracket) if standard ISRO hostel accommodation assets are unavailable.
• Medical Facilities: Selected fellows receive medical coverage benefits aligned with the institutional rules of URSC.
• Allowances Note: Junior Research Fellows are not entitled to regular civil service structures like Dearness Allowance (DA) or terminal retirement pensions.

Comprehensive Eligibility Criteria

To successfully cross the initial screening stage, applicants must hold a completed qualifying degree along with a mandatory national-level competitive scorecard on the final day of application (11th July 2026).

1. Fundamental Educational Requirements

• For Engineering Stream Post Codes (Most Positions): Must possess a Master of Engineering (M.E.) / Master of Technology (M.Tech) / M.Sc. (Engineering) or equivalent post-graduate degree in the relevant discipline, passed in the First Class with a minimum aggregate of 60% marks or a CGPA/CPI score of 6.5 on a 10-point scale.
• For JRF-E13 (M.Sc. Route Option): Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Mathematics or Physics passed in the First Class with a minimum aggregate of 65% marks or a CGPA/CPI score of 6.84 on a 10-point scale.
• Result Status Rule: Only candidates who have successfully completed their degrees and possess their final transcripts are eligible. Candidates awaiting final semester results or viva-voce outcomes are not eligible to apply for this cycle.

2. Mandatory National Test Qualification

In addition to the basic postgraduate degree requirements, candidates must have qualified in at least one of the following national examinations:

• GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) conducted by MoE.
• CSIR-UGC NET (including Lectureship/Assistant Professorship).
• JAM / JEST or equivalent examinations monitored by central departments like DST, DBT, DAE, or DRDO.

3. Age Boundaries (As of 11th July 2026)

• Maximum Age Limit: 28 Years (General/EWS category candidates).
• Statutory Relaxations:
  • Other Backward Classes (OBC-NCL): 3 Years (Up to 31 years)
  • Scheduled Castes / Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST): 5 Years (Up to 33 years)
  • Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD): 10 Years continuous concession.

Selection Methodology & Interview Design

The selection framework does not use an all-India written testing mechanism. The evaluation relies on a two-tier screening format followed by a final personal assessment round.

[Online Application] ──> [Initial Academic & National Score Screening] ──> [Personal Interview (Bengaluru Only)]

1. Initial Profile Screening: Applications undergo processing based on academic consistency, post-graduate aggregates, and valid national-level test scores/ranks.
2. Shortlist Dispatches: Shortlisted candidates receive their call letters solely via their registered email addresses.
3. Personal Interview: The final select list is determined by performance in a technical Personal Interview conducted at the URSC facility in Bengaluru. The interview board tests core research aptitude, basic domain knowledge, problem-solving skills, and clarity on foundational engineering concepts.

Step-by-Step Online Application Process

All candidates must submit their application forms electronically through the official central portal. Paper dossiers or hand-delivered application packets sent to the Bengaluru Registry will not be accepted.

1. Open Official Site: Head to the main ISRO portal: www.isro.gov.in.
2. Locate Careers Tab: Scroll down to the bottom navigation bar or the active banner area and select the “Careers” link.
3. Select Post Code Line: Find Advertisement No. URSC:02:2026 and select the specific post code matching your academic profile (such as JRF-E2 or JRF-M1).
4. Complete Initial Registration: Enter your primary email address and complete the generation of your secure user registration token.
5. Fill Academic Detail Matrices: Complete the online application fields, including your Class 10/12 parameters, B.E./B.Tech marks, M.E./M.Tech aggregates, and specific GATE/NET registration details.
6. Upload Mandatory Document Scans: Upload clean, single-page PDF scans (each limited to a maximum file size of 1 MB) of your consolidated postgraduate mark sheets, degree certificates, and valid GATE/NET scorecard.
7. Verify & Final Submit: Review your data lines for errors. Keep in mind that the system does not allow edits or modifications once the application is locked. Click “Submit” and note your system-generated application number.

Application Fee Architecture

• All Candidates (Every Category): Exempted (Nil)
• There is no application fee or processing fee required to complete submissions for this JRF research engagement cycle.

Direct Links & Official Sources

• Direct Application Link: Click Here
• Official Notification Link: Click Here
• Official website : Click Here

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the final deadline to submit the online form for the ISRO URSC JRF recruitment?

The online registration portal closes at precisely 11:59 PM on 11th July 2026.

Can candidates currently in their final semester whose results are awaited apply?

No. The administrative rules state that only candidates who have fully passed their post-graduate qualifying examinations and possess their official mark sheets by the closing date (11th July 2026) are eligible to apply.

Is an application processing fee required for women or reserved category applicants?

No application fee applies to this recruitment drive. Registration is completely free of cost (Nil) for all applicants across all social and gender categories.

What is the initial contract tenure for a Junior Research Fellow at URSC?

The fellowship is initially granted for a term of two years. Based on performance evaluations and task requirements for ongoing satellite missions, the contract can be extended annually up to a maximum cumulative duration of five years.

Will ISRO provide travel allowance (TA) for attending the personal interview?

Yes. Outstation candidates short-listed for the personal interview phase will receive reimbursement for travel expenses, equivalent to Second Class (2 Tier) train fare via the shortest route from their place of residence to Bengaluru, subject to producing valid travel tickets.