NIC Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 376 STA Posts
NIC Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 376 Scientific/Technical Assistant-A Posts
The National Informatics Centre (NIC), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India, has invited online applications for 376 Scientific/Technical Assistant-A vacancies.
The posts will be filled through direct recruitment in the disciplines of Computer Science and Information Technology, Electronics and Communication Engineering, and Data Science and Artificial Intelligence.
Candidates possessing a prescribed M.Sc., MS, MCA, B.E. or B.Tech qualification and a valid GATE 2024, 2025 or 2026 score may apply online. The last date for submitting the application is 30 September 2026 at 5:30 PM.
NIC Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting organisation | National Informatics Centre |
| Ministry | Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology |
| Advertisement number | NIC/STA/2026/2 |
| Post name | Scientific/Technical Assistant-A |
| Total vacancies | 376 |
| Classification | Group B, Scientific and Technical, Non-Gazetted |
| Recruitment method | Direct recruitment |
| Pay level | Level 6 under the 7th CPC |
| Pay scale | ₹35,400–₹1,12,400 |
| Required GATE score | GATE 2024, 2025 or 2026 |
| Experience | Not required |
| Application mode | Online |
| Application opening date | 1 September 2026 at 10:00 AM |
| Last date | 30 September 2026 at 5:30 PM |
| Official portal | recruitment.nic.in |
NIC Scientific/Technical Assistant Vacancy Details
The 376 vacancies are distributed across three technical disciplines.
| Discipline | UR | SC | ST | OBC-NCL | EWS | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science and Information Technology | 122 | 45 | 22 | 81 | 30 | 300 |
| Electronics and Communication Engineering | 13 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 26 |
| Data Science and Artificial Intelligence | 22 | 7 | 3 | 13 | 5 | 50 |
| Total | 157 | 55 | 26 | 101 | 37 | 376 |
The notification also provides horizontal reservation for eligible Persons with Benchmark Disabilities. Candidates should check the disability categories and suitability conditions in the detailed notification.
NIC has stated that the advertised number of posts is tentative and may increase or decrease according to organisational requirements.
Educational Qualification
Candidates must have passed one of the following qualifications in a prescribed field:
- M.Sc.
- MS
- MCA
- B.E.
- B.Tech.
The accepted fields include:
- Electronics
- Electronics and Communication
- Electronics and Telecommunication
- Computer Science
- Computer and Networking Security
- Software Systems
- Information Technology
- Informatics
The required qualification must be completed by 30 September 2026. NIC has specifically stated that claims based on qualifications considered merely equivalent to the prescribed qualification will not be accepted.
Therefore, candidates should compare the exact title of their degree and specialisation with the official eligibility table before paying the application fee.
Required GATE Paper
A valid GATE score from 2024, 2025 or 2026 is compulsory.
| Discipline selected in NIC application | Required GATE paper | Paper code |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science and Information Technology | Computer Science and Information Technology | CS |
| Electronics and Communication Engineering | Electronics and Communication Engineering | EC |
| Data Science and Artificial Intelligence | Data Science and Artificial Intelligence | DA |
Applicants must select the discipline corresponding to their valid GATE paper. A score in an unrelated GATE paper will not establish eligibility.
Candidates possessing valid scores from more than one eligible year should enter their best applicable GATE score. Equal weightage will be given to the GATE 2024, 2025 and 2026 scores.
Is Experience Required?
No previous professional experience is required for the NIC Scientific/Technical Assistant-A post.
This makes the recruitment particularly relevant to eligible fresh graduates who have a valid GATE score. However, candidates must satisfy the educational qualification, age and GATE-paper requirements by the closing date.
NIC Recruitment 2026 Age Limit
Age will be calculated as of 30 September 2026.
| Category | Upper age limit |
|---|---|
| UR/EWS | 30 years |
| OBC-NCL | 33 years |
| SC/ST | 35 years |
| PwBD – UR/EWS | 40 years |
| PwBD – OBC-NCL | 43 years |
| PwBD – SC/ST | 45 years |
| Ex-servicemen | As per Government of India rules |
Eligible government employees working in the same line or an allied cadre may receive age relaxation subject to the conditions mentioned in the notification.
SC, ST and OBC-NCL age relaxation applies according to the reservation and Government of India rules. Candidates claiming relaxation must possess the required valid certificates.
Application Fee
| Category | Application fee |
|---|---|
| UR, OBC-NCL and EWS | ₹800 |
| SC, ST, PwBD and women candidates | No fee |
The fee must be paid online and is non-refundable.
Candidates applying for more than one discipline must submit the required application and pay ₹800 separately for every discipline, unless they belong to an exempted category.
Salary and Place of Posting
The Scientific/Technical Assistant-A post is placed in Pay Level 6 of the 7th Central Pay Commission, carrying a pay scale of ₹35,400 to ₹1,12,400.
The quoted amount is the official basic-pay scale, not a guaranteed in-hand salary. Actual monthly earnings will depend on admissible allowances, deductions and the place of posting.
Selected candidates may be posted anywhere in India or outside India in the interest of the organisation. Candidates should consider this all-India posting liability before applying.
NIC Selection Process
The selection process consists primarily of:
- Preparation of a discipline-wise and category-wise merit list based on the valid GATE score.
- Shortlisting of candidates according to available vacancies.
- Verification of original documents.
- Provisional appointment of candidates who satisfy all eligibility conditions.
The notification does not prescribe a separate recruitment written examination or interview. Final selection is based on the applicable GATE score, document verification and fulfilment of all eligibility requirements.
Tie-Breaking Rules
If two or more candidates have the same GATE score, NIC will apply the following tie-breaking rules in sequence:
- The candidate using the older-year GATE score will receive the higher position.
- If the score and GATE year are the same, the older candidate will be ranked higher.
- If the tie continues, the candidate having a higher percentage in the essential educational qualification will be ranked higher.
Applicants whose universities award CGPA should keep the prescribed CGPA-to-percentage conversion certificate ready, wherever required.
Documents Required
Candidates should keep the following documents ready before starting the application:
- Date-of-birth proof
- Class 10 certificate
- Senior Secondary or Class 12 certificate
- Valid GATE 2024, 2025 or 2026 scorecard
- Degree or provisional pass certificate
- All relevant degree mark sheets
- CGPA conversion certificate, if applicable
- SC, ST, OBC-NCL or EWS certificate, if applicable
- PwBD certificate showing at least 40% permanent disability, if applicable
- NOC for candidates working in Government, PSU, aided or autonomous organisations
- Age-relaxation certificate, if applicable
- Recent colour photograph
- Scanned signature
- Aadhaar card and another government-issued photo identity proof
Required Upload Sizes
- Photograph: JPG/JPEG, 50 KB to 200 KB
- Signature: JPG/JPEG, 10 KB to 50 KB
- Self-attested documents: PDF, 10 KB to 500 KB each
Photographs, signatures and certificates should be clear and readable. Incomplete, blurred or irrelevant documents can result in rejection.
Important Category-Certificate Advice
OBC candidates must submit a valid OBC Non-Creamy Layer certificate for appointment to posts under the Government of India. A certificate meant only for state-government employment or educational admission may not be accepted.
EWS candidates must possess the prescribed Income and Asset Certificate based on income for the financial year 2025–26 and valid for 2026–27.
Applicants should study the certificate formats attached to the official notification before uploading their documents.
How to Apply Online
Follow these steps to apply for NIC Recruitment 2026:
- Visit the NIC Recruitment Portal.
- Open Advertisement No. NIC/STA/2026/2.
- Select the online application link for Scientific/Technical Assistant-A.
- Complete the candidate registration process.
- Enter personal, educational, category and GATE details carefully.
- Select the appropriate discipline and corresponding GATE paper.
- Upload the photograph, signature and self-attested documents in the prescribed format.
- Pay the application fee online, if applicable.
- Review every entry before final submission.
- Submit the application and download the confirmation page.
- Preserve the application number, confirmation page and payment receipt.
Aadhaar-based authentication will be used during the recruitment process. Candidates should ensure that their name, date of birth and other details are entered accurately.
After final submission, changes to the candidate’s name, category, address, mobile number or email address may not be permitted.
Application Checklist
Before clicking the final submission button, verify the following:
- Your degree and specialisation are included in the official eligibility list.
- Your GATE paper code matches the discipline selected.
- You entered the best valid GATE score from 2024, 2025 or 2026.
- Your category certificate is in the prescribed Central Government format.
- All uploaded documents are complete and readable.
- The application fee transaction was successful.
- You downloaded the final confirmation page.
- Your registered email address and mobile number remain active.
Applicants should not wait until the final day because payment failures, Aadhaar-authentication problems or heavy portal traffic may prevent successful submission.
Important Dates
| Event | Date and time |
|---|---|
| Online applications commenced | 1 September 2026 at 10:00 AM |
| Last date to apply | 30 September 2026 at 5:30 PM |
| Eligibility cut-off date | 30 September 2026 |
| Document-verification schedule | To be announced on the NIC portal |
Important Official Links
| Purpose | Link |
|---|---|
| Official detailed notification PDF | Download NIC Notification |
| Apply online and recruitment updates | NIC Recruitment Portal |
| NIC official website | National Informatics Centre |
Candidates should use only the official recruitment portal for registration, fee payment and recruitment updates.
Related Job Updates
Candidates searching for engineering, technology and government-sector opportunities may also read:
- SSC JE Recruitment 2026 – 1,748 Junior Engineer Vacancies
- SECI Recruitment 2026 – Manager, Engineer and Officer Posts
- RTIH Recruitment 2026 – Technology and AI Contract Posts
- ISRO Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – 410 Vacancies
Frequently Asked Questions
How many vacancies are available in NIC Recruitment 2026?
NIC has announced 376 Scientific/Technical Assistant-A vacancies across Computer Science and IT, Electronics and Communication Engineering, and Data Science and Artificial Intelligence.
What is the last date to apply?
The online application must be submitted by 30 September 2026 at 5:30 PM.
Can MCA candidates apply?
MCA is one of the prescribed qualifications. However, candidates must also satisfy the notified field or specialisation requirements and possess a valid corresponding GATE score.
Is a GATE score compulsory?
Yes. Candidates must possess a valid GATE 2024, 2025 or 2026 score in CS, EC or DA, corresponding to the selected discipline.
Is there a written examination?
The notification provides for preparation of the merit list based on GATE scores, followed by document verification. It does not prescribe a separate NIC recruitment written examination or interview.
Can freshers apply?
Yes. The notification states that no experience is required, provided the applicant meets all other eligibility conditions.
What is the NIC Scientific/Technical Assistant salary?
The post carries Pay Level 6 with an official pay scale of ₹35,400–₹1,12,400 under the 7th CPC.
Can candidates apply for more than one discipline?
Eligible candidates may apply for more than one discipline. A fee of ₹800 must be paid for every discipline by candidates who are not exempt from the application fee.
Where can selected candidates be posted?
Selected candidates may be posted anywhere in India or outside India according to organisational requirements.
Final Advice
NIC Recruitment 2026 offers an important Central Government technology-career opportunity for candidates with qualifications in computer science, information technology, electronics, communication, data science and related disciplines.
Because the selection is based on GATE scores, candidates should enter their score details accurately and upload a clear copy of the valid scorecard. Submit the application early, download the confirmation page and regularly check the official NIC recruitment portal for document-verification updates.
Disclaimer
This article is published for educational and job-information purposes only. This website is not associated with NIC, MeitY or any government recruitment authority. Vacancy numbers, dates and recruitment conditions may be modified through official notices or corrigenda. Candidates must read the complete official notification and verify the latest information on the NIC recruitment portal before applying.
