Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad, a leading centre of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has released SAC Recruitment 2026 notification for temporary positions of Junior Research Fellow (JRF), Research Associate (RA), and Project Scientist-I (PS-I). The recruitment is being conducted under Advertisement No. SAC:02:2026 dated 10 September 2026.
A total of 47 temporary research positions are available across areas including semiconductor technology, RF and microwave engineering, electronics, photonics, atmospheric science, oceanography, geophysics, computer science, AI/ML, remote sensing, GIS, hydrology, cryosphere studies and environmental science.
Eligible candidates can submit their applications online through the SAC recruitment portal from 10 September 2026 to 30 September 2026 up to 5:00 PM. There is no application fee for any post.
SAC Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Space Applications Centre (SAC), ISRO |
| Department | Department of Space, Government of India |
| Advertisement No. | SAC:02:2026 |
| Advertisement Date | 10 September 2026 |
| Recruitment | JRF, Research Associate & Project Scientist-I |
| Total Vacancies | 47 |
| Job Location | SAC, Ahmedabad |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | 10 September 2026 at 10:00 AM |
| Last Date to Apply | 30 September 2026 up to 5:00 PM |
| Application Fee | Nil |
| Selection Process | Shortlisting, if required, followed by Interview |
| Official Website | www.sac.gov.in |
| Recruitment Portal | careers.sac.gov.in |
SAC Vacancy 2026
The post-wise vacancy details are given below:
| Post Code | Post Name | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Junior Research Fellow (JRF) | 03 |
| 02 | Junior Research Fellow (JRF) | 07 |
| 03 | Junior Research Fellow (JRF) | 05 |
| 04 | Junior Research Fellow (JRF) | 10 |
| 05 | Junior Research Fellow (JRF) | 02 |
| 06 | Junior Research Fellow (JRF) | 04 |
| 07 | Junior Research Fellow (JRF) | 02 |
| 08 | Research Associate (RA) | 06 |
| 09 | Research Associate (RA) | 01 |
| 10 | Research Associate (RA) | 01 |
| 11 | Project Scientist-I | 01 |
| 12 | Project Scientist-I | 01 |
| 13 | Project Scientist-I | 01 |
| 14 | Project Scientist-I | 01 |
| 15 | Project Scientist-I | 02 |
| 16 | Project Scientist-I | 01 |
| Total | 47 |
SAC JRF Recruitment 2026 – Post-wise Eligibility
Post Code 01 – Junior Research Fellow
Vacancies: 03
Educational Qualification: M.E./M.Tech. in Semiconductor Technology, Quantum, Micro/Nano Electronic Devices, RF & Microwave or related disciplines.
The selected candidates will work on superconducting receiver front-ends at millimeter-wave and sub-millimeter-wave frequencies. The work includes mathematical device modelling, non-linear circuit simulation, 3D electromagnetic simulation, cryogenic testing and high-frequency RF circuit design.
Post Code 02 – Junior Research Fellow
Vacancies: 07
Educational Qualification: M.E./M.Tech. in Electronics & Communication, Micro-Electronics, Nano-Electronics, Digital Electronics, VLSI, Digital System Engineering, Embedded System, Signal Processing, Semiconductor or related disciplines.
The work includes mixed-signal and digital ASIC design, RF circuit design, VHDL/Verilog RTL design, DFT implementation, verification, backend design, RTL-to-GDSII flow, TCAD, FPGA and microelectronics design.
Post Code 03 – Junior Research Fellow
Vacancies: 05
Candidates should have either:
- B.E./B.Tech. in Engineering Physics or related disciplines; or
- M.E./M.Tech./M.Sc. in Physics, Applied Physics, Photonics, Optoelectronics, Optics, Material Science, Nanotechnology, Solid State Physics or related disciplines.
The work involves integrated photonics, semiconductor quantum devices, infrared detectors, device characterization, data analysis, fabrication processes and TCAD simulation.
Post Code 04 – Junior Research Fellow
Vacancies: 10
Educational Qualification: M.E./M.Tech./M.Sc. in Atmospheric Sciences, Meteorology, Physical Oceanography, Oceanography, Physical Sciences, Physics, Applied Physics, Mathematics or related disciplines.
The work covers satellite observations, geophysical parameter retrieval, calibration and validation, numerical weather prediction, satellite data assimilation, severe weather prediction, Indian monsoon studies and aerosol-cloud-precipitation interactions.
Post Code 05 – Junior Research Fellow
Vacancies: 02
Educational Qualification: M.E./M.Tech./M.Sc. in Geophysics, Geosciences, Earth Sciences, Geotechnical Engineering or related disciplines.
The position involves ocean geophysical, biophysical and biogeochemical parameter retrieval, remote sensing, calibration/validation and analysis of marine and optically complex waters.
Post Code 06 – Junior Research Fellow
Vacancies: 04
Educational Qualification: M.E./M.Tech./M.Sc. in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or related disciplines.
The work includes Agentic AI and LLM integration, prompt engineering, AI debugging, AI-based solutions for meteorology and oceanography, climate-quality data processing, NISAR SAR data analysis, AI/ML methods and hydrological modelling.
Post Code 07 – Junior Research Fellow
Vacancies: 02
Educational Qualification: M.E./M.Tech./M.Sc. in Geo-Informatics, Remote Sensing & GIS or related disciplines.
The work includes GIS and image-processing support, long-term geospatial database preparation, hydrology and water-resource applications, NISAR L&S-band data analysis and sensitivity studies.
Research Associate Vacancies
Post Code 08 – Research Associate
Vacancies: 06
Candidates should have a Ph.D. in Oceanic Sciences, Marine Sciences, Environmental Modelling, Atmospheric Sciences, Meteorology, Earth System Sciences, Physics or related disciplines.
Alternatively, candidates with M.E./M.Tech. in relevant disciplines and three years of research, teaching, design and development experience, along with at least one research paper published in an SCI-indexed journal, may apply.
The work includes meteorological satellite observations, numerical ocean modelling, satellite-based ocean and coastal studies, observing system simulation experiments, ecosystem/biogeochemical modelling and data assimilation.
Post Code 09 – Research Associate
Vacancy: 01
Qualification: Ph.D. in Mathematics, Physics or related disciplines.
The work involves radiative transfer modelling, algorithm development and satellite-data analysis for trace gas and greenhouse gas monitoring.
Post Code 10 – Research Associate
Vacancy: 01
Qualification: Ph.D. in Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences or related disciplines with specialization in remote-sensing applications in forestry, ecology or wetlands.
The work includes vegetation metrics, carbon-source and carbon-sink modelling, forest disturbance and regrowth monitoring, GIS database development and field-data collection.
Project Scientist-I Vacancies
Post Code 11
Vacancy: 01
Ph.D. in Geophysics, Applied Geophysics or related disciplines with specialization in Cryosphere Studies.
The work involves NISAR data processing, ice-velocity products and grounding-line/zone analysis using SAR and InSAR techniques over Himalayan and Antarctic regions.
Post Code 12
Vacancy: 01
Candidates should have a Ph.D. in Ecology, Environmental Sciences, Forestry or related disciplines, or M.E./M.Tech. in Geo-Informatics or related disciplines.
The work involves remote sensing, vegetation metrics, mapping of teal/blue carbon from inland and coastal wetlands and GIS database development.
Post Code 13
Vacancy: 01
Candidates should have:
- Ph.D. in Remote Sensing & GIS or related discipline with specialization in microwave remote sensing; or
- M.E./M.Tech. in Remote Sensing & GIS, Geo-Informatics, Geomatics, Civil Engineering or related disciplines.
The work focuses on high-resolution soil-moisture estimation using NISAR datasets, data processing tools, calibration, validation and field experiments.
Post Code 14
Vacancy: 01
Qualification: Ph.D. in Geophysics, Earth Sciences or related disciplines with specialization in Crustal Deformation Studies.
The work involves crustal deformation studies using interferometric analysis of NISAR S- and L-band SAR data and GNSS-based validation.
Post Code 15
Vacancies: 02
Qualification: M.E./M.Tech. in Water Resources Engineering, Hydrology, Soil & Water Engineering or related disciplines.
The work covers hydrological retrievals, satellite-data assimilation, remote sensing, hydrological/hydrodynamic modelling, field experiments and sensor-system definition studies.
Post Code 16
Vacancy: 01
Qualification: M.E./M.Tech. in RF & Microwave, Applied Physics or related disciplines.
The position involves SAR modelling and inversion, multi-frequency and polarimetric SAR scattering models, electromagnetic simulation, numerical modelling and MATLAB/Python-based sensor-definition studies for soil-moisture retrieval.
Educational Qualification Requirements
Where M.E./M.Tech. is prescribed, candidates must have secured at least 60% aggregate marks across all semesters or 6.5 CGPA/CPI on a 10-point scale.
Where M.Sc./B.E./B.Tech. is prescribed, candidates must have secured at least 65% aggregate marks or 6.84 CGPA/CPI on a 10-point scale.
Rounding off of marks is not permitted.
For JRF posts (Post Codes 01 to 07), applicants must also have qualified at least one of the following:
- CSIR-UGC NET, including Lectureship/Assistant Professorship.
- Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE).
- A national-level examination conducted by Central Government departments/agencies/institutions such as DST, DBT, DAE, DOS, DRDO, MoE, ICAR, ICMR, IIT, IISc, IISER, NISER and similar organizations.
The qualifying examination result/scorecard must be valid as on 30 September 2026.
SAC Recruitment 2026 Age Limit
The age limit is calculated as on 30 September 2026.
- JRF: Maximum 28 years
- Research Associate: Maximum 35 years
- Project Scientist-I: Maximum 35 years
Age relaxation is applicable as per Government of India rules.
- SC/ST candidates: 5 years
- OBC-NCL candidates: 3 years
- PwBD, Ex-Servicemen and eligible Central Government employees: relaxation as per applicable Government rules.
SAC Recruitment 2026 Salary
Selected candidates will receive the following fellowship/associateship amounts:
| Post | Amount |
|---|---|
| JRF – 1st & 2nd Year | ₹37,000/month + HRA |
| JRF – Subsequent Years | ₹42,000/month + HRA |
| Project Scientist-I | ₹56,000/month + HRA |
| Research Associate-I | ₹58,000/month + HRA |
| Research Associate-II | ₹61,000/month + HRA |
| Research Associate-III | ₹67,000/month + HRA |
For Research Associates, the applicable associateship amount will be fixed according to qualification and experience.
HRA will be paid at prescribed rates if hostel accommodation is not provided. Medical benefits are available for the selected candidate as per applicable rules.
SAC Recruitment 2026 Selection Process
The selection process is primarily based on shortlisting and personal interview.
The minimum prescribed qualification does not automatically guarantee an interview or selection. If a large number of applications are received, SAC may shortlist candidates based on:
- Academic record
- Subject specialization
- Relevant eligibility and requirements
The shortlisted candidates will be called for an interview. The shortlisted-candidate list and interview schedule will be published on the SAC website.
Interview call letters will be sent through email.
The final selection panel will be prepared based on the candidate’s performance in the interview.
Candidates called for interview must produce their original documents along with self-attested copies for verification.
SAC Recruitment 2026 Application Fee
There is no application fee for any of the posts advertised under SAC Recruitment 2026.
SAC Recruitment 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | 10 September 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 10 September 2026 at 10:00 AM |
| Last Date to Apply | 30 September 2026 at 5:00 PM |
| Last Date for Printing Application Summary | 30 September 2026 at 5:00 PM |
How to Apply for SAC Recruitment 2026
Eligible candidates can apply online by following these steps:
- Visit the official SAC website.
- Open the recruitment/careers section.
- Find Advertisement No. SAC:02:2026.
- Read the detailed advertisement and eligibility requirements carefully.
- Register on the online recruitment portal.
- Enter the required personal, educational and other details.
- Upload the recent colour passport-size photograph and signature in the prescribed format.
- Upload the required educational qualification and category/PwBD documents wherever applicable.
- Review all information carefully.
- Submit the application.
- Note down the application number generated after submission.
- Take a printout of the application summary for future reference.
The application can be submitted only once. Candidates should carefully verify all details before clicking the final SUBMIT button because corrections will not be possible afterwards.
The photograph must be a recent colour passport-size photograph in JPEG format of less than 1 MB. Selfies and black-and-white photographs are not permitted.
The signature should be uploaded as a JPEG file below 1 MB with the prescribed 7:2 aspect ratio.
Important Instructions for Candidates
Candidates should note the following:
- Only Indian Nationals can apply.
- Applications will be accepted online only.
- Physical applications will not be accepted.
- There is no application fee.
- The posts are temporary and project-specific.
- The appointments do not provide any right to regular appointment in ISRO/DOS.
- The cut-off date for age and essential qualification is 30 September 2026.
- Candidates whose final-year/final-semester result is pending on 30 September 2026 are not eligible.
- Professional courses pursued through Open and Distance Learning (ODL) are not eligible for consideration.
- Candidates employed in Government departments, PSUs or autonomous bodies must produce an NOC at the time of interview.
- Foreign-degree holders must produce an equivalency certificate issued by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), New Delhi.
- Candidates must regularly check their email and the SAC website for recruitment updates.
- Selected candidates will generally be posted at SAC, Ahmedabad, but may be required to work at other locations in India for project/research work.
Duration of Engagement
JRF
JRFs will initially be engaged for one year. The engagement may be extended based on performance and project requirements, subject to a maximum period of five years.
Research Associate
Research Associates will initially be engaged for one year and may be extended based on performance and project requirements. The maximum period is three years.
Project Scientist-I
Project Scientist-I will initially be engaged for one year or until the project duration, whichever is applicable, and may be extended according to project requirements. The positions are co-terminus with the projects.
SAC Recruitment 2026 – FAQs
What is SAC Recruitment 2026?
SAC Recruitment 2026 is a recruitment drive by the Space Applications Centre, ISRO, for temporary positions of Junior Research Fellow, Research Associate and Project Scientist-I.
How many vacancies are available in SAC Recruitment 2026?
There are 47 vacancies across JRF, Research Associate and Project Scientist-I posts.
What is the last date to apply for SAC Recruitment 2026?
The last date to submit the online application is 30 September 2026 up to 5:00 PM.
What is the starting date for SAC Recruitment 2026?
Online applications start on 10 September 2026 at 10:00 AM.
What is the SAC JRF age limit?
The maximum age for JRF posts is 28 years as on 30 September 2026, subject to applicable relaxation.
What is the age limit for Research Associate and Project Scientist-I posts?
The maximum age for Research Associate and Project Scientist-I posts is 35 years as on 30 September 2026, subject to applicable relaxation.
What is the salary of a SAC JRF?
JRFs will receive ₹37,000 per month plus HRA during the first and second years and ₹42,000 per month plus HRA in subsequent years.
What is the salary of Project Scientist-I at SAC?
Project Scientist-I will receive ₹56,000 per month plus HRA.
What is the Research Associate salary at SAC?
Research Associates may receive ₹58,000, ₹61,000 or ₹67,000 per month plus HRA, depending on qualification and experience.
Is there any application fee for SAC Recruitment 2026?
No. There is no application fee for any post.
What is the selection process for SAC Recruitment 2026?
Candidates may be shortlisted based on academic records and subject specialization if required, followed by a personal interview. Final selection is based on interview performance.
Where will selected candidates be posted?
Selected candidates will be posted at SAC, Ahmedabad. However, they may be required to work and stay at other locations in India for project or research work.
Is GATE or NET mandatory for SAC JRF posts?
Yes. Candidates applying for JRF Post Codes 01 to 07 must have qualified CSIR-UGC NET, GATE, or an eligible national-level examination conducted by specified Central Government departments/agencies/institutions. The result/scorecard must be valid on 30 September 2026.
Can candidates awaiting their final-year result apply?
No. Candidates whose relevant final-year or final-semester result has not been declared by 30 September 2026 are not eligible.
Where can I apply for SAC Recruitment 2026?
Candidates should apply through the official SAC recruitment portal and follow the instructions given in Advertisement No. SAC:02:2026.
SAC Recruitment 2026 Important Links
Official Website: Click here
Apply Online: Click here
Official Notification PDF: Click here
Advertisement: SAC:02:2026 dated 10 September 2026
Candidates are advised to read the complete official notification carefully before submitting their application.