NIC Scientific Technical Assistant Recruitment 2026: 376 Vacancies, Eligibility, Salary & Apply Online

NIC Scientific Technical Assistant Recruitment 2026: 376 Vacancies, Eligibility, Salary, GATE Score & Apply Online

The National Informatics Centre (NIC) has released the detailed advertisement for recruitment to the post of Scientific/Technical Assistant-A. The recruitment will be conducted through direct recruitment, and candidates will be shortlisted based on their valid GATE 2024, GATE 2025 or GATE 2026 score.

A total of 376 vacancies have been advertised across Computer Sciences & Information Technology, Electronics & Communication Engineering, and Data Science & Artificial Intelligence disciplines. The online application process will begin on 1 September 2026 and the last date to apply is 30 September 2026.

The post is a Group-B S&T (Non-Gazetted) position in Level 6 of the 7th CPC, with a pay scale of ₹35,400–₹1,12,400.

NIC Scientific Technical Assistant Recruitment 2026 – Overview

Particulars	Details
Organization	National Informatics Centre (NIC)
Ministry	Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
Post	Scientific/Technical Assistant-A
Advertisement No.	NIC/STA/2026/2
Recruitment Type	Direct Recruitment
Total Vacancies	376
Pay Level	Level 6, 7th CPC
Pay Scale	₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400
Selection Basis	GATE Score
Eligible GATE Years	2024, 2025 & 2026
Application Mode	Online
Application Start Date	01 September 2026
Last Date to Apply	30 September 2026
Official Recruitment Website	recruitment.nic.in

The official notification states that the merit list will be prepared using valid GATE scores from 2024, 2025 or 2026.

NIC STA Vacancy 2026

NIC has announced 376 Scientific/Technical Assistant-A vacancies in three disciplines:

1. Computer Sciences & Information Technology – 300 Posts

Category	Vacancies
UR	122
SC	45
ST	22
OBC (NCL)	81
EWS	30
Total	300

2. Electronics & Communication Engineering – 26 Posts

Category	Vacancies
UR	13
SC	3
ST	1
OBC (NCL)	7
EWS	2
Total	26

3. Data Science & Artificial Intelligence – 50 Posts

Category	Vacancies
UR	22
SC	7
ST	3
OBC (NCL)	13
EWS	5
Total	50

Therefore, the combined number of advertised vacancies is 376 posts. NIC has also provided horizontal reservation for PwBD candidates. The notification clarifies that the advertised number of posts is tentative and may increase or decrease at NIC’s discretion.

NIC Scientific Technical Assistant Eligibility Criteria

Candidates should carefully check the GATE, educational qualification and age requirements before applying.

GATE Qualification

A candidate must have a valid GATE score in one of the following papers:

• CS – Computer Science and Information Technology
• EC – Electronics and Communication Engineering
• DA – Data Science and Artificial Intelligence

Only GATE scores from 2024, 2025 or 2026 are accepted for this recruitment.

Educational Qualification

For Computer Sciences & Information Technology

Candidates must have passed M.Sc./MS/MCA/B.E./B.Tech. in the specified eligible fields, including:

• Electronics
• Electronics & Communication
• Electronics & Telecommunication
• Computer Sciences
• Computer and Networking Security
• Software System
• Information Technology
• Informatics

The corresponding GATE paper is CS.

For Electronics & Communication Engineering

Candidates applying for the ECE discipline must have the prescribed educational qualification and a valid GATE EC score.

For Data Science & Artificial Intelligence

Candidates applying for the Data Science and Artificial Intelligence discipline must have the prescribed qualification and a valid GATE DA score.

Is Experience Required?

No. Experience is required for the NIC Scientific/Technical Assistant-A post.

This makes the recruitment particularly relevant for eligible fresh graduates who have a valid GATE score.

NIC STA Age Limit 2026

The upper age limit is calculated as on 30 September 2026, which is the closing date of the application process.

Category	Upper Age Limit
UR / EWS	30 years
SC / ST	35 years
OBC (NCL)	33 years
PwBD	As per notification/category
Service Candidates	Relaxation applicable as specified
Ex-Servicemen	As per Government rules

For PwBD candidates, the notification provides additional age relaxation depending on the category. The crucial date for age calculation is 30 September 2026.

NIC Scientific Technical Assistant Salary 2026

The Scientific/Technical Assistant-A post is classified as a Group-B S&T (Non-Gazetted) post under Level 6 of the 7th Central Pay Commission.

The pay scale mentioned in the notification is:

₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400

The actual monthly salary received by an employee will depend on applicable allowances, deductions and place of posting. The notification itself specifies the Level 6 pay scale rather than a fixed in-hand salary.

NIC STA Selection Process 2026

There is no separate written examination mentioned in the notification for this recruitment.

The selection process is based on the candidate’s valid GATE score.

NIC will prepare a category-wise merit list for each discipline according to GATE Score. Candidates can submit their best eligible GATE score from 2024, 2025 or 2026. Equal weightage will be given to the GATE scores of all three years.

Selection Process

Valid GATE Score → Merit List → Shortlisting → Document Verification → Provisional Appointment

Shortlisted candidates will be called for document verification. Candidates who successfully complete document verification and satisfy all eligibility conditions may be offered provisional appointment.

NIC STA GATE Score Selection Criteria

One important point for candidates is that NIC does not simply require a particular GATE year.

GATE 2024, GATE 2025 and GATE 2026 scores are eligible, and equal weightage is given to scores from these three years.

If two or more candidates have the same GATE score, NIC will use the following tie-breaking criteria:

1. Older GATE score year gets higher rank.
2. If the GATE year is also the same, the older candidate gets higher rank.
3. If the tie still remains, the candidate with the higher percentage in the essential qualification gets higher rank.

NIC Scientific Technical Assistant Application Form 2026

The application will be accepted online only.

NIC STA Apply Online Date

• Application Start: 01 September 2026 at 10:00 AM
• Last Date: 30 September 2026 at 5:30 PM
• Eligibility cut-off date: 30 September 2026

Candidates must apply through the NIC recruitment portal. Applications through other modes will not be accepted.

How to Apply for NIC STA Recruitment 2026

Candidates can follow these steps:

1. Visit the NIC recruitment website.
2. Complete the online registration.
3. Fill in the application form carefully.
4. Upload the required documents.
5. Pay the application fee, if applicable.
6. Submit the application.
7. Download and save the confirmation page and application details.

NIC has specified four mandatory stages: registration, filling the online application/uploading documents, fee payment where applicable, and downloading the confirmation page.

NIC STA Application Fee 2026

The application fee is:

Category	Application Fee
SC / ST	Nil
PwBD	Nil
Women Candidates	Nil
UR / OBC (NCL) / EWS	₹800

Candidates applying for more than one discipline have to pay ₹800 for each discipline. The fee is non-refundable.

Documents Required for NIC STA Application

Candidates should keep the required documents ready before starting the online application.

Important documents include:

• Recent passport-size colour photograph
• Signature
• Date of Birth proof
• Matriculation certificate
• Senior Secondary certificate
• Valid GATE 2024/2025/2026 scorecard
• B.E./B.Tech./MCA/M.Sc./MS qualification certificate, as applicable
• Relevant marksheets
• CGPA conversion certificate, if applicable
• Category certificate, if applicable
• PwBD certificate, if applicable
• NOC for applicable government/PSU employees
• Age relaxation certificate, where applicable

The notification also specifies file formats and size requirements for photographs, signatures and scanned documents.

NIC Scientific Technical Assistant Posting

Selected candidates may be posted anywhere in India and outside India in the interest of the organization.

The post carries an All India liability, so candidates should be prepared for posting at locations determined by NIC.

Important Dates for NIC STA Recruitment 2026

Event	Date
Notification	Released
Online Application Starts	01 September 2026
Application Last Date	30 September 2026
Last Date/Time	05:30 PM
Cut-off Date for Eligibility	30 September 2026
Document Verification	To be announced

The document verification schedule will be announced separately on the NIC recruitment website.

Who Should Apply for NIC Scientific Technical Assistant?

This recruitment is particularly relevant to candidates who:

• Have a qualifying B.E./B.Tech./MCA/M.Sc./MS degree.
• Have a valid GATE 2024, 2025 or 2026 score.
• Belong to CS/IT, ECE, or Data Science & AI-related eligible disciplines.
• Are within the prescribed age limit.
• Want a Central Government technical position.
• Are looking for a government technology career without a separate recruitment examination.

However, candidates should carefully match their exact degree and GATE paper with the discipline requirements in the official notification before applying.

NIC STA Recruitment 2026 – Key Points

• Total Vacancies: 376
• CS/IT Vacancies: 300
• ECE Vacancies: 26
• Data Science & AI Vacancies: 50
• Post: Scientific/Technical Assistant-A
• Pay Level: Level 6
• Pay Scale: ₹35,400–₹1,12,400
• Experience: Not required
• GATE Required: Yes
• Eligible GATE Years: 2024, 2025 and 2026
• Application Mode: Online
• Application Fee: ₹800 for applicable candidates
• Application Start: 01 September 2026
• Last Date: 30 September 2026
• Posting: Anywhere in India/outside India as per organizational requirement

Frequently Asked Questions – NIC STA Recruitment 2026

How many vacancies are there in NIC Scientific Technical Assistant Recruitment 2026?

There are 376 advertised vacancies for Scientific/Technical Assistant-A across CS/IT, Electronics & Communication Engineering, and Data Science & Artificial Intelligence disciplines.

What is the last date to apply for NIC STA Recruitment 2026?

The last date to submit the online application is 30 September 2026 at 5:30 PM.

Is GATE mandatory for NIC Scientific Technical Assistant?

Yes. Candidates must possess a valid GATE 2024, 2025 or 2026 score in the relevant eligible paper.

Which GATE papers are accepted for NIC STA?

NIC accepts CS, EC and DA GATE papers for the respective disciplines.

Is experience required for NIC STA-A?

No. The notification clearly states that no experience is required.

What is the salary of NIC Scientific Technical Assistant?

The post is in Level 6 of the 7th CPC, with a pay scale of ₹35,400–₹1,12,400.

What is the application fee for NIC STA?

The fee is ₹800 for UR/OBC (NCL)/EWS candidates. SC, ST, PwBD and women candidates are exempted from the application fee.

How will NIC Scientific Technical Assistant candidates be selected?

Candidates will be shortlisted through a GATE-score-based merit list, followed by document verification and provisional appointment subject to fulfilment of the prescribed conditions.

NIC Scientific Technical Assistant Promotion Scope

Candidates considering the NIC Scientific/Technical Assistant-A post often want to know about promotion opportunities and career growth. The recruitment notification confirms that Scientific/Technical Assistant-A is a Group-B S&T (Non-Gazetted) post in Level 6, with a pay scale of ₹35,400–₹1,12,400 under the 7th CPC.

However, the NIC Scientific/Technical Assistant Recruitment 2026 notification does not mention the complete promotion hierarchy or a fixed number of years required for promotion. Therefore, candidates should not assume a specific promotion timeline based only on this advertisement.

Career progression after joining will be governed by the applicable NIC service rules, eligibility conditions, vacancies and promotion procedures.

Is NIC Scientific Technical Assistant a Good Career?

Yes, the post can be an attractive option for candidates looking for a Central Government technical career, particularly because:

• It is a Group-B technical post.
• The post is in Pay Level 6.
• No prior experience is required.
• Selection is based on a valid GATE score.
• Candidates can work in the field of government IT and e-Governance.
• The position provides scope for long-term career progression under applicable service rules.

NIC Scientific Technical Assistant Posting

The posting location is not restricted to a particular state or city.

According to the notification, selected candidates may be posted anywhere in India and outside India, depending on the requirements of the organization.

The notification further states that the post carries All India liability, meaning candidates should be prepared to serve at different locations across India.

Can NIC STA Be Posted in Your Home State?

A candidate may receive a posting in their home state, but the notification does not guarantee a home-state or preferred-location posting.

Candidates should therefore apply only if they are comfortable with the possibility of being posted anywhere in India.

Can NIC STA Be Posted Outside India?

Yes. The recruitment notification specifically states that selected candidates may be posted outside India in the interest of the organization.

NIC STA Promotion & Posting – Quick Summary

Particular	Details
Post	Scientific/Technical Assistant-A
Group	Group-B S&T (Non-Gazetted)
Pay Level	Level 6
Pay Scale	₹35,400–₹1,12,400
Promotion	As per applicable NIC service rules
Fixed Promotion Period	Not specified in the recruitment notification
Posting	Anywhere in India
Outside India Posting	Possible as per notification
Home State Posting	Not guaranteed
Transfer Liability	All India

Important: The promotion hierarchy and promotion timeline are not provided in the recruitment advertisement. Candidates should refer to the applicable NIC service rules for detailed career progression rather than relying on unofficial claims.

Final Words

The NIC Scientific Technical Assistant Recruitment 2026 is an important opportunity for eligible engineering, computer science, IT, electronics, and Data Science & AI graduates who have a valid GATE score.

With 376 vacancies, Level 6 pay and no prior experience requirement, the recruitment can be a strong option for candidates looking for a technical government job.

Before submitting the application, candidates should carefully verify their educational qualification, GATE paper, GATE score, age, category documents and other eligibility conditions against the official advertisement. NIC has specifically stated that incomplete or incorrect applications may be rejected.

Important: Candidates should rely on the official NIC recruitment notification for the final interpretation of eligibility, vacancies, application requirements and recruitment conditions.