The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) has officially announced the Section Officer Recruitment 2026, inviting applications from non-recommended candidates of UPSC CSE 2024. This recruitment drive is a significant opportunity for graduates who have appeared in the Civil Services Examination but were not recommended for final services allocation.
CSIR is one of India’s most prestigious autonomous research organizations, operating under the Government of India. A Section Officer post in CSIR offers a stable career, attractive pay scale, national-level exposure, and long-term growth prospects in administrative and managerial roles.
This article provides a complete guide covering job details, eligibility criteria, age limits, salary structure, number of vacancies, job responsibilities, and application timelines for the CSIR Section Officer Recruitment 2026.
Overview of CSIR Section Officer Recruitment 2026
The recruitment is being conducted to fill Section Officer positions in General Administration, Finance & Accounts, and Stores & Purchase cadres. The job is full-time and transferable across India, offering candidates a chance to work in different CSIR laboratories and offices nationwide.
Key Highlights
- Organization: Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR)
- Organization Type: Autonomous Body (Government of India)
- Job Title: Section Officer
- Functional Role: Administration Manager
- Sector: Other Service Activities
- Nature of Job: Full Time
- Job Location: All India
- Number of Vacancies: 8
- Salary: ₹47,800 – ₹1,51,100 per month
- Salary Type: Monthly
- Posted On: 15 January 2026
- Last Date to Apply: 04 February 2026
About CSIR
Raising Good Humans
Raising Securely Attached Kids
The Ultimate Guide to Self-Regulation for Parents
The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) is India’s largest research and development organization, comprising a network of national laboratories, innovation centers, and R&D units. CSIR plays a vital role in advancing scientific research, industrial development, and technological innovation in India.
Working with CSIR provides:
- Central Government–equivalent benefits
- Exposure to national-level administration
- Secure and prestigious service environment
- Opportunities for career advancement
Job Description: Section Officer in CSIR
The Section Officer position is a mid-level administrative role involving supervision, coordination, and implementation of administrative and financial functions within CSIR offices.
Functional Areas
Selected candidates may be posted in any of the following cadres:
- General Administration
- Finance & Accounts
- Stores and Purchase
Core Responsibilities
A CSIR Section Officer is expected to:
- Manage administrative operations and official correspondence
- Supervise clerical and support staff
- Handle establishment matters such as service records and leave
- Assist in budgeting, financial reporting, and expenditure control
- Oversee procurement, inventory, and purchase procedures
- Ensure compliance with government rules and CSIR guidelines
- Coordinate between departments and senior officers
This role demands strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work in a structured government environment.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must carefully check the eligibility requirements before applying.
Educational Qualification
- Minimum Qualification Required: Graduate (Bachelor’s Degree)
- Degree must be obtained from a recognized university or institution.
UPSC CSE Requirement
- Applicants must be non-recommended candidates of UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024
- Only candidates who appeared in UPSC CSE 2024 and were not finally recommended are eligible
This recruitment is specifically designed to provide an alternative career path to UPSC aspirants.
Age Limit & Date of Birth Criteria
Age eligibility is calculated as on 04 February 2026.
Age Limit
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- Maximum Age: 33 years
Date of Birth Range
- Candidates must be born on or between 04 February 1993 and 04 February 2008
Age relaxation, if any, will be applicable as per government rules for reserved categories.
Category & Gender Eligibility
- Gender: Open to all (Male / Female / Others)
- Eligible Categories:
- General (GEN)
- Other Backward Classes (OBC)
- Scheduled Caste (SC)
- Other applicable categories as per norms
No gender preference has been specified, making the recruitment fully inclusive.
Salary Structure & Pay Scale
The CSIR Section Officer position comes with an attractive and competitive pay scale.
Pay Details
- Monthly Salary: ₹47,800 – ₹1,51,100
- Pay Type: Monthly
- Pay scale aligns with central government norms and includes regular increments.
Additional Benefits (as per CSIR rules)
- Dearness Allowance (DA)
- House Rent Allowance (HRA) or government accommodation
- Transport Allowance
- Medical facilities
- Pension and retirement benefits
This makes the post financially rewarding and secure in the long term.
Number of Vacancies
- Total Vacancies: 8
The limited number of openings makes this recruitment highly competitive, especially among UPSC aspirants.
Job Location & Transfer Policy
- Job Location: All India
Selected candidates can be posted in any CSIR laboratory, institute, or administrative office across the country. The job involves all-India transfer liability, which provides exposure to different regions and administrative environments.
Nature of Employment
- Employment Type: Full-time
- Availability to Join: Within 90 days
Candidates must be ready to join within the stipulated time after selection.
Required Skills
Key skills expected from applicants include:
- Knowledge of Finance and Accounts
- Understanding of administrative procedures
- Familiarity with government rules and service matters
- Experience or exposure related to UPSC CSE preparation
- Strong communication and file-management skills
These skills help candidates adapt quickly to the administrative framework of CSIR.
Selection Process (Expected)
While detailed selection stages are not explicitly mentioned, the recruitment is based on:
- Verification of UPSC CSE 2024 non-recommended status
- Assessment of eligibility and academic qualifications
- Screening and evaluation as per CSIR recruitment rules
Final selection will be subject to document verification and medical fitness.
Application Process
Interested and eligible candidates must apply online through the official recruitment portal before the closing date.
Important Dates
- Notification Posted On: 15 January 2026
- Last Date to Apply: 04 February 2026
Applicants are advised not to wait until the last date to avoid technical issues.
Why Apply for CSIR Section Officer Recruitment 2026?
This recruitment is an excellent opportunity for UPSC aspirants who want to:
- Enter a prestigious government organization
- Secure a Group-B level administrative role
- Enjoy financial stability and job security
- Gain experience in national-level administration
- Continue contributing to public service outside the civil services
The role offers both respect and responsibility, making it a strong alternative career option.
Final Words
The CSIR Section Officer Recruitment 2026 is a golden opportunity for graduates and UPSC CSE 2024 non-recommended candidates seeking a stable and respectable government career. With a high pay scale, limited vacancies, and all-India exposure, this recruitment drive stands out as one of the most attractive administrative job opportunities of the year.
Eligible candidates should ensure timely application and prepare all necessary documents in advance to avoid last-minute issues.
