ISRO ISTRAC Recruitment 2026

The ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC), Bengaluru, has released its official recruitment notification (Advt No. ISTRAC:02:2026) dated 27 June 2026, inviting online applications for 25 posts spanning multiple disciplines including Technician-B, Draughtsman-B, Technical Assistant, Scientific Assistant, Library Assistant-A, and Cook-A. The online application window is open from 27 June 2026 at 10:00 AM to 20 July 2026 at 11:55 PM. These positions are temporary in nature but are likely to continue, and selected candidates may be posted anywhere in India under the Department of Space or ISRO, including at various international ground station locations managed by ISTRAC.

About ISTRAC and the Significance of These Roles

ISTRAC is the premier ground segment solution provider for ISRO's satellite and launch vehicle missions. It has established an extensive network of spacecraft control centres, TTC ground stations, deep space network facilities, and navigation mission ground segments across India and internationally — at locations including Bengaluru, Lucknow, Shriharikota, Sri Vijayapuram, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Thiruvananthapuram, Mauritius, Brunei, and Biak, Indonesia. The organization also performs radar development, search and rescue operations, and hub services for satellite communication networks. Working at ISTRAC means contributing directly to the operational backbone that keeps India's space missions functioning in real time, 24 hours a day.

Post-wise Eligibility Requirements

For Technician-B posts in the Electronics Mechanic and Carpenter trades, candidates need to have passed SSLC or SSC or Matriculation along with an ITI or NTC or NAC certificate in the relevant trade from NCVT. Similarly, Draughtsman-B posts in Civil and Mechanical require the same foundational academic qualification with the corresponding Draughtsman trade ITI certificate. For Technical Assistant posts in Electronics and Mechanical, candidates must hold a First Class Diploma in the respective engineering stream from a recognized State Board. Scientific Assistant posts in Computer Science and Mathematics require a First Class B.Sc. degree with the respective subject as the main subject from a recognized university. The Library Assistant-A position demands a First Class graduation along with a First Class Master's degree in Library Science or Library and Information Science. For Cook-A, candidates need SSLC or SSC qualification along with a minimum of five years of experience as a cook in a well-established hotel or canteen, with a strict condition that experience certificates issued by individuals will not be accepted under any circumstances.

An important eligibility note: candidates who have pursued their Technical Assistant level qualification through Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode are explicitly not eligible to apply for the Technical Assistant post under this recruitment.

Age Limit and Relaxations

The cut-off date for all purposes including age calculation, qualification acquisition, and experience computation is 20 July 2026 — the last date for receipt of online applications. Candidates must be between 18 and 35 years of age as on this date. Age relaxation of 5 years is available for SC and ST candidates against reserved posts, and 3 years for OBC candidates against reserved posts. PwBD candidates, Ex-Servicemen, Meritorious Sportspersons, Widows, Divorced Women, and Judicially Separated Women who have not remarried are all eligible for age relaxation as per Government of India orders. EWS candidates are not eligible for any age relaxation.

Application Fee and Refund Policy

ISRO has adopted a transparent two-tier fee structure for this recruitment. For Technical Assistant, Scientific Assistant, and Library Assistant-A posts, all candidates must initially pay a processing fee of Rs. 750, out of which Rs. 250 is the non-refundable application fee and Rs. 500 is refunded to candidates who actually appear in the Written Test or CBT. For Technician-B, Draughtsman-B, and Cook-A posts, the initial processing fee is Rs. 500, with Rs. 100 being the non-refundable application fee and Rs. 400 refunded on CBT appearance. Candidates belonging to women, SC, ST, PwBD, and Ex-Servicemen categories are exempt from the application fee, and the full processing fee paid by them will be refunded upon appearing in the exam. The fee must be paid online through the Bharatkosh e-Payment gateway using internet banking, UPI, or domestic debit cards. No other mode of payment will be accepted.

Selection Process Explained

The selection process begins with an initial screening of online applications based on academic performance and other parameters submitted by candidates. Only those screened in will be called for the Written Test or Computer Based Test. ISTRAC reserves the right to conduct the written test either online or offline, and it will be held in Bengaluru or across various cities in India. Candidates will have the option to take the CBT in either Hindi or English medium.

For Technical Assistant, Scientific Assistant, and Library Assistant-A posts, the CBT consists of 80 multiple choice questions to be answered in 1.5 hours, with +1 mark for each correct answer and a penalty of 0.33 marks for each wrong answer. For Technician-B and Draughtsman-B, the same pattern of 80 MCQs in 1.5 hours applies. For Cook-A, the CBT comprises 60 MCQs in 1.5 hours with the same marking scheme. The minimum qualifying marks in the CBT are 32 out of 80 for Unreserved candidates and 24 out of 80 for Reserved candidates.

Candidates qualifying the CBT will be shortlisted for Skill Test in a 1:5 ratio with a minimum of 10 candidates per post. The Skill Test will be held exclusively in Bengaluru and is of a purely go-no-go qualifying nature. Final selection for all posts (except Cook-A) is based on CBT marks from among Skill Test qualified candidates. For Cook-A, the Skill Test is qualifying in nature with 100 marks and a minimum requirement of 60 marks, with no category-based relaxation in the Skill Test for any candidate.

Documents Required for Upload During Application

Candidates must upload clear scanned copies of their recent colour passport size photograph in JPG or JPEG format (not older than 6 months, maximum 50 to 100 KB), their signature in JPG or JPEG format (maximum 50 to 100 KB), all essential qualification certificates and experience certificates, and the SC, ST, disability, or Ex-Servicemen certificate if claiming full refund of processing fee. Applications submitted without these mandatory uploads will be treated as invalid. Candidates must ensure the uploaded photograph is clearly identifiable and the signature is legible, failing which candidature will be cancelled.

Important Conditions for Employed Candidates

Candidates currently working in Central or State Government departments, Public Sector Undertakings, or Autonomous Bodies must apply only after obtaining prior permission from their employer and must mandatorily produce an original No Objection Certificate at the time of the Skill Test. Failure to submit the NOC at the Skill Test will result in denial of entry to the Skill Test and no Travelling Allowance will be paid. Outstation candidates shortlisted for the Skill Test will be reimbursed Second Class Sleeper Railway fare or non-AC bus fare, whichever is lower, by the shortest distance from the address given in the online application to the Skill Test venue in Bengaluru.

Candidates are advised to visit only the official ISRO and ISTRAC websites and to be vigilant against fake websites and social media posts by unscrupulous elements. All further communications including Hall Tickets and Call Letters will be sent exclusively via email and SMS — no hard copies will be dispatched. Candidates must check their email (including spam and junk folders) regularly and must not request changes to examination centre, email ID, or mobile number after submission of the application.