CSIR-TKDL Project Associate Recruitment 2026

CSIR-TKDL is hiring 5 Project Associate-I professionals for its New Delhi office across Material Science, Metallurgy, Patent, Agriculture, and IT domains. If you have a B.E./B.Tech or a relevant Master's degree, you can apply online at www.csir.res.in. The last date to apply is 23 July 2026, 5:00 PM. Salary ranges from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 31,000 per month plus HRA, and the upper age limit is 35 years.

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research - Traditional Knowledge Digital Library Unit (CSIR-TKDL) Project Associate Recruitment 2026 - 5 Posts

CSIR-TKDL, a constituent unit of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research under the Ministry of Science and Technology, has released Advertisement No. TKDL/03/2026 to hire Project Associate-I professionals for two ongoing digitization projects — one on minerals, metals and materials, and another on traditional agricultural practices. All 5 posts are purely temporary and contract-based, with the engagement lasting up to 31 March 2027 or co-terminus with the project. This is a good opportunity for fresh B.E./B.Tech or Master's degree holders who want hands-on research experience documenting India's traditional knowledge. CSIR-TKDL's mission is to protect India's traditional knowledge from being wrongly patented abroad, and as a Project Associate you will directly contribute to this national effort. Do note that your total engagement as project personnel across any CSIR project — in this Unit or any other CSIR laboratory — cannot exceed 6 years cumulatively.

Vacancy Breakdown by Discipline

• Material Science (Post Code TKM01): 1 post
• Metallurgy (Post Code TKM02): 1 post
• Patent (Post Code TKM03): 1 post
• Agriculture (Post Code TKA01): 1 post
• IT (Post Code TKA02): 1 post

A panel of waitlisted candidates will also be prepared for each post to fill any future vacancies.

Who Can Apply?

Material Science (Post Code TKM01):

• You need a B.E./B.Tech in Materials Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, Mineral Engineering, or Chemical Engineering, OR a Master's Degree in Material Science or Chemistry (or equivalent).

Metallurgy (Post Code TKM02):

• You need a B.E./B.Tech in Metallurgy/Metallurgical Engineering OR a Master's Degree in Chemistry (or equivalent).

Patent (Post Code TKM03):

• You need a B.E./B.Tech in Metallurgy, Materials, Mineral, or Chemical Engineering, OR a Master's Degree in Material Science or Chemistry.
• Desirable: Proficiency in Patent Analytics/Patent Informatics, a PG Diploma in IPR, and good written/oral English skills.

Agriculture (Post Code TKA01):

• You need a Master's or Integrated Master's Degree in Agriculture, Agronomy, Horticulture, Animal Science, Veterinary Sciences, or Zoology from a recognized university.
• Desirable: Experience documenting Traditional Agricultural Knowledge.

IT (Post Code TKA02):

• You need a B.E./B.Tech in Computer Science or Information Technology, or an MCA, from a recognized university.
• Desirable: Skills in Python, Java/J2EE, Spring, Hibernate, database systems (SQLServer/PostgreSQL), or hardware/network/firewall administration.

Note: Only candidates whose results have already been declared (at least a provisional certificate) are eligible — result-awaited or final-semester-appearing candidates cannot apply.

Age Limit

• The upper age limit is 35 years for all posts.
• Age Relaxation: SC/ST/PwBD/Women candidates get 5 years relaxation, and OBC candidates get 3 years relaxation, as per CSIR/Government of India rules.

Salary

• You will get Rs. 31,000 per month + HRA if you have qualified CSIR-UGC/ICAR/ICMR NET (including lectureship/assistant professorship), GATE, or an equivalent national-level exam conducted by a Central Government department/agency.
• You will get Rs. 25,000 per month + HRA if you do not fall in the above category.
• HRA will be paid as per Government of India rules applicable to CSIR employees.

Selection Process

The selection will be done in the following stages:

1. Written Test: Held in-person at CSIR-TKDL Unit, 14 Satsang Vihar Marg, Qutub Institutional Area, New Delhi. Material Science, Metallurgy and Patent candidates are tested on 27 July 2026, and Agriculture and IT candidates on 28 July 2026, both from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM.
2. Interview: Shortlisted candidates are interviewed on the same day or another day, as informed after the written test.
3. Document Verification: Carry two self-attested photographs, original certificates with self-attested photocopies (age, qualification, experience), and a typed biodata on A4 paper.
4. Medical Examination: Selected candidates must submit a medical fitness certificate and character certificate before joining.

Note: Your experience, wherever required, is counted only from the date after you acquired the essential qualification — dissertation or thesis work done during your academic period does not count as experience.

How to Apply

1. Go to the official CSIR website at www.csir.res.in.
2. Find the online application form for Advertisement No. TKDL/03/2026.
3. Fill in your educational, experience, and personal details.
4. Upload scanned copies of your qualification, age, category, experience, publication/patent, and biodata documents.
5. Submit the form and note down your Application Number for future reference.
6. Report in person at CSIR-TKDL Unit, New Delhi, on your post's scheduled written test date with all original documents.

Note: Incomplete applications, or applications submitted through any mode other than the online form, will not be accepted. No TA/DA is paid for attending the written test or interview.

Important Dates

• Last Date to Apply Online: 23 July 2026, 5:00 PM
• Written Test/Reporting (Material Science, Metallurgy, Patent): 27 July 2026, 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
• Written Test/Reporting (Agriculture, IT): 28 July 2026, 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

• Identify and study traditional knowledge texts related to your assigned domain (materials, metallurgy, patents, agriculture, or IT)
• Digitize and translate traditional knowledge information into structured, searchable formats
• Support prior-art search and patent analytics for the TKDL database (Patent domain)
• Document and interpret traditional agricultural practices from classical texts (Agriculture domain)
• Develop, maintain, and troubleshoot IT systems and databases supporting the TKDL project (IT domain)
• Prepare accurate project reports and maintain quality records of digitized content
• Coordinate with senior scientists and subject matter experts on project deliverables
• Follow CSIR-TKDL confidentiality and documentation guidelines at all times