NCERT Senior Research Associate Recruitment 2026

NCERT's Department of Education in Science and Mathematics (DESM) is hiring 1 Senior Research Associate (SRA) for the "Rashtriya Avishkar Saptah (RAS)" programme under Samagra Shiksha. If you have a Postgraduate degree with 55% marks in Chemistry, Environment Science, Botany, Zoology, Life Sciences or a related discipline, you can attend the walk-in interview on 7 August 2026 — there is no online application for this post. The engagement is purely contractual, up to 31 March 2027, and pays Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 42,000 per month (consolidated). This is a good opportunity if you are an early-career science education researcher looking for hands-on experience with a premier national institute under the Ministry of Education.

National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) Senior Research Associate Recruitment 2026 - 1 Post

NCERT is the national academic body that develops the school curriculum, textbooks, and teacher training material for the Ministry of Education. Its Department of Education in Science and Mathematics (DESM) has issued a walk-in interview advertisement (E-file No. A-12031/11/2026-DESM, dated 30 July 2026) to engage one Senior Research Associate for the PAB-approved "Rashtriya Avishkar Saptah (RAS)" programme run under Samagra Shiksha. There is no written test — NCERT selects the SRA directly through a walk-in interview at its DESM office in New Delhi. This role suits candidates with a science background and research or teaching experience who want a contractual position supporting a national science education initiative. As a Senior Research Associate, you will work closely with the DESM faculty and subject experts, helping coordinate research, training material, and content activities linked to the programme. Since the post is engaged purely on contract, the appointment is limited to the tenure of the programme and can end earlier if the programme itself is discontinued.

Who Can Apply?

• Qualification: A Postgraduate degree with at least 55% marks in Chemistry, Environment Science, Botany, Zoology, Life Sciences, or another related discipline.
• Experience: At least 2 years of experience in research, teaching, content development, curriculum development, training, or programme implementation, or another relevant area.
• Preferred: Candidates with a NET qualification or a Ph.D. get a higher consolidated salary.
• Who this suits: Candidates from a Chemistry, Environmental Science, Botany, Zoology, or Life Sciences background who already have hands-on exposure to research, teaching, or curriculum work in school science education.
• Note: You must already hold the minimum essential qualification on or before the date of the interview to be considered eligible for this walk-in selection process.

Age Limit

• You should not be more than 45 years old to apply for this Senior Research Associate post.
• Age Relaxation: As per Government of India (GOI) norms for reserved categories.

Salary

• If you hold a NET qualification or Ph.D., you will get a consolidated salary of Rs. 42,000 per month.
• If you do not hold NET, you will get a consolidated salary of Rs. 40,000 per month.
• This is a consolidated, fixed monthly payment — there is no separate DA, HRA, or other allowance mentioned in the notification.
• No TA/DA (travel allowance) is paid for attending the interview or for joining the post.

Selection Process (No Written Exam)

There is no written exam for this post. NCERT selects the Senior Research Associate in a single stage:

1. Registration and Document Verification: Report to the venue between 9:30 AM and 10:30 AM with your original certificates and self-attested photocopies. Candidates reporting after 10:30 AM will not be registered.
2. Walk-in Interview: Conducted before the selection committee at the DESM Board Room on the same day, right after registration closes.

If you are currently working in another organisation, you must produce a No Objection Certificate (NOC) at the time of the interview.

How to Apply

1. Reach the Board Room, DESM, 1st Floor, Janaki Ammal Block (Science Building), NCERT, Sri Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi - 110016 on 7 August 2026.
2. Register between 9:30 AM and 10:30 AM only — no candidate reporting after 10:30 AM will be registered.
3. Carry a duly filled application form in the prescribed format along with one recent photograph and a valid ID proof.
4. Bring your original certificates and documents, along with one self-attested photocopy of each — NCERT will not photocopy documents for you at the venue, so come prepared.
5. If you are currently employed elsewhere, bring a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your employer.
6. Bring copies of any written or published work you may have, if applicable.
7. Attend the interview with the selection committee after registration closes.

No TA/DA is paid for attending the interview or for joining the position. The engagement is temporary and purely contractual, limited to the tenure of the programme mentioned in this advertisement.

Important Dates

• Notification Date: 30 July 2026
• Walk-in Interview and Registration: 7 August 2026 (9:30 AM to 10:30 AM registration)
• Engagement Tenure: Up to 31 March 2027

• Support research activities under the Rashtriya Avishkar Saptah (RAS) programme
• Develop and review science and mathematics education content and curriculum material
• Coordinate training sessions and programme implementation activities
• Assist in planning and conducting research studies for the DESM team
• Prepare reports, documentation and data analysis for the programme
• Liaise with state and district teams for programme rollout under Samagra Shiksha