Wildlife Institute of India Project Staff Recruitment 2026

The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) is hiring research project staff for wildlife conservation and ecology studies across India — and this is one of the rare opportunities to work on field projects involving tigers, gharials, sea turtles, sloth bears, and more. With 32 vacancies across two advertisements and salaries ranging from Rs. 27,000 to Rs. 92,000 per month plus HRA, this is a genuinely exciting opportunity if you have a background in wildlife science, zoology, or ecology.

What's Inside

• At a Glance
• Who Can Apply
• Total Vacancies
• Salary Details
• Selection Process
• How to Apply
• Important Dates
• FAQs

At a Glance

Detail	Information
Organization	Wildlife Institute of India (WII)
Department	Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India
Post Names	Project Scientist-II, Project Scientist-I, Principal Project Associate, Senior Project Associate, Project Associate-II, Project Associate-I, Project Assistant
Total Vacancies	32 (across 2 advertisements)
Qualification	BSc / MSc / PhD in Wildlife Science, Zoology, Ecology, Environmental Science or related fields (varies by post)
Age Limit	Up to 35 to 50 years depending on post
Salary	Rs. 27,000 to Rs. 92,000/month + HRA
Job Type	Contract (1 year, extendable up to 5 years)
Application Mode	Online
Application Start	23 February 2026
Last Date to Apply	10 March 2026
Apply At	wiirp.com
Official Website	wii.gov.in

Who Can Apply

Eligibility varies by post. Here is a clear breakdown of the qualification and age requirement for each category of post:

Post	Minimum Qualification	Experience	Age Limit
Project Scientist-II	PhD in Wildlife Science, Zoology, Ecology, Environmental Science or related field	Relevant post-doctoral research experience preferred	Up to 50 years
Project Scientist-I	MSc in Wildlife Science, Zoology, Ecology, Environmental Science or related field	Relevant research experience required	Up to 45 years
Principal Project Associate	MSc in relevant subject with research experience	Significant field or lab research experience	Up to 45 years
Senior Project Associate	MSc in relevant subject	Some research experience preferred	Up to 40 years
Project Associate-II	MSc in relevant subject	Freshers with MSc may apply	Up to 35 years
Project Associate-I	BSc or MSc in relevant subject	Freshers with BSc/MSc may apply	Up to 35 years
Project Assistant	BSc in relevant subject	No specific experience required	Up to 35 years

Relevant subjects include Wildlife Science, Zoology, Botany, Ecology, Environmental Science, Forestry, Fisheries Science, Marine Biology, and related life sciences. Check the official notification PDFs for exact requirements for each specific project vacancy.

Age Relaxation

Age relaxation is provided as per Government of India rules for reserved categories. The exact relaxation applicable per post is as follows:

Category	Relaxation
SC / ST	5 years
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)	3 years
PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disability)	10 years
Ex-Servicemen	As per Government of India rules

The maximum age after relaxation applies on top of the post-specific age limit shown in the eligibility table above. Always check the official advertisement for the specific age cutoff for the project you are applying to.

Total Vacancies

WII has released two separate advertisements under the Research Project (RP) Cell for February 2026, covering a wide range of wildlife and ecology projects. Here is the post-wise breakdown:

Post	Vacancies	Project / Field	Posting Location
Project Scientist-II	2	Various wildlife ecology research projects	Multiple locations
Project Scientist-I	Details in PDF	Various wildlife ecology research projects	Multiple locations
Principal Project Associate	2	Wildlife monitoring and conservation	Multiple locations
Senior Project Associate	2	Wildlife monitoring and conservation	Multiple locations
Project Associate-II	Details in PDF	Field ecology and data collection	Multiple locations
Project Associate-I	13	Field ecology, species surveys	Multiple locations
Project Assistant	6	Field support and data assistance	Multiple locations
Total	32	Across 2 advertisements	Pan-India

The research projects span some of India's most important conservation work — including studies on Sloth Bear, Gharial, Sea Turtles, Tiger corridors, House Sparrow, and more. Posting locations include Uttarakhand, Meghalaya, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Odisha, Maharashtra, and Delhi. The specific project and location for each vacancy is detailed in the official advertisement PDFs available on wii.gov.in.

Salary Details

Here is the complete salary breakdown for each post. These are consolidated monthly amounts (fellowship/salary) as per WII norms. HRA is paid in addition to the figures below based on the city of posting.

Post	Monthly Salary	HRA	Estimated In-Hand
Project Scientist-II	Rs. 92,000/month	Applicable as per city	~Rs. 95,000 - 1,00,000/month
Project Scientist-I	Details in notification	Applicable as per city	As per notification
Principal Project Associate	Details in notification	Applicable as per city	As per notification
Senior Project Associate	Details in notification	Applicable as per city	As per notification
Project Associate-II	Details in notification	Applicable as per city	As per notification
Project Associate-I	Details in notification	Applicable as per city	As per notification
Project Assistant	Rs. 27,000/month	Applicable as per city	~Rs. 28,000 - 30,000/month

Your actual take-home salary will depend on the posting location (which determines HRA percentage) and applicable deductions. Since these are contract positions, the salary is a fixed monthly consolidated amount and does not follow the 7th Pay Commission pay matrix. HRA will bring the effective in-hand pay higher than the base figures shown above. Check the official PDFs for exact salary figures for each intermediate post.

Application Fee: General / OBC / EWS — Rs. 500 | SC / ST / PwBD — Rs. 100. Pay online via the wiirp.com portal at the time of application.

Selection Process

There is no written exam for any of these posts. The selection process is straightforward:

1. Merit-Based Shortlisting — WII will screen all applications and shortlist candidates based on their qualifications, experience, and fit for the specific project.
2. Online Interview — Shortlisted candidates will be called for an online interview. This is the key stage where your subject knowledge, field experience, and research background will be evaluated.
3. Document Verification — Selected candidates must submit original documents for verification before joining.

Since selection is merit and interview based, your application itself needs to be strong. Make sure your CV clearly highlights relevant field experience, species-specific knowledge, and any prior research or publications.

How to Apply

You need to apply online through the WII Research Project portal. Here is what to do, step by step:

1. Go to wiirp.com/application.php — this is the official application portal.
2. Find the specific post you want to apply for from Advertisement 1 or Advertisement 2 (both available on wii.gov.in).
3. Register and fill in your personal, educational, and experience details carefully.
4. Upload your photograph, signature, and all required documents (mark sheets, degree certificates, experience letters, caste certificate if applicable).
5. Pay the application fee online — Rs. 500 for General/OBC/EWS candidates and Rs. 100 for SC/ST/PwBD candidates.
6. Review your application thoroughly before submitting. Once submitted, changes may not be possible.
7. Take a printout or save a PDF of your submitted application for your records.

Before you apply, download and read both official advertisement PDFs from wii.gov.in carefully. Each vacancy has specific requirements, and applying to a post you are not eligible for will result in rejection.

Last Date to Apply: 10 March 2026. Make sure you submit your application before this date. Late applications will not be accepted.

Important Dates

Event	Date
Advertisement Release Date	February 2026
Application Start Date	23 February 2026
Last Date to Apply	10 March 2026
Interview Date	To be announced after shortlisting
Contract Duration	1 year (extendable up to 5 years)

About Wildlife Institute of India

The Wildlife Institute of India (WII), based in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India. Established in 1982, WII is one of the premier wildlife research and training institutions in Asia. It conducts research on wildlife conservation, biodiversity, and ecosystem management across India's forests, wetlands, and marine environments.

Working at WII means being part of real, impactful conservation science — contributing to projects that directly inform India's wildlife policy and forest management decisions. It is a unique work environment for anyone passionate about wildlife and the natural world.

Related Jobs You May Like

If you are interested in this Project Staff position at WII, you might also want to check out other Central Government research and science jobs on CentralStateJobs.in. We regularly update new government job notifications from MoEFCC, ICFRE, ZSI, BSI, and other natural sciences organisations so you do not miss any opportunity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the salary of Project Scientist in Wildlife Institute of India?

A. The salary for Project Scientist-II at WII is Rs. 92,000 per month plus HRA. Project Assistant, the entry-level post, gets Rs. 27,000 per month plus HRA. Salaries for intermediate posts are detailed in the official advertisement PDFs on wii.gov.in.

Q. What is the last date to apply for WII Project Staff Recruitment 2026?

A. The last date to apply for WII Project Staff Recruitment 2026 is 10 March 2026. You can apply online through the official portal at wiirp.com/application.php.

Q. What is the age limit for WII Project Staff Recruitment 2026?

A. The age limit varies by post — from up to 35 years for Project Assistant and Project Associate-I to up to 50 years for Project Scientist-II. Age relaxation is available for SC/ST (5 years), OBC (3 years), and PwBD (10 years) candidates as per Government of India rules.

Q. How many vacancies are there in WII Recruitment 2026?

A. There are a total of 32 vacancies across two advertisements released by the Wildlife Institute of India in February 2026, covering posts from Project Assistant to Project Scientist-II.

Q. What is the qualification needed for WII Project Associate Recruitment 2026?

A. For Project Associate-I, the minimum qualification is a BSc or MSc in Wildlife Science, Zoology, Ecology, Environmental Science, or a related life science subject. For Senior and Principal Project Associate posts, an MSc with research experience is required. Check the official PDFs for exact requirements per vacancy.

Q. Is there a written exam for WII Project Staff Recruitment 2026?

A. No. There is no written exam for WII Project Staff Recruitment 2026. Selection is based on merit-based shortlisting of applications followed by an online interview. There is no exam pattern to prepare for.

Q. Where will WII project staff be posted?

A. Posting locations include Uttarakhand, Meghalaya, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Odisha, Maharashtra, and Delhi, depending on the specific research project. Each vacancy in the official advertisement specifies the posting location.

Q. How to apply for WII Project Staff Recruitment 2026?

A. You can apply online at wiirp.com/application.php. Fill in your details, upload the required documents, and pay the application fee (Rs. 500 for General/OBC/EWS; Rs. 100 for SC/ST/PwBD) before the deadline of 10 March 2026.

- Conduct field surveys and data collection for assigned wildlife research projects - Monitor target species (such as tigers, gharials, sea turtles, sloth bears, or house sparrows depending on project) - Record and maintain field data logs, GPS coordinates, camera trap data, and observation sheets - Process and analyse ecological data using standard statistical and GIS tools - Assist in preparing project reports, research papers, and presentations for WII - Coordinate with forest department officials, local communities, and other project stakeholders - Operate and maintain field equipment including camera traps, GPS devices, and sampling kits - Follow all field safety protocols and institutional guidelines during research activities - Support senior scientists and project leads in designing research methodologies - Contribute to the documentation and dissemination of research findings