NIC Scientist 2026 Notification: 153 Vacancies, Eligibility & Complete Application Guide
If you hold a B.Tech, M.Sc, MCA, or M.Tech degree in a computer science or electronics-related field, here’s an exciting update for you. The National Informatics Centre (NIC), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), has released the official notification for recruitment to 153 posts of Scientist-C and Scientist-D. These are prestigious central government positions with Pay Level 11 (₹67,700 – ₹2,08,700) and Pay Level 12 (₹78,800 – ₹2,09,200) respectively — one of the highest pay scales offered at the entry/mid level in government IT roles.
The online application process has already started on 8 April 2026 and the last date to apply is 30 April 2026. Whether you are an experienced IT professional, a research scholar, or a techie looking for a stable career in e-Governance, this recruitment is tailor-made for you. Read this full guide on GovtJobsAlert.in carefully so you don’t miss any important detail about eligibility, salary, selection process, and how to apply.
Key Highlights — NIC Scientist C & D Recruitment 2026
The National Informatics Centre (NIC) is the premier technology organisation of the Government of India, responsible for building and managing the digital infrastructure for e-Governance initiatives across all central and state government departments. NIC has been at the forefront of India’s digital transformation for over four decades, and working here puts you right at the heart of national IT projects.
- Post Names: Scientist-C and Scientist-D
- Total Vacancies: 153 (Scientist-C: 141, Scientist-D: 12)
- Salary / Pay Level: Pay Level 11 (₹67,700 – ₹2,08,700) & Pay Level 12 (₹78,800 – ₹2,09,200)
- Job Location: Anywhere in India (and abroad)
- Last Date to Apply: 30 April 2026
How Many Vacancies Are Available in NIC Scientist 2026?
| Post Name | Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Scientist-D | UR | 7 |
| Scientist-D | SC | 1 |
| Scientist-D | OBC | 3 |
| Scientist-D | EWS | 1 |
| Scientist-D | Total | 12 |
| Scientist-C | UR | 59 |
| Scientist-C | SC | 21 |
| Scientist-C | ST | 10 |
| Scientist-C | OBC | 38 |
| Scientist-C | EWS | 13 |
| Scientist-C | Total | 141 |
In addition, 6 posts each for Scientist-C and Scientist-D are reserved horizontally for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) — covering Locomotor Disability, Hard of Hearing, and Multiple Disabilities categories.
What Are the Eligibility Criteria for NIC Scientist 2026?
Educational Qualification
Candidates must possess one of the following degrees from a recognised university in a relevant field:
- B.E. / B.Tech in Computer Science, Electronics, IT, or related disciplines
- M.Sc in Physics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Electronics, or related fields
- MCA (Master of Computer Application)
- M.E. / M.Tech in relevant engineering fields
- M.Phil in a relevant scientific discipline
- DOEACC / AMIE / GIETE equivalent qualifications
The eligible fields include: Computer Science, Electronics and Communication, Information Technology, Software Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, Bioinformatics, Remote Sensing, GIS, Cyber Law, and several more — a total of over 25 disciplines. If you are a graduate or post-graduate in engineering or IT, you very likely qualify.
Experience Requirement
- Scientist-C: Minimum 4 years of relevant experience in research, development, or IT implementation
- Scientist-D: Minimum 8 years of relevant experience in research, development, or IT implementation
Note: Candidates with M.E. / M.Tech / M.Phil get a 2-year relaxation in the experience requirement. A PhD is desirable but not mandatory.
Age Limit
| Post | Maximum Age |
|---|---|
| Scientist-C | 35 years |
| Scientist-D | 40 years |
Cut-off date for age: 21 November 2022
Age Relaxation: Up to 5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC, 10 years for PwBD, and 5 years for Central Government employees — as per government rules.
What Is the Salary for NIC Scientist C and D 2026?
The NIC Scientist positions offer one of the most attractive salary packages in central government computer and IT jobs.
- Scientist-C: Pay Level 11 — ₹67,700 – ₹2,08,700
- Scientist-D: Pay Level 12 — ₹78,800 – ₹2,09,200
- Dearness Allowance (DA): Currently 50%+ of basic pay
- House Rent Allowance (HRA): Based on city classification
- Transport Allowance (TA): As per Central Government norms
With all allowances combined, the approximate in-hand salary for Scientist-C starts at around ₹1,00,000 per month and for Scientist-D at around ₹1,18,000 per month, depending on the posting location.
Apart from the salary, NIC employees enjoy benefits like NPS (National Pension System), medical reimbursement, LTC, earned leave encashment, and the opportunity to work on cutting-edge national e-Governance projects.
What Is the Selection Process for NIC Scientist 2026?
The selection process consists of three stages:
Stage 1: Screening Test (CBT — Online)
- Type: Computer-Based Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)
- Questions: 150 MCQs covering Reasoning, Basic Mathematics, English, Aptitude, Attitude, and Leadership Quality
- Duration: 3 hours
- Medium: English only
- Qualifying Marks: Minimum 60% (relaxed to 50% for OBC and 40% for SC/ST/PwBD if needed)
- Candidates qualifying in the ratio of 1:6 (six candidates per vacancy) will advance to Stage 2
Stage 2: Evaluation of Academic Records
A screening committee evaluates candidates on parameters like academic performance, quality of experience, publications, and relevant certifications. Maximum marks: 120.
Stage 3: Personal Interview
Candidates in the ratio of 1:3 will be called for the interview. The interview carries a maximum of 30 marks. Final merit is prepared out of 150 marks (120 evaluation + 30 interview).
Document verification will be conducted before the interview — candidates must carry all original certificates.
How to Apply Online for NIC Scientist C and D 2026?
Before starting, keep scanned copies of your photograph, signature, educational certificates, experience certificates, and category certificates ready.
- Visit the official NIC recruitment portal (direct link in Essential Links below).
- Register by providing your basic details, email ID, and mobile number.
- Fill in the online application form with your personal, educational, and experience details carefully.
- Upload all required documents in the specified format (JPEG for photo/signature, PDF for certificates).
- Pay the application fee of ₹800 online (no fee for SC/ST/PwBD/Women candidates).
- Download and save the confirmation page for future reference.
Important: Aadhaar-based authentication will be used at every stage of the recruitment process.
NIC Scientist Recruitment 2026: Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Released | April 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 8 April 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 30 April 2026 (5:30 PM) |
| Screening Test Date | To be notified |
| Interview Date | To be notified |
NIC Scientist 2026: Application Fees
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹800 per application per post |
| SC / ST / PwBD / Women | Nil (No Fee) |
Payment is accepted through online mode only. Cash, DD, or challan payments are not accepted. Fee once paid is non-refundable.
Note: Candidates who applied against the earlier NIC advertisement (NIELIT/NIC/2022/2) are exempted from the application fee — quote your previous application number to claim the benefit.
Essential Links — NIC Scientist C & D Recruitment 2026
- Download Official Notification PDF
- Apply Online for NIC Scientist C & D 2026
- Visit NIC Official Recruitment Website
- Join WhatsApp Channel for Government Jobs
- Join Telegram Channel for Government Jobs
This is a rare opportunity to work at the apex IT organisation of the Government of India with a handsome salary and excellent career growth. If you meet the eligibility criteria, don’t let this chance pass — apply before 30 April 2026. Keep visiting GovtJobsAlert.in for more government job updates and notifications.