The National Informatics Centre (NIC), functioning under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, has released two major recruitment notifications for 2026. Together, they offer a total of 396 prestigious Group A Gazetted posts across three grade levels — Scientist-B (Advt. No. NIC/SCB/2026/1, 243 posts, Pay Level-10), Scientist-C (141 posts, Pay Level-11), and Scientist-D (Advt. No. NIC/SC-C&D/2026/3, 12 posts, Pay Level-12). Scientist-B selection is based on valid GATE 2024/2025/2026 scores in CS, EC, or DA disciplines — no prior experience required. Scientist-C & D selection is direct recruitment based on educational qualification and R&D experience (4 years for Scientist-C, 8 years for Scientist-D). The application window for Scientist-B closes on 24 April 2026 at 5:30 PM at recruitment.nic.in. This is one of India’s finest technology-sector government job opportunities — working on the nation’s core e-Governance and digital infrastructure projects.
Key Highlights
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Posts (Both Notifications) | 396 |
| Scientist-B Vacancies | 243 |
| Scientist-C & D Vacancies | 153 |
| Scientist-B Last Date | 24 April 2026 |
| Scientist-B Starting Pay (Level-10) | ₹56,100 |
| Scientist-D Starting Pay (Level-12) | ₹78,800 |
| Scientist-B Selection Basis | GATE (CS/EC/DA) |
Notification Overview
NIC Scientist-B 2026
Advt. No. NIC/SCB/2026/1 | Group A Gazetted | Direct Recruitment via GATE Score
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Posts | 243 |
| Pay Level | Level 10 |
| Pay Scale | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 |
| Age Limit | 30 years (UR) |
| Apply From | 27 March 2026 |
| Last Date | 24 April 2026 |
NIC Scientist-C & D 2026
Advt. No. NIC/SC-C&D/2026/3 | Group A Gazetted | Direct Recruitment via Experience
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Scientist-C Posts | 141 |
| Scientist-D Posts | 12 |
| Scientist-C Pay | ₹67,700 – ₹2,08,700 |
| Scientist-D Pay | ₹78,800 – ₹2,09,200 |
| Scientist-C Experience | 4 years R&D |
| Scientist-D Experience | 8 years R&D |
Apply Online:
Deadline Notice: The Scientist-B application portal closes on 24 April 2026 at 5:30 PM sharp, after which no submission is possible. All four steps (Registration + E-KYC, Application Form, Document Upload, Fee Payment) must be completed. Incomplete applications are summarily rejected. Fee is non-refundable. No offline/postal mode accepted.
1. Important Dates
Scientist-B (Advt. No. NIC/SCB/2026/1)
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Detailed Notification Released | 27 March 2026 |
| Online Application Opens (recruitment.nic.in) | 27 March 2026 |
| Last Date — Online Application (Scientist-B) | 24 April 2026 — at 5:30 PM |
| Eligibility Cut-off Date (Education + Age) | 31 March 2026 |
| GATE Score Validity (Accepted Years) | GATE 2024, 2025, or 2026 — all equal weightage |
| Interview Call Letter Download | To be announced at recruitment.nic.in |
Scientist-C & D (Advt. No. NIC/SC-C&D/2026/3)
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Released for Scientist-C & D | 24 March 2026 |
| Online Application | Dates to be announced — check recruitment.nic.in |
| Experience Cut-off Date (Scientist-D — 8 yrs) | As of 21 November 2022 (confirm from official PDF) |
2. About NIC — Why This Job Matters
The National Informatics Centre (NIC) is India’s premier science and technology organisation under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India. Since its establishment, NIC has been the technology backbone of India’s e-Governance revolution — designing, building, and managing the IT infrastructure that powers virtually every major government digital service in the country.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | National Informatics Centre (NIC) |
| Under Ministry | Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India |
| Headquarters | New Delhi, India |
| Key Projects | DigiLocker, UMANG, NIC-Net, NICSI, CoWIN, Income Tax Portal, GeM, eSanjeevani, PFMS, IVFRT, NIC Data Centres |
| Posting Nature | All India Service Liability — selected candidates can be posted anywhere in India or outside India |
| Official Website | www.nic.gov.in | Recruitment: www.recruitment.nic.in |
| Pay Commission | 7th Central Pay Commission — Pay Levels 10, 11, 12 |
Note: Scientists at NIC work at the frontier of India’s digital transformation — building systems used by hundreds of millions of citizens daily. The role combines the stability of a central government job with cutting-edge technology work spanning AI, cybersecurity, cloud computing, data analytics, and e-governance.
3. Scientist-B Recruitment 2026 — Complete Details (Advt. No. NIC/SCB/2026/1)
Vacancy Breakdown by Discipline
| Discipline | GATE Paper | Vacancies | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science & IT | CS | 168 (~69%) | Largest share; includes Computer Science, IT, Networking, Software Systems, Cyber Security, Informatics, Computer Application, DOEACC B-Level, AMIE, GIETE |
| Data Science & AI | DA | 50 | Covers Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Statistics-related fields |
| Electronics & Communication | EC | 25 | Covers Electronics & Communication Engineering, Electronics & Instrumentation |
Eligibility Criteria — Scientist-B
| Criterion | Details |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | B.E./B.Tech, OR DOEACC B-Level, OR AMIE, OR GIETE, OR M.Sc., OR MCA, OR M.E./M.Tech, OR M.Phil in relevant discipline. Degree must be obtained on or before 31 March 2026 |
| GATE Score | Valid GATE score from 2024, 2025, or 2026 in relevant paper (CS/EC/DA). Mandatory — no valid score means no application. All three years carry equal weightage |
| Work Experience | Not required — accessible to fresh graduates |
| Age Limit (as on 31 March 2026) | UR/EWS: 30 years | OBC (NCL): 33 years | SC/ST: 35 years | PwBD: 40 years | Govt. employees in allied cadres: 35 years |
| Nationality | Indian Citizen only |
| Application Fee | UR/OBC(NCL)/EWS (Male): ₹800 per discipline | SC/ST/PwBD/All Women: Nil |
| Cut-off Date | All eligibility conditions as on 31 March 2026 |
Important Eligibility Notes
- Open University/Distance Education qualifications recognized only if covered under Gazette Notification No. 44 dated 1 March 1995
- No equivalent qualifications outside the listed ones are accepted
- OBC (NCL) candidates must produce a valid Non-Creamy Layer certificate at document verification
- PwBD candidates must have minimum 40% disability per a valid Permanent Disability Certificate
- EWS candidates must have Income and Asset Certificate for FY 2024–25 in the prescribed format
4. Selection Process — Scientist-B
| Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. GATE Score Shortlisting | Candidates shortlisted in a 1:5 ratio (discipline-wise, category-wise) based on best GATE 2024/2025/2026 score |
| 2. Document Verification | Original documents required — degree certificates, GATE scorecard, category certificate, Aadhaar, experience proof (if any) |
| 3. Personal Interview (50 Marks) | Assesses Technical Knowledge, Communication Skills, Academic Performance. Minimum qualifying: 50% (UR/EWS), 40% (SC/ST/OBC/PwBD) |
| 4. Final Merit List | Final score = 60% GATE Score + 40% Interview Marks. Tie-break: higher GATE score → higher interview marks → older candidate |
Key Points
- No written exam — shortlisting is purely GATE score-based
- Candidates sharing the same GATE score at the cutoff are all called for interview, regardless of the 1:5 ratio
- GATE 2024, 2025, and 2026 carry equal weightage
- Selected candidates have All India Service Liability
- Number of advertised posts is tentative and subject to change by NIC
5. How to Apply Online — Scientist-B
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Registration & Aadhaar-based E-KYC | Visit recruitment.nic.in, register with email/mobile, complete mandatory Aadhaar-based E-KYC. Note the Portal Registration Number |
| 2. Fill Online Application Form | Enter personal details, qualifications, GATE score details, discipline preference, category. Name, category, mobile, and email cannot be changed after final submission |
| 3. Upload Required Documents | GATE scorecard, degree certificate/marksheets, Aadhaar card, category certificate, photograph, signature, NOC (if government/PSU employee) |
| 4. Pay Fee & Download Confirmation | Pay via Credit Card, Debit Card, or Net Banking only. ₹800 per discipline (UR/OBC-NCL/EWS male); Nil for SC/ST/PwBD/Women. Download the Confirmation Page after payment |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not completing all four steps before 5:30 PM on 24 April 2026
- Entering incorrect GATE paper code or score
- Uploading wrong category certificate format
- Applying for multiple disciplines within a single application (each needs a separate application and fee)
- Missing the E-KYC step
6. Scientist-C & D Recruitment 2026 — Complete Details (Advt. No. NIC/SC-C&D/2026/3)
| Criterion | Scientist-C (Level-11) | Scientist-D (Level-12) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Vacancies | 141 | 12 |
| Pay Scale (7th CPC) | ₹67,700 – ₹2,08,700/month | ₹78,800 – ₹2,09,200/month |
| Post Type | Group A Gazetted (S&T), Direct Recruitment | Group A Gazetted (S&T), Direct Recruitment |
| Notification Date | 24 March 2026 | 24 March 2026 |
| R&D Experience Required | Minimum 4 years | Minimum 8 years |
| Selection Mode | Qualification + experience + interview (no GATE) | Qualification + experience + interview (no GATE) |
| Application Mode | Online at recruitment.nic.in (dates to be announced) | Online at recruitment.nic.in (dates to be announced) |
Educational Qualification — Scientist-C & D
Both Scientist-C and Scientist-D positions require the same foundational educational qualifications. Candidates must hold any one of the following:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering/Technology (B.E./B.Tech) in relevant disciplines
- DOEACC B-Level
- Associate Member of Institute of Engineers (AMIE)
- Graduate Institute of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers (GIETE)
- Master’s Degree in Science (M.Sc.) in relevant disciplines
- Master’s Degree in Computer Applications (MCA)
- Master’s Degree in Engineering/Technology (M.E./M.Tech)
- Master’s Degree in Philosophy (M.Phil) in relevant discipline
Key difference: Scientist-B does not require work experience and is GATE-based. Scientist-C requires a minimum of 4 years of R&D experience, and Scientist-D requires a minimum of 8 years of R&D experience in industrial/academic institutions or S&T organisations. These are senior-level positions requiring demonstrated research or development expertise. Application dates will be announced on recruitment.nic.in.
7. Scientist-B vs Scientist-C vs Scientist-D — Comparison
| Parameter | Scientist-B | Scientist-C | Scientist-D |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advertisement No. | NIC/SCB/2026/1 | NIC/SC-C&D/2026/3 | NIC/SC-C&D/2026/3 |
| Total Vacancies | 243 | 141 | 12 |
| Pay Level (7th CPC) | Level-10 | Level-11 | Level-12 |
| Basic Pay | ₹56,100/month | ₹67,700/month | ₹78,800/month |
| Pay Scale | ₹56,100–₹1,77,500 | ₹67,700–₹2,08,700 | ₹78,800–₹2,09,200 |
| Post Type | Group A Gazetted S&T | Group A Gazetted S&T | Group A Gazetted S&T |
| Age Limit (UR) | 30 years (as on 31 Mar 2026) | As per Govt. norms | As per Govt. norms |
| GATE Score Required | Yes — Mandatory (CS/EC/DA) | No | No |
| Work Experience | Not Required | 4 years R&D | 8 years R&D |
| Selection Process | GATE Shortlisting + Document Verification + Interview (50 marks) | Application + Experience Verification + Interview | Application + Experience Verification + Interview |
| Final Merit Formula | 60% GATE + 40% Interview | Qualification + experience + interview | Qualification + experience + interview |
| Application Fee (UR/Male) | ₹800 per discipline | As per notification | As per notification |
| Application Window | 27 Mar – 24 Apr 2026 | To be announced | To be announced |
| Application Mode | Online at recruitment.nic.in | Online at recruitment.nic.in | Online at recruitment.nic.in |
| Posting | All India Service Liability — anywhere in India or abroad | Same | Same |
8. Salary Structure & Allowances
| Component | Scientist-B (Level-10) | Scientist-C (Level-11) | Scientist-D (Level-12) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Pay | ₹56,100/month | ₹67,700/month | ₹78,800/month |
| Pay Scale (max) | Up to ₹1,77,500 | Up to ₹2,08,700 | Up to ₹2,09,200 |
| Dearness Allowance (DA) | Revised twice a year by Govt. of India | Same | Same |
| House Rent Allowance (HRA) | X (metro) 27%, Y (mid) 18%, Z (other) 9% of basic pay | Same | Same |
| Transport Allowance (TA) | Based on city tier and grade | Same | Same |
| Approx. Gross (Metro) | ~₹75,000–85,000/month | ~₹90,000–1,00,000/month | ~₹1,05,000–1,15,000/month |
| National Pension Scheme (NPS) | Central Govt. NPS — employer + employee contribution | Same | Same |
| Medical Benefits | CGHS coverage for employee and family | Same | Same |
| Leave Travel Concession (LTC) | As per Central Government rules — once in 4 years | Same | Same |
| Other Perks | Subsidised accommodation (subject to availability), Group Insurance, Office Library, Training & Development | Same | Same |
Note: With Basic Pay of ₹56,100 plus DA, HRA (27% for X cities, approximately ₹15,147), and TA, a fresh NIC Scientist-B at a metro posting typically takes home approximately ₹75,000 to ₹85,000 per month, depending on city and current DA rates, before NPS deduction. This makes it one of the highest-paying entry-level central government posts available to GATE-qualified engineers.
9. Official Links
- NIC Official Recruitment Portal — recruitment.nic.in
- Apply Online — NIC Scientist-B 2026 (Advt. NIC/SCB/2026/1)
- Download Detailed Notification PDF — NIC Scientist-B 2026
- Apply Online — NIC Scientist-C & D 2026 (Advt. NIC/SC-C&D/2026/3)
- Download Detailed Notification PDF — NIC Scientist-C & D 2026
- NIC Official Website — www.nic.gov.in
Quick Facts: Advt. NIC/SCB/2026/1 (Sci-B) | Advt. NIC/SC-C&D/2026/3 (Sci-C&D) | 243 + 153 = 396 total posts | Last date Sci-B: 24 Apr 2026, 5:30 PM | GATE mandatory for Sci-B | 60% GATE + 40% Interview (Sci-B) | All India posting liability | Fee: ₹800 UR/OBC/EWS | Nil women/SC/ST/PwBD
10. Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is NIC and who can apply for Scientist-B 2026?
The National Informatics Centre (NIC) is India’s premier technology organisation under MeitY, Government of India, responsible for building and managing the nation’s core e-Governance IT infrastructure. For Scientist-B 2026 (243 vacancies), candidates with a B.E./B.Tech/M.Sc./MCA/M.E./M.Tech/M.Phil degree in relevant technical disciplines and a valid GATE score from 2024, 2025, or 2026 in CS, EC, or DA paper can apply. No prior work experience is required. Candidates must be Indian citizens aged below 30 years (UR) as of 31 March 2026. Applications are submitted online at recruitment.nic.in from 27 March to 24 April 2026.
2. Is GATE score mandatory for NIC Scientist-B 2026?
Yes, absolutely mandatory. A valid GATE score from 2024, 2025, or 2026 in the relevant paper (CS for Computer Science & IT, EC for Electronics & Communication, or DA for Data Science & AI) is the primary shortlisting criterion for Scientist-B. Candidates without a valid GATE score in these specific years and applicable paper codes cannot apply. All three GATE years carry equal weightage; candidates should apply with their best available score.
3. What is the selection process for NIC Scientist-B 2026?
The Scientist-B selection has four stages:
- Stage 1 — GATE Score Shortlisting: Eligible candidates shortlisted in a 1:5 ratio (discipline-wise, category-wise) based on GATE score
- Stage 2 — Document Verification: Original documents verified before interview
- Stage 3 — Personal Interview (50 marks): Assesses technical knowledge, communication, and academic performance. Minimum qualifying marks: 50% (UR/EWS), 40% (SC/ST/OBC/PwBD)
- Stage 4 — Final Merit: 60% weightage to GATE score plus 40% weightage to interview marks
4. What is the application fee and who is exempt?
- UR (General), OBC (NCL), EWS (Male candidates): ₹800 per discipline applied for
- SC, ST, PwBD candidates: Nil — completely exempted
- All Women candidates (regardless of category): Nil — completely exempted
Payment is accepted online only via Credit Card, Debit Card, or Net Banking, and the fee is non-refundable. Candidates applying for multiple disciplines must pay ₹800 per discipline as separate applications.
5. What is the vacancy distribution for Scientist-B across disciplines?
The 243 Scientist-B vacancies are distributed as follows:
- Computer Science & IT (GATE CS paper): 168 vacancies (~69% of total)
- Data Science & AI (GATE DA paper): 50 vacancies
- Electronics & Communication (GATE EC paper): 25 vacancies
These numbers are tentative — NIC may increase or decrease actual vacancies at its discretion.
6. What is the difference between Scientist-B, Scientist-C, and Scientist-D?
- Scientist-B: 243 posts, Pay Level-10 (₹56,100–₹1,77,500), no experience required, GATE score mandatory, age limit 30 years (UR)
- Scientist-C: 141 posts, Pay Level-11 (₹67,700–₹2,08,700), minimum 4 years of R&D experience, no GATE required
- Scientist-D: 12 posts, Pay Level-12 (₹78,800–₹2,09,200), minimum 8 years of R&D experience, no GATE required
Both Scientist-C & D fall under Advertisement No. NIC/SC-C&D/2026/3, released on 24 March 2026.
7. Where are NIC Scientists posted after selection?
All NIC Scientist posts carry All India Service Liability, meaning selected candidates can be posted anywhere in India or even outside India (in Indian embassies/missions/offices abroad) based on NIC’s requirements. There is no choice of posting location. NIC has offices across all Indian states and major cities including Delhi (HQ), Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Kolkata, and it manages the NIC Data Centres and state NIC units nationwide.
8. What is the age limit and eligibility cut-off date for Scientist-B?
All eligibility criteria are calculated as on 31 March 2026:
- UR/EWS: Maximum 30 years
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): Maximum 33 years
- SC/ST: Maximum 35 years
- PwBD: Maximum 40 years
- Govt. employees in same/allied cadres: Maximum 35 years
The educational qualification must also be obtained on or before 31 March 2026. GATE scores from 2024, 2025, or 2026 are all valid for shortlisting.
9. What documents are needed for applying to NIC Scientist-B 2026?
- Aadhaar Card (for mandatory E-KYC at registration)
- GATE Scorecard (2024, 2025, or 2026 in relevant paper)
- Degree Certificate and all year marksheets
- Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS/PwBD, as applicable)
- Passport-size photograph
- Scanned signature
- NOC (if currently employed in a Central/State Govt. organisation or PSU, required at interview stage)
All original documents must be produced at the Document Verification stage. Discrepancies or inability to produce originals results in rejection.
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