If you have a BE, BTech, MSc or MTech and you want to work on radar, aircraft, chips or national software projects, the first door into a government R&D lab is usually a project post: Project Engineer, Project Associate, Project Scientist, Project Assistant. These posts open every few weeks at SAMEER, C-DAC, CSIR labs and DRDO units. They pay a fixed monthly amount and sit inside a funded project. The catch is that the same title means different things in different labs, the pay is written in different ways, and the terms that matter most for your career are buried in the "general conditions" at the end of the PDF.
This guide explains who can apply, what each lab pays, how selection works (written test, online interview or walk-in), how long the contract lasts, and how to apply in 2026. We read three adverts open right now: SAMEER Mumbai Advt. 10/2026 (140 posts), SAMEER Kolkata Advt. 11/2026 (34 posts) and CSIR-NAL Bengaluru Advt. 15/2026/PS (48 walk-in posts). We also read two recent C-DAC adverts (Chennai and Guwahati), C-DAC's corrigendum for its all-India advert CORP/JIT/03/2026, a 2026 ADA Bengaluru advert from DRDO's vacancies page, and the DST Office Memorandum of 10 July 2020 that sets project staff pay for science ministries. Every rule below comes from those documents. Where something is our advice, we say so.
For the difference between JRF, SRF, Project Associate and Research Associate pay under the DST rules, see our earlier guide: JRF, SRF, Project Associate, RA and Young Professional pay explained. We do not repeat that here.
At a glance: project posts in government R&D labs, November 2026
| Lab and advert | Main posts | Monthly pay | Selection | Key dates | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAMEER Mumbai (MeitY), Advt. 10/2026, 140 posts | Project Engineer, Senior Project Engineer, Project Scientist, Project Associate, Project Fellow, assistants | ₹21,000 to ₹55,000 consolidated | Written test + online interview + in-person interview (for PE/PA) | Apply by 15 Nov 2026, 23:59; written test from 22 Nov | 2 years or project duration, whichever is earlier |
| SAMEER Kolkata (MeitY), Advt. 11/2026, 34 posts | Project Engineer (Electronics) 7, assistants, executives | ₹21,000 to ₹34,000 consolidated | Same as Mumbai | Apply by 15 Nov 2026 | 2 years or project duration |
| CSIR-NAL Bengaluru, Advt. 15/2026/PS, 48 posts | Project Associate-I and II, Senior Project Associate, Project Assistant | ₹18,000 to ₹42,000 + HRA | Walk-in interview (written test only if too many turn up) | Walk-ins on 12, 16 and 23 Nov 2026 | Co-terminus with the project; 6-year cap across CSIR |
| C-DAC Chennai (MeitY), Advt. C-DAC/CHN/02/RCT/2026 (closed) | Project Associate, Project Engineer, Senior PE, Project Manager | ₹34,000 to ₹90,000 consolidated (starting) | Walk-in / online interview | Registration closed 22 Sep 2026 | Up to 2 years, extendable |
| ADA Bengaluru (on DRDO's vacancies page), ADA:ADV-138:2026 (closed) | Project Assistant-1 (111 tentative vacancies) | ₹31,000 or ₹37,000 + HRA | GATE route: interview only; others: written test + interview | Registration closed in August 2026 | 2 years + up to 2 more |
Read this first: five things the adverts actually say
1. The same degree gets three different titles and three different pay figures
A fresh BTech in Electronics would apply as Project Engineer at SAMEER (₹34,000 consolidated, no experience needed, age up to 28). At CSIR-NAL the same person is a Project Associate-I (₹25,000 + HRA, age up to 35). At C-DAC Chennai a fresher was a Project Associate (₹34,000, age up to 30). C-DAC's "Project Engineer" asked for at least one year of experience. SAMEER also uses "Project Associate", but for MSc Physics and Atmospheric Science posts at ₹34,000. So do not compare titles across labs. Compare the qualification, experience and pay lines.
2. At SAMEER, the written test only gets you shortlisted
Many candidates prepare only for SAMEER's written test. But clause 3.3(vii) of Advt. 10/2026 says: "Final selection shall be based on in-person interview and/or skill test-interaction marks only, as applicable." The test (50% to qualify) and the online interview (shortlist ordinarily 1:6) only decide who reaches the in-person interview (shortlist ordinarily 1:3). Your interview on 14 December (proposed) decides the result. Prepare for it from the start.
3. GATE or NET is worth real money, and sometimes skips the test
At CSIR-NAL, one Project Associate-I post pays ₹31,000 + HRA with NET/GATE and ₹25,000 + HRA without it. The Project Associate-II (NET/GATE) post pays ₹35,000 + HRA against ₹28,000. This follows the DST OM of 2020. At ADA Bengaluru, a BTech with a valid GATE score went to interview only, while a plain BTech had to clear a written test on the GATE syllabus with negative marking first. If your GATE score is valid, mention it in every application.
4. Every lab caps how long you can stay
The "no regularisation" line is in all the adverts we read. The caps are more specific. SAMEER: anyone who has worked at any SAMEER centre as Research Scientist, Project Engineer or Project Associate for a total of five years or more cannot be appointed as PE or PA again. CSIR-NAL: total time in one or more projects in NAL or other CSIR labs "shall not be more than six years in any case". ADA: two years, extendable by two more, one year at a time.
5. Small eligibility lines knock out many applications
SAMEER's PE01 (RF and Microwave) and PE02 (Electronics) accept a BTech in Electrical Engineering only if it is from an IIT. Other electrical graduates should look at PE07 (Electrical). CSIR-NAL says candidates whose results are awaited are not eligible to attend. SAMEER allows final-year candidates for PE/PA only "wherever specifically permitted". C-DAC Chennai allowed last-semester candidates, with joining only after passing. Also, if you decline a SAMEER offer or fail to join, you cannot be considered for SAMEER contract posts for two years.
Who can apply: qualification, experience and age
| Post (lab) | Qualification | Experience | Upper age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Engineer (SAMEER) | BE/BTech in the relevant branch (or MSc Electronics for PE01/PE02; MSc IT/CS or MCA for PE05), minimum 55% or equivalent CGPA | Nil | 28 |
| Senior Project Engineer / Associate (SAMEER) | As above, or ME/MTech/PhD in the relevant field | 3 years, or nil with ME/MTech/PhD | 30 |
| Project Scientist (SAMEER) | ME/MTech compulsory (after BE/BTech/MSc), or PhD | 2 years after ME/MTech/PhD | 30 |
| Senior Project Scientist (SAMEER) | Same as Project Scientist | 4 years after ME/MTech/PhD | 35 |
| Project Fellow (SAMEER) | PhD in the listed topics (GaN amplifiers, antennas, MRI) | Nil | 40 |
| Project Associate-I (CSIR-NAL) | BE/BTech (some posts: Master's or BE in Metallurgy/Physics/Materials/Chemistry) | Nil | 35 |
| Project Associate-II (CSIR-NAL) | BE/BTech + 2 years R&D experience, or ME/MTech | 2 years (or nil with ME/MTech) | 35 |
| Senior Project Associate (CSIR-NAL) | BE/BTech + 3 years, or ME/MTech + 2 years | 2–3 years | 40 |
| Project Associate, fresher (C-DAC Chennai) | BE/BTech in CS/IT/ECE/EEE | Nil | 30 |
| Project Engineer (C-DAC Chennai) | BE/BTech, 60% or equivalent CGPA | Minimum 1 year | 45 |
| Project Assistant-1 (ADA) | First class BE/BTech, ME/MTech, or BSc+MSc (CS/ECE) in seven branches | Nil (2 years is one route) | 28 |
Age relaxation. SAMEER gives SC/ST 5 years, OBC (non-creamy layer) 3 years, PwBD (40% or more, OH/HH) 10 years plus the category relaxation, and ex-servicemen their service plus 3 years. CSIR-NAL gives 5 years to SC/ST/PwBD/women and 3 years to OBC. ADA allowed SC/ST/OBC-NCL relaxation as per rules.
The crucial date. SAMEER counts age on the closing date (15 November 2026). CSIR-NAL counts age and qualification on the day of the walk-in. C-DAC Chennai used the last date of registration. Experience gained before the essential degree does not count at SAMEER unless the advert says so.
Pay tables, lab by lab
SAMEER (Advt. 10/2026 and 11/2026): consolidated pay
| Post | Monthly pay |
|---|---|
| Project Fellow | ₹55,000 |
| Senior Project Scientist | ₹46,000 |
| Project Manager (BE/BTech + MBA) | ₹45,000 |
| Project Scientist | ₹40,000 |
| Senior Project Executive | ₹40,000 |
| Senior Project Engineer / Associate | ₹37,500 |
| Project Engineer / Associate | ₹34,000 |
| Project Executive | ₹32,000 |
| Project Scientific / Technical Assistant (C) | ₹31,500 |
| Project Scientific / Technical Assistant (B); Project Executive Assistant (B) | ₹27,000 |
| Project Scientific Assistant (A); Project Executive Assistant (A) | ₹23,500 |
| Project Technical Assistant (A) | ₹21,000 |
SAMEER calls this "consolidated remuneration". The advert does not mention HRA. It also says experience beyond the prescribed period does not earn any additional increment.
CSIR-NAL (Advt. 15/2026/PS) and the DST OM it follows
| Post | NAL advert | DST OM, 10 July 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| Project Assistant-I (SSC + ITI Fitter) | ₹18,000 + HRA | Scientific Administrative Assistant: ₹18,000 + HRA |
| Project Assistant-II (BSc / 3-year diploma) | ₹20,000 + HRA | Project Assistant: ₹20,000 + HRA |
| Project Associate-I | ₹25,000 + HRA; ₹31,000 + HRA with NET/GATE (one post) | ₹25,000, or ₹31,000 via NET/GATE/national exam, + HRA |
| Project Associate-II | ₹28,000 + HRA; ₹35,000 + HRA (NET/GATE post) | ₹28,000, or ₹35,000 via NET/GATE, + HRA |
| Senior Project Associate | ₹42,000 + HRA | ₹42,000 + HRA |
| Project Scientist I / II / III | Not in this advert | ₹56,000 / ₹67,000 / ₹78,000 + HRA |
Under the DST OM, HRA is paid "as per Central Government norms applicable in the city". Project staff get no DA, and no bonus, gratuity or LTC. Leave follows the host institute's rules, and maternity leave follows Government of India instructions. Note that labs set their own experience rules: the DST OM asks 4 years' experience or a PhD for Senior Project Associate, while NAL's advert asks 3 years after BE/BTech or 2 years after ME/MTech.
C-DAC (Chennai, September 2026): starting pay and CTC
| Post | Experience | Consolidated pay (start) | Minimum CTC per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Associate (fresher) | Nil | ₹34,000 | ₹5.06 lakh |
| Project Engineer | 1 year+ | ₹40,000 | ₹5.89 lakh |
| Senior Project Engineer | 4 years+ | ₹60,000 | ₹8.65 lakh |
| Project Manager | 9 years+ | ₹90,000 | ₹12.80 lakh |
C-DAC says the figure is "the starting pay for the minimum experience". More experience within the bracket earns extra increments as per C-DAC policy, but years above the maximum range are not counted. C-DAC's Guwahati walk-in (Advt. CINE/REC/2026/06) gave ranges: Project Engineer ₹40,000–60,000, Senior Project Engineer ₹60,000–1,00,000, Project Manager ₹1,00,000–1,50,000.
ADA Bengaluru (DRDO vacancies page, 2026)
Project Assistant-1: ₹31,000 + HRA for candidates with only a BE/BTech (first class); ₹37,000 + HRA for all others (GATE holders, ME/MTech, MSc routes, 2 years' experience).
Consolidated versus "plus HRA"
A "consolidated" figure is all you get. A "+ HRA" figure grows with the HRA for your city. So ₹25,000 + HRA in Bengaluru and ₹34,000 consolidated in Mumbai are closer than they look. Our advice: ask the lab's accounts section for the HRA rate before you compare offers.
Selection: written test, online interview or walk-in
SAMEER: four stages
- Screening on marks in the qualifying degree (minimum 55% or equivalent CGPA).
- Written test (online CBT or in person) for Project Engineers/Associates and assistants. You need 50% to qualify. The syllabus is the normal university syllabus of your degree.
- Online interview, 27–30 November 2026, shortlist ordinarily 1:6 or more.
- In-person interview, proposed for 14 December 2026, shortlist ordinarily 1:3 or more. Final selection is on these marks only.
Project Scientists, Senior Project Scientists, Project Fellows and Project Managers skip the written test. They have an online interview and then an in-person interview. Assistants have a written test and then an in-person interview and/or skill test. The panel is valid for one year, and being on it is no promise of a job.
CSIR-NAL: walk-in, but a test is possible
You report at the RAB Meeting Complex, NAL, Kodihalli, Bengaluru between 9.00 and 9.30 AM on your post's date. No one is registered after 9.45 AM. Selection is on the interview "or any other criteria", and if many candidates come, the committee may shortlist through a written exam. Be ready to come back the next day if interviews run over. Under the DST OM, a project associate selection committee has the Dean R&D (or nominee), one internal expert, one outside expert and the Principal Investigator.
C-DAC: register first, then walk in
C-DAC Chennai asked candidates to register on a form, then attend a walk-in or online interview with a filled application form. Experienced candidates had to bring six copies of a one-page write-up. Only one post per candidate was allowed. C-DAC's all-India contract recruitment (CORP/JIT/03/2026) ran through its careers portal and closed on 26 October 2026.
ADA (DRDO): GATE decides the route
A BE/BTech with a valid GATE score, or an ME/MTech from an IIT/NIT, went straight to interview. Everyone else took a written test with the GATE syllabus and negative marking, then an interview.
Contract terms: what the job is like on paper
| Term | SAMEER | CSIR-NAL | C-DAC | ADA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial period | 2 years or project duration, whichever is earlier | "Short period", co-terminus with the project | Up to 2 years (Chennai); 1 year (Guwahati), or co-terminus | 2 years |
| Extension | No "automatic extension" | Within the 6-year CSIR cap | May be considered on performance and project need | Up to 2 more years, one at a time, after review |
| Overall cap | 5 years total as RS/PE/PA bars re-entry as PE/PA | 6 years across NAL and other CSIR labs | Not stated in these adverts | 4 years (2 + 2) |
| Regularisation | No right to regularisation, absorption or continuation | No right to continuation, absorption or regularisation in CSIR | Purely contractual | No right to continuation, absorption or regularisation |
| Notice | Not stated | One month either side, or one month's stipend | 45 days or salary in lieu (Guwahati) | Not stated |
| Posting | Any SAMEER centre in India | Bengaluru (project-based) | Transferable anywhere in India | Bengaluru |
What the work is. The job descriptions are specific. A SAMEER PE02 (Electronics) works on RF and electronics sub-systems, signal processing, embedded firmware, FPGA signal chains, testing and field evaluation. PE05 (CS/IT) builds databases, web applications and AI/ML models. A Senior Project Engineer is "expected to independently execute assignments, mentor junior project staff and interface with clients/committees". At CSIR-NAL, the posts include hydraulic system design, CATIA modelling, wind tunnel work, UAV piloting and autopilot integration, PX4/Ardupilot firmware, MATLAB/Simulink control laws and antenna-radome analysis. At C-DAC, most project engineer posts are software jobs: Java, Spring Boot, ReactJS, REST APIs and microservices for e-governance and enterprise systems.
Moving up. C-DAC says selected candidates can apply for different or higher contract posts through internal notifications. At C-DAC, internal candidates who are selected through a fresh advert must resign and join as new employees. If you already work in a CSIR lab, NAL needs a No Objection Certificate from your Project Leader or HOD at the interview.
How to apply, step by step
SAMEER Mumbai / Kolkata (by 15 November 2026)
- Read the job description annexure for your post code (for example PE02 or PE05) on sameer.gov.in/recruitment_training.
- Register on recruitment.sameer.gov.in and fill the form. You can edit until you click FINAL SUBMIT.
- Pay the ₹100 fee online. It is not refunded.
- Upload your caste, OBC-NCL, PwBD or ex-serviceman certificate if you claim age relaxation. Without it, relaxation is refused.
- Download the PDF of the submitted form and keep it. You must bring it to the interview or skill test.
- Watch sameer.gov.in and your email for the admit card and test schedule (from 22 November).
CSIR-NAL walk-in (12, 16 or 23 November 2026)
- Find your post's date in the advert: 12 Nov for mechanical/aerospace, 16 Nov for metallurgy/materials/chemistry, 23 Nov for ECE/EEE/CS/instrumentation.
- Download the application form from nal.res.in and fill one form per post.
- Reach Kodihalli by 9.00 AM with originals, one set of photocopies, a photo and ID.
- Do not send anything by post or email.
- If selected, contact the Recruitment Section within 15 days.
Documents to keep ready
- Printout of the online form (SAMEER) or the filled application form (NAL, C-DAC).
- Proof of date of birth (10th certificate) and photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, voter ID or driving licence).
- 10th and 12th mark sheets, degree certificate, and mark sheets for all years or semesters.
- Experience certificates, signed and stamped, with dates and post held. C-DAC also wants salary drawn.
- GATE or NET scorecard, if you have one.
- SC/ST certificate, OBC-NCL certificate in the Central format, EWS certificate, or PwBD certificate under the RPwD Act 2016.
- No Objection Certificate if you work in a government body, PSU or another CSIR lab. SAMEER asks for a relieving letter at joining.
- Passport-size photographs and one set of self-attested photocopies.
Common mistakes
- Comparing "Project Engineer" at one lab with "Project Engineer" at another without reading the pay and experience lines.
- Preparing only for SAMEER's written test, when final selection is on interview marks.
- Walking in at NAL with a provisional result awaited. The advert says such candidates are not eligible.
- Applying to SAMEER PE02 with a non-IIT BTech in Electrical Engineering.
- Accepting a SAMEER offer and not joining, which blocks you for two years.
- Assuming an extension will come. Extensions depend on the project and your review, and every lab caps the total.
Open project posts on RojgarDekho
| Post | Mode | Last date |
|---|---|---|
| SAMEER Mumbai, Advt. 10/2026, 140 posts | Online + written test | 15 Nov 2026 |
| SAMEER Kolkata, Advt. 11/2026, 34 posts | Online + written test | 15 Nov 2026 |
| CSIR-NAL Bengaluru, 48 project posts | Walk-in | 12, 16, 23 Nov 2026 |
| CSIR-CEERI Chennai, Project Associate-I | Walk-in | 12 Nov 2026 |
| IIT Gandhinagar, Project Engineer (ESD device design) | Online | 12 Nov 2026 |
| IIT Gandhinagar, Project Engineer (semiconductor safety) | Online | 20 Nov 2026 |
The job list beside this guide shows all open engineering and computer science project posts.
What about ISRO and other space bodies?
When we checked ISRO's careers page on 10 November 2026, it listed regular recruitment (such as Scientist/Engineer 'SC' panels and technician posts) and fellowships (JRF, SRF, Research Associate), not project engineer posts. Regular Scientist/Engineer posts are permanent jobs with a different process, so the rules in this guide do not apply to them. If a space body publishes a project-post advert, read its tenure and pay lines the same way.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Project Engineer post in SAMEER or C-DAC a permanent government job?
No. SAMEER's advert says the appointment is "purely contractual and temporary" with no right to regularisation, absorption, continuation or automatic extension. C-DAC's posts are purely contractual on consolidated pay.
Can a fresher apply?
Yes. SAMEER Project Engineer/Associate needs no experience (age up to 28). CSIR-NAL Project Associate-I needs no experience (age up to 35). At C-DAC, freshers apply as Project Associate. C-DAC's Project Engineer asks for at least one year.
Is GATE compulsory?
Not for most posts. But it raises pay at CSIR labs (₹31,000 instead of ₹25,000 + HRA for Project Associate-I under the DST OM), and at ADA it let candidates skip the written test.
What is in SAMEER's written test?
The advert says the syllabus follows the general syllabus of government universities and colleges for your engineering, science or graduate course. You need 50% to qualify. It is a shortlisting stage; final selection is on the in-person interview and/or skill test.
My final-year results are not out. Can I apply?
At SAMEER, PE/PA candidates awaiting results may apply only where the advert permits it, and must show the pass certificate at joining. At CSIR-NAL, candidates with results awaited are not eligible. C-DAC Chennai allowed last-semester candidates.
How long can I stay in project posts?
At CSIR labs, six years in total across NAL and other CSIR labs. At SAMEER, five years in total as RS/PE/PA bars a new PE/PA appointment. ADA allowed two years plus up to two more.
Do project staff get HRA?
At CSIR-NAL and ADA, yes ("+ HRA"). SAMEER and C-DAC pay a consolidated amount. Under the DST OM, there is no DA, bonus, gratuity or LTC.
What happens if I am on the panel but not appointed?
Panels are valid for about one year at SAMEER and NAL (at NAL, or until the project ends, if earlier). Being on a panel does not guarantee a job. Posts are filled as projects need people.
Can I apply for more than one post?
At NAL, yes, with a separate form for each position. C-DAC Chennai allowed only one post, and multiple registrations could cancel your candidature. At SAMEER, check the portal for each post code.
Official sources
- SAMEER Advertisement No. 10/2026 (Mumbai / Navi Mumbai), with job description annexure (October 2026, Revision 1.2): pages 1–11.
- SAMEER Advertisement No. 11/2026 (Kolkata Centre, Mission Mausam microwave radiometers).
- CSIR-NAL Advt. No. 15/2026/PS, Walk-in-Interview for Project Staff, published 05.11.2026.
- DST Office Memorandum No. SR/S9/Z-05/2019, 10 July 2020: Scientific/Technical manpower other than JRF/SRF/RA.
- C-DAC Chennai Advt. No. C-DAC/CHN/02/RCT/2026, 04.09.2026.
- C-DAC CINE Guwahati Advt. No. CINE/REC/2026/06, 22.09.2026.
- C-DAC Corrigendum to Advertisement No. CORP/JIT/03/2026 (last date 26.10.2026).
- ADA Bengaluru ADA:ADV-138:2026, Project Assistants on tenure basis (DRDO vacancies page).
- ISRO careers page, checked 10.11.2026.
Adverts get corrected and dates change. Before you apply, read the latest PDF on the lab's own website.
