The National Informatics Centre (NIC) has released the detailed advertisement (Advt. No. NIC/STA/2026/2) for the recruitment of 376 Scientific/Technical Assistant-A (STA) posts. Online applications opened on 1 September 2026 and will close on 30 September 2026 (5:30 PM). Selection is based purely on a valid GATE score (2024, 2025 or 2026) — there is no written exam or interview. This article explains eligibility, vacancy details, age limit, fee, selection process and the application steps as given in the official notification.
NIC STA Recruitment 2026: Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Authority | National Informatics Centre (NIC), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) |
| Post Name | Scientific/Technical Assistant-A (Group-B, S&T, Non-Gazetted) |
| Advertisement Number | NIC/STA/2026/2 |
| Total Vacancies | 376 (tentative; may increase or decrease) |
| Mode of Recruitment | Direct Recruitment based on valid GATE 2024/2025/2026 score |
| Application Mode | Online only, at recruitment.nic.in |
| Pay Level | Level 6, 7th CPC (₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400) |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Opening date for online applications | 1 September 2026, 10:00 AM |
| Closing date for online applications | 30 September 2026, 5:30 PM |
| Cut-off date for eligibility (age, qualification, category) | 30 September 2026 |
| Document verification schedule | To be announced on recruitment.nic.in |
The cut-off date for age and qualification will remain 30 September 2026 even if the closing date for applications is extended, as stated in the official notification.
NIC STA Vacancy Details 2026
A total of 376 vacancies are advertised across three disciplines. The number of posts is tentative and may increase or decrease at NIC’s discretion.
| Discipline | Total Posts | UR | SC | ST | OBC (NCL) | EWS | PwBD (Horizontal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Sciences & Information Technology | 300 | 122 | 45 | 22 | 81 | 30 | 15 |
| Electronics and Communication Engineering | 26 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 2 |
| Data Science and Artificial Intelligence | 50 | 22 | 7 | 3 | 13 | 5 | 2 |
PwBD reservation is horizontal and covers locomotor disability, hard of hearing, and multiple disabilities as specified in the notification, including 3 backlog vacancies under PH-MD in the Computer Sciences & IT discipline.
Educational Qualification and GATE Requirement
| Discipline | Essential Qualification | GATE Paper Code |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Sciences & Information Technology | M.Sc./MS/MCA/B.E./B.Tech. in Electronics, Electronics and Communication, Electronics & Telecommunication, Computer Sciences, Computer and Networking Security, Software System, Information Technology, or Informatics (single or in combination) | CS |
| Electronics and Communication Engineering | This detail is not mentioned separately in the official notification beyond the required GATE paper code | EC |
| Data Science and Artificial Intelligence | This detail is not mentioned separately in the official notification beyond the required GATE paper code | DA |
Candidates must hold a valid GATE score from 2024, 2025 or 2026 in the paper code matching their discipline. Equal weightage is given to all three GATE years. There is no experience requirement for this post, and no equivalent qualification claim will be entertained. The essential qualification must be completed on or before the closing date, 30 September 2026.
Age Limit (as on 30 September 2026)
| Category | Upper Age Limit |
|---|---|
| UR / EWS | 30 years |
| SC / ST | 35 years |
| OBC (NCL) | 33 years |
| PwBD | 40 years (SC/ST PwBD: 45 years; OBC (NCL) PwBD: 43 years) |
| Service Candidates | UR/EWS: 35 years; SC/ST: 40 years; OBC (NCL): 38 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | As per Government Rules |
An additional 5-year age relaxation applies to candidates already serving in Government organisations in the same line or allied cadre, as per the official notification. Age relaxation for SC/ST/OBC (NCL) is applicable for posts reserved for these categories, while PwBD relaxation applies irrespective of reservation, provided the post is identified as suitable.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| UR / OBC (NCL) / EWS | ₹800 (per discipline) |
| SC / ST / PwBD / Women | Nil (exempted) |
Candidates applying for more than one discipline must pay ₹800 separately for each discipline. Fees are accepted online only (credit card, debit card or net banking); cash, demand draft, cheque or challan payments are not accepted, and the fee is non-refundable once paid.
Salary and Pay Level
The Scientific/Technical Assistant-A post carries a pay of Level 6 of the 7th CPC (₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400), along with applicable Central Government allowances such as DA, HRA and TA as admissible.
Selection Process
The selection process for NIC STA Recruitment 2026 involves the following stages:
- Category-wise and discipline-wise merit list preparation based on the valid GATE score
- Equal weightage given to GATE 2024, GATE 2025 and GATE 2026 scores
- Document Verification (DV) of shortlisted candidates
- Provisional appointment after successful document verification
There is no written examination or interview. In case of a tie in GATE score, the notification lays down a three-step tie-breaker: first, the older GATE year is ranked higher; second, if the score and year are the same, the older candidate is ranked higher; third, if still tied, the candidate with the higher percentage in the essential qualification is ranked higher.
Documents Required
- Date of Birth proof (Municipal certificate or Matriculation/High School certificate)
- Matriculation and Senior Secondary certificates
- Valid GATE Score Card (2024/2025/2026)
- Essential qualification certificate and marksheets
- CGPA conversion certificate from the Registrar, if applicable
- Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS), if applicable
- PwBD certificate (minimum 40% permanent disability), if applicable
- Experience certificate, if any
- NOC from employer (for those in Government/PSU/autonomous body service), if applicable
- Age relaxation certificate, if applicable
- Aadhaar card and any other Government-issued photo ID
Scanned photograph (50 KB–200 KB, JPEG) and signature (10 KB–50 KB, JPEG) must also be uploaded, along with self-attested PDF copies of documents (10 KB–500 KB each).
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Visit the official NIC recruitment portal at recruitment.nic.in
- Step 1: Complete registration using a valid email ID and active mobile number
- Step 2: Fill the online application form with personal, educational and GATE details, and upload the required documents
- Step 3: Pay the application fee online, if applicable to your category
- Step 4: Download the Confirmation Page after successful submission
All four steps must be completed for the application to be considered complete. An application left incomplete, or one where the fee is not paid by the closing date, will be summarily rejected. No change in name, category, address, mobile number or email ID is permitted after submission, so candidates should fill the form carefully.
Important Instructions
- Aadhaar-based authentication will be used at every stage of the recruitment process.
- The cut-off date for age, qualification and category eligibility is 30 September 2026, and this will not change even if the application deadline is extended.
- Document verification will be conducted at Delhi or another location/mode approved by the competent authority. No request for postponement or change of venue will be entertained, and no TA/DA is payable for attending document verification.
- Furnishing false information or forged documents will lead to cancellation of candidature or termination of service, besides possible debarment from future NIC recruitments.
- The selected candidate may be posted anywhere in India or outside India as per NIC’s requirement.
Common Application Mistakes to Avoid
- Uploading irrelevant, incomplete or illegible documents, which can lead to rejection
- Applying without a valid GATE score in the correct paper code for the chosen discipline
- Entering incorrect category, name or contact details, since these cannot be changed after submission
- Not paying the application fee before the closing date and time, resulting in an incomplete application
- Submitting an OBC (NCL) or EWS certificate that does not match the format prescribed for Central Government posts
- Trusting unofficial sources or agents claiming they can arrange selection — the merit list is based solely on the GATE score
Official Notification and Application Links
No corrigendum or revised notice has been published as of the latest update to this article. Candidates should keep checking the official website for any addendum, since NIC states that any further information will be uploaded only on recruitment.nic.in.
Conclusion
NIC STA Recruitment 2026 offers 376 Scientific/Technical Assistant-A posts filled purely through valid GATE 2024/2025/2026 scores, with no written test or interview. Eligible candidates should read the official detailed advertisement carefully, check their discipline-wise eligibility and age limit, and apply online at recruitment.nic.in before the closing date of 30 September 2026, 5:30 PM.
