IIT Mandi Project Associate II Recruitment 2026

IIT Mandi Project Associate II Recruitment 2026 Overview

IIT Mandi has issued a project recruitment notice for the post of Project Associate-II on a temporary basis. The opening is linked to a DST - Science and Heritage Research Initiative funded research project and is not a regular institute cadre post. The notice states that applications are invited from Indian nationals.

The engagement is tied to a research project on yoga-based intervention and neurophysiological attention mechanisms in schizophrenia. Candidates looking at this recruitment should read it as a research support position with subject-specific eligibility rather than a general administrative or teaching vacancy.

Important Dates and Deadline Mismatch

The notification is dated 02 April 2026. However, the official PDF itself carries two different last dates for submission, which is the most important point candidates should note before applying.

Because both dates appear in the same official document, candidates should not assume that third-party summaries are correct. It is safer to check the IIT Mandi project openings page and the linked official PDF immediately before submitting the form.

Project Details and Tenure

The advertised post is attached to the project titled Effect of add-on Yoga based intervention on neurophysiological attention mechanisms in schizophrenia-a randomized controlled trial. The funding agency is DST - Science and Heritage Research Initiative, and the project investigator named in the notice is Dr. Ramajayam Govindaraji.

The school or centre listed in the notice is the Indian Knowledge System & Mental Health Applications Centre, abbreviated as IKSMHA. The project duration mentioned in the notification runs up to August 2028.

The appointment itself is not for the full project period at the outset. The official notice states that the initial appointment will be for one year, and renewal for a further period will depend on satisfactory performance and the requirement of the project.

Eligibility Criteria

The essential qualification in the notice is specific and should be checked carefully before applying. Candidates should have the following background:

• Master's in Yoga, or
• Bachelor's in Yoga & Naturopathy science or equivalent, and
• Two years of research experience.

The notice does not provide a longer subject equivalence list, so candidates claiming an equivalent qualification should ensure that their degree and experience clearly match the project area. If there is any doubt about equivalence, the contact email given in the notice should be used for clarification.

Age Limit and Relaxation

The upper age limit mentioned in the official notice is 35 years. The notification also says that relaxation can be considered for candidates with exceptional records and as per Government reservation norms.

This means the age rule is not presented as a rigid standalone number without exceptions. Candidates belonging to reserved categories, or those with unusually strong records, should read the notification carefully and keep relevant supporting proof ready if they seek relaxation.

Salary and Appointment Terms

The notice gives two salary slabs depending on whether the candidate is NET or GATE qualified.

The post is on a consolidated salary basis. The official notice does not mention additional project allowances beyond the HRA component stated above.

Desirable Experience and Role Fit

Beyond the essential qualification, the notice mentions one clear desirable qualification: experience in EEG and fMRI data acquisition. This is important because it signals the practical research work expected from the selected candidate.

Applicants whose background combines yoga or naturopathy training with hands-on research exposure in neurophysiological or brain-imaging data collection are likely to align better with the project. Even though this experience is listed as desirable and not mandatory, it can matter during shortlisting.

Selection Process

The notification does not mention a written test. What it clearly states is that IIT Mandi reserves the right to fix higher criteria for shortlisting among candidates who satisfy the advertised qualifications and project requirements.

The notice further says that the names of shortlisted candidates will either be displayed on the website or communicated individually, along with online or offline interview details. In practical terms, candidates should expect selection to be based on profile shortlisting followed by an interview.

How to Apply

Applications are to be submitted online through the Google Form link provided in the official IIT Mandi notification and on the institute's project opportunities page. The notice does not prescribe an offline application route.

1. Open the official IIT Mandi project opportunities page or the notification PDF.
2. Use the Google Form link provided there.
3. Enter your personal and academic details carefully.
4. Submit your CV through the form as instructed.
5. Complete the process before the closing time shown in the live official listing.

Because the notification contains conflicting last dates, it is wise to apply well before the earliest date mentioned rather than waiting for the later date.

What to Include in the CV and Keep Ready

The notice specifically says that the CV may include personal details, academic qualifications, research experience and publications, if any. Candidates should therefore make sure their CV is clearly organized around these points.

• Personal details
• Academic qualifications
• Research experience
• Publications, if any

It is also sensible to keep supporting educational, age, experience and NET or GATE proof documents ready for later verification, especially if the application moves to the shortlisting or interview stage.

What the Official Notice Does Not Clearly State

Some details that applicants often look for are not clearly specified in this notification. The notice does not give a separate application fee, a detailed vacancy category breakup, a written test pattern, or an expanded document checklist. It also does not provide a longer explanation of the day-to-day responsibilities beyond the project context and the desirable EEG and fMRI experience.

Another important issue is the deadline inconsistency within the PDF itself. Until IIT Mandi issues a clarification or updates the live listing, candidates should treat the closing date as needing verification from the official source at the time of submission.

Official Links

• IIT Mandi Project Associate-II Notification PDF
• IIT Mandi Project Opportunities Page
• IIT Mandi Recruitments