UPSC Recruitment 2026 under Advertisement No. 03/2026 is for direct recruitment by selection to technical, engineering, scientific and teaching-related posts in central government departments. The notification covers 5 vacancies across the National Test House, Archaeological Survey of India and College of Military Engineering.
This recruitment is not a single common eligibility post. Each vacancy has its own qualification, experience, age limit, pay level and place of posting. Candidates should first match their degree and experience with the exact post before starting the online application.
The application has to be submitted only through the UPSC Online Recruitment Application portal. Candidates should keep educational certificates, experience proof, category documents, photo ID details, photograph and signature ready before filling the form, because UPSC may reject applications with incomplete or unsupported claims.
UPSC Advertisement No. 03/2026 Overview
The Union Public Service Commission has issued Advertisement No. 03/2026 for direct recruitment by selection to 5 posts. The recruitment covers scientific, engineering, archaeological engineering and teaching roles in central government organisations.
The advertised posts are Scientist-B (Mechanical) and Scientific Officer (Non-Destructive) in National Test House, Superintending Archaeological Engineer in Archaeological Survey of India, and Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering (Survey) in College of Military Engineering, Pune.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online application starts | 25 April 2026 |
| Last date to submit online application | 15 May 2026 up to 6:00 PM |
| Eligibility cut-off date | 15 May 2026, the closing date of application |
| Interview date | To be informed separately by UPSC to shortlisted candidates |
Candidates should not wait until the last date because the application requires profile details, post-specific information, supporting documents and fee payment where applicable.
Vacancy Details
| Post | Department / Organisation | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Scientist-B (Mechanical) | National Test House, Department of Consumer Affairs | 1 |
| Scientific Officer (Non-Destructive) | National Test House, Department of Consumer Affairs | 1 |
| Superintending Archaeological Engineer | Archaeological Survey of India, Ministry of Culture | 2 |
| Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering (Survey) | College of Military Engineering, Pune, Ministry of Defence | 1 |
| Total | All advertised posts | 5 |
Reservation and PwBD suitability differ by post. Candidates should read the post-wise reservation table in the official advertisement before applying.
Post-wise Eligibility
| Post | Essential Qualification and Experience |
|---|---|
| Scientist-B (Mechanical) | Master's Degree in Physics with 1 year practical experience in testing or calibration of engineering materials, products, precision measurements or metrology in a recognised laboratory or institute; or B.E. / B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering or Metallurgical Engineering with 2 years relevant practical experience. |
| Scientific Officer (Non-Destructive) | Master's Degree in Physics or Degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Metallurgy with 1 year experience in a non-destructive testing laboratory; or 1 year experience in X-Ray Diffraction or investigation work on failure of engineering material by non-destructive and metallographic methods. |
| Superintending Archaeological Engineer | Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering with 8 years' experience in planning, execution and supervision of civil engineering works in government sector or in archaeological or heritage sites. |
| Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering (Survey) | B.E. / B.Tech in Civil Engineering and M.E. / M.Tech in Civil Engineering with Geo Informatics / Geoinformatics and Surveying Technology, with first class or equivalent either at bachelor's or master's level. |
The essential qualification is only the minimum requirement. UPSC may shortlist candidates using higher qualification, higher experience, desirable qualification or a recruitment test if the number of applications is large.
Age Limit
| Post | Upper Age Limit Mentioned in Advertisement |
|---|---|
| Scientist-B (Mechanical) | 35 years for UR |
| Scientific Officer (Non-Destructive) | 33 years for OBC |
| Superintending Archaeological Engineer | 40 years for UR; 50 years for PwBD where applicable |
| Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering (Survey) | 38 years for OBC |
Age concessions are applicable as per UPSC and Government of India rules. The advertisement also mentions relaxations for eligible PwBD candidates, Central Government employees and ex-servicemen, subject to the conditions stated in the notification.
Salary, Pay Level and Posting
| Post | Pay Level | Headquarters / Posting Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientist-B (Mechanical) | Level 10 in the Pay Matrix as per 7th CPC | Kolkata, with all India service liability in NTH regional offices |
| Scientific Officer (Non-Destructive) | Level 08 in the Pay Matrix as per 7th CPC | Kolkata, with all India service liability in NTH regional offices |
| Superintending Archaeological Engineer | Level 11 in the Pay Matrix as per 7th CPC | New Delhi, with liability to serve in India |
| Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering (Survey) | Academic Level 10 in the Pay Matrix as per 7th CPC | College of Military Engineering, Pune |
The posts are permanent. The probation period is one or two years depending on the post, as stated in the official advertisement.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Unreserved, EWS and OBC male candidates | Rs. 25 |
| SC / ST candidates | No fee |
| PwBD candidates | No fee |
| Women candidates of any community | No fee |
The fee has to be paid online using the available payment options such as debit card, credit card, UPI or internet banking. Fee once paid is not refunded, so candidates should check eligibility carefully before payment.
Selection Process
UPSC recruitment by selection usually begins with scrutiny of applications and shortlisting. Possessing the minimum qualification alone does not guarantee that a candidate will be called for interview.
- UPSC may shortlist candidates based on desirable qualification, higher educational qualification or higher relevant experience.
- The Commission may count experience before or after acquisition of essential qualification as per the advertisement conditions.
- A Recruitment Test may be held if UPSC decides it is required for the post.
- Shortlisted candidates will be called for interview or personality test.
The interview carries 100 marks. The minimum suitability level mentioned in the advertisement is 50 marks for UR, 45 marks for OBC, and 40 marks for SC, ST and PH categories. If the selection includes a Recruitment Test followed by interview, candidates must meet the required standard at both stages.
How to Apply Online
- Visit the UPSC Online Recruitment Application portal at https://upsconline.nic.in/ora/.
- Create or update the required candidate profile and complete the Universal Registration Number process.
- Fill the Common Application Form with correct personal, educational and contact details.
- Select the relevant post under Advertisement No. 03/2026 and fill the post-specific application module.
- Upload the required documents separately for each claim made in the application.
- Pay the application fee if you are not exempted.
- Submit the application before 6:00 PM on 15 May 2026.
- Download or print the finally submitted online application for future use.
Candidates are not required to send the printout or documents to UPSC by post at the application stage. These documents will be required if called for interview.
Documents to Keep Ready
Candidates should keep the documents ready before starting the online application because UPSC requires proof for each claim made in the form.
- Matriculation or equivalent certificate showing date of birth
- Degree, diploma, provisional certificate and marksheets supporting educational qualification
- Experience certificates in the required format and with clear duration of service
- Category certificate, if claiming reservation or fee exemption
- PwBD certificate, if applicable
- Age relaxation certificate, if applicable
- Photo ID details such as Aadhaar, voter ID, PAN, passport, driving licence or other valid government-issued ID
- Photograph and signature as per UPSC ORA instructions
Important Instructions for Candidates
- The eligibility of candidates will be determined with reference to the closing date, 15 May 2026.
- Incorrect or unsupported information in the online application may lead to rejection.
- Candidates should use an active email address because UPSC will communicate interview schedule and document requirements by email and through its website.
- After submission, the application cannot be withdrawn and changes are not normally allowed in submitted application fields.
- Candidates already in regular government service should follow the prescribed intimation requirements for applying through proper internal procedure.
- Applicants should read the official advertisement carefully for post-specific duties, reservations, PwBD suitability and probation details.
Official Links
| Purpose | Official Link |
|---|---|
| Notification PDF | UPSC Advertisement No. 03/2026 PDF |
| Apply Online | UPSC ORA Portal |
| Recruitment Advertisements | UPSC Recruitment Advertisements |
| UPSC Official Website | UPSC Official Website |
Official Links
Frequently Asked Questions
The last date to submit the online application is 15 May 2026 up to 6:00 PM.
There are 5 vacancies in total across Scientist-B, Scientific Officer, Superintending Archaeological Engineer and Assistant Professor posts.
The application fee is Rs. 25 for candidates who are not exempted. SC, ST, PwBD and women candidates do not have to pay the fee.
The post requires B.E. or B.Tech in Civil Engineering and M.E. or M.Tech in Civil Engineering with Geo Informatics or Geoinformatics and Surveying Technology, with first class or equivalent at either level.
UPSC may hold a Recruitment Test if it decides one is needed. Otherwise, selection may be based on shortlisting and interview.
Candidates must apply online through the UPSC Online Recruitment Application portal at upsconline.nic.in/ora.
The pay levels are Level 08, Level 10, Level 11 and Academic Level 10 in the 7th CPC Pay Matrix, depending on the post.
No. Candidates are not required to send printouts or documents by post at the application stage. They must bring the application printout and documents if called for interview.