The Department of Space (DoS) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have announced one of their largest recruitment drives in recent years, with 746 vacancies notified across regular and apprenticeship positions.
The recruitment, spread across three notifications issued between July 27 and July 29, includes 336 regular posts and 410 apprenticeship positions, reflecting ISRO's efforts to strengthen both its current workforce and future talent pipeline.
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The latest hiring exercise comes as the Department of Space continues to address staffing shortages across several of its centres.
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336 regular posts to be filled across scientist and administrative roles
Of the 336 regular vacancies, the largest share comprises 244 administrative posts to be filled through the ISRO Centralised Recruitment Board (ICRB).
These include:
- Assistants
- Junior Personal Assistants
- Upper Division Clerks
- Stenographers
- Administrative staff for autonomous institutions
The recruitment drive also includes 92 Scientist/Engineer 'SC' posts under Level-10 of the pay matrix.
Vacancies are available across multiple engineering disciplines, including:
- Electronics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Computer Science
- Civil Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
- Architecture
Where will the selected candidates be posted?
The newly recruited scientists and engineers will be deployed across several key ISRO centres, including:
- U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC), Bengaluru
- Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC), Bengaluru
- Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram
- Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota
- Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad
- National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), Hyderabad
- Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), Valiamala
- ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC), Mahendragiri
- ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC)
- ISRO Headquarters, Bengaluru
410 apprentice positions announced for 2026–27
Alongside permanent recruitment, URSC Bengaluru has announced 410 apprenticeship positions for the 2026–27 training year.
The vacancies include:
- 220 Graduate Apprentices
- 120 Technician Apprentices
- 70 Diploma in Commercial Practice Apprentices
Among graduate apprentices, the highest number of vacancies are in Electronics and Communication Engineering, followed by Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science.
Technician apprentice positions are also available across electronics, computer science, mechanical, electrical, civil, instrumentation and automobile engineering disciplines.
Apprenticeships offer training but no guaranteed job
The apprenticeship programme is conducted under the Apprentices Act, 1961, with the objective of providing practical industry training to fresh graduates and diploma holders.
Selected candidates will receive a monthly stipend during the training period and an apprenticeship certificate after completion. However, ISRO has clarified that successful completion of the apprenticeship does not guarantee permanent employment with the organisation.
Recruitment follows concerns over staffing shortages
The latest recruitment drive comes after reports highlighted significant vacancies within the Department of Space.
Although 336 regular posts have now been advertised, the number represents only a small portion of the department's previously reported staffing gap. ISRO has also issued several recruitment notifications in recent months for research fellows, project associates, technical assistants and additional apprentice positions across various centres.
The latest recruitment is expected to strengthen key scientific and administrative functions while creating new opportunities for engineering graduates and young professionals interested in India's space programme.
Inputs from TOI
