CSIR-TKDL Project Staff Recruitment 2026
- Organization
- CSIR-Traditional Knowledge Digital Library Unit
- Post Name
- Senior Project Associate and Project Associate-I
- Total Vacancy
- 50
- Application Mode
- Online, on csir.res.in
- Job Location
- Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, or Palampur
- Official Website
- csir.res.in
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Advertisement | TKDL/08/2026, PDF on csir.res.in |
| Application end | 12 October 2026, 5:00 pm |
Overview
CSIR's Traditional Knowledge Digital Library Unit has invited applications for 50 project posts under Advertisement No. TKDL/08/2026. The project is "Information systems of traditional knowledge for protection and promotion" (MLP002639). The online form closes at 5:00 pm on 12 October 2026.
Apply on csir.res.in. The advertisement is the PDF on that site. Queries go to 011-26851136 or tkdlsupport@csir.res.in. The same mailbox is the contact for a technical problem with the form.
This is a different notice from TKDL/06/2026 and from the walk-in under TKDL/07/2026. Do not use the dates of those advertisements for this one.
Where the 50 posts sit
| Subject | Codes and posts | Test day |
|---|---|---|
| Information technology | Delhi senior 1 (TKD3901). Jammu 1, Chennai data science 1, Hyderabad data science 1, Leh 1, Srinagar 1, Palampur 1 | 14 October 2026. Delhi and Chennai 9:00 am. Hyderabad, Jammu, Srinagar and Palampur 9:30 am. Leh 10:00 am |
| Ayurveda | Delhi senior 2 (TKD3902) and associate 2 (TKD3903). Jammu associate 3 (TKJ3902) | 22 October 2026, 9:00 am in Delhi and 9:30 am in Jammu |
| Unani | Hyderabad 4 (TKH3902). Srinagar 3 (TKS3902) | 16 October 2026, 9:30 am |
| Sowa Rigpa | Leh senior 1 (TKL3902) and associate 2 (TKL3903). Palampur associate 3 (TKP3902) | 15 October 2026. Leh 10:00 am. Palampur 9:30 am |
| Siddha | Chennai senior 3 (TKC3902) and associate 8 (TKC3903) | 26 October 2026, 9:00 am |
| Patent | Delhi senior 1 (TKD3904) and associate 3 (TKD3905). Hyderabad senior 1 (TKH3903) and associate 4 (TKH3904) | 23 October 2026. Delhi 9:00 am. Hyderabad 9:30 am |
| Sanskrit and yoga | Delhi Sanskrit senior 1 (TKD3906). Delhi yoga associate 2 (TKD3907) | 30 October 2026, 9:00 am |
The advertisement says the numbers may change with the project and with the candidates available. A waitlist panel, if drawn, is valid for one year.
Pay, tenure, and the six-year ceiling
A Senior Project Associate is paid Rs 42,000 plus HRA. The age limit is 40. A Project Associate-I is paid Rs 31,000 plus HRA if the person has qualified CSIR-UGC NET, including lectureship, or GATE, or a selection through a national-level examination of a central department or its agencies. Otherwise the pay is Rs 25,000 plus HRA. The age limit is 35.
The engagement is temporary and on contract. It runs initially up to 31 March 2027, and at the latest until 31 March 2031, with the project. Anything beyond 31 March 2027 depends on a review. Across all CSIR laboratories, project-staff service cannot exceed six years in total. The contract can be ended by either side with one month's notice, or one month's stipend in place of notice.
The posting place can change, and travel can be required. No TA or DA is paid for the test or the interview. If you are employed, the no-objection certificate is needed at joining, not at the application.
The test day
You report at the city printed against the code, with originals and a biodata typed on A4 paper. The written-test result is declared the same day. The interview of those who are shortlisted is hybrid, offline and online, either that day or another day. The committee can ask you to appear in person. The advertisement tells you to wait after the written test unless you are informed otherwise.
A final-semester student, or anyone whose result is still awaited, is not eligible. Essential conditions are judged as on 12 October 2026.
The degree for each code, and the address of each centre, is on the syllabus page. A check before you book a ticket is on the practice page.
Eligibility Criteria
Age Limit (as on 12 October 2026.)
| Category | Age Relaxation | Max Age |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Project Associate | As per CSIR and Government of India rules for statutory categories. The advertisement also names SC, ST, OBC, PwD and women. | 40 years |
| Project Associate-I | The same CSIR and Government of India relaxation. | 35 years |
Educational Qualification
- Information technology posts: a bachelor's in computer science or information technology, or an MCA. The senior IT post in Delhi also needs three years of research experience, or an M.E. or M.Tech with two years.
- Ayurveda: BAMS. The senior posts also need three years of research experience, or an MD with two years.
- Unani: BUMS. Sowa Rigpa: a bachelor's in Sowa Rigpa medicine, with the senior post needing the experience printed for that code. Siddha: BSMS, with the same split for the senior post.
- Patent: a master's in chemical or biological sciences, bioinformatics or cheminformatics. The senior patent posts also need three years of experience, or a doctorate with two years.
- Sanskrit senior post: a master's in Sanskrit with three years, or a doctorate with two years. Yoga: a master's in yoga.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Application | The advertisement does not print a fee. |
How to Apply
- 1Fill the online form on https://www.csir.res.in on or before 5:00 pm on 12 October 2026.
- 2Submit a separate form for each post code. One form does not cover two cities or two subjects.
- 3Upload certificates from matriculation onwards, proof of age, the category certificate if you claim one, experience if you have it, a list of publications or patents if you have them, and a detailed biodata.
- 4Keep the application number. An incomplete form, or a form sent by any other mode, is not accepted.
- 5On the date printed against your post code, go to the posting location with originals, two self-attested photographs, a set of self-attested copies, and a biodata typed on A4 paper. Wait after the written test unless you are told not to.
Frequently Asked Questions
50. Delhi, Jammu, Chennai, Hyderabad, Leh, Srinagar and Palampur. The number can change, and a waitlist panel is kept for one year.
No. Final-semester candidates and candidates whose results are awaited are not eligible.
Senior Project Associate: Rs 42,000 plus HRA. Project Associate-I: Rs 31,000 plus HRA if you have qualified CSIR-UGC NET, GATE, or a listed national-level selection, and Rs 25,000 plus HRA otherwise.
The written-test result is declared the same day. The interview of shortlisted candidates is hybrid, on that day or on another day, as the committee informs you. You may be asked to appear in person.