ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation)
Govt · core branches incl. ECE, ME, CE, EE· Updated
ISRO hires fresh engineers as Scientist/Engineer 'SC' through its Centralised Recruitment Board (ICRB): in the 2026 cycle, candidates were shortlisted 1:7 on GATE 2025 or 2026 score, then interviewed, with merit 50% GATE score and 50% interview. There was no written test in 2026; the 2025 cycle used an ICRB written test plus interview instead.
Who can apply
- BE/B.Tech in the advertised branch with at least 65% aggregate (average of all semesters) or CGPA 6.84/10; CGPA cannot be converted to meet the cut-off
- Degree completed within the normal course duration and before applying; results-awaited final-year students were not eligible in the 2026 cycle
- Valid GATE score in the paper matching the degree (2026 cycle: GATE 2025 or 2026 only)
- Upper age 28 for UR/EWS in the 2026 cycle, relaxed for OBC, SC/ST and PwBD as per Government orders
Through GATE (EC, ME, CS, CE, EE)
2026 cycle only: GATE 2025 or 2026 score shortlists 1:7 for interview, and final merit is 50% GATE score + 50% interview. The 2025 cycle used ICRB's own written test instead. [source]
Key facts
- Pay
- Level 10 of the pay matrix, minimum basic ₹56,100 per month plus DA, HRA and Transport Allowance [source]
- 2026 GATE score cut-off for interview (UR)
- Electronics 690, Mechanical 719, Computer Science 827 (ISRO-published) [source]
- 2026 tentative posts
- Electronics 34, Mechanical 26, Computer Science 13, plus Civil, Electrical, Refrigeration & AC and Architecture posts [source]
- 2025 written test pattern
- 120 minutes: Part A 80 discipline MCQs (+1, -1/3), Part B up to 15 aptitude MCQs for 20 marks, no negative marking; interview shortlist 1:5 [source]
- Application fee (2026)
- ₹250; women, SC/ST, ex-servicemen and PwBD exempt [source]
What ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) asks — practise by section
Biggest topics to practise
Electronics & Comm. engineering: interview questions · core companies that hire · jobs through GATE
Interview process
- 1Online applicationApply on isro.gov.in and upload the GATE score card; degree branch and GATE paper must match the post (for example EC for Electronics).
- 2GATE-score shortlisting2026 cycle: no written test. Candidates shortlisted for interview in the ratio 1:7 on GATE score (not GATE marks or rank), discipline-wise.
- 3InterviewTechnical knowledge and general awareness in your specialisation, plus marks for institute type (IIT/IISc/NIT/NIRF top 20), academic score and any institute rank (1 to 3).
- 4Final panelMerit = 50% GATE score + 50% interview marks (2026). The 2025 cycle instead weighted an ICRB written test 50% and interview 50%.
Questions to expect in ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) interviews
Drawn from reported fresher tests and interviews (sources below), with short answers. Practise more on placd.
The eigenvalues of a 3x3 matrix A are 1, 3 and 5. What are the eigenvalues of A^3?
1, 27 and 125. If Av = lambda v, then A^3 v = lambda^3 v, so each eigenvalue is cubed and the eigenvectors stay the same.
Eight signals, each band-limited to 2 kHz, are sampled at the Nyquist rate, coded as binary PCM with 256 levels and time-division multiplexed. What is the data rate?
256 kbps. Nyquist rate = 2 x 2 kHz = 4 kHz; 256 levels need log2(256) = 8 bits; one channel = 4,000 x 8 = 32 kbps; eight channels = 8 x 32 = 256 kbps.
A random variable x is uniformly distributed on [-4, 1]. What are its mean and variance?
Mean = (a + b)/2 = (-4 + 1)/2 = -1.5. Variance = (b - a)^2/12 = 5^2/12 = 25/12, about 2.08.
An air-standard Otto cycle has a compression ratio of 9 and an adiabatic index of 1.5. What is its efficiency?
66.67%. Otto efficiency = 1 - 1/r^(gamma - 1) = 1 - 1/9^0.5 = 1 - 1/3 = 2/3. It depends only on compression ratio and gamma, so the ambient temperature given is not needed.
A face-milling cutter of 100 mm diameter has 4 teeth and runs at 300 rpm with a feed of 0.125 mm per tooth. What is the table feed?
150 mm/min. Table feed = feed per tooth x number of teeth x rpm = 0.125 x 4 x 300 = 150 mm/min. The cutter diameter does not enter this calculation.
What is the change in entropy when water is vaporised at 100 deg C, taking the latent heat of vaporisation as 2238 kJ/kg?
About 6 kJ/kg K. Vaporisation happens at constant temperature, so delta s = latent heat / absolute temperature = 2238 / 373 K = 6.0 kJ/kg K. Remember to convert 100 deg C to 373 K.
About ISRO hiring
Does ISRO recruit engineers through GATE?
In the 2026 cycle, yes. ISRO's 2026 Scientist/Engineer 'SC' advertisement shortlisted candidates on GATE 2025 or 2026 scores, with no written test, and weighted GATE 50% and interview 50%. The 2025 cycle used ICRB's own written test instead, so check each year's advertisement.
What is the salary of an ISRO Scientist/Engineer 'SC'?
The post is in Level 10 of the pay matrix with a minimum basic pay of ₹56,100 per month, plus Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance and Transport Allowance. Promotions run under ISRO's merit promotion scheme, which is not tied to vacancies.
Can final-year students apply to ISRO ICRB?
Not in the 2026 cycle. ISRO's FAQ says only candidates who have completed their BE/B.Tech by the date of application may apply, the degree must be finished within the normal course duration, and the aggregate must be at least 65% or CGPA 6.84.
Sources
- ISRO - Recruitment of Scientist/Engineer 'SC' (ICRB 2026 page)
- ISRO ICRB advertisement 2026 (GATE-based), bilingual PDF
- ISRO ICRB 2026 FAQ
- ISRO ICRB 2026 GATE score cut-off
- ISRO ICRB advertisement 2025 (written test), bilingual PDF
- ISRO Scientist/Engineer 'SC' (Electronics) written test 2023 question paper
- ISRO Scientist/Engineer 'SC' (Mechanical) written test 2023 question paper
Checked on 25 Sep 2026. Recruitment rules change each cycle — confirm dates and eligibility in the official notification.