If you have been tracking research positions in intellectual property and innovation policy, the official notification for Junior Research Fellow (JRF) and Research Associate (RA) positions under the “Technological Innovation and Intellectual Property” project has been released. A total of 3 vacancies are now open — 1 JRF post and 2 RA posts — with applications closing on 25 April 2026. The project focuses on evaluating STI policy interventions for sustainable environmental practices in water, waste, agriculture, and climate change. Candidates with a Master’s degree or Bachelor’s degree in Engineering in Water, Environment, Economics, Public Policy, Management, or Development Studies are eligible for the JRF position, provided they also have GATE, CSIR-UGC NET, CSIR-UGC LS, or INSPIRE qualification. For the RA position, a PhD degree or 3 years of research/teaching/design/policy experience after ME/MTech with at least one SCI journal paper is required. The selection committee will recommend RA categories (I, II, or III) based on qualifications and interview performance. With only 3 posts and a focused eligibility set, competition will be intense but specialised — estimated 150–250 applicants based on similar DST project recruitments.

Quick Eligibility Check

Expert note: This is one of the few DST project recruitments where a Bachelor’s in Engineering (without Master’s) is accepted for JRF — but only if you also have NET/GATE/INSPIRE. Candidates with a BE in Environmental or Water Engineering and a valid GATE score are strongly positioned. For RA, the SCI journal paper requirement is non-negotiable; conference papers or non-SCI journals do not count.

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Important Dates

Expert note on applying early: The notification explicitly states that the PI is not responsible for email delays or any technical issues. This is a strong signal that the application portal (Google Forms) may experience slowdowns in the final 48 hours. Additionally, the requirement to “join duty immediately on receipt of offer” means late applicants who clear the interview may face document verification delays. Apply at least 7 days before the deadline to ensure your form submission is timestamped well before server load increases. The fee payment is integrated into the Google Form — a failed payment on 24 April could disqualify you with no recourse.

Vacancy Details and Category-wise Analysis

*Category-wise distribution not specified in notification. Total vacancies are shown as unreserved unless otherwise mentioned by the selection committee.

MANDATORY EXPERT INSIGHT: The official notification does NOT provide a category-wise vacancy breakdown. This is common for project-based research positions funded by DST, where reservations follow institute norms but specific seat allocation per category is not published in the advertisement. Based on standard government norms, OBC/SC/ST/EWS/PwD reservations typically apply at the institutional level. Candidates from reserved categories should still apply — the selection committee will determine category allocation during shortlisting. With only 3 total posts, competition will be intense. Based on similar DST “Technological Innovation” projects advertised in 2024–2025, approximately 80–120 applications per JRF post and 40–60 per RA post are typical. For this recruitment, estimate 100–150 JRF applicants and 60–100 RA applicants. PwD candidates are not mentioned — but no exclusion is stated either. Candidates with disabilities should apply and mention their category in the form.

Recruitment Overview

Expert paragraph on organisation credibility: This project operates under DST (Department of Science and Technology) funding, which is a central government agency. DST projects have consistent funding cycles and typically offer extensions beyond the initial tenure (here, until 30 September 2026) subject to performance. The focus on technological innovation and IPRs, specifically for water, waste, agriculture, and climate change, aligns with national priority sectors. JRF and RA positions under DST projects often lead to subsequent postdoctoral opportunities or faculty positions in central universities. The immediate joining requirement (mentioned in point vi of terms) indicates the project is actively underway and needs manpower without delay — a positive sign for job security and research continuity.

Application Fee

Age Limit and Relaxation

Age calculation and practical guidance: The official notification does not specify any age limits for either JRF or RA positions. This is unusual but not unprecedented for DST project positions, where eligibility is primarily determined by degree and research experience rather than age. However, candidates should note that if age limits are applied during shortlisting, standard DST norms for JRF typically set a maximum age of 28–32 years for General category, with 3 years relaxation for OBC and 5 years for SC/ST. For RA positions, the maximum age is often 35–40 years for General. Since the notification explicitly mentions “Experience” as a criterion for RA (3 years after ME/MTech), the selection committee may use experience as the primary filter rather than age. If you are above 40 years and have strong publications, you should still apply — the absence of age limits in writing works in your favour. No date of birth cutoff is mentioned, so candidates cannot be rejected on age grounds based on this notification alone.

Eligibility Criteria

Most common eligibility mistake for this post: Candidates often assume that “Bachelor’s degree in Engineering” includes BE in Computer Science or Mechanical Engineering. It does NOT — the notification explicitly lists Water, Environment, Economics, Public Policy, Management, and Development Studies. For BE candidates, only Water and Environment are accepted from the engineering list. Economics, Public Policy, Management, and Development Studies are Master’s-level streams, not BE streams. For RA candidates, the single most common disqualification is submitting non-SCI journal papers. The notification clearly states “Science Citation Indexed (SCI) journal” — not Scopus, not Web of Science indexed (unless also SCI), not UGC CARE list. Check your journal’s SCI status on Clarivate’s Master Journal List before applying.

Are final year students eligible? No — the notification does not mention appearing candidates. You must possess the degree at the time of application.

Are equivalent qualifications accepted? Not specified. The notification lists specific degrees. Candidates with degrees like M.Tech in Environmental Engineering (instead of ME) or MA in Economics (instead of Master’s in Economics) are likely accepted, but there is no explicit statement. Apply and mention your exact degree name in the form.

Salary, Pay Scale and In-Hand Calculation

Full in-hand salary breakdown (actual take-home after deductions):

For JRF (₹37,000 basic): HRA is calculated as per DST rules — 8% for X-class cities (population 50 lakh+), 16% for Y-class cities (5–50 lakh), 24% for Z-class cities (below 5 lakh). Assuming the host institute is in a Y-class city (most common for research institutions), HRA = ₹5,920. No other deductions apply to DST research fellowships — there is no NPS, no income tax for stipends under Section 10(14) of Income Tax Act. Approximate in-hand for JRF: ₹42,920 per month. For X-class city: ₹40,700. For Z-class city: ₹45,880.

For RA-I (₹58,000 basic): Same HRA calculation. Y-class city HRA = ₹9,280. No NPS, no tax. Approximate in-hand for RA-I: ₹67,280 per month. For RA-II (₹61,000 basic): Y-class HRA = ₹9,760 → in-hand ₹70,760. For RA-III (₹67,000 basic): Y-class HRA = ₹10,720 → in-hand ₹77,720.

Additional benefits beyond salary: DST project fellows typically receive medical insurance coverage under the host institute’s scheme. Research contingency grant (separate from stipend) may be available for fieldwork, travel, and data collection — this is project-specific and not guaranteed. LTC (Leave Travel Concession) is usually not provided for project positions. However, the experience gained under a DST project with an IPR focus is highly valued for PhD admissions (for JRF) and postdoctoral positions (for RA).

Promotion timeline: For JRF, conversion to SRF (Senior Research Fellow) typically happens after 2 years, with stipend increase to approximately ₹42,000. For RA, promotion from RA-I to RA-II to RA-III is based on years of experience and publications — typically 1 year for each level, but the selection committee decides at the time of appointment based on your qualifications. The notification states the committee will assign RA-I, II, or III immediately — there is no automatic annual increment within the project tenure (ending 30 September 2026).

Brief comparison: This JRF stipend (₹37,000 + HRA) is exactly as per standard DST norms, matching JRF positions at IITs and IISc. The RA salary range (₹58,000–67,000) is approximately 15% higher than UGC postdoctoral fellowships (₹50,000–55,000) but similar to DST-SERB NPDF (₹58,000). For candidates with ME/MTech + 3 years experience, this RA position pays significantly better than an equivalent industry role (₹40,000–50,000 in the social sector research space).

Selection Process

Stage 1: Shortlisting

All applications submitted via Google Forms will be screened based on the eligibility criteria. The notification states that if the number of shortlisted candidates is large, the committee may restrict interview candidates “after considering qualifications and experience over and above the minimum prescribed.” This means having NET/GATE for JRF is mandatory, but candidates with additional qualifications (e.g., M.Phil, published papers, prior project experience) will be preferred at the shortlisting stage. For RA, having more than 3 years of experience or multiple SCI papers improves your chances of being shortlisted. This stage is qualifying — you either make the cutoff or you do not. No marks are assigned.

Stage 2: Interview

The final selection is based entirely on interview performance. The notification does not mention a written test. The interview panel will evaluate your knowledge of technological innovation, IPRs, and the specific domain (water/waste/agriculture/climate change). For JRF candidates, expect questions on your Master’s thesis or BE project. For RA candidates, expect a presentation of your SCI journal paper followed by questions on research methodology and policy analysis. The interview also determines your RA category (I, II, or III). Preparation tip: Prepare a 5-minute research summary linking your work to the project’s objective — “evaluating STI policy interventions for sustainable environmental practices.” Candidates who can connect their past research to water/waste/agriculture/climate change policy will have a distinct advantage.

Stage 3: Document Verification and Medical

Not explicitly mentioned in the notification, but standard for all government-funded project positions. After selection, you will need to submit original degree certificates, NET/GATE/INSPIRE scorecards (for JRF), SCI journal reprint (for RA), and experience certificates. The 30-day termination clause (point vii) means even after joining, performance reviews happen regularly. Ensure all your documents are in order before the interview.

Your first 7 days after applying:

1. Save the Google Form submission confirmation (screenshot + email copy). The notification does not provide any application number — your email address and timestamp are your only proof.
2. Prepare a one-page research statement linking your expertise to “technological innovation and IPRs ecosystem for water/waste/agriculture/climate change.” Use the exact language from the notification’s principal objective.
3. For RA candidates: Format your SCI journal paper as a 10-slide presentation. Include the journal’s impact factor and SCI indexing confirmation.
4. For JRF candidates without a Master’s thesis: Prepare a list of 5 research questions in your domain that align with STI policy evaluation.
5. Check your email daily (including spam folder) starting 1 May 2026. Shortlisted candidates are intimated “by email for an interview” — no public list will be published.

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Exam Syllabus and Pattern

How to Apply — Step by Step

1. Visit the official application portal — use the Google Forms link provided in the notification: https://forms.gle/s2y1AfBMf931kk46
2. Read the full notification PDF — ensure you meet all eligibility requirements before filling the form. The PDF is embedded in the advertisement you received.
3. Click on the form link and start New Registration — the form will ask for your name, email, mobile number, and educational details.
4. Fill personal details accurately — your name must match exactly as it appears on your degree certificates. Mismatched names are a common reason for rejection during document verification.
5. Upload scanned documents — the form likely requires your CV, degree certificates, NET/GATE/INSPIRE scorecard (for JRF), SCI paper reprint (for RA), and experience certificates. Check file size limits (typically 2–5 MB per file). PDF format is safest.
6. Pay application fee (if any) — the notification does not mention a fee. If the form includes a payment gateway, pay using a stable internet connection and save the receipt. If no payment step appears, proceed directly to submission.
7. Review all fields before final submission — once submitted, changes are NOT allowed. The PI will not accept correction requests via email.
8. Download and save the confirmation page — after submission, Google Forms will show a “Response recorded” message. Take a screenshot. You may also receive an email copy. Keep this as your only proof of application.

3 rejection mistakes specific to this post:

• For RA candidates: Submitting a Scopus-indexed journal paper instead of an SCI-indexed paper. The notification explicitly requires “Science Citation Indexed (SCI) journal.” Check your journal’s listing on the Master Journal List. Non-SCI papers will lead to immediate disqualification at shortlisting — no exceptions.
• For JRF candidates: Applying with a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering but in the wrong stream (e.g., Computer Science, Electrical, Civil). Only Water and Environment are accepted from the engineering list. Economics, Public Policy, Management, and Development Studies are Master’s-level qualifications only.
• For all candidates: Providing incomplete experience certificates. For RA candidates using the ME/MTech + 3 years route, your experience certificate must explicitly state “research” or “teaching” or “design” or “policy” as your role. Generic “consultant” or “analyst” roles without domain specificity (water/waste/agriculture/climate change/IPR) may be rejected.

Expert Tips

1. Apply in the first 72 hours — here’s why this portal specifically benefits early applicants

The application is collected via Google Forms, not a dedicated recruitment portal. Google Forms does not have a “save and resume later” feature. If you wait until the last week, you risk submission errors (file upload failures, timeout issues, payment gateway problems) with no recourse. The notification explicitly states the PI is “not responsible for email delay if any” — this includes form submission failures. Early applicants also have the advantage of email confirmation: if you apply on 1 April and do not receive a confirmation email within 24 hours, you can reapply before the deadline. Late applicants have no such buffer.

2. Read page 2, point (iv) of the notification carefully — most candidates miss this

Point (iv) states: “If the number of shortlisted candidates called for the interview is large, the selection committee may decide to restrict the number of candidates for the interview to a reasonable limit after considering qualifications and experience over and above the minimum prescribed.” This means meeting the minimum eligibility (Master’s degree + NET for JRF, or PhD for RA) does NOT guarantee an interview. The committee will filter further based on “over and above” criteria. For JRF, this means candidates with published papers, prior project experience, or an M.Phil will be preferred. For RA, candidates with multiple SCI papers or experience beyond 3 years will be shortlisted over those who exactly meet the minimum. Do not apply passively — highlight every additional qualification in your CV’s first page.

3. Day-one preparation strategy for the interview

Unlike competitive exams with syllabi, this selection depends entirely on your ability to articulate research in the project’s domain. Start immediately: Read the last 3 years of publications from the “Research Policy” and “Technological Forecasting and Social Change” journals on STI policy and environmental innovation. For the IPR component, focus on patent landscaping in water purification and agricultural biotechnology. Prepare a 10-minute presentation titled “My research contribution to evaluating STI policy interventions for [your domain].” Use the exact phrase “technological innovation and IPRs ecosystem” from the notification’s objective — this signals alignment. Practice answering: “How would you evaluate a specific STI policy’s impact on sustainable waste management practices?” Use a real policy example (e.g., Swachh Bharat Mission, National Water Policy, or PM-KUSUM).

4. Most common disqualification for this specific RA post

For RA candidates using the ME/MTech + 3 years experience route, the single most common reason for rejection is that the experience is not “after ME/MTech.” The notification states “having 3 years of research, teaching, and design and policy experience after ME/M.Tech.” Experience gained before completing your ME/MTech does NOT count. Additionally, the experience must be full-time and documented with appointment letters and relieving letters. Freelance consulting, internship experience, or part-time teaching assistant roles are not counted. If you completed ME/MTech in 2022, your experience from 2023–2026 counts. If you have a PhD, this condition does not apply to you — your PhD years count as research experience regardless of when they occurred relative to ME/MTech.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the approximate in-hand salary after deductions for JRF and RA?

For JRF (₹37,000 basic) in a Y-class city, approximate in-hand is ₹42,920 per month after adding HRA (₹5,920). No tax or NPS deduction applies. For RA-I (₹58,000 basic) in a Y-class city, in-hand is approximately ₹67,280. For RA-II: ₹70,760. For RA-III: ₹77,720. These figures increase if the host institute is in a Z-class city (higher HRA) or decrease for X-class cities (lower HRA).

What is the last date to apply for JRF and RA positions 2026?

The application deadline is 25 April 2026. Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted. The Google Form link may automatically close at midnight on 25 April. No extension has been announced.

What are the total vacancies and post names?

Total 3 vacancies: Junior Research Fellow (JRF) — 1 post, Research Associate (RA) — 2 posts. Both positions are under the “Technological Innovation and Intellectual Property” research project funded by DST.

What is the minimum educational qualification for JRF?

Master’s degree in Economics, Public Policy, Management, or Development Studies with first class OR Bachelor’s degree in Engineering in Water or Environment with first class. Additionally, you must have qualified GATE, CSIR-UGC NET, CSIR-UGC LS, or INSPIRE. A Master’s degree alone is not sufficient — the NET/GATE/INSPIRE is mandatory.

What is the age limit for General category candidates?

The official notification does not specify any age limit for either JRF or RA positions. This is unusual but not unprecedented for DST project positions. Candidates of any age who meet the educational and experience criteria are eligible to apply. However, standard DST norms for similar positions typically expect JRF candidates to be under 32 years and RA candidates under 40 years for General category, but these are not written in this notification.

What is the age relaxation for OBC, SC, ST candidates?

Since the notification does not specify any base age limit, age relaxation is not explicitly mentioned. However, if the selection committee applies standard DST norms internally, OBC candidates typically receive 3 years relaxation, SC/ST candidates receive 5 years relaxation, and PwD candidates receive 10 years relaxation over the General category limit. Apply regardless of age — the absence of written limits works in your favour.

What is the application fee?

The notification does not mention any application fee. The Google Form link may or may not include a payment step. If no payment is requested, proceed with submission. If a fee is requested, pay online and save the receipt. Do not pay any amount outside the official Google Form link.

What is the selection process?

Two-stage process: (1) Shortlisting based on qualifications and experience — candidates with additional qualifications (publications, M.Phil, extra experience) are preferred. (2) Interview — final selection is based entirely on interview performance. No written examination. For RA candidates, the interview determines whether you are placed in RA-I, RA-II, or RA-III category.

Can final year students apply?

No. The notification does not mention appearing candidates. You must possess the required degree at the time of application. Final year students who will complete their degree after 25 April 2026 are not eligible.

What documents are required for the RA application?

CV, PhD degree certificate OR ME/MTech degree certificate + 3 years of full-time experience certificates (research/teaching/design/policy), at least one SCI-indexed journal paper reprint or acceptance letter, category certificate if applicable, and a valid government photo ID. The SCI paper is mandatory — non-SCI papers (Scopus, Web of Science non-SCI, UGC CARE) are not accepted.

Where can I find the interview shortlist and result?

The notification states “Only shortlisted candidates will be intimated by email for an interview.” No public list will be published on any website. Check your email (including spam folder) regularly after 25 April 2026. If you do not receive an email within 4 weeks, you have not been shortlisted.

Is there negative marking in the selection process?

No. There is no written examination. The selection process consists only of shortlisting (based on qualifications) and an interview. There is no negative marking or scoring system for the shortlisting stage — it is purely eligibility-based with preference for “over and above” qualifications.

Can I apply for both JRF and RA positions?

The notification does not explicitly prohibit applying for both. However, the eligibility criteria are different — JRF requires a Master’s/BE + NET/GATE, while RA requires a PhD or ME/MTech + 3 years experience + SCI paper. If you meet both sets of criteria (e.g., you have a PhD and also have NET/GATE), you can submit separate applications. The Google Form may allow you to select your preferred post. The selection committee will consider you only for the post you apply for — they will not automatically consider you for JRF if you apply for RA and are not shortlisted.