Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)
Overview of ISRO
Full Name: Indian Space Research Organisation
Parent Organization: Department of Space, Government of India
Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka
Focus Areas: Space science, satellite development, launch vehicles, remote sensing,
communication, meteorology, navigation, etc.
ISRO Recruitment Overview
1. ISRO Scientist/Engineer 'SC' (Most Common Technical Post)
Feature Details
Cadre Group 'A' Gazetted Officer
Recruitment Body ISRO Centralised Recruitment Board (ICRB)
Website [Link]
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria Details
Qualification B.E./[Link] or equivalent (First Class, 65% or above)
Discipline Mechanical, Electronics, Computer Science, Electrical, Civil, etc.
Age Limit Generally 28 years (relaxations for SC/ST/OBC/ESM)
GATE Not mandatory (though sometimes used in shortlisting)
Selection Process
Written Test: Based on technical subject knowledge.
Interview: Only those who qualify the written test are called.
Written Exam Pattern:
Section Details
Total Questions 80
Marks 240 (3 marks/question)
Duration 90 minutes
Negative Marking 1 mark per wrong answer
Level GATE-level engineering questions, slightly more straightforward
Salary Structure
Post Pay Level Basic Pay In-hand Salary
Scientist/Engineer ‘SC’ Level 10 ₹56,100 ₹85,000–₹95,000 (approx)
Perks & Benefits:
DA, HRA/Accommodation, TA
Leave Travel Concession (LTC)
NPS, Group Insurance
Canteen, Library, Subsidized schooling, Medical facilities
Other ISRO Posts
Post Eligibility Recruitment Body
Technical Assistant Diploma in Engineering Through ISRO Centres (like VSSC, SDSC, etc.)
Technician B ITI Through ISRO Centres
Administrative Posts Graduate/12th Pass Separate recruitment
Scientist/Engineer ‘SD’ and
PhD/MTech Direct recruitment or promotion
above
Promotions & Growth
Scientist/Engineer ‘SC’ → ‘SD’ → ‘SE’ → ‘SF’ → ‘SG’ → ‘H’ → ‘Outstanding Scientist’
Promotions are performance-based and follow time-bound appraisal mechanisms.
Opportunities to work with international space agencies, and deputation to academic
institutions like IIST.
Preparation Strategy for ISRO Scientist/Engineer
Topic-Wise Weightage (Electronics)
Topic Approx. Weightage
Analog Circuits 10–12 questions
Digital Electronics 8–10 questions
Signals & Systems 6–8 questions
Control Systems 6–8 questions
Communication 8–10 questions
Microprocessors 4–6 questions
Network Theory 6–8 questions
EM Theory 3–5 questions
General Aptitude 4–5 questions (sometimes none)
Topic-Wise Weightage (Mechanical)
Topic Approx. No. of Ques ons
Strength of Materials (SOM) 10–12
Theory of Machines (TOM) 8–10
Thermodynamics 8–10
Fluid Mechanics 6–8
Heat and Mass Transfer (HMT) 5–7
Engineering Mechanics 3–5
Manufacturing Engineering 8–10
Industrial Engineering (OR+PP&C) 4–6
Machine Design 4–6
Refrigera on & Air Condi oning 2–4
Materials Science 2–3
Topic-Wise Weightage (Electrical)
Topic Approx. No. of Ques ons
Electrical Machines 12–14
Power Systems 10–12
Control Systems 8–10
Power Electronics & Drives 6–8
Network Theory 6–8
Electrical & Electronic Measurements 5–7
Analog Electronics 4–6
Digital Electronics 3–5
Signals & Systems 2–4
Electromagne c Theory 2–3
General Ap tude (rare) 0–3
Topic-Wise Weightage_ Civil Engineering
Topic Approx. No. of Ques ons
Strength of Materials 12–14
Structural Analysis 10–12
Soil Mechanics and Founda on Engineering 10–12
Building Materials 6–8
Construc on and Project Management 5–7
Surveying 5–7
Environmental Engineering 6–8
Hydrology and Water Resources 6–8
Transporta on Engineering 4–6
Concrete Technology 4–6
General Ap tude (rare) 0–3
Topic-Wise Weightage_ Computer Science Engineering
Topic Approx. No. of Ques ons
Algorithms 12–14
Data Structures 10–12
Computer Networks 8–10
Opera ng Systems 8–10
Database Management Systems (DBMS) 6–8
Theory of Computa on 6–8
So ware Engineering 5–7
Digital Logic 4–6
Discrete Mathema cs 4–6
Compiler Design 3–5
General Ap tude (rare) 0–3
Application Process
1. Visit [Link] → Careers → ICRB Recruitment
2. Apply online during the application window.
3. Pay fee (₹250 for Scientist/Engineer ‘SC’, women/SC/ST/PwBD exempted).
4. Download admit card and appear for written test.
Research Positions
JRF/SRF/RA in ISRO Research Labs (Space Physics Lab, URSC, etc.)
Mostly recruited via walk-in interviews or advertisements on the ISRO website.
Suggested Books for ISRO Prep
Made Easy/ACE Academy GATE Books
ISRO Previous Year Papers by Ramesh Publishing House
IES Master Practice Books (for concept clarity)
Final Tips
Focus deeply on GATE-level technical concepts, especially problem-solving.
Practice speed and accuracy — ISRO questions are tough but time-limited.
Follow ISRO project updates (like Gaganyaan, Chandrayaan, Aditya L1, etc.) for interview
readiness.
