CSIR-TKDL Project Associate I Recruitment 2026 – Walkin

CSIR-TKDL Unit, New Delhi, is holding a walk-in interview on 12 November 2026 for two Project Associate-I positions, one in Forestry & Ecology and one in Environmental Sciences. Indian citizens up to 35 years of age with the required Master's or Integrated Master's Degree can attend. Pay is Rs. 25,000/- or Rs. 31,000/- plus HRA, depending on whether the candidate has qualified NET, GATE or an equivalent national-level examination. The contract runs up to 15 January 2027 at most.

CSIR-TKDL Project Associate-I Recruitment 2026 Overview

The official notification does not specify the application fee.

About CSIR-TKDL

The CSIR-Traditional Knowledge Digital Library Unit is a constituent of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), located on Satsang Vihar Marg in New Delhi. It protects and preserves India's traditional knowledge found in ancient texts by digitizing it into modern languages in a structured format. Its key objective is to prevent misappropriation of this knowledge through the wrong acquisition of intellectual property rights.

CSIR-TKDL Project Associate-I Vacancy Details 2026

Both positions are under the project "The Importance of Traditional Wisdom: Environmental Consciousness in Vedic and other literature and its Relevance for Modern Climate Strategies (GAP-000001)".

Rs. 31,000/- + HRA applies to candidates who have qualified CSIR UGC/ICAR/ICMR/NET, including lectureship/assistant professorship, or GATE. It also applies to those who have qualified national-level examinations conducted by Central Government Departments like DBT/DST, or equivalent, and/or their agencies or institutions.

Rs. 25,000/- + HRA applies to all other candidates. HRA is payable as per the extant Government of India rules applicable to CSIR employees.

A panel of waitlisted candidates, in order of merit, will be formed to fill vacancies that may arise in the near future. The panel remains valid until the project is completed.

CSIR-TKDL Project Associate-I Eligibility 2026

Age Limit

The age limit is 35 years, and the upper age limit is calculated as on the date of the interview. Age relaxation for SC/ST/OBC/PwD/woman candidates applies as per CSIR/Govt. of India rules.

Project Associate-I (Forestry & Ecology), TKEE01

• Essential qualification: Master's/Integrated Master's Degree in Natural Sciences or Forestry/Ecology or related fields from a recognized University or equivalent.
• Desirable: Experience in field surveys, resource mapping, monitoring ecological indicators, and development of conservation and management strategies for natural resources.
• Job description: Data compilation, establishing correlation between traditional knowledge on agriculture, forestry and ecology and modern sciences/contemporary practices, and assistance in report preparation.

Project Associate-I (Environmental Sciences), TKEE02

• Essential qualification: Masters/Integrated Master's Degree in Environmental Sciences/Environmental Management/Environmental Studies/Environmental Engineering from a recognized University or equivalent.
• Desirable: Experience in handling environmental monitoring/climate change related project activities will be preferred.
• Job description: Establishing correlation between traditional knowledge and modern sciences/contemporary practices to mitigate arising environmental challenges.

Qualification and Experience Rules

• Candidates must have acquired the essential qualification with the result declared, and should hold at least a provisional certificate.
• Experience is counted from the date after acquiring the essential minimum educational qualification.
• Dissertation or thesis work done during the academic period is not counted as experience.
• Part-time, daily wages and visiting/guest faculty experience is not counted when shortlisting candidates for interview.
• Time spent acquiring a minimum higher qualification is not counted as experience over the essential qualification.

Check the official notification for the discipline-specific eligibility of each post.

Important Dates

Selection Process

Selection is through a walk-in interview, with original certificates checked for age, qualification, marks obtained and experience. Meeting the minimum qualification does not by itself give a candidate any right to selection. The decision of the Head, CSIR-TKDL Unit, is final and binding.

Service Conditions

• The engagement is purely temporary, time-bound and on contract basis, and is co-terminus with the project.
• Total tenure as project staff, including all CSIR postings and under one or more projects, cannot exceed six years.
• Performance is reviewed periodically, and staff not found up to the mark could be terminated without assigning any reason.
• Either side may end the contract with one month's notice or one-month stipend in lieu.
• The engagement gives no right to continuation beyond the tenure, absorption or regularization in CSIR, and no claim for a permanent position will be entertained.
• Project staff will not be upgraded in the same or any new project.
• The selected candidate is expected to join within the timeframe in the offer letter, after formalities such as medical examination and character verification.
• Other terms follow the guidelines of the funding agency/CSIR-TKDL Unit for project staff, as amended from time to time.

How to Apply for CSIR-TKDL Project Associate-I Recruitment 2026

1. Take the prescribed application form from the official notification or from www.csir.res.in.
2. Fill it in completely, paste your photo and sign across it. An incomplete application in any form will be rejected.
3. Complete and sign the declaration, including the years, months and days you have already served as project staff in CSIR.
4. Report in person between 9:30 AM and 10:30 AM on 12 November 2026 at CSIR-TKDL Unit, 14, Satsang Vihar Marg, Qutub Institutional Area, New Delhi – 110067.

Documents to Bring

• Duly filled application form
• All original certificates/testimonials supporting age, qualification, marks obtained and experience
• One set of self-attested photocopies of those certificates
• Certificate for age relaxation, if you claim it
• No-Objection Certificate from your current employer, if you are employed

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