UPSC Scientist-B Recruitment 2026 is officially open, and this is a standout opportunity for postgraduate scientists and engineers looking for a prestigious Group ‘A’ Gazetted position in the Central Government. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released Advertisement No. 05/2026, notifying 46 vacancies for Scientist-B posts in the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), under the Ministry of Earth Sciences. Three specialisations are on offer: Atmospheric Sciences, General Meteorology, and Instrumentation.
Applications are being accepted online at the UPSC Online Recruitment Portal from 23 May 2026, with the window closing on 12 June 2026 at 6:00 PM. The pay scale sits at Level 10 of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix — a solid salary package for a career in cutting-edge weather science and research. If you hold the right qualifications and want a stable, well-paying Sarkari Naukri in science, read on — this guide covers everything.
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Table of Contents
UPSC Scientist-B IMD Recruitment 2026 – Quick Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Advertisement No. | 05/2026 |
| Post Name | Scientist-B (Atmospheric Sciences / General Meteorology / Instrumentation) |
| Department | Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Ministry of Earth Sciences |
| Post Type | Group ‘A’ Gazetted, Non-Ministerial |
| Total Vacancies | 46 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Dates | 23 May 2026 – 12 June 2026 |
| Age Limit | 35 to 40 years (category-wise) |
| Pay Scale | Level 10 (7th CPC) — ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 |
| Official Website | upsconline.nic.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 23 May 2026 |
| Online Application Opens | 23 May 2026 |
| Online Application Closes | 12 June 2026 (6:00 PM) |
| Eligibility Determined As On | 12 June 2026 |
| Recruitment Test (if held) | To be announced |
| Interview / Personality Test | To be intimated separately |
⚠️ Don’t wait for the last day! Government portals slow down significantly near deadlines. Apply at least 3–4 days before 12 June 2026 to avoid technical glitches.
Vacancy Details – Post-Wise Breakdown
UPSC is filling 46 Scientist-B posts across three distinct specialisations. Here’s the full breakdown:
1. Scientist-B (Atmospheric Sciences) — Vacancy No. 26050512623
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR) | 03 |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | 03 |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 01 |
| Total | 07 |
- Pay Level: Level 10 (7th CPC)
- Headquarters: New Delhi
- Service Liability: All India
2. Scientist-B (General Meteorology) — Vacancy No. 26050513623
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR) | 12 |
| EWS | 11 |
| OBC-NCL | 01 |
| SC | 05 |
| ST | 01 |
| PwBD | 01 |
| Total | 30 |
- Pay Level: Level 10 (7th CPC)
- Headquarters: New Delhi
- Service Liability: All India
3. Scientist-B (Instrumentation) — Vacancy No. 26050514623
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR) | 03 |
| EWS | 03 |
| OBC-NCL | 02 |
| SC | 01 |
| PwBD | 01 |
| Total | 09 |
- Pay Level: Level 10 (7th CPC)
- Headquarters: New Delhi
- Service Liability: All India
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Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
| Post | Required Qualification |
|---|---|
| Scientist-B (Atmospheric Sciences) | Master’s Degree in Engineering/Technology in Atmospheric Sciences, Ocean Science, Hydrology, Atmospheric Physics, or Radar & Microwave Engineering from a recognised university |
| Scientist-B (General Meteorology) | Master’s Degree in Science in Mathematics, Physics, Atmospheric Science/Physics, or Meteorology from a recognised university |
| Scientist-B (Instrumentation) | Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering/Technology in Electronics & Communication, Mechanical, IT, Instrumentation, Mechatronics, Electrical, or Computer Science from a recognised university |
✅ Your degree must be from a university or institute recognised by the relevant statutory authority. Check the official notification PDF to confirm equivalencies.
Age Limit (As on 12 June 2026)
| Category | Maximum Age |
|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR) / EWS | 35 years |
| OBC-NCL | 38 years |
| SC / ST | 40 years |
| PwBD | Up to 10 years additional relaxation over base category limit |
💡 Note: The minimum age is not specified in the notification. Age is calculated as of the application closing date — 12 June 2026.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS (Male candidates) | ₹25/- |
| Female Candidates | Nil (Exempted) |
| SC / ST Candidates | Nil (Exempted) |
| PwBD Candidates | Nil (Exempted) |
Payment can be made online through the UPSC portal using net banking, debit/credit card, or UPI. The fee is non-refundable.
UPSC Scientist-B Salary 2026 – What Will You Earn?
This is one of the most important sections — so let’s break it down clearly.
Selected candidates will be appointed at Level 10 of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix, which is the standard pay scale for Group ‘A’ entry-level gazetted posts.
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Pay Level | Level 10 (7th CPC) |
| Basic Pay Range | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 per month |
| Dearness Allowance (DA) | As applicable (currently revised twice yearly) |
| House Rent Allowance (HRA) | Based on city of posting (8%–24% of basic pay) |
| Transport Allowance (TA) | As per government norms |
| Estimated In-Hand (New Delhi) | Approx. ₹70,000 – ₹85,000 per month (starting level) |
The actual take-home will vary based on your posting city, DA rate at the time of joining, and applicable deductions (NPS contribution, income tax). But at Level 10, this is a competitive Sarkari salary for a science professional.
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Selection Process for UPSC Scientist-B 2026
The selection is straightforward — no lengthy multi-stage exam process like UPSC CSE. Here’s how it works:
- Application Submission — Apply online at upsconline.nic.in before 12 June 2026.
- Shortlisting — UPSC will shortlist candidates based on higher educational qualifications or relevant experience. If the number of applications is very large, a Recruitment Test (RT) may be conducted before the interview stage.
- Recruitment Test (RT) — Only if a large applicant pool requires it. UPSC will notify shortlisted candidates separately about the test date, centre, and pattern.
- Interview / Personality Test — Shortlisted candidates (after RT, if held, or directly after shortlisting) appear for a 100-mark interview. The minimum qualifying marks are:
- General / EWS: 50 marks
- OBC-NCL: 45 marks
- SC / ST / PwBD: 40 marks
- Final Merit List & Appointment — The final selection is based on performance in the interview (and RT, if applicable). Medical fitness verification follows before appointment.
✅ There is no written exam mandated by default — if you clear the shortlisting stage, you go straight to the interview. Prepare your subject knowledge and research portfolio thoroughly.
How to Apply for UPSC Scientist-B Recruitment 2026
💡 Before you start: Have your scanned photograph (20–50 KB, JPEG) and scanned signature (10–40 KB, JPEG) ready. Also keep your degree certificates, caste/PwBD certificates (if applicable), and experience documents scanned in PDF format.
- Go to the official UPSC Online Recruitment Portal: upsconline.nic.in/ora/
- If you are a new user, create an account and generate your Universal Registration Number (URN).
- Log in and complete the Common Application Form (CAF) — upload your live photograph and signature.
- Navigate to the Post/Vacancy-specific module and select the relevant Scientist-B post(s) by Vacancy Number.
- Fill in all required details: educational qualifications, age, category, experience, etc.
- Upload supporting documents in PDF format (degree certificates, category certificates, etc.).
- Pay the application fee of ₹25/- (if applicable) using the online payment gateway.
- Review all entries carefully and submit the form. Note: No corrections or withdrawal are allowed after final submission.
- Take a printout of the submitted application and keep it safely for future reference.
⚠️ UPSC accepts no applications by post or in person. Only online applications through the portal will be accepted.
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Important Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Notification PDF (Advt. No. 05/2026) | Download Here |
| Apply Online | upsconline.nic.in/ora/ |
| UPSC Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
| IMD Official Website | mausam.imd.gov.in |
| Interview Notification | To be announced on UPSC website |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many vacancies are available under UPSC Scientist-B IMD Recruitment 2026?
A total of 46 vacancies have been notified — 7 for Atmospheric Sciences, 30 for General Meteorology, and 9 for Instrumentation. All posts are Group ‘A’ Gazetted.
What is the last date to apply for UPSC Scientist-B 2026?
The online application window closes on 12 June 2026 at 6:00 PM. Apply early to avoid last-minute portal congestion — UPSC systems can slow down close to deadlines.
Is the application fee the same for all candidates?
No. Male candidates in General, OBC, and EWS categories pay ₹25/-. Female candidates and SC, ST, and PwBD candidates of all categories are fully exempted from the fee.
Can a candidate apply for more than one Scientist-B post?
Yes. Each of the three posts has a separate Vacancy Number, and you can apply for multiple posts. However, a separate application and separate fee (if applicable) must be submitted for each vacancy.
Is there a written exam for UPSC Scientist-B recruitment?
A Recruitment Test (RT) is not mandatory. It will only be held if the number of applications is large enough to necessitate shortlisting through a test. Otherwise, candidates are shortlisted directly for the interview based on qualifications and experience.
What is the salary for a UPSC Scientist-B at IMD?
The starting basic pay is ₹56,100 per month at Level 10 (7th CPC). With Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and Transport Allowance (TA), the estimated gross in-hand for a New Delhi posting is around ₹70,000–₹85,000 per month.
Will selected candidates be posted only in New Delhi?
The headquarters is New Delhi, but these posts carry an All India Service Liability. This means you can be posted to any IMD office across the country, depending on departmental requirements.
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Summing Up…
UPSC Scientist-B Recruitment 2026 is a genuine career opportunity for science and engineering graduates who want to combine their expertise with the security and benefits of a Central Government job. With 46 vacancies, a Level 10 pay scale, and a selection process that focuses on subject knowledge and interview performance (rather than a lengthy competitive exam), this is worth every bit of your attention.
The application window is short — it closes on 12 June 2026. Read the official notification PDF carefully, gather all your documents, and apply well before the deadline. Stay ahead of application deadlines — follow Govtserviceinfo.com for daily Sarkari Naukri alerts, pay commission updates, and government employee news.
Disclaimer: All information in this article has been sourced from the official UPSC Advertisement No. 05/2026 published by the Union Public Service Commission. GovtServiceInfo.com is not a recruiting authority and does not accept job applications. We strongly recommend reading the full official notification before applying and verifying all details — especially dates, eligibility criteria, and application fees — directly from the official UPSC website. We are not responsible for any changes made by UPSC after the date of publication.
