National Innovation Foundation–India (NIF), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, is recruiting 10 Scientists through direct recruitment under Advertisement No. Adv/02/2026. Vacancies are available at Scientist B, Scientist C and Scientist D levels across life sciences, agriculture, engineering, biotechnology, pharmaceutical sciences, veterinary sciences and related areas.
NIF Scientist Recruitment 2026 at a Glance
| Organisation | National Innovation Foundation–India (NIF) |
|---|---|
| Parent department | Department of Science & Technology, Government of India |
| Advertisement | Adv/02/2026 dated 29 August 2026 |
| Recruitment type | Direct recruitment through open competition on an all-India basis |
| Total vacancies | 10 |
| Posts | Scientist B, Scientist C and Scientist D |
| Pay levels | Levels 10, 11 and 12 under the 7th CPC Pay Matrix |
| Nationality | Indian citizens |
| Application mode | Online only |
| Application fee | ₹1,000 for UR/OBC/EWS; exempt for SC/ST/PwBD and women candidates |
| Location | Gandhinagar, Gujarat; service liability as per NIF rules |
| Last verified | 24 September 2026 |
Vacancy Distribution, Pay and Age Limit
| Scientist D | 1 post · UR-1 · Level 12 · ₹78,800–₹2,09,200 · upper age 40 years |
|---|---|
| Scientist C | 4 posts · UR-1, OBC-NCL-2, SC-1 · Level 11 · ₹67,700–₹2,08,700 · upper age 35 years |
| Scientist B | 5 posts · UR-4, OBC-NCL-1 · Level 10 · ₹56,100–₹1,77,500 · upper age 35 years |
The number of vacancies is provisional and may change. Age and other eligibility conditions are determined with reference to the closing date, with relaxation applicable according to Government of India rules.
Post-wise Eligibility
Scientist D — PC-01
Requires a relevant PhD covering biological sciences, environmental sciences, agricultural sciences, biotechnology, veterinary sciences, pharmaceutical sciences or an equivalent discipline, together with five years of relevant R&D experience and at least five original published works of a high standard.
Scientist C — PC-02 to PC-04
Scientist C posts require a relevant PhD, three years of R&D experience and at least three original publications. The discipline and applied focus vary by post code.
| PC-02 · 1 post | Agricultural Sciences, Production & Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electronics & Communication Engineering or equivalent; work may include prototype development, CAD/CAM/CAE, testing, manufacturing and field deployment. |
|---|---|
| PC-03 · 1 post | Biological Sciences or equivalent; relevant areas include biopesticides, biocontrol, analytical techniques, regulatory systems and agricultural IP. |
| PC-04 · 2 posts | Biological Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences or equivalent; relevant areas include traditional healthcare, validation, preclinical/clinical studies, quality systems and technology development. |
Scientist B — PC-05 to PC-08
Scientist B posts have different entry routes and each requires at least two original published works. Some post codes allow a first-class master’s degree instead of a PhD.
| PC-05 · 2 posts | PhD in Biological or Agricultural Sciences or equivalent, OR first-class Master’s degree in Biotechnology or equivalent. |
|---|---|
| PC-06 · 1 post | PhD in Agricultural Sciences with the specified agricultural specialisation or equivalent discipline. |
| PC-07 · 1 post | PhD in Agricultural Sciences or equivalent, OR first-class Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent. |
| PC-08 · 1 post | First-class Master’s degree in Veterinary Sciences or equivalent. |
Documents to Prepare
- proof of date of birth;
- educational qualification certificates and mark sheets;
- relevant experience certificates;
- SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS certificate, where applicable;
- PwBD documentation, where applicable;
- publication list and supporting publication details;
- PhD registration/award certificates, where applicable;
- foreign-degree equivalence certificate, where required;
- NOC or prescribed undertaking for candidates employed in specified government or government-funded organisations.
Experience certificates should clearly state designation, joining and relieving dates, nature of duties, and pay level/pay scale where relevant. Experience acquired during a full-time degree is not counted as professional experience under the advertisement.
Selection and Shortlisting
A Screening-cum-Shortlisting Committee will scrutinise applications. NIF may use additional shortlisting criteria when the number of eligible applications is high.
A written test may be conducted if NIF considers it necessary. Final selection can take into account interview performance, academic record, research contributions and relevant experience. Merely meeting the minimum eligibility criteria does not create a right to be called for interview.
NIF may maintain a reserve panel of interviewed candidates for one year from approval, subject to the recruitment rules and qualifying vacancies.
Important Rules Applicants Should Not Miss
| One-post rule | NIF instructs candidates to apply for only one post. |
|---|---|
| Multiple pay levels | If a candidate applies at different pay levels, the application for the lowest pay level will be considered. |
| Same pay level | If multiple applications are at the same pay level, the Screening-cum-Shortlisting Committee determines which application best matches the candidate’s qualifications. |
| Government employees | Applicants working in Government Departments, PSUs, autonomous/statutory bodies, universities or government-funded research institutions must comply with NOC/proper-channel requirements. |
| TA/DA | NIF does not provide TA/DA or accommodation for attending a test or interview. |
| Corrigenda | Applicants should monitor NIF’s official website for any corrigendum, addendum or recruitment update. |
How to Apply
- Read Advertisement Adv/02/2026 and identify the single post code that best matches your profile.
- Check the exact degree, publication, experience and age requirements.
- Register on the NIF recruitment portal and verify your email address.
- Complete the candidate profile with accurate academic and professional information.
- Select the relevant Scientist post code.
- Upload all required self-attested documents.
- Pay the application fee where applicable.
- Review the complete form before final submission.
- Save the submitted application and payment record.
CareerAidHub Applicant Guidance
Official requirement: applicants must satisfy the essential criteria for the chosen post code. CareerAidHub guidance: present evidence that matches NIF’s applied innovation mandate rather than submitting a generic academic profile.
Engineering applicants
Where applicable, highlight prototype development, design engineering, CAD/CAM/CAE, testing, manufacturing, cost optimisation, field deployment and stakeholder interaction.
Life-science and pharmaceutical applicants
Relevant evidence may include validation studies, analytical methods, biopesticides, herbal technologies, quality systems, regulatory exposure, intellectual property, preclinical work, field trials and multidisciplinary product development.
Use a requirement-to-evidence check
Before submission, map every essential and desirable criterion against your strongest supporting evidence. This is especially useful for interdisciplinary applicants deciding between Scientist B/C post codes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NIF Scientist Recruitment 2026 still open?
Yes. The recruitment remains open as verified on 24 September 2026. Applicants should check the live NIF portal before submitting.
What is the last date for NIF Scientist Recruitment 2026?
NIF states that applications close 30 days from publication in Employment News/Rozgar Samachar at 23:59 hours. The advertisement itself does not provide a fixed calendar date.
How many vacancies are available?
There are 10 advertised vacancies: 1 Scientist D, 4 Scientist C and 5 Scientist B posts.
Is a PhD compulsory for every NIF Scientist post?
No. Some Scientist B post codes permit a first-class master’s degree in specified disciplines. Scientist C and Scientist D require a relevant PhD under Adv/02/2026.
What is the application fee?
The fee is ₹1,000 for UR, OBC and EWS applicants. SC, ST, PwBD and women candidates are exempt.
Can I apply for more than one NIF Scientist post?
NIF instructs candidates to apply for only one post. The advertisement specifies how multiple applications will be handled if a candidate submits more than one.
Official Sources and Application Links
| Official recruitment page | NIF career page for Advertisement Adv/02/2026 |
|---|---|
| Official application portal | NIF candidate recruitment portal |
| Official advertisement | Advertisement Adv/02/2026 dated 29 August 2026 |
| Recruitment contact | jobs[at]nifindia[dot]org · 02764-261134 |
NIF’s advertisement and live recruitment portal are the controlling sources. Because the closing date is defined relative to Employment News/Rozgar Samachar publication, applicants should verify the live portal status before submission.
