1. Introduction

For many serious government job aspirants in Andhra Pradesh-especially those with engineering, science, and agriculture backgrounds-ISRO recruitments represent the highest end of merit-based central government opportunities. They are rare, highly competitive, and uncompromising on eligibility.

This ISRO Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad recruitment for Scientist/Engineer posts is not for mass applicants. It is meant for a narrow, highly qualified pool of candidates who already meet strict academic benchmarks.

If you are an AP candidate preparing broadly for APPSC Group exams or routine state-level jobs, this notification needs careful filtering, not blind application.

2. Key Recruitment Details (Verified Only)

The following details are strictly from the official notification (Advt No. SAC:01:2026 dated 23.01.2026):

  • Recruiting Organisation: Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad - ISRO
  • Post Name: Scientist/Engineer ‘SD’ and Scientist/Engineer ‘SC’ (Post Codes 01-16)
  • Total Vacancies: 49
  • Nature of Posts: Temporary, but likely to continue
  • Application Mode: Online only
  • Application Window:
    • Start: 23 January 2026 (from 10:00 hrs)
    • Last Date: 12 February 2026 (up to 17:00 hrs)
  • Official Websites:

Any detail not explicitly mentioned above is not available in the official notification.

3. Eligibility Explained for Andhra Pradesh Candidates

Educational Qualification - Practical Interpretation

This recruitment is post-code specific. Each discipline demands a very precise academic combination, including:

  • Minimum percentage / CGPA thresholds
  • Degrees completed within the normal duration
  • No relaxation for lower marks
  • Open & Distance Learning (ODL) professional degrees are not accepted

For AP candidates:

  • Degrees from AP state universities are valid only if they strictly match the discipline and duration criteria.
  • Many candidates from agriculture and science backgrounds in AP are rejected because their specialisation title does not exactly match the post code requirement.

If your degree name differs even slightly, do not assume equivalence unless explicitly stated in the notification.

Local Status / Domicile

  • No Andhra Pradesh local status or reservation applies.
  • This is a central government recruitment, conducted entirely on all-India merit.

AP candidates should apply only on academic strength, not reservation expectations.

Age Limit (as on 12-02-2026)

  • Scientist/Engineer ‘SD’: 18-35 years
  • Scientist/Engineer ‘SC’ (M.E./M.Tech based): 18-30 years
  • Scientist/Engineer ‘SC’ (M.Sc based): 18-28 years

Age relaxations apply only as per Government of India rules (PwBD, Ex-Servicemen, serving Central Govt employees).
AP state relaxations do not apply.

4. Who Should Apply - And Who Should Not

Should Apply

  • AP candidates with strong academic records (high CGPA/percentages)
  • Candidates with exact discipline match as per post code
  • PhD holders or serious postgraduates aiming for long-term scientific careers
  • Those already preparing for ISRO/DRDO/BARC-level exams

Should NOT Apply (to avoid wasting time and money)

  • Candidates applying “just to try luck”
  • APPSC Group aspirants without domain specialisation
  • Candidates with borderline marks or non-matching specialisations
  • Those relying on state reservation logic

This recruitment has no margin for adjustment.

5. Application Process - AP Candidate Focus

Step-by-Step (Online Only)

  1. Register/update profile in ISRO Live Register portal
  2. Apply through SAC recruitment portal
  3. Upload documents strictly as per format:
    • Photo, signature (recent, colour, correct dimensions)
    • All qualification certificates
    • Caste/PwBD/Ex-Servicemen certificates if applicable
  4. Pay application fee via Bharatkosh (online modes only)

Common AP-Specific Mistakes

  • Uploading older photos or incorrect file sizes
  • Using state-format caste certificates without clarity on central validity
  • CGPA-to-percentage conversions not allowed beyond what ISRO specifies
  • Assuming edits are possible after submission (they are not)

Once submitted, no correction or withdrawal is permitted.

6. Selection Process & What to Expect Next

Scientist/Engineer ‘SD’

  • Shortlisting based on applications
  • Interview only
  • Final selection purely on interview performance

Scientist/Engineer ‘SC’

  • Written Test + Interview
  • Written test includes:
    • Discipline-specific MCQs
    • Aptitude
    • Descriptive technical section (for M.E./M.Tech posts)
  • Final merit:
    • 50% Written Test
    • 50% Interview

Timeline Reality (AP Aspirants Take Note)

ISRO recruitments move slower than APPSC notifications. Expect:

  • Several months gap between application and exam
  • Further delay before interviews and final panels

Patience is essential.

7. Salary, Job Role & Career Growth

Pay Structure (Confirmed)

  • Scientist/Engineer ‘SD’: Level 11 (₹67,100 - ₹2,08,700)
  • Scientist/Engineer ‘SC’: Level 10 (₹56,100 - ₹1,77,500)

Allowances include DA, HRA/quarters, transport, medical, LTC, NPS/UPS, etc.

Posting

  • Initial posting not in Andhra Pradesh
  • SAC is based in Ahmedabad; transfers anywhere in India are possible

This is a career-defining role, but not location-friendly for AP-focused candidates.

8. Preparation Strategy (If Exam-Based)

For AP candidates unfamiliar with ISRO exams:

  • Focus only on your core discipline
  • Ignore general APPSC-style general studies
  • Revise:
    • Core engineering/science fundamentals
    • Applied concepts, not rote theory
  • Aptitude section is basic but cannot be ignored

This is not a last-minute exam.

9. Pros & Cons (Critical View)

Pros

  • Elite central government scientific role
  • Strong pay and long-term stability
  • International-level work exposure

Cons

  • Extremely high competition
  • No AP reservation advantage
  • Limited vacancies
  • Location flexibility required

10. Applicant Checklist (Before Final Submission)

  • Degree title exactly matches post code
  • Marks/CGPA meet minimum without assumptions
  • Age eligibility confirmed as on 12-02-2026
  • Certificates scanned correctly
  • Willingness to work outside Andhra Pradesh

If any box is unchecked, reconsider applying.

11. Conclusion

For Andhra Pradesh aspirants, ISRO SAC Scientist/Engineer Recruitment 2026 is not about opportunity volume, but opportunity depth.

Apply only if:

  • You meet eligibility fully
  • You are serious about a scientific career
  • You understand the competition and delays

A well-judged non-application is often wiser than an uninformed one.

12. FAQs (AP Aspirant Focused)

Q. Does AP local status give any advantage?
No. This is a central recruitment with no state-based reservation.

Q. Can AP caste certificates be used?
Only if valid for central government recruitment and in prescribed format.

Q. Can I apply for multiple post codes?
Yes, but separate applications and fees may be required as per notification.

Q. Is this similar to APPSC exams?
No. This is a domain-intensive scientific recruitment, not a general competitive exam.