ISRO Civil (Scientist/Engineer SC) 2026: Exam Pattern, Syllabus, Cut Off & Free Mock Tests
ISRO Scientist/Engineer 'SC' — Civil Engineering
ISRO recruits civil engineers as Scientist/Engineer 'SC' through the ISRO Centralised Recruitment Board (ICRB) — for designing and maintaining launch complexes, ground facilities and space-centre infrastructure. It is one of the most prestigious central-government roles a civil engineer can hold.
Selection is ISRO's own written test plus interview — GATE is not required. The written paper mixes discipline questions (with negative marking) and an aptitude section (without), and the final merit weighs the written test and interview equally.
ISRO Civil (Scientist/Engineer SC) 2026 — Overview
| Conducting body | ISRO Centralised Recruitment Board (ICRB) |
| Post | Scientist/Engineer 'SC' (Civil) |
| Mode | Written test (objective) + Interview |
| Eligibility | B.E./B.Tech Civil with min. 65% (or CGPA 6.84/10) |
| Age limit | 18–28 years (relaxations apply) |
| GATE required? | No — ISRO conducts its own exam |
ISRO Civil (Scientist/Engineer SC) Exam Pattern
Written Test
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Part A: Civil Engineering (discipline) | 80 | 80 |
| Part B: Aptitude/Ability Tests | 15 | 20 |
Duration: 2 hours
Negative marking: Part A: 1/3 mark per wrong answer · Part B: no negative marking
ℹ️ Shortlisting for interview is roughly 1:5 per post. Final selection = 50% written + 50% interview.
ISRO Civil (Scientist/Engineer SC) Syllabus — Key Subjects
See the detailed chapter-wise syllabus (built from real previous-year papers) on the ISRO Civil (Scientist/Engineer SC) test series page →
Eligibility
- ✓B.E./B.Tech in Civil Engineering (or equivalent) with minimum 65% marks or CGPA 6.84/10 from a recognised university.
- ✓Age 18–28 years (OBC +3, SC/ST +5 against reserved posts).
- ✓Final-year students may apply if the degree completes before document verification.
Salary & Career
Scientist/Engineer 'SC' joins at Pay Level-10 (₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500). With allowances, in-hand salary is typically ₹85,000–₹95,000 per month, plus ISRO's research environment, quarters and career progression to senior scientist grades.
ISRO Civil (Scientist/Engineer SC) Cut Off
ISRO does not publish conventional cutoffs; shortlisting is per-post and per-cycle. Focus on maximising the 80 discipline questions with 1/3 negative-marking discipline.
Vacancy Trends
| Typical cycle | Civil discipline posts are limited (single-digit to low double-digit per advertisement) — competition is high |
How to Prepare for ISRO Civil (Scientist/Engineer SC)
- 1The 65% degree criterion is absolute — confirm eligibility before investing preparation time.
- 2Part A rewards GATE-level conceptual clarity; previous ICRB civil papers show a design-heavy bias (RCC, steel, foundations).
- 3Part B (aptitude) has no negative marking — attempt all 15 questions, always.
- 4The interview carries 50% weightage — revise your B.Tech projects and core fundamentals, not just MCQ practice.
Start Practising ISRO Civil (Scientist/Engineer SC) — Free
Exam-pattern mocks, previous-year papers, detailed solutions and chapter-wise analytics — built only for civil engineers, by a civil engineer who cleared these exams.
ISRO Civil (Scientist/Engineer SC) — Frequently Asked Questions
Is GATE required for ISRO civil engineer recruitment?▾
No. ISRO recruits Scientist/Engineer 'SC' through its own ICRB written test and interview. A GATE score is not part of this selection.
What is the minimum percentage required for ISRO Scientist/Engineer?▾
A minimum of 65% aggregate (or CGPA 6.84/10) in B.E./B.Tech is mandatory. Candidates below this cannot apply.
Where can I practise for the ISRO civil written test?▾
CIVILGYAN TEST SERIES offers degree-level civil engineering mocks and chapter tests that map to the ICRB discipline paper, with detailed solutions — free tests available.
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Disclaimer: Exam patterns, cutoffs, vacancies and eligibility rules change between recruitment cycles. The figures above are compiled for guidance from past cycles — always verify details from the official notification of the conducting body before applying.