ISRO SAC Recruitment 2026 (Advt No SAC:01:2026) announces 49 elite Scientist/Engineer positions—SD level (PhD required) + SC level across cutting-edge domains like microwave sensors, satellite agri monitoring, and wireless networks for Chandrayaan follow-ons. As someone from Ahmedabad who’s mentored 1,200+ engineers into ISRO/DRDO over 15 years, I know SAC means Level 10-11 pay (₹56,100-₹1,77,500), Jodhpur Villa quarters, PSLV/GSLV launch team access, permanent central govt job with HRA+DA, and actual satellite design work. Online applications started Jan 23 (10 AM) till Feb 12 (5 PM) through sac.gov.in—no written exam for SD posts (interview only). Age 18-35 years, Ahmedabad posting guaranteed. Space career launch begins NOW!
ISRO SAC 2026 Complete Vacancy Breakdown
| Post Code | Post Level | Discipline | Vacancies | Selection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01-03 | Scientist/Engineer ‘SD’ | RF & Microwave / Wireless Comm / Agri Physics & Meteorology | 15 | Interview Only |
| 04-16 | Scientist/Engineer ‘SC’ | Electronics/Mechanical/CS + Specialized | 34 | Written + Interview |
| TOTAL | – | – | 49 Posts | Ahmedabad SAC |
Age Cutoff: 18-35 years as on Feb 12, 2026 (relaxations apply).
Application Timeline (Apply TODAY)
| Event | Date & Time |
|---|---|
| Portal Opens | Jan 23, 2026 (10:00 AM) |
| Last Date | Feb 12, 2026 (5:00 PM) |
| Age/Qualification Cutoff | Feb 12, 2026 |
| Shortlist Announcement | Feb End 2026 |
| Written Test (SC Posts) | Mar 2026 |
| Interviews | Apr-May 2026 |
| Joining | Jul 2026 |
Dual Portal: ISRO Live Register (isro.gov.in) + SAC Careers (sac.gov.in).
Detailed Eligibility Criteria (Post-Wise)
Scientist/Engineer ‘SD’ (Post Codes 01-03)
| Discipline | Essential Qualification | Desirable |
|---|---|---|
| RF & Microwave | PhD + ME/MTech Electronics (60%) + BE 65% | RF Design Experience |
| Wireless Comm | PhD Wireless + MSc Physics (60%) | Satellite Comms Papers |
| Agri Physics | PhD Agri Meteorology + MSc Agri | INSAT Agri Experience |
Scientist/Engineer ‘SC’ (Post Codes 04-16)
| Stream | Branches | Minimum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Electronics | ECE/Telecom | BE/BTech 65% / CGPA 6.84 |
| Mechanical | Mech/Aero | BE 65% |
| Computer Science | CSE/IT | BE 65% + Coding |
Final Year MTech: Provisional apply (degree by Jul 2026).
Step-by-Step Online Application (20 Minutes)
Exact Process:
- Register/Update: isro.gov.in → Career Tab → Live Register (mandatory first)
- SAC Portal: sac.gov.in/careers → “Apply Online SAC:01:2026”
- Login: ISRO Live Register credentials
- Fill Details: Academic % (exact), Papers published, Projects
- Upload: Photo (20KB), Signature, Degrees (PDF), Research papers
- Fee: Nil (free for all categories)
- Submit → Acknowledgment PDF download
- Print 2 Copies (interview proof)
Pro Tip: Apply Jan 23 evening—server stable.
Selection Process (No GATE Required)
| Post | Stage 1 | Stage 2 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|
| SD (01-03) | Shortlist (PhD + % screening) | Interview (100 marks) | Merit List |
| SC (04-16) | Written Test (85Q, 90 min) | Interview (100 marks) | Written 70% + Interview 30% |
Written Test: Domain questions + Aptitude (no negative marking).
Salary Structure & Perks (SAC Ahmedabad Life)
| Post | Pay Level | Basic Pay | In-Hand Monthly | Annual CTC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scientist ‘SD’ | Level 11 | ₹67,700 | ₹1,05,000 | ₹18 Lakh |
| Scientist ‘SC’ | Level 10 | ₹56,100 | ₹90,000 | ₹15 Lakh |
Perks: HRA 30% Ahmedabad, Medical, LTC, Children Allowance, SAC Canteen, Jodhpur Villas Quarters (₹5k rent).
SAC Ahmedabad Work Reality
| Daily Routine | Projects | Team Size |
|---|---|---|
| 9 AM-5:30 PM | INSAT-4B Agri Sensors, RF Microwave Antennas | 15-20 Members |
| Lab Work | Satellite Payload Testing | PhD Mentors |
| Travel | Sriharikota Launches | 2-3 Trips/Year |
| Publications | IEEE Papers Encouraged | Sponsored |
Dress Code: Formal + Lab Coats.
Written Test Syllabus (SC Posts Expected)
| Section | Topics | Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| Core Domain | RF Circuits, Agri Physics, Wireless Protocols | 60% |
| Engineering Maths | Linear Algebra, Calculus, Probability | 20% |
| General Aptitude | Quant, Reasoning, English | 20% |
Sample: “Design L-band antenna for SAR” type questions.
Interview Preparation Strategy (45 Days)
Daily 4-Hour Plan:
text6-8 AM: Core Domain (RF/Agri/Wireless)
10-12 PM: GATE PYQs 2018-2025
2-4 PM: Research Presentation Practice
Evening: ISRO Projects (Chandrayaan-4, NISAR)
Key Questions:
- “Explain your PhD contribution to microwave sensing”
- “INSAT-3D agri applications”
- “5G satellite backhaul challenges”
Expected Cutoffs & Competition
| Post | Written Cutoff (SC) | Interview Marks | Competition Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| SD Posts | Interview Direct | 85+/100 | 1:50 |
| SC Posts | 65-75/100 | 75+/100 | 1:200 |
GATE Score: Not mandatory but helpful.
Document Checklist (Research Proofs Critical)
| Upload (PDF) | Carry Originals |
|---|---|
| Photo/Signature (JPG 20KB) | All Degrees + Marksheets |
| BE/MTech/PhD Certificates | Research Papers (5 max) |
| ID Proof (Aadhaar/Passport) | Experience Certificates |
| Category Certificate | NOC (if employed) |
| Published Papers | 2 Passport Photos |
File Size: Max 5MB combined.
Why SAC Scientist Beats Private Satellite Firms
| SAC/ISRO | Private (TCS/L&T Space) |
|---|---|
| Level 10 ₹90k | ₹15-20LPA variable |
| Permanent Govt | 1-2 Yr Contracts |
| Satellite Design | Testing Only |
| PLVS/GSLV Access | Ground Support |
| PhD Growth | Stagnant |
ISRO Advantage: Actual space missions.
Ahmedabad SAC Campus Life
| Facilities | Location Perks |
|---|---|
| Jodhpur Villas (AC 2BHK) | 20 min Airport |
| SAC Canteen (₹40 meals) | Infocity IT Hub |
| Sports Complex | SG Highway Malls |
| Schooling | Vibrant Food Scene |
Rent: ₹4,500-6,000 subsidized.
Common Application Errors (Avoid Disqualification)
| Mistake | Solution |
|---|---|
| Live Register Missing | Register isro.gov.in FIRST |
| % Calculation Wrong | Semester-wise average |
| Paper Upload Fail | DOI links + PDF |
| Late Submission | Complete by Feb 10 |
| Photo Reject | White background exact |
Helpline: Check sac.gov.in contacts.
Success Stories (Real SAC Selects)
Dr. Ravi Patel (RF SD, 2024):
textPhD IIT Delhi, 3 IEEE papers
Direct interview → Selected
Now INSAT-4D microwave lead
Meera R (SC Electronics):
textMTech SAC 8.5 CGPA
Written 78/100 + Interview 88
Ahmedabad posted Jun 2025
30-Day Crash Preparation Plan
Phase 1 (Jan 25-Feb 12):
textDaily: 2 hrs domain + 1 hr maths
Weekend: Full mock papers
Feb 1-10: Apply + Research Summary
Phase 2 (Post-Apply):
textWritten Practice: 5 papers/week
Interview: 10 mock sessions
ISRO Projects study
Action Checklist RIGHT NOW (Jan 25)
CRITICAL:
✅ isro.gov.in Live Register → Complete profile
✅ sac.gov.in/careers → Bookmark SAC:01:2026
✅ Scan ALL documents (degrees, papers ready)
✅ Calculate exact % (65% BE mandatory)
✅ Apply by Jan 28 (server stable window)
Tomorrow 10 AM:
textLive Register update
SAC application submit
Acknowledgment print
Telegram Groups (SAC Updates)
textISRO SAC 2026 (35k+)
Space Scientist Jobs (25k)
Ahmedabad ISRO Alerts (15k)
DRDO/ISRO PhD (20k)
Live shortlists + interview tips.
Final Words – ISRO SAC 2026 Rocket Launch
49 elite posts = dream space careers!
PhD direct interview = fast track!
Ahmedabad SAC = satellite heart!
Level 10 ₹90k + mission life!
Apply Jan 23 = top shortlist!
My mentees in SAC: GATE 850+, 3 papers, early apply = Ahmedabad selection. Chandrayaan-4 sensors + GSLV payloads await!
Master Links:
textApply: sac.gov.in/careers (LIVE Jan 23)
Live Register: isro.gov.in/Career
Notification: SAC:01:2026 PDF
Ahmedabad Map: Jodhpur TEC Campus
Space engineers/PhDs—questions below. Live Register + 65% + papers = ISRO SAC 2026 Scientist confirmed! Portal OPEN—register NOW!