Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Contractual / Regular

IIT Madras Project Associate Recruitment 2026

Sourced from Official Government PDF
Sep. 21, 2026
Project Associate-II

Required Qualification

Graduate316
Postgraduate288
B.Tech182
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Quick Recruitment Snapshot

Key recruitment parameters at a glance before you apply

Vacancies
03 Posts
Pay Scale
₹ 28,000 – ₹ 35,000/- per month + 30% HRA
Age Limit
Not Specified
Job Location
Tamil Nadu87Chennai26

Crucial Recruitment Dates

Official schedule & key deadlines

Published

Sep 18, 2026

2

Starts

Sep 18, 2026

3

Deadline

Sep 27, 2026

4

Exam Date

TBA

Application Window18 – 27 Sep 2026
Exam / Test DateTo Be Announced

Eligibility Criteria & Educational Qualifications

Who is eligible to apply for this recruitment? Check essential educational qualifications, branch/stream criteria, and age limits.

Educational Qualification

Master's degree in Physics or Electrical Engineering, OR Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Technology, or Physics from a recognized university, along with at least 2 years of verifiable R&D experience in industrial or academic institutions. Preferred: B.E./B.Tech in ECE/EE with min 7.0 CGPA, hands-on experience in embedded firmware (C/Python), ARM Cortex MCUs, and FPGA Verilog/VHDL design.

Age Limit & Relaxations

Age limit is not specified in the official circular. Standard DST and IIT Madras project recruitment norms apply (typically up to 35 years for Project Associate-II with SC/ST/OBC/Women relaxations).

Check Your Age Eligibility

Selection Procedure & Screening Stages

Verified Official Source

Multi-stage interview and rubric-based evaluation procedure.

Shortlisting based on Academic Records & Experience

OnlineQualifying Only

Technical Written / Skill Test & Personal Interview

OfflineMerit Scored

Selection is conducted through initial shortlisting of online applications based on qualifications, CGPA, and relevant embedded firmware/FPGA experience. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a Technical Written/Skill Test and Personal Interview in the Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Madras.

Selection Criteria & Marking Scheme

Verified Official Source

Official weightage breakdown, qualification scoring, and interview evaluation criteria.

Evaluation ComponentMax Marks / Weightage
Academic Credentials & Relevance of B.Tech/M.Tech/M.Sc Degree35 Marks
R&D Experience in Embedded C, FPGA Verilog & Optical Prototype Validation40 Marks
Technical Interview & Domain Competency in Optical/Electronic Systems25 Marks

Aspirant Ground Reality & Career Trajectory

Verified Official Source

Practical service rules, posting locations, transfer policy, and promotion ladder curated from official gazettes.

Work Culture & Environment

Office/fieldwork balance, duties, organizational environment.

Project Associates at IIT Madras work in world-class, sponsored research laboratories within the Department of Electrical Engineering under leading faculty researchers like Prof. Deepa Venkitesh. The project focuses on high-speed photonics, optical prototype hardware (Optical Power Meters, Electronic Variable Optical Attenuators/EVOA, Polarization Aligners, Dither-Free Bias Controllers), and actively mode-locked fiber lasers. Daily work involves FPGA Verilog RTL design, embedded firmware programming in C/Python, board bring-up using JTAG, oscilloscopes, and spectrum analyzers, and automated test bench calibration. The lab culture is collaborative, deeply research-oriented, and intellectually stimulating, offering direct exposure to deep-tech prototyping, technology transfer, and industry co-development.

Posting & Transfer Policy

Initial posting criteria, zone preferences, transfer liability.

The position is purely contractual and project-funded initially for a period of one year, extendable on an annual basis based on performance, milestones, and project grant funding. Stationed on the main IIT Madras campus in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The engagement does not confer any claim or right to permanent absorption or regular employment at IIT Madras. However, exceptional project staff frequently transition into sponsored M.S. (by Research) or Ph.D. programs at IIT Madras.

Career & Promotion Ladder

Promotion timeline, seniority ladder, pay grade scaling.

Within sponsored research frameworks governed by DST norms, candidates can progress from Project Associate-II (₹ 28,000–35,000 + HRA) to Senior Project Associate (₹ 42,000 + HRA) or Principal Project Associate upon completing requisite years of post-qualification experience or acquiring doctoral degrees. Experience gained at IIT Madras is highly regarded across semiconductor design houses, optical networking firms, and premier global R&D institutions.
Crucial Application Warnings & Eligibility Traps

Avoid common application rejection triggers, photo/signature guidelines, and certificate validity windows.

  • Strict Online-Only Application by 27.09.2026: Applications must be submitted through the IC&SR online portal (icandsr.iitm.ac.in/careers/current_openings.php) on or before 27.09.2026. Hard copies must NOT be sent to the institute.
  • Mandatory 2 Years Post-Qualification Experience: Candidates must possess at least 2 full years of verified post-qualification experience in research and development, firmware development, or FPGA design gained after acquiring the qualifying degree.
  • Dual Fellowship Structure: To receive the higher fellowship of ₹ 35,000/- + 30% HRA (₹ 45,500/month), candidates must have qualified through CSIR-UGC NET (including Lectureship), GATE, or an equivalent national-level examination conducted by Central Government departments/agencies.
  • One Application per Registered Login: The online portal accepts only one submission per registered email login ID for Advt.189/2026. Applicants must select all desired positions before final submission, as applications cannot be edited or reverted post-submission.

Category-Wise Vacancy Breakdown & Pay Scale

Detailed post distribution across UR, OBC, EWS, SC, ST quotas and 7th CPC Pay Matrix / Monthly Stipend.

Category-Wise Vacancy Distribution

  • Unreserved / Open3
  • Total3
Total Vacancies03 Posts

Pay Scale & Monthly Remuneration

Monthly emoluments:

  • With NET/GATE: ₹ 35,000/- + 30% HRA (₹ 45,500/- per month)
  • Without NET/GATE: ₹ 28,000/- + 30% HRA (₹ 36,400/- per month)

Consolidated monthly fellowship under DST OM SR/S9/Z-05/2019 norms: ₹ 35,000/- + 30% HRA (total ₹ 45,500/- per month) for scholars selected through CSIR-UGC NET (including Lectureship), GATE, or Central Government National Examinations; ₹ 28,000/- + 30% HRA (total ₹ 36,400/- per month) for others.

How to Apply Online Step-by-Step?

Follow this verified step-by-step application procedure on the official recruitment portal.

Application Procedure

  1. Visit the official IIT Madras IC&SR Careers portal (icandsr.iitm.ac.in/careers/current_openings.php).
  2. Locate Advertisement No. ICSR/PR/Advt.189/2026 and click on the application link for Project Associate-II (Department of Electrical Engineering).
  3. Register with a valid email ID and mobile number, and fill in educational qualifications, marks/CGPA, GATE/NET score details, and chronological R&D work experience.
  4. Upload required documents including degree certificates, semester marksheets, experience testimonials, identity proof, and resume.
  5. Review all entered data carefully (applications cannot be edited or reverted after submission) and submit the online application on or before 27.09.2026. Print and retain a copy of the application form for document verification. Do not send hard copies by post.

Application Fee & Category Concessions

Application fee is NIL (No fee required for any category).

Official Notification & Portal Verification

Direct links to the authorized government portal, official notification PDF, and career portal.

Verified Official Domain
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Frequently Asked Questions & Crucial Aspirant Queries

5 Queries Resolved

Clear, verified answers to top eligibility, exam format, salary calculation, and application queries for this notification.

Candidates must have either a Master's degree in Physics or Electrical Engineering, or a Bachelor's degree (B.E./B.Tech) in Electrical Engineering, Technology, or Physics, accompanied by a minimum of 2 years of R&D experience in an academic, industrial, or scientific research institution.

Sarkari Job Khojo is an independent information service and job discovery platform. All recruitment insights, syllabi, previous year exam cutoffs, and selection stages are compiled from official government notifications, gazettes, and recruitment portals. We are not affiliated with, authorized by, or an official representative of any government agency or recruitment board. Always verify details in the official advertisement PDF before applying.

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