Physical Research Laboratory
Contractual / Regular

PRL Telescope Operator Trainee Recruitment 2026

Sourced from Official Government PDF
Sep. 17, 2026
Telescope Operator Trainee

Required Qualification

B.Tech190
M.Sc163
M.Tech123
★
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Quick Recruitment Snapshot

Key recruitment parameters at a glance before you apply

Vacancies
8
Pay Scale
₹ 28,000/- per month (Stipend)
Age Limit
18 to 28 Years as on 15-10-2026
Job Location
Rajasthan13Mount Abu1+1 More...

Crucial Recruitment Dates

Official schedule & key deadlines

Published

Sep 14, 2026

2

Starts

Sep 14, 2026

3

Deadline

Sep 30, 2026

4

Exam Date

Oct 15, 2026

Application Window14 – 30 Sep 2026
Exam / Test Date15 Oct 2026

Eligibility Criteria & Educational Qualifications

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

Educational Qualification

M.Tech. in Physical Sciences / Astronomy / Applied Physics or allied streams with 60% or more marks; OR B.Tech. in Electronics / Electrical / Mechanical / Industrial Production / Computer Science / Instrumentation or allied engineering branches with 60% or more marks; OR M.Sc. in Physical Sciences / Applied Physics / Electronics / Astronomy / Instrumentation or allied subjects with 60% or more marks.

Age Limit & Relaxations

Minimum 18 years and maximum 28 years as on 15/10/2026. Age relaxations apply as per Government of India rules for reserved categories (OBC, SC, ST, PwBD, Ex-servicemen).

Check Your Age Eligibility

Selection Procedure & Screening Stages

Verified Official Source

Multi-stage interview and rubric-based evaluation procedure.

Online Google Form Registration & Prima-Facie Screening

OnlineQualifying Only

Certificate & Document Verification at Mount Abu Main Gate

OfflineQualifying Only

Technical & Hands-on Skill Test at Mount Abu Observatory

OfflineMerit Scored

Candidates must register online through the designated Google Form by 30 September 2026 (17:30 IST). Registered applicants must report in person on 15 October 2026 between 09:30 AM and 11:30 AM at the Main Gate, PRL, Hill View Bungalow, Mount Abu, Rajasthan for certificate verification. Verified eligible candidates will appear for the hands-on Skill Test on 15 October 2026 (continuing to 16 October 2026 if needed). Candidates reporting after 11:30 AM will not be permitted to take the Skill Test.

Selection Criteria & Marking Scheme

Verified Official Source

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

Evaluation Parameter / ComponentMax Marks / WeightageAssessment Criteria & Guidelines
Evaluation Component25 MarksAcademic Background in Physics / Astronomy / Engineering with >=60% Marks
Evaluation Component25 MarksOperational Understanding of Telescopes, Optical Systems & Mount Tracking
Evaluation Component25 MarksInstrumentation, Electronics, Control Systems & Computerized Data Acquisition
Evaluation Component25 MarksHands-on Technical Skill Test & Night Observation Aptitude at Mount Abu Observatory

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.

Telescope Operator Trainees at the Mount Abu Infrared Observatory (MIRO), operated by the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Department of Space, work at an elevation of approximately 1,680 meters near Gurushikhar in Mount Abu, Rajasthan. The role involves managing nighttime astronomical observations on the 1.2m and 2.5m optical/infrared telescopes, aligning secondary mirrors, operating cryogenic infrared spectrometers and optical polarimeters, and running computerized telescope control systems (TCS). Trainees work in nocturnal shift rotations in high-altitude cold weather conditions, collaborating directly with resident astronomers, astrophysicists, and technical maintenance engineers.

Posting & Transfer Policy

Initial posting criteria, zone preferences, transfer liability.

The traineeship is strictly for a fixed period of One Year. The posting is stationed at the Mount Abu Infrared Observatory, Physical Research Laboratory, Hill View Bungalow, Gora Chhapara, Mount Abu, Sirohi District, Rajasthan. Appointees are provided hands-on exposure to astronomical instrumentation, optics servicing, and observatory facility upgrades during the 12-month tenure.

Career & Promotion Ladder

Promotion timeline, seniority ladder, pay grade scaling.

The position is purely a temporary traineeship and carries no right to absorption, regular employment, or permanent regularization at PRL, ISRO, or the Department of Space. However, one full year of hands-on observational experience on research-grade 1.2m/2.5m telescopes and IR instrumentation provides an elite technical foundation, significantly strengthening candidates' profiles for permanent Technical Assistant / Scientific Assistant posts in ISRO, IIA, IUCAA, ARIES, TIFR, or admissions to premier Ph.D. / M.Tech. astrophysics programmes.
Crucial Application Warnings & Eligibility Traps

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

  • Strict reporting window: Registered candidates must report for certificate verification between 09:30 AM and 11:30 AM on 15/10/2026 at the Main Gate, PRL Mount Abu; candidates reporting after 11:30 AM will be strictly disqualified from the Skill Test.
  • Prior traineeship bar: Candidates who have previously availed or are currently availing a similar traineeship programme at PRL or its observatories are ineligible to apply and will not be permitted to take the Skill Test.
  • Temporary status notice: The traineeship is strictly for one year and does not confer any regular employment status or right to claim permanent absorption at PRL or Mount Abu Observatory.
  • Electronic gadget prohibition: Electronic devices including mobile phones, laptops, smartwatches, pen drives, cameras, and storage media are strictly prohibited inside the Skill Test premises.

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

  • Total8
Total Vacancies8

Pay Scale & Monthly Remuneration

Consolidated stipend of ₹ 28,000/- per month. Outstation candidates called for the Skill Test will be paid to-and-fro Sleeper Class train fare or ordinary bus fare by the shortest route on producing original tickets.

Fixed monthly stipend of ₹ 28,000/- per month for the one-year traineeship programme at Mt. Abu Observatory.

How to Apply Online Step-by-Step?

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

Application Procedure

  1. Access the official online registration form link: https://forms.gle/fjrAAwDo4XzLdCH77 (open using Google Chrome).
  2. Complete the registration form by filling in personal details, educational qualifications (B.Tech / M.Sc / M.Tech), and contact info before 17:30 IST on 30/09/2026.
  3. Prepare self-attested photocopies of mark sheets, degree certificates, date of birth certificate, caste/category certificate (if applicable), and two recent passport-size photographs for the offline verification form.
  4. Report in person on 15/10/2026 between 09:30 AM and 11:30 AM at Main Gate, Physical Research Laboratory, Hill View Bungalow, Gora Chhapara, Mount Abu, Sirohi-307501, Rajasthan.
  5. Complete certificate verification and appear for the Skill Test on 15/10/2026. Outstation candidates should submit original bus or train sleeper class tickets to claim travel allowance.

Application Fee & Category Concessions

Nil (No Application Fee).

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.

The traineeship is purely temporary for a fixed tenure of One Year. It does not lead to permanent absorption or regularization at PRL or the Department of Space.

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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