🔬 NIF Recruitment 2026

National Innovation Foundation – India

Advertisement No. 02/2026 | Scientist Posts

📢 NIF Scientist Recruitment 2026

The National Innovation Foundation – India (NIF), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, has invited applications from eligible Indian citizens for recruitment to various Scientist posts through direct recruitment on an all-India basis.

A total of 10 Scientist vacancies are notified under Scientist 'D', Scientist 'C' and Scientist 'B' posts. Candidates with qualifications in Biological Sciences, Biotechnology, Agricultural Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Veterinary Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences and specified Engineering disciplines may be eligible for different posts.

📅 Application Opening: 29 August 2026
⏰ Closing: 30 days from publication of the advertisement in Employment News/Rozgar Samachar, up to 23:59 hrs
🏢 Organization: National Innovation Foundation – India (NIF)
📌 Recruitment: Direct Recruitment

🧪 Vacancy Details

Post	Vacancies	Pay Level	Upper Age
Scientist 'D'	01	Level-12 ₹78,800 – ₹2,09,200	40 Years
Scientist 'C'	04	Level-11 ₹67,700 – ₹2,08,700	35 Years
Scientist 'B'	05	Level-10 ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500	35 Years

Note: The number of posts is provisional and may vary according to the requirements of NIF.

📊 Reservation

Scientist 'D': UR – 01
Scientist 'C': UR – 01, OBC – 02, SC – 01
Scientist 'B': UR – 04, OBC – 01

Reservation for SC/ST/OBC(NCL)/EWS/PwBD and other applicable categories will be implemented according to Government of India rules applicable to Central Autonomous Bodies.

🎓 Eligibility & Qualification

Scientist 'D' – PC-01

Ph.D. in a relevant discipline in Biological Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, Biotechnology, Veterinary Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences or equivalent.
Minimum 5 years of R&D experience in the relevant field.
At least 5 original published works of high standard in journals of national/international repute.

Desirable: Public Policy/Development Studies, impact assessment, programme evaluation, evidence-based research, field research in rural/remote/hilly/tribal areas and preparation of research and policy outputs.

Scientist 'C' – PC-02

Ph.D. in Agricultural Sciences, Production & Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electronics & Communication Engineering or equivalent.
Minimum 3 years R&D experience.
Minimum 3 original publications of high standard.

Scientist 'C' – PC-03

Ph.D. in Biological Sciences or equivalent.
Minimum 3 years R&D experience.
Minimum 3 original publications.

Desirable areas include botanical and microbial biopesticides, biocontrol agents, crop protection technologies, biopesticide formulation, GLP, patents, PPV&FRA, prior-art searches and advanced analytical techniques.

Scientist 'C' – PC-04

Ph.D. in Biological Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences or equivalent.
Minimum 3 years R&D experience.
Minimum 3 original publications.

Desirable areas include Indian traditional healthcare systems, herbal and community-based health practices, preclinical/clinical studies, analytical instrumentation, GLP, pharmacopoeial standards, WHO guidelines and regulatory/IP frameworks.

Scientist 'B' – PC-05

Ph.D. in Biological Sciences/Agricultural Sciences or equivalent, OR
First Class Master's Degree in Biotechnology or equivalent.
Minimum 2 original published works of high standard.

Desirable experience includes indigenous and traditional knowledge, grassroots innovation documentation, scientific validation, prior-art searches, field research, on-farm trials and stakeholder engagement.

Scientist 'B' – PC-06

Ph.D. in Agricultural Sciences with specialization in Agronomy/Horticulture, Plant Breeding & Genetics or equivalent.
Minimum 2 original publications.

Scientist 'B' – PC-07

Ph.D. in Agricultural Sciences or equivalent, OR
First Class Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent.
Minimum 2 original publications.

Scientist 'B' – PC-08

First Class Master's Degree in Veterinary Sciences or equivalent.
Minimum 2 original publications.

🧬 Biotechnology Candidates – Important

Candidates with a First Class Master's Degree in Biotechnology or equivalent discipline are specifically included in the essential qualification for Scientist 'B' (PC-05), subject to the prescribed publication requirement and other eligibility conditions.

The advertisement also lists Biotechnology among the equivalent disciplines under the relevant discipline framework.

💳 Application Fee

UR/OBC/EWS	₹1,000/-
SC/ST/PwBD/Women	Exempted

The fee is non-refundable and must be paid through the prescribed online payment gateway before the application deadline, wherever applicable.

🎂 Age Limit

Scientist 'D': Not exceeding 40 years.
Scientist 'C': Not exceeding 35 years.
Scientist 'B': Not exceeding 35 years.

Age relaxation will be applicable according to Government of India rules. The crucial date for determining age and eligibility is the closing date of applications.

📝 Selection Process

Application scrutiny by the Screening-cum-Shortlisting Committee.
Shortlisting based on prescribed eligibility and relevant criteria.
Written test may be conducted if considered necessary.
Shortlisted candidates may be called for interview.
Final selection will be based on recommendations of the Selection Committee, considering interview performance, academic record, research contributions and relevant experience.
A reserve panel may remain valid for one year from approval.

🖥️ How to Apply

Eligible candidates must submit their applications online only through the NIF Recruitment Portal using a valid email ID and mobile number. Hard copies are not required.

Candidates should upload self-attested documents supporting date of birth, educational qualifications, experience, category, publications and Ph.D. registration/award certificates wherever applicable.

Candidates are advised to submit the application well before the closing date to avoid technical issues during the final days.

🚀 APPLY ONLINE – NIF RECRUITMENT 2026

📄 VIEW OFFICIAL ADVERTISEMENT

Official Advertisement: NIF India | Advt. No. 02/2026

⚠️ Important Instructions

Only Indian citizens are eligible.
A candidate should apply for only one post.
Essential qualifications are minimum requirements and do not automatically guarantee shortlisting.
Experience will generally be counted after acquiring the minimum essential qualification.
Experience gained during a full-time degree will not be counted as professional experience.
Government/PSU/Autonomous Body/University/Government-funded Research Institution employees should apply through proper channel or provide NOC as prescribed.
OBC candidates should possess a valid OBC-NCL certificate in the prescribed Government of India format.
No TA/DA or accommodation will be provided for attending the Test/Interview.
Candidates should regularly check the NIF website for addendum, corrigendum or updates.

📚 Relevant Disciplines

🧬 Biological Sciences

Biology, Life Sciences, Biotechnology Sciences and other relevant disciplines where Biology or Biotechnology is the main discipline.

🌱 Agricultural Sciences

Agriculture, Agricultural Physics, Agricultural Chemistry, Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Microbiology, Vegetable Science and other relevant disciplines where Agriculture is the main discipline.

🌍 Environmental Sciences

Environment and Ecology, Environment, Ecology and other relevant disciplines where Environment and/or Ecology is the main discipline.

⚙️ Engineering / Technology / Biotechnology / Medicine / Veterinary / Pharmacy

The advertisement provides specified equivalent disciplines for Electronics & Communication Engineering, Production & Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Veterinary Sciences.

📞 Contact Details

National Innovation Foundation – India
Grambharti, Amrapur, Gandhinagar-Mahudi Road,
Gandhinagar, Gujarat – 382650

📧 Email: jobs@nifindia.org
☎️ Telephone: 02764-261134