CSIR SO

CSIR SO CSIR Section Officer (SO)

CSIR SO: A Prestigious Administrative Career in Scientific Research

The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) recruits for the position of Section Officer (SO), offering a unique opportunity to build a career in the administrative backbone of India's premier scientific research organization. This role is vital for managing the operations that support groundbreaking research and development. It is a highly respected Group B Gazetted post that combines administrative responsibilities with the dynamic environment of science and technology, making it an attractive career for graduates seeking a stable and impactful government job.

Salary, Perks, and Career Progression for CSIR SO

A career as a Section Officer in CSIR comes with significant prestige, financial stability, and growth opportunities.

Attractive Salary Package: The post of Section Officer is a Group B (Gazetted) position with a pay scale at Pay Level 8 (₹47,600 – ₹1,51,100). The gross monthly salary, including allowances like Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and Transport Allowance (TA), is highly competitive and ensures a comfortable lifestyle.

Comprehensive Benefits: In addition to the salary, a CSIR SO is entitled to numerous benefits under central government norms:

  • Medical facilities for self and dependents.
  • Leave Travel Concession (LTC).
  • New Pension Scheme (NPS) benefits.
  • Opportunities for residential accommodation.

Career Growth: CSIR offers a well-defined career path with ample opportunities for promotion. A Section Officer can advance to higher administrative roles within the organization based on performance and seniority. The promotional hierarchy typically leads to positions like Under Secretary, Deputy Secretary, and beyond, offering a chance to reach senior leadership levels within the administrative wing of CSIR.

CSIR SO Examination Structure

The selection process for the CSIR SO post is a comprehensive multi-stage examination designed to identify candidates with strong administrative and intellectual capabilities.

  • Stage 1 (Paper I & Paper II): This stage consists of two objective-type papers conducted on the same day.
    • Paper I (General Awareness and English): This paper tests general knowledge and language comprehension. It is worth 150 marks.
    • Paper II (General Intelligence, Reasoning & Mental Ability): This paper assesses logical and analytical skills and is worth 200 marks.
  • Stage 2 (Paper III - Descriptive): Candidates who achieve the minimum threshold marks in Stage 1 are shortlisted for Paper III, which is a descriptive test in English/Hindi to evaluate writing skills. This paper is worth 150 marks.
  • Stage 3 (Interview): The final stage is an interview for 100 marks for the post of Section Officer.

Key Eligibility Criteria

  • Nationality: Must be a citizen of India.
  • Education: A University Degree from a recognized university is the minimum educational qualification.
  • Age Limit: The upper age limit is 33 years, with relaxations for reserved categories as per government rules.

Step-by-Step Application Guide for CSIR SO

Follow these instructions to apply for the CSIR SO examination online:

  1. Visit the Official Website: Go to the official CSIR recruitment portal at www.csir.res.in.
  2. Registration: Register as a new user by providing a valid email address, mobile number, and other basic details. A registration ID and password will be generated.
  3. Login and Fill Application Form: Log in with your credentials and carefully fill out the online application form. Provide accurate personal, educational, and contact information.
  4. Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of your recent passport-size photograph, signature, and other required documents (like educational certificates) in the specified format and size.
  5. Fee Payment: Pay the application fee online using the available payment gateways (Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking). The fee is typically ₹500 for General/OBC/EWS candidates, while SC/ST/PwD/Women/Ex-Servicemen are often exempted.
  6. Final Submission: Review the entire application form to ensure all details are correct. Submit the form and download or print a copy of the completed application for your records.
Important Links