ISRO Assistant Syllabus 2026: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), through its Centralised Recruitment Board (ICRB), has released the notification (Advt. No. ISRO:ICRB:01(A-JPA):2026) for recruitment to Assistant, Upper Division Clerk (UDC), Junior Personal Assistant (JPA), and Stenographer posts. The drive covers around 244 vacancies (including posts in autonomous institutions under the Department of Space) in Level-4 of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix (basic pay starting at ₹25,500). Applications opened on 27 July 2026 and close on 16 August 2026.
This article focuses on the ISRO Assistant syllabus and exam pattern based on the official notification annexures. The written test is common in structure for Assistant/UDC posts, while JPA/Stenographer have a modified written pattern with heavier emphasis on English. Final selection is based on written test marks among candidates who qualify the skill test (no interview).
ISRO Assistant Selection Process 2026
- Written Test (objective-type, Computer-Based or as notified) – Qualifying + merit ranking.
- Skill Test (Computer Literacy Test for Assistant/UDC; Computer Literacy + Stenography for JPA/Stenographer) – Qualifying only.
- Document Verification.
Candidates are shortlisted for the skill test in a maximum ratio of 1:5 against category-wise vacancies (minimum 10 candidates per category, subject to notification details). Final merit is prepared solely on written test scores of those who clear the skill test.
ISRO Assistant Written Exam Pattern 2026
The written test is a single-objective paper with the following structure (as per official Annexure-II):
| Part | Subject | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | General English | 50 | 50 | 150 minutes |
| B | Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | (with compensatory time for PwBD) |
| C | General Intelligence & Reasoning Ability | 50 | 50 | |
| D | General Knowledge | 50 | 50 | |
| Total | 200 | 200 |
- Marking scheme: +1 for each correct answer; –0.25 for each wrong answer.
- Medium: Bilingual (English & Hindi), except the General English section (to be attempted in English).
- Qualifying marks: Generally 50% for UR and 40% for reserved categories (against notified reserved vacancies). Some secondary sources mention sectional requirements—refer to the official notification for exact cut-offs.
Note: A few coaching sites list 120 minutes; the official 2026 annexure specifies 150 minutes. Always verify with the latest official PDF on isro.gov.in.
Detailed Syllabus for ISRO Assistant 2026
| Subject | Topics |
|---|---|
| General English | Questions testing understanding & knowledge of the language and ability to write correctly, precisely & effectively; correct use of words, idioms & phrases, etc. (Typically covers grammar, vocabulary, synonyms/antonyms, error spotting, fill in the blanks, sentence improvement, active/passive voice, direct/indirect speech, cloze test, reading comprehension, one-word substitution, etc.) |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Number System, Percentages, Profit & Loss, Discount, Ratio & Proportion, Mixture & Allegation, Averages, Simple & Compound Interest, Time & Distance, Time & Work, Pipe & Cistern, Boat & Stream, Partnership, Surds & Indices, LCM & HCF, Simplification, Geometry (Triangles, Circles, Quadrilateral, Lines & Angles, etc.), Mensuration (Area, Perimeter, Volume, etc.), Trigonometry (Trigonometric Identities, Trigonometric Ratios, Circular measures of Angles, Heights & Distance, etc.), Algebra (Factorisation, Coordinate Geometry, Polynomials, Sequence & Series, Algebraic identities, Linear equations, etc.), Statistics & Data Interpretation, etc. |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning Ability | Verbal & non-verbal type questions on: Missing Number, Repeated Series, Analogy, Venn diagram, Logical arrangement of Words, Coding & decoding, Sitting arrangement, Ranking arrangement, Dice, Cube & Cuboid, Calendar, Number Series, Coded equation, Clock, Directions, Counting figures, Problems based on Alphabets, Sequence, Mirror and Water Image, etc. |
| General Knowledge | Questions testing awareness of the environment and its applications to society; current affairs of National & International importance; History, Culture, Geography, Science, Polity, Economy, etc. (Often includes space/ISRO-related awareness.) |
1. General English (Part A) Questions test understanding of the language and the ability to write correctly, precisely, and effectively. Key areas include:
- Correct use of words, idioms & phrases
- Grammar and sentence correction/improvement
- Vocabulary (synonyms, antonyms, one-word substitution)
- Spotting errors, fill in the blanks, detecting misspelled words
- Active/Passive Voice, Direct/Indirect Narration
- Cloze passage and Reading Comprehension
2. Quantitative Aptitude (Part B) Covers arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data interpretation at a graduate level:
- Number System, Simplification, LCM & HCF, Surds & Indices
- Percentages, Profit & Loss, Discount
- Ratio & Proportion, Mixture & Allegation, Averages
- Simple & Compound Interest
- Time & Distance, Time & Work, Pipes & Cisterns, Boats & Streams, Partnership
- Geometry (Triangles, Circles, Quadrilaterals, Lines & Angles)
- Mensuration (Area, Perimeter, Volume)
- Trigonometry (Identities, Ratios, Heights & Distances, Circular measures)
- Algebra (Factorisation, Polynomials, Linear Equations, Sequence & Series, Coordinate Geometry)
- Statistics & Data Interpretation (Tables, Graphs, etc.)
3. General Intelligence & Reasoning Ability (Part C) Verbal and non-verbal reasoning:
- Missing Number / Number Series / Repeated Series
- Analogy, Coding-Decoding, Coded equations
- Venn Diagrams, Logical Arrangement of Words
- Sitting Arrangement, Ranking Arrangement
- Dice, Cube & Cuboid
- Calendar, Clock, Directions
- Counting figures, Problems based on Alphabets/Sequence
- Mirror and Water Images
4. General Knowledge (Part D) Tests awareness of the environment and its application to society:
- Current Affairs (National & International importance)
- History, Culture, Geography
- Science (with emphasis on Space Science & Technology and ISRO achievements)
- Polity, Economy
Space-related current affairs and ISRO missions often receive special focus.
Skill Test for Assistant/UDC
After shortlisting, candidates appear for a Computer Literacy Test (qualifying):
- MS Word – 35 marks
- MS Excel – 35 marks
- MS PowerPoint – 30 marks
- Total: 100 marks
- Duration: Typically 60–75 minutes (as per annexure details).
Indicative topics:
- MS Word: File operations, editing, formatting (fonts, paragraphs, pages, tables), mail merge, spell check, shortcuts, etc.
- MS Excel: Spreadsheet basics, formulas, formatting, sorting/filtering, charts, data validation.
- MS PowerPoint: Creating/formatting presentations, layouts, graphics, headers/footers.
Passing criteria: 60% for UR; 50% for reserved categories (against notified reserved vacancies).
(For JPA/Stenographer, an additional Stenography Test applies: 300-word dictation at 60 wpm for 5 minutes, followed by 30-minute computer transcription using Pitman shorthand only. Maximum permissible mistakes: 10% for UR / 12% for reserved.)
Preparation Tips
- Balanced approach: All four sections carry equal weight; clear any sectional qualifiers.
- English & Reasoning: Daily practice of grammar rules, vocabulary, and standard puzzle/series sets.
- Quantitative Aptitude: Focus on speed and accuracy with previous-year-style questions; master formulas for arithmetic and basic higher maths.
- GK: Prioritise current affairs (last 6–12 months), Indian Polity/Economy basics, and ISRO/space developments.
- Skill Test: Practise MS Office thoroughly on a computer; build typing speed if data-entry elements apply.
- Use official previous notifications for indicative patterns and solve mock tests under timed conditions.
- Refer only to the official notification and annexures on isro.gov.in for the final authority, as minor details (exact duration, venues, etc.) can be updated.
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