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Preparing for CFTRI Technician 2026? Good study material saves weeks of effort. CSIR-CFTRI, Mysuru has announced 28 Technician (1) posts across 13 ITI trades (Advertisement No. Rec.02/2026). The online window closes on 18 November 2026, and the written exam follows a Trade Test and a three-paper pattern.
This guide collects every kind of study material you can use, from official documents and free NIMI PDFs to quick-revision notes, trade-wise topic checklists, mock tests and a smart order in which to use them.
Know the Exam First – CSIR CFTRI 2026
- 150 questions in 2 hours 30 minutes; MCQs; standard SSC + ITI / XII.
- Selection stages: screening → Trade Test (qualifying) → written exam.
- Final merit = Paper II + Paper III (300 marks). Paper I is qualifying.
- Detailed trade-wise syllabus was not published in the notification; the trade paper is “based on the advertised qualification in the relevant trade”. Watch https://www.cftri.res.in for updates.
| Paper | Subject | Qs | Marks | Negative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | Mental Ability (qualifying) | 50 | 100 | None |
| Paper II | General Awareness | 25 | 75 | –1 |
| Paper II | English Language | 25 | 75 | –1 |
| Paper III | Concerned (Trade) Subject | 50 | 150 | –1 |
Types of Study Material You Need – CSIR CFTRI 2026
1: Between the period of 1858-1947, how many Viceroys ruled over India?
| Material | Purpose | Papers |
|---|---|---|
| Official notification & proformas | Eligibility, documents, dates, rules | All |
| NIMI trade-theory PDFs | Core trade concepts | Paper III, Trade Test |
| NCERT PDFs (Class 6–10) | Fundamentals for GA science and maths | I, II |
| Short notes & formula sheets | Fast revision | I, II, III |
| Previous / practice questions | Know the question style | All |
| Mock tests | Speed + negative-marking control | All |
| Current affairs capsules | Last 6–8 months of events | II |
| Videos | Concept clarity for tough topics | All |
Books are covered in the dedicated Best Books article. In short: one reasoning/aptitude book, one GK book, one grammar book and your NIMI trade book are enough.
Official Documents (Download These First)
Start with these free official sources. They prevent rejection, which is the biggest risk in this recruitment.
- Official Notification (Advt. No. Rec.02/2026): post codes, vacancies, eligibility, pay level, exam scheme.
- Proformas (pages 24–42 of the notification): OBC (NCL) certificate and declaration, SC/ST certificate, EWS income and asset certificate, PwBD disability certificate, NOC for employees, age-concession certificate, ex-servicemen forms, scribe undertakings.
- How-to-Apply and Fee Payment instructions on the recruitment portal.
Document checklist from the notification (keep scanned PDFs under 1 MB each):
- Photograph (JPG, under 50 KB, 200×150 px) and signature (JPG, under 50 KB, 50×150 px)
- Live photo (captured on the portal via webcam or phone QR, not uploaded as a file)
- 10th marksheet / certificate with date of birth and percentage
- ITI / trade certificate, apprenticeship certificate or experience certificate (whichever route you use)
- Caste / EWS / PwBD / ex-servicemen certificate, if applicable
- Conversion formula if your board gives CGPA/grades
- SBI Collect e-receipt (₹500, exempt for SC/ST/PwBD/Women/Ex-servicemen, with the relevant proof)
- Signed printout + self-attested copies, to reach CFTRI by 26 November 2026
Free Notes: Paper I, Mental Ability Test
Paper I covers general intelligence, quantitative aptitude, reasoning, problem solving and situational judgement. It is qualifying with no negative marking, so aim for a safe pass.
Quick Revision Notes: Reasoning
- Number series: check differences, then ratios, then squares/cubes, then alternating patterns.
- Coding-decoding: note the letter positions (A=1 … Z=26). Reverse position = 27 – position.
- Analogy / classification: find the exact relation (function, category, part-whole) before looking at options.
- Blood relations: draw a small family tree. Mark gender and generation.
- Direction sense: draw the path. Final displacement uses the Pythagoras theorem.
- Syllogism: use Venn diagrams. “Some” statements need overlapping circles.
- Seating arrangement: fix the certain facts first, then the conditional ones.
- Non-verbal: pattern series, mirror/water images, paper folding, counting figures.
Quick Revision Notes: Quantitative Aptitude Formulas
| Topic | Key formula |
|---|---|
| Percentage | Value × (percent / 100); % change = (change / original) × 100 |
| Profit & Loss | Profit % = (SP – CP) / CP × 100; SP = CP × (100 ± %) / 100 |
| Simple Interest | SI = (P × R × T) / 100 |
| Compound Interest | A = P(1 + R/100)ⁿ |
| Ratio & Proportion | a : b = c : d → ad = bc |
| Average | Sum of items / number of items |
| Time & Work | Work = rate × time; combined rate = sum of rates |
| Speed-Distance-Time | Distance = speed × time; km/h to m/s: multiply by 5/18 |
| Mixture / Alligation | Cheaper : dearer = (d – m) : (m – c) |
| Area (basic) | Rectangle = l × b; Triangle = ½ × b × h; Circle = πr² |
| Perimeter | Rectangle = 2(l + b); Circle = 2πr |
Free Notes: Paper II, General Awareness
Negative marking applies (–1 per wrong answer), so only mark what you are reasonably sure about.
General Science: Quick Notes (NCERT Class 6–10 level)
- Physics: SI units (force: newton, pressure: pascal, energy: joule, power: watt, resistance: ohm, frequency: hertz); Ohm’s law V = IR; speed, velocity and acceleration; reflection and refraction; sound needs a medium.
- Chemistry: acids, bases and pH scale (7 neutral); metals vs non-metals; common compounds (NaCl: common salt, NaHCO₃: baking soda, CaCO₃: limestone); physical vs chemical change.
- Biology: cell is the basic unit of life; vitamins and deficiency diseases (Vitamin C: scurvy, Vitamin D: rickets, Vitamin A: night blindness); human digestive, respiratory and circulatory systems; photosynthesis.
Static GK Checklist
- Indian polity: Constitution came into force on 26 January 1950; Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles, President and Parliament basics.
- Geography: Indian states and capitals, major rivers, mountain ranges, national parks.
- History: freedom movement milestones, major dynasties (one-liners).
- Economy basics: RBI, GST, Budget, five-year plans (overview).
- Sports, awards, books, important days: keep a short list and revise it monthly.
CSIR / CFTRI Awareness (high-value, low-effort)
- CFTRI is a constituent laboratory of CSIR, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India.
- CFTRI’s focus is Food Science & Technology. Its headquarters is in Mysuru, with resource centres at Hyderabad, Mumbai and Lucknow (as per the notification).
- CFTRI’s emblem notes “Since 1950”.
- Read the “About” and “Technologies” pages on https://www.cftri.res.in once. Expect at most a question or two, but they are easy marks.
Free Notes: Paper II, English Language
25 questions, SSC / 10th–12th level.
Grammar Cheat Sheet
- Subject-verb agreement: singular subject takes singular verb (“each”, “every”, “neither” take singular verbs).
- Tenses: learn the 12 tense forms; watch for “has/have + V3” (present perfect) vs “had + V3” (past perfect).
- Articles: a before consonant sounds, an before vowel sounds (an hour, a university).
- Prepositions: in/on/at for time and place; “different from”, “consist of”, “depend on”, “capable of”.
- Voice and narration: change pronouns, tense and time words correctly.
- Error spotting: check subject-verb, tense, preposition and article first.
Vocabulary Plan
- Learn 10 words a day (synonym + antonym + one sentence).
- Revise common one-word substitutions and idioms weekly.
- For comprehension: read the questions first, then the passage.
Paper III: Trade-Wise Topic Checklists (TE01–TE13)
Paper III is 150 marks and the first tie-breaker. The checklists below are based on the standard ITI curriculum of each trade (CFTRI has not published its own syllabus). Tick each topic off from your NIMI book.
TE01: Fitter (6 posts)
- Safety, hand tools (files, hacksaw, chisel, scriber)
- Measuring instruments: steel rule, vernier caliper, micrometer, dial gauge, feeler gauge
- Marking, filing, sawing, drilling, tapping, threading
- Limits, fits, tolerances; bench work
- Basic fitting of pipes and fasteners; engineering drawing basics
TE02: Electronics Mechanic (7 posts)
- Passive components: resistors (colour code), capacitors, inductors
- Semiconductors: diode, Zener, transistor, FET, SCR
- Rectifiers, filters and power supplies; amplifiers and oscillators
- Digital electronics: logic gates, flip-flops, counters
- Soldering, PCB basics, multimeter and CRO use; basic IC applications
TE03: Instrument Mechanic (1 post)
- Measurement of pressure, temperature, flow and level
- Sensors and transducers; calibration basics
- Control loop basics; pneumatic and hydraulic fundamentals
- Basic electrical and electronic components and measuring instruments
TE04: Laboratory Assistant (Chemical Plant) (2 posts)
- Laboratory safety, apparatus and glassware; reagents and chemical handling
- Solutions, concentration and basic titration
- Unit operations basics (distillation, filtration, evaporation, drying)
- Sampling, pH and instrument use; first aid and waste disposal
TE05: COPA (2 posts)
- Computer fundamentals: hardware, software, memory, I/O devices
- Operating system basics (Windows/Linux), file management
- MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint; internet and email
- Basic networking; programming concepts and logic; database basics
TE06: ICT System Maintenance (1 post)
- PC hardware assembly, BIOS, OS installation and troubleshooting
- Networking basics: LAN, IP addressing, cables, switches and routers
- Peripherals (printers, scanners, UPS); antivirus and security basics
- Electrical safety and basic electronics
TE07: Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Technician (2 posts)
- Refrigeration cycle; compressors, condensers, evaporators, expansion devices
- Refrigerants and their safe handling
- Domestic refrigerator and window/split AC components
- Electrical controls; tools, gauges and leak testing; service practices
TE08: Electrician (2 posts)
- Ohm’s law, Kirchhoff’s laws, series and parallel circuits
- AC/DC basics, power and energy; transformers; DC and AC motors
- Wiring, earthing and protection devices (fuse, MCB, ELCB)
- Cables and joints; measuring instruments; electrical safety
TE09: Carpenter (1 post)
- Timber types, seasoning and defects
- Hand and power tools; marking and measuring
- Joints (dovetail, mortise and tenon, lap); furniture and door/window basics
- Workshop safety
TE10: Plumber (1 post)
- Pipe types (GI, PVC, CPVC, HDPE) and fittings
- Cutting, threading and joining; sanitary fixtures and traps
- Water supply and drainage basics; pumps and valves
- Tools; safety; basic maintenance
TE11: Sheet Metal Worker (1 post)
- Sheet metals and their properties; marking and layout
- Cutting, bending, folding, rolling
- Soldering, riveting, seaming; basic welding awareness
- Tools and measuring instruments; safety
TE12: Turner (1 post)
- Lathe parts and operations: turning, facing, drilling, boring, knurling, threading
- Cutting tools, speeds and feeds; cutting fluids
- Measuring instruments; limits and fits
- Safety and maintenance
TE13: Welder (1 post)
- Gas welding and arc welding basics; electrodes and their coding
- Welding joints and positions; welding defects and remedies
- Gas cutting; safety and protective equipment
- Welding symbols and basic blueprint reading
NIMI and Free PDF Sources
| Source | What you get | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Bharat Skills (bharatskills.gov.in) | NIMI trade-theory books and ITI course material | Free |
| NCERT website (ncert.nic.in) | Class 6–12 Science, Maths and Social Science e-books | Free |
| CFTRI official website | Notification, updates, cut-off marks, admit card info | Free |
| Entri App | Current affairs capsules, mock tests, notes | Free trial + paid |
Previous Papers and Practice Questions
CFTRI’s 2026 exam is a new cycle, so there are no CFTRI Technician previous papers yet. Use these instead:
- CFTRI / other CSIR lab Technician papers: earlier CSIR technician recruitments have used a similar Mental Ability + General Awareness pattern, so they help for Paper I/II style. Use only papers from official or reputed sources.
- ITI trade-wise MCQ banks: practise objective questions for your trade from reliable ITI question banks.
- Other technician exams: RRB Technician and SSC-level questions for reasoning, maths, GA and English practice.
- How to use them: solve under time, mark errors in a notebook, and re-solve the wrong ones a week later.
Do not rely on “leaked paper” PDFs. The notification explicitly warns about unfair means and disqualification.
Mock Tests
Mock tests train speed and negative-marking control. Simulate the real thing: 150 questions, 2 hours 30 minutes, +3 / –1 in Paper II and III, +2 / 0 in Paper I.
| Phase | Test type | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1–2 | Topic-wise quizzes | Daily, 20–30 questions |
| Week 3 | Sectional tests (Paper I, II, III separately) | 3–4 per week |
| Week 4+ | Full-length mocks | 3–4 per week |
After each test: note the topic of every wrong answer, tally silly mistakes vs concept gaps, and revise the weak topics before the next test.
Current Affairs Material
Paper II General Awareness may include current affairs. Cover the last 6–8 months before the exam.
- Daily: 15 minutes of headlines (national, science and technology, sports, awards)
- Weekly: revise your notes
- Monthly: take a current-affairs quiz
- Focus areas: science and technology missions, new schemes, appointments, awards, important days, food-technology and agriculture news (relevant to CFTRI)
Video and App Resources
- Video lectures: use YouTube channels or app courses for hard topics (digital electronics, refrigeration cycle, reasoning puzzles).
- NIMI companion videos: many ITI trade-theory topics are covered by instructors online; verify they match the NIMI syllabus.
- Apps: use a reliable exam-prep app for daily quizzes, current affairs and mock tests.
- Rule: one video resource per subject. Switching channels constantly is a hidden time-waster.
Avoid collecting too much material and finish what you start. Keep checking https://www.cftri.res.in for the exam date and any syllabus update.
