CSIR CFTRI Technician Eligibility Criteria 2026 – Qualification, Age Limit, Experience and Relaxation

Before you apply for the CSIR CFTRI Technician Recruitment 2026, you must be sure you meet every eligibility condition. The notification (Advertisement No. Rec.02/2026) says that applications from candidates who do not fulfil the essential requirements on the cut-off date can be rejected at any stage, and that enquiries asking for advice on eligibility will not be entertained. This guide explains the CFTRI Technician eligibility criteria 2026 in detail: nationality, educational qualification, trade-wise requirement, experience, age limit with relaxations, category rules and the cut-off date.

CSIR CFTRI Technician Eligibility Criteria 2026 – Detailed

1. Nationality

The applicant must be a citizen of India. The institute invites applications from Indian citizens only.

2. Educational Qualification

Basic qualification

You need SSC / 10th Standard (or equivalent) with Science subjects, with a minimum of 55% marks. The percentage is part of the essential qualification, so a pass with lower marks does not qualify even if you hold an ITI certificate.

Trade requirement (any one of three routes)

On top of the 10th with 55%, you must satisfy any one of these:

The same three-route structure applies to all 13 posts. Only the trade name changes.

Trade-wise qualification for each post code

The notification says the prescribed qualifications are minimum requirements and must be in the trade or area mentioned against each post. Meeting them does not entitle you to be called for the Trade Test or written exam.

Rules on qualification

• The qualification must be from a university, institution or board recognised by the Government of India, or approved by government regulatory bodies.
• Final results must be declared on or before 18 November 2026, the last date for online applications.
• Completion of a course is reckoned from the date of issue of the provisional certificate or notification.
• If a trade, subject or percentage is not visible on your mark sheet or certificate, you must substantiate your claim with valid proof in the online application. CFTRI’s decision on accepting or rejecting such claims is final.
• If you claim an equivalent qualification, upload the order, letter or notification showing the authority, number and date. Without it, the Screening Committee may reject the claim and the application.
• If your board awards CGPA, SGPA or grades, you must convert to percentage using the board’s formula, and upload a copy of that formula.

Higher qualifications

Having a diploma or degree does not replace the minimum requirements. The notification says the minimum qualifications are compulsory even if you hold a higher qualification. However, you should mention higher qualifications and additional experience in your application with documents, because the Screening Committee uses its own criteria to shortlist candidates for the Trade Test.

3. Experience Requirements

Experience matters only for Route 3 (3 years in the trade) and for the apprenticeship route (2 years). Rules from the notification:

• Experience must be in the relevant trade of the post you apply for.
• It is counted after the date of acquiring the minimum essential educational qualification (10th with 55%).
• Part-time, daily wage and visiting or guest faculty experience is not counted for shortlisting.
• Apprenticeship must be full-time and from a recognised institution.
• Work experience must be in a Ministry, Department, Organisation, PSU or Autonomous Body under the Government of India, State or UT.
• The experience certificate must be issued by the competent authority and clearly state the period (joining date and relieving date), emoluments and nature of job performed.

4. Age Limit

The age limit is minimum 18 years and maximum 28 years as on 18 November 2026.

Date of birth ranges for the general category

Please confirm your own date against the notification before applying. The date of birth proof is only the SSC / Matriculation / 10th / SSLC / HSC certificate or a birth certificate issued by the government authority. No request for change of date of birth is accepted later.

Age relaxation

The notification states that relaxations are as per Government of India and CSIR rules. Category-based relaxation applies only where the post is reserved for that category.

The upper age limits in the table are the base limit of 28 plus the relaxation, which I added up for you. Check them against the notification.

Important age rules

• SC, ST and OBC (NCL) candidates who apply against unreserved (UR) posts get no age relaxation and are treated like general candidates. They still get the fee exemption (SC/ST).
• PwBD age relaxation is given whether or not the post is reserved for PwBD, provided the post is identified as suitable for that disability category.
• Government employee relaxation needs 3 years’ continuous regular service in a post in the same line or allied cadre. A certificate on office letterhead, issued after the advertisement date, must say you are a regular employee and not casual, adhoc, daily wage or contract. Temporary, contractual or project staff should mention “NO” in the Government Employee Status.
• Ex-Servicemen must meet the definition in the Ex-servicemen (Re-employment in Civil Service and Posts) Rules, 1979. Age relaxation is not available to sons, daughters or dependents of ex-servicemen, and they should not select the ex-servicemen category.
• The notification says the listed relaxations are not exhaustive and refers candidates to the latest GoI and CSIR orders.

5. Category-wise Eligibility Conditions

SC / ST

You need a certificate in the prescribed Government of India format, issued by a competent authority such as SDO, District Magistrate or Deputy Commissioner, showing your caste or tribe, the Order under which it is recognised and your place of residence.

OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)

• The OBC certificate must be in the format “for appointment to posts under the Government of India”, based on the Central List and Central Government creamy layer criteria, not state criteria.
• It must be the latest and valid, and your sub-caste must match the Central List.
• A Form of Declaration (Proforma-I-A) is also required, stating you do not belong to the creamy layer based on status or income for the preceding three financial years.
• Failing these, you will be treated as Unreserved if otherwise eligible. Creamy layer candidates must indicate General / Unreserved.

EWS

• Family gross annual income below ₹8 lakh from all sources for the financial year before the year of application. For this recruitment that is FY 2025-26, with the certificate valid for 2026-27.
• You are excluded if your family owns 5 acres or more of agricultural land, a residential flat of 1000 sq. ft. or more, a residential plot of 100 sq. yards or more in notified municipalities, or 200 sq. yards or more elsewhere. Property in different places is clubbed together.
• “Family” means the candidate, parents and siblings below 18, spouse and children below 18.
• You need an Income & Asset Certificate in the prescribed format issued by a competent authority. Without it, your application is treated as General (UR).
• The EWS claim is governed by DoPT OM No. 36039/1/2019-Estt.(Res) dated 31.01.2019.

PwBD

• You need a disability of 40% or more, shown on a certificate in Proforma-IV (single disability) or Proforma-V (multiple disabilities) under the RPwD (Amendment) Rules, 2024. Older certificates under the 1995 Act remain valid for the period stated on them.
• The post must be identified as suitable for your disability category and functional requirements. Reserved PwBD posts: one under category “c” (locomotor disability) in TE02 and one under category “b” (deaf and hard of hearing) in TE05.
• Disability conditions classed as “likely to improve” under the temporary disability category are not eligible for reservation. Those classed as “progressive, non-progressive or not likely to improve” are eligible.
• A person with multiple disabilities is eligible for reservation only under category (e) of Section 34(1) of the RPwD Act, 2016.
• PwBD candidates should also state their caste or community (SC/ST/OBC/GEN/EWS) and produce that certificate, as this is a horizontal reservation.
• Selection is subject to meeting the physical and medical standards for the post.

Ex-Servicemen

Two posts are reserved for ESM (one in TE01 and one in TE02). Candidates need the discharge book and ex-servicemen certificate (Proforma-VIII). Serving personnel due for release within one year need Proforma-IX and an undertaking in Proforma-X. Ex-servicemen who already got a regular Group C/D civil job using ESM reservation cannot claim reservation and fee concession again, but can claim age relaxation for a higher post.

Government / PSU employees

You must upload a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your employer when applying. Without it, your candidature will not be considered, and applications of employed candidates are considered only if the hard copy reaches CFTRI by 26 November 2026.

6. Cut-off Date for Eligibility

18 November 2026 is the date for determining:

• Age limit
• Educational qualification (results must be declared by this date)
• Category status (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD/ESM), fee concession and age relaxation

The notification explains that the certificate does not have to be dated before 18 November, but you must belong to that category on that date. EWS candidates must hold the Income & Asset Certificate valid for FY 2026-27, based on income for 2025-26.

7. Name and Document Rules That Affect Eligibility

• Enter your name, date of birth and father’s or mother’s name exactly as in the 10th certificate. For a name change after matriculation or after marriage, mention it in the form and submit a Gazette Notification.
• Any discrepancy between your online details and the documents leads to rejection, and it can make you ineligible for the Trade Test or written test.
• False or incorrect information leads to cancellation of candidature at any stage, even after selection and joining, with possible further action and permanent debarment.
• You must tell CFTRI whether any blood or close relative works in or has retired from CSIR-CFTRI or any CSIR lab.

CSIR CFTRI Technician 2026 – Who Is Not Eligible?

You are not eligible if:

• You are not an Indian citizen.
• You do not have 10th with Science subjects and 55% marks.
• You have no ITI / trade certificate, apprenticeship or work experience in the trade of your chosen post.
• Your experience is part-time, daily wage or guest, or was gained before acquiring the 10th qualification.
• Your final result was not declared by 18 November 2026.
• You are below 18 or above the applicable upper age limit on 18 November 2026.
• You apply for a trade that does not match your certificate.
• You are an OBC creamy layer candidate claiming OBC benefits, or an EWS candidate without the valid certificate. You can only be considered as General if otherwise eligible.

The CSIR CFTRI Technician eligibility criteria 2026 come down to four checks: an Indian citizen with 10th (Science) at 55% or more, the right trade qualification through ITI, apprenticeship or experience, age within 18 to 28 years (or relaxed) on 18 November 2026, and the correct documents for your category. Match your trade to the right post code, verify your age and percentage, and keep your certificates ready before you start the online application.