SSC JE 2026 application deadline nears: apply for IMD scientific assistant posts by 22 September

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) is nearing the end of its registration period for the Junior Engineer (JE) examination 2026, which notably includes recruitment for Scientific Assistant (SA) posts within the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). Prospective candidates have until September 22, 2026, to submit their applications through the official SSC website, ssc.gov.in. The registration process commenced on September 2, 2026, with the last date for online fee payment set for September 23, 2026.

This year’s SSC JE examination is distinct from previous cycles due to the inclusion of the Scientific Assistant post in IMD, alongside Telecom JE positions, each featuring a separate exam pattern. The IMD has highlighted the inclusion of these vacancies in the SSC JE recruitment process, inviting eligible candidates to apply for the Group ‘B’ posts, which offer a pay scale of ₹35,400–₹1,12,400.

Application Process and Key Dates

Candidates interested in applying for the Scientific Assistant posts in IMD, or other Junior Engineer positions, must complete their registration on the SSC’s official portal. The application fee is ₹100; however, women candidates and those belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD), and Ex-Servicemen are exempt from this payment. Fees can be paid exclusively through online modes such as BHIM UPI, Net Banking, Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, or RuPay Debit card.

Following the application deadline, a correction window will be available for candidates to modify their submitted forms. This window is scheduled to open on September 28, 2026, and will close on September 30, 2026. The Commission will levy uniform correction charges of ₹200 for the first correction and ₹500 for a second correction.

Examination Structure and Selection Criteria

The selection process for the Scientific Assistant and Junior Engineer posts involves two computer-based examinations: Paper-I and Paper-II. Both papers will consist of Objective Type, Multiple-Choice Questions, available in both Hindi and English. There will be negative marking for incorrect answers in both papers. Specifically, 0.25 marks will be deducted for each wrong answer in Paper-I, while one mark will be deducted for each wrong answer in Paper-II.

Paper-I is tentatively scheduled to be conducted in October/November 2026, with Paper-II tentatively scheduled for December 2026. The maximum age limit for the Scientific Assistant post is 30 years, with the crucial date for determining age being August 1, 2026. The job profile for an IMD Scientific Assistant primarily involves assisting in meteorological observations, including weather data collection, analysis, and related scientific activities.

Vacancies and Application Procedure

The total tentative vacancies under the SSC Junior Engineer Examination 2026 are 1,748. Out of these, more than 100 vacancies are specifically for the IMD Scientific Assistant post. This marks a significant addition to the SSC JE examination, offering new opportunities for candidates interested in meteorological science.

To apply, candidates must visit the official website of SSC at ssc.gov.in. They should click on the ‘apply online’ link, enter their registration details, and submit them. After successful registration, candidates need to log in to their account, fill out the application form completely, and proceed with the payment of the application fee. It is advised to download and keep a hard copy of the confirmation page for future reference. Candidates are encouraged to apply well before the deadline to avoid potential last-minute technical issues.

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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