CSIR-NAL Project Staff Walk-in Interview — 12 November 2026
Advertised process: interview for 22 project positions in the mechanical, aerospace, aeronautical, thermal and fitter project staff grouping. Reporting and eligibility checking: 9:00–9:30 a.m. at the CSIR-NAL RAB Meeting Complex, adjacent to SBI NAL Branch, Kodihalli, Bengaluru 560017. No registration after 9:45 a.m. The laboratory has not notified a formal fixed marks-based oral interview rubric or an all-candidate written paper with a published number of questions.
Exactly which position lines attend this day?
Each candidate must match the qualification and discipline of the particular line. A shared date does not create a pooled eligibility list across Fitter, project associate, engineering and research grades. If applying for more than one suitable position, the official notice requires a separately completed form for each.
Preparation tied to the jobs, not to an invented exam syllabus
Project Associate-I (PAT-I) — Mechanical / Aerospace / Aeronautical (12): Hydraulic-system detail design; mechanical CAD and finite-element analysis; aerodynamic and wind-tunnel support; composite-part tooling and manufacture drawings; UAV integration, 6DOF modelling and metrology. Useful technical discussion: Explain one CAD assembly from requirement to drawing release; identify a load case for FEA; distinguish wind-tunnel measurement from calculated aerodynamic performance; outline how you would verify a UAV sub-system before flight. Records: A brief project list showing personal contribution, dated design or test records, CAD/FEA reports if genuinely created, and details of optional relevant aerospace experience. The stated 1–2 years of aerospace-relevant exposure is desirable rather than a universal mandatory gate.
Project Associate-II (PAT-II) — Mechanical / Aerospace / Aeronautical / Thermal (8): Detailed 3D mechanical design, heat-transfer and machine design, CATIA documentation, structural/CFD studies and integration or troubleshooting of UAV autopilot and ground-control subsystems. Useful technical discussion: Compare structural FEA with fluid-flow CFD, show an error check for either analysis, and describe a test plan connecting a 3D design or thermal calculation to measured performance. Records: For the Bachelor’s route, dated employer/institute proof of two years of R&D and a clear work-scope description. For the Master’s route, the completed Engineering/Technology degree and relevant project records.
Project Assistant-I (PA-I) — Fitter / Autoclave Maintenance (1): Maintenance, operation and calibration support for autoclaves and related equipment. Useful technical discussion: Describe how you would confirm that pressure/temperature gauges are within their calibration status before operating an autoclave, and how you would record an abnormal reading and stop the process safely. Records: 10th/SSC certificate, Fitter ITI trade certificate and any verified maintenance or safety training records.
Senior Project Associate (Senior PAT) — Mechanical / Aerospace UAV Systems (1): Fixed-wing and multirotor UAV sub-system assembly and integration, autopilot/GCS troubleshooting and UAV system-requirements documentation. Useful technical discussion: Present a real integration failure, document the diagnostic sequence and distinguish an acceptance requirement from a test result. Explain how a UAV requirements document would allow another team to reproduce an integration check. Records: Experience certificates explicitly covering dated R&D periods (three or two years depending on qualification), relevant degree and evidence of genuine system-level contributions.
What is formally announced about screening?
The selection is based on performance in the interview or another criterion the selection committee deems appropriate. If many candidates attend, a written screening test or other shortlisting criterion may be used. The original advertisement does not define its topics, timing, qualifying marks, negative marking, board-paper type, date or answer key. Therefore, preparation areas above describe the advertised technical assignments; they are not an officially notified examination syllabus.
Document and timing checklist
Bring the filled position-specific application; a recent passport photograph; Aadhaar or other Government photo identification; original qualifying-degree/10th/ITI/diploma certificate with all marksheets, all relevant experience certificates, valid NET/GATE proof where the position/pay distinction uses it, and category/age-relaxation documents if claimed. Bring one photocopy set. Existing CSIR-lab project workers need their Project Leader/HOD NOC. Final examination results pending on this day mean ineligibility. If the candidate claims an equivalent qualification, the issuing authority and reference number/date in the equivalence order must be documented. The interview could continue to the next day if the day's proceedings are not completed, so plan travel accordingly. No TA/DA is payable.
What follows the interview?
The laboratory may publish selected candidates and a waiting-list panel on its official site; panel validity is up to one year and carries no guarantee of a project seat. Any selected candidate must present original records and coordinate with the Recruitment Section within 15 days. Work is temporary, project-linked and without a right to permanent employment.
