The Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC SHAR), Sriharikota, India’s spaceport under ISRO, has released Advertisement No. SDSC SHAR/RMT/03/2026 (dated 19 October 2026) for 97 posts across 11 categories: Technical Assistant, Scientific Assistant, Library Assistant ‘A’, Nurse ‘B’, Technician ‘B’, Draughtsman ‘B’, Fireman ‘A’, Light and Heavy Vehicle Drivers, and Multi-Tasking Staff. One set of driver posts is for ADRIN, Secunderabad.
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Last date alert: Online applications close on 9 November 2026 (11:59 PM) at apps.shar.gov.in. If you have not applied yet, do it first and then start the preparation plan below.
ISRO exams are competitive. Thousands of diploma, ITI and graduate candidates apply for each discipline, and only a handful of seats are available. In most of these posts, the final merit is decided by the written test alone, while the skill test, PET or medical test is only qualifying. That makes a focused written-test strategy the key to selection.
This article gives a post-wise roadmap based on the official selection process and exam pattern in the advertisement: what to study, how to plan your time, and how to clear the qualifying stages.
Particulars
Details
Organisation
Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC SHAR), ISRO
Advertisement No.
SDSC SHAR/RMT/03/2026, dated 19 October 2026
Total Posts
97
Application Window
19 October 2026 (10:00 AM) to 9 November 2026 (11:59 PM)
Age Limit (as on 9 November 2026)
18–35 years (post codes 07–25, 27, 28, 30); 18–25 years (Fireman and MTS)
Written Test Mode
Online CBT in 18 cities, including Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, New Delhi and Bhubaneswar
Processing Fee
₹750 (Level 7 posts) / ₹500 (other posts), partly or fully refunded after appearing in the test
The single most important insight: For every post, final selection is purely on written test marks. The skill test, PET and medical tests are qualifying only. Each wrong answer costs 0.33 marks (or 0.25 for Drivers and MTS), so accuracy matters as much as speed.
Post-Wise Preparation Roadmap
The advertisement says the written test for technical posts will test “theoretical and practical knowledge… covering both breadth and depth of the prescribed curriculum”. For the technical posts, this means your diploma, ITI or degree syllabus is the syllabus. The topic lists below follow each discipline’s standard curriculum.
Target: Aim for 55+ out of 80 with high accuracy. The UR qualifying mark is only 32, but the merit cut-off is usually much higher.
Discipline
High-Priority Topics
Mechanical (7 posts)
Thermodynamics, strength of materials, theory of machines, fluid mechanics, manufacturing processes, machine design basics, metrology, engineering drawing
Electrical / EEE (1 post)
Circuit theory, electrical machines, power systems, measurements, power electronics, control systems basics
Computer Science (1 post)
C/C++ and data structures, operating systems, DBMS, computer networks, digital logic, computer organisation
Electronics & Communication (3 posts)
Analog and digital electronics, communication systems, microprocessors, network theory, electronic devices, instrumentation
Civil (2 posts)
Surveying, building materials, RCC, soil mechanics, fluid mechanics, estimation and costing, structural analysis basics
Strategy: Revise all semester subjects, solve previous ISRO Technical Assistant papers (from VSSC, ISTRAC, SDSC, URSC and other centres) and practise objective questions from standard diploma-level books. For the skill test, revise your diploma lab work and basic workshop or software practicals.
2. Scientific Assistant (Physics; Fine Arts/Visual Arts)
Physics (2 posts): Cover B.Sc. Physics in depth: mechanics, electromagnetism, optics, thermal and statistical physics, quantum mechanics, solid state and electronics. Also revise the ancillary Mathematics and Chemistry basics.
Fine Arts (Photography) / Visual Arts (Cinematography) (1 post): Camera technology, lenses and exposure, lighting, composition, digital imaging and editing, video production and the history of photography. Expect a practical skill test on camera handling.
3. Library Assistant ‘A’ (3 posts)
Focus on library classification (DDC, CC, UDC), cataloguing (AACR2, MARC), library automation (KOHA and similar software), information sources and services, reference work, digital libraries, Indian library legislation and library science pioneers. Practise objective questions from UGC-NET Library Science papers.
4. Nurse ‘B’ (3 posts)
Revise your GNM / Nursing Diploma syllabus: anatomy and physiology, fundamentals of nursing, medical-surgical nursing, community health nursing, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, pharmacology and first aid. Practise MCQs from staff nurse exams (AIIMS, ESIC, state nursing exams). You get 120 minutes for 80 questions, so use the time for accuracy.
Full ITI trade theory and trade calculation, plus engineering drawing
Strategy: Read ITI trade theory and workshop calculation and science from NIMI books, and solve previous ISRO Technician-B papers. For the skill test, practise hands-on jobs in your trade. Many good written-test scorers fail at this stage.
6. Fireman ‘A’ (2 posts)
Written test (80 MCQs, 120 minutes): Prepare general knowledge, basic science, arithmetic, reasoning and English at Class 10 level, plus fire safety basics: classes of fire, extinguishers and first aid.
Physical preparation (start now):
Stage 1: men must run 1,500 m in 7 minutes (8 minutes above age 40); women must run 800 m in 4 minutes.
Stage 2: rope climbing (5 m for men), a 25 m fireman’s-lift carry (60 kg dummy for men in 60 seconds), a 3.8 m long jump and a 100 m run in 15 seconds.
Physical standards: For general category men, minimum height 165 cm, weight 50 kg and chest 81/86 cm. Also check the vision and medical criteria in Annexure-C, and get the PME certificate in the prescribed format when you apply.
7. Light and Heavy Vehicle Driver ‘A’ (12 posts)
Part A, Motor Vehicles Act 1988 (50 questions): This is the most important part. You need 50% in it separately. Study licensing, registration, traffic control, insurance, offences and penalties, mandatory signs and accident claims.
Parts B–D: Class 8-level English (synonyms, antonyms, verbs, fill in the blanks), Class 10-level arithmetic (percentage, ratio, average) and GK (current affairs, states and capitals, Indian geography). You need 50% in these three parts combined.
Skill test: You need 60% with no relaxation, so practise driving manoeuvres, reversing and parking regularly.
8. Multi-Tasking Staff (16 posts)
Prepare as you would for SSC MTS: number system, percentages, ratios, time and work, simple reasoning (series, analogies, coding-decoding, puzzles), static GK and current affairs, and basic English grammar and comprehension. In case of a tie, reasoning marks decide the rank, so give reasoning extra practice.
12-Week Study Plan (Until the Exam Date Is Announced)
ISRO SDSC SHAR has not announced the exam date yet. Going by past ISRO recruitments, the test usually takes place a few months after applications close. Use this 12-week plan and adjust it once the date is out.
Weeks
Technical Posts (TA, SA, Technician, Nurse, Library, Draughtsman)
Non-Technical Posts (Fireman, Drivers, MTS)
1–4
Revise the full core syllabus subject by subject. Make short formula and concept notes.
Learn the basics: MV Act / GK / arithmetic / reasoning. Fireman candidates should start daily running.
5–8
Practise topic-wise MCQs and solve previous ISRO papers for your post. Start working on weak topics.
Daily mixed practice sets and current affairs. Drivers should practise driving manoeuvres.
9–10
Take full-length timed mock tests (80 questions in 90 or 120 minutes). Analyse your mistakes.
Full mock tests (100 questions). Fireman candidates should do Stage 2 PET drills.
11–12
Revise your notes, re-attempt wrong questions, and prepare for the skill test.
Final revision, mock tests and physical or skill test practice.
Recommended Resources
Technical Assistant: Your diploma textbooks, plus objective books for diploma-level technical exams. Solve previous ISRO Technical Assistant papers from various centres.
Technician ‘B’ / Draughtsman: NIMI trade theory and workshop calculation books, plus previous ISRO, DRDO and BARC technician papers.
Scientific Assistant (Physics): Standard B.Sc. Physics textbooks, plus JAM- and NET-level objective practice for depth.
Drivers: The text of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (with amendments), plus road sign charts.
MTS / Fireman: SSC MTS-level arithmetic, reasoning and GK books, and monthly current affairs.
Skill Test and PET Tips
Skill test for TA, SA, Technician and Draughtsman (100 marks, qualifying): You need 50/100 (UR) or 40/100 (reserved). Expect practical tasks from your trade or discipline. Revise lab manuals and practise common jobs with standard tools.
Skill test for Drivers: You need at least 60%, with no relaxation. Practise reversing, parking, gear control and road rules on the type of vehicle you are applying for.
Fireman PET: Train for the 1,500 m or 800 m run first, because Stage 1 is a knockout round. Then add rope climbing, fireman’s-lift carry and long jump drills.
Documents: Keep originals of every qualification, experience certificate (for Drivers), caste certificate and PME certificate (for Fireman) ready for verification.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Guessing too much: With 0.33 marks off per wrong answer, three wrong guesses cancel one correct answer. Attempt only when you can eliminate at least two options.
Ignoring the skill test: It is qualifying, but failing it ends your chance even with a top written score.
Studying only theory: ISRO tests both breadth and depth, including practical knowledge.
Skipping previous papers: Previous ISRO papers from other centres show the level and style of questions.
Physical neglect (Fireman): PET standards are strict, so start training now, not after the written result.
Wrong PME format (Fireman): Candidates whose PME certificate is not in the Annexure-A format will be disqualified.
FAQs
Q1. How many posts are there in ISRO SDSC SHAR Recruitment 2026? 97 posts in total, under Advertisement No. SDSC SHAR/RMT/03/2026.
Q2. What is the last date to apply for ISRO SDSC SHAR Vacancy ? 9 November 2026, 11:59 PM, at apps.shar.gov.in.
Q3. What is the exam pattern for ISRO SDSC SHARTechnical Assistant and Technician ‘B’? 80 MCQs in 90 minutes, with +1 for each correct answer and −0.33 for each wrong answer, followed by a qualifying skill test of 100 marks.
Q4. Is the skill test counted in the final merit? No. The skill test is only qualifying. Final selection is based on written test marks.
Q5. What are the qualifying marks for TA and Technician posts? 32/80 in the written test and 50/100 in the skill test for UR candidates; 24/80 and 40/100 for reserved candidates (only if the post is reserved).
Q6. Is there negative marking in the SDSC SHAR exam? Yes. −0.33 per wrong answer for TA, SA, Library Assistant, Technician, Draughtsman, Nurse and Fireman, and −0.25 for Drivers and MTS.
Q7. What is the age limit? 18–35 years for most posts, and 18–25 years for Fireman and MTS, as on 9 November 2026, with relaxation as per rules.
Q8. Where will the exam be held? As an online CBT in 18 cities, including Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Hyderabad, New Delhi, Mumbai, Patna and Guwahati.
Q9. When is the ISRO SDSC SHAR exam date 2026? The exam date has not been announced yet. Watch shar.gov.in and your registered email.
About the Author
Biswajit Pal
Content Specialist
As a content writer, I specialize in creating valuable and meaningful content for websites. My primary role involves writing articles and blogs that provide useful information for aspirants preparing for government jobs. With more than 1.5 years of work experience in this field, I am dedicated to delivering…
