Last Updated: 3 September 2026
SSC IMD Scientific Assistant Recruitment 2026: Apply Online at ssc.gov.in, Check Eligibility, Salary Level-6 & Exam Pattern
The SSC launched the application process for the post of Scientific Assistant with the India Meteorological Department on 2 September 2026; this is included within the SSC JE 2026 notification and is not available as a separate form—a point which causes many candidates to make a mistake each time. The applications must be submitted by 11 PM on 22 September 2026. The salary scale is Level-6, translating into an initial basic pay of ₹35,400, which will increase to ₹1,12,400 later on. .
If you're a graduate in physics and are wondering whether or not this job is worth pursuing, or if you're someone with just a diploma and unsure whether or not you're eligible, then this article looks at the actual eligibility calculations, the format of the exam, and a few things that previous applicants wish somebody had told them before.
SSC IMD Scientific Assistant 2026: Quick Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Body | Staff Selection Commission (SSC), on behalf of IMD |
| Parent Notification | SSC JE Examination 2026 (combined with Scientific Assistant IMD) |
| Post | Scientific Assistant, India Meteorological Department |
| Vacancies (IMD-specific) | 100+ (part of 1,748 total SSC JE 2026 vacancies) |
| Application Window | 2 September – 22 September 2026 (11:00 PM) |
| Pay Level | Level-6, ₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400 |
| Selection Mode | Two-paper Computer Based Test + Document Verification |
| Official Websites | ssc.gov.in / mausam.imd.gov.in |
Who Actually Qualifies — The Eligibility Chain Nobody Explains Properly
Here's where most articles get lazy. They'll tell you "B.Sc with Physics" and stop there. But there's a chain of conditions, and missing one link disqualifies you even if the rest checks out.
- You need Class 12 completed with Physics and Mathematics as subjects. This isn't optional background — it's the foundation everything else sits on.
- On top of that 10+2, you need either a Bachelor's degree in Science with Physics (or Computer Science, IT, Computer Applications, Electronics, Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering) — OR a 3-year Diploma in Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering.
- And here's the part candidates skim past: your degree or diploma needs at least 60% aggregate marks. Not qualifying-pass. Sixty percent, minimum.
So a physics graduate with 58% aggregate, however strong their subject knowledge, doesn't clear the door. Check your marksheet's actual percentage before you spend weeks preparing.
Age Limit
The maximum period is 30 years, based on the cutoff date specified in the notification. In the case of SC/ST, a relaxation of 5 years is granted, a relaxation of 3 years is given to the OBC category, and additional relaxation is provided for the PwBD and Ex-Servicemen categories in accordance with government norms.
How to Apply for SSC IMD Scientific Assistant 2026
- Head to ssc.gov.in and look for the Junior Engineer Examination 2026 notification — Scientific Assistant IMD sits inside it, so don't search separately for a standalone SA form.
- Complete One-Time Registration (OTR) first, if you haven't already registered on the SSC portal before.
- Log in and open the application form specifically for Scientific Assistant (IMD), selecting it as your post preference.
- Fill in educational details carefully — your percentage matters here, so enter it exactly as it appears on your certificate.
- Choose your preferred technical paper for Part-II of the exam — more on this below, because this choice locks in early and shapes your entire prep strategy.
- Upload photograph, signature, and required documents in the specified format.
- Pay the application fee — ₹100 for General/OBC/EWS, with SC/ST/PwBD/female candidates exempted.
- Review everything twice, then submit. Save your registration number; you'll need it repeatedly.
The Exam Pattern — And Why Your Part-II Choice Matters Early
Two papers, both computer-based, both objective. Simple enough on paper. The catch is that Part-II isn't fixed for everyone — you pick your technical discipline during the application itself, and that choice sticks with you through the whole process.
| Paper | Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | General Intelligence & Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, English Language, General Awareness | 100 | 100 | 2 Hours |
| Paper-II | Technical Paper — choice of Physics, Computer Science & IT, or Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering | 100 | 100 | 2 Hours |
Negative marking applies at 0.25 per wrong answer in both papers. Nothing unusual there — standard SSC scoring.
Picking Your Part-II Subject: A Real Decision, Not a Formality
Candidates with a pure Physics degree usually default to the Physics paper, and that's the sensible call. But if your degree was in Computer Science or IT, don't force yourself into the Physics paper just because the post is "meteorology-adjacent." Pick the discipline you actually studied — the technical paper rewards depth, not general science curiosity. Electronics & Telecommunication graduates get their own dedicated paper too, so there's no need to stretch a CS background to fit it.
Salary and Job Profile — What You're Actually Signing Up For
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Pay Level | Level-6 (7th CPC) |
| Pay Scale | ₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400 |
| Post Classification | Group 'B', Non-Gazetted |
| Core Work | Weather observation, meteorological data collection and analysis, supporting forecasting operations |
It's not a desk job in the way most Group B postings are. You're working with live instrumentation, real-time data streams, and — depending on posting — sometimes remote or high-altitude observatories. Worth factoring in if you're weighing this against a purely administrative role elsewhere.
Selection Process: From Application to Appointment
- Computer Based Examination — Paper-I and Paper-II, both objective, conducted together.
- Document Verification — original certificates checked against your application, including that 60% aggregate marksheet.
- Final Merit & Allotment — based on normalized marks and category-wise vacancy availability.
Important Links
| Resource | Where to Find It |
|---|---|
| Online Application Portal | ssc.gov.in (One-Time Registration required) |
| Admit Card (when released) | ssc.gov.in — check regularly closer to exam date |
| Free mock Tests | Free SSC Technical & Science Mock Tests |
| Daily Practices | Daily Physics & Reasoning Practice Quizzes |
| online Portal | Sarkari Mock Test Online Portal |
Disclaimer: Vacancy figures, dates, and eligibility details are based on the official SSC JE Examination 2026 notification as of the publish date. Final category-wise vacancy breakup for Scientific Assistant IMD is expected to follow separately — candidates should confirm every detail against the official notification PDF on ssc.gov.in before applying.
