C-DAC Recruitment 2026 (951 Posts) — Salary Structure, Eligibility & Selection Process Explained
The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), India’s premier R&D organization under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), has launched one of the largest tech-sector recruitment drives of the year. Under Advertisement No. CORP/JIT/03/2026, C-DAC is looking to fill 951 project-based vacancies across 11 centers nationwide. If you are a fresh B.E./B.Tech graduate or a seasoned IT professional, this is an exceptional opportunity to work on cutting-edge advanced computing projects. The online application portal is currently live and will close definitively on 26 October 2026.
The Ground Reality: Contractual Engagement & Prestige
Before applying, candidates must understand that these are strictly project-based, contractual engagements. You will not be a permanent government employee. However, working at C-DAC carries immense prestige in the IT industry. The experience gained here in supercomputing, AI, and cybersecurity often acts as a massive springboard for future opportunities in top-tier multinational tech firms.
Salary Structure: Detailed CTC Breakdown
Unlike standard government pay scales (7th CPC), C-DAC offers a consolidated Cost to Company (CTC) package that scales directly with your role and experience level:
| Post Name | Experience Required | Estimated Annual CTC |
|---|---|---|
| Project Associate | Fresher (0 Years) | ₹3.60 LPA – ₹5.04 LPA |
| Project Engineer | 1 to 4 Years | ₹4.49 LPA – ₹7.11 LPA |
| Senior Project Engineer / Module Lead | 4+ Years | ₹8.49 LPA – ₹14.00 LPA |
| Project Manager / Program Manager | Senior Executive | ₹12.63 LPA – ₹22.90 LPA |
Strategic Insight: Entry-level posts like the Project Associate are open to absolute freshers, making this an ideal launchpad for recent graduates.
Eligibility Criteria & Generous Age Limits
The 951 vacancies are divided into technical and non-technical roles, each with its own strict baseline:
- Technical Posts (Project Engineer/Associate): You must hold a first-class B.E./B.Tech, MCA, M.E./M.Tech, or M.Sc degree in relevant computer science, IT, or electronics disciplines.
- Support & Non-Technical Posts: C-DAC is also hiring for Project Support Staff and Officers, which require qualifications ranging from ITI and Diplomas to CA, CS, CMA, LLB, or general post-graduation.
Age Limits (As of 26 October 2026): The upper age limit is highly flexible depending on the post. Freshers (Project Associate/Engineer) have a maximum age limit of 30 years. Senior roles allow candidates up to 40, 45, or even 56 years (for Project Managers). Standard age relaxations apply for reserved categories.
Important Dates & Zero Application Fee
| Online Application Starts | 05 October 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 26 October 2026 (11:59 PM) |
| Written Test / Interview Date | To be communicated via Email |
The Biggest Advantage: Zero Application Fee. Most tech recruitment exams charge between ₹500 and ₹1,000. C-DAC has completely waived the application fee for all candidates across all categories (General, OBC, EWS, SC, ST, PwBD, and Female). There is absolutely zero financial risk in applying.
The Selection Process: Check Your Email
Because there are 11 different centers (including Bengaluru with the highest count of 272 vacancies, Pune, Noida, Hyderabad, and Thiruvananthapuram), the selection process varies slightly based on the post and location. Generally, it follows this structure:
- Application Screening: HR will filter out resumes that do not meet the strict percentage or experience criteria.
- Written / Skill Test (If Applicable): A technical test may be conducted for junior roles to filter the massive applicant pool.
- Personal Interview: The final deciding factor.
Warning: C-DAC does not always publish admit cards on a central portal for these drives. All communication regarding your test and interview dates will be sent exclusively to your registered email address. You must monitor your inbox and spam folders daily after the closing date.
How to Apply Online (Without Document Errors)
- Visit the official C-DAC careers portal: careers.cdac.in.
- Register using an active mobile number and complete the OTP verification.
- Browse the center-wise vacancies and select the specific post matching your profile.
- Fill in your educational percentages accurately.
- Upload your recent passport-size photograph (JPG, under 400 KB) and a highly detailed, updated Resume/CV (PDF, under 500 KB). Your resume is critical for the screening phase.
- Review your form and submit before 11:59 PM on 26 October 2026. Print the confirmation page for document verification.
Important Links
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Download Notification | Click Here |
| Official Website | careers.cdac.in |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. I am a fresher. Which C-DAC post should I apply for?
Fresh engineering or MCA graduates should specifically target the “Project Associate” and entry-level “Project Engineer” vacancies, as these do not require any prior work experience.
Q2. Which C-DAC center has the highest number of vacancies?
In this recruitment cycle, the Bengaluru center has the highest number of openings with 272 posts out of the total 951.
Q3. Will C-DAC send an SMS or post a list for the interview dates?
No. C-DAC typically communicates the exact schedule for the written test and personal interview exclusively through the candidate’s registered email address.
Q4. Can a final-semester student apply for this recruitment?
Yes, final-semester students are generally eligible to apply, provided they can produce their final passing certificates during the document verification stage.
