NIT Rourkela Project Fellow Recruitment 2026

Introduction

National Institute of Technology Rourkela (NIT Rourkela), an Institute of National Importance under the Ministry of Education, Govt. of India, has announced a recruitment drive for the position of Project Fellow (PF). This engagement is purely on a temporary/contractual basis and will be co-terminus with the completion of the project. The advertisement, bearing reference number NITR / SR / 2026 / Advt.- 24CS021 /L/087, was released on 30th October 2026. Candidates who meet the specified criteria are invited to submit their applications before the closing date. The project is titled "Information Security Education and Awareness project Phase III (Hardware Security)". This is a significant opportunity for eligible candidates to contribute to a research project within a premier national institute. All details regarding eligibility, application procedure, and selection process are outlined in the official notification. Applicants are strongly advised to read the official notification carefully before proceeding with their application to ensure all requirements are met.

Recruitment Overview

Important Dates

Vacancy Details

A total of 04 (Four) vacancies are available for the post of Project Fellow (PF).

Category-wise distribution of vacancies has not been specified in the official notification.

Educational Qualifications and Eligibility

To be eligible for the Project Fellow position, candidates must meet the following educational criteria:

• Essential Qualification(s): A Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) / Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech.) degree in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), Information Technology (IT), Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE), or a related discipline. Alternatively, candidates with a Master of Computer Applications (MCA) or a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in an appropriate branch of Science are also eligible.
• Academic Performance: Candidates must have secured a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) not less than 6.5 on a 10-point scale, or secured marks not less than 60% in their B.E./B.Tech. or equivalent examination.
• Mandatory Subjects: Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) must have been mandatory subjects in the 11th and 12th standards.
• Desirable Qualification: Candidates who have qualified in the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) are preferred.

The notification also mentions that the period of experience, wherever prescribed, shall be counted after the date of acquiring the minimum prescribed educational qualifications. However, specific experience is not listed as a mandatory requirement for this post.

Age Limit and Relaxation

The upper age limit for applying for the Project Fellow position is 28 years. This age limit will be reckoned as on the last date of receipt of applications, which is 25-Nov-2026.

Age relaxations are applicable as follows:

• 5 years for candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC) / Scheduled Tribes (ST) / Persons with Disabilities (PWD) and Female applicants.
• 3 years for Other Backward Classes (OBC) (Non-creamy layer candidates).

Application Fee

The official notification does not specify any application fee for this recruitment drive.

Salary and Pay Scale

Selected candidates for the Project Fellow position will receive a consolidated monthly salary of INR 12,400.00.

House Rent Allowance (HRA) is not applicable for this position.

Selection Process

The selection process for the Project Fellow position involves two main stages:

1. Shortlisting: Candidates will be shortlisted based on their merit and the specific needs of the project. Mere possession of the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation for an interview. NIT Rourkela reserves the right to fix higher criteria for short-listing.
2. Online Interview: Only the short-listed candidates will be informed for an online interview.

Any suppression of information or submission of false documents may lead to the cancellation of selection or joining.

Application Procedure

Interested and eligible candidates are required to submit their applications via email. The detailed steps are as follows:

1. Prepare Application: Download the application form and fill it completely.
2. Gather Documents: Compile all necessary documents, including mark sheets and certificates for educational qualifications, research papers (if any), and work experience certificates (if any).
3. Create Single PDF: Combine the filled application form and all supporting documents into a single PDF file.
4. Email Application: Send the single PDF file via email to the designated email IDs of the Principal Investigator (PI) and Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI). The email subject line must clearly state "Advertisement No." followed by the advertisement number (NITR / SR / 2026 / Advt.- 24CS021 /L/087).

Important Note: No hard copies of applications are required to be sent to the Institute.

Email IDs for Application:

• Prof. Shyamapada Mukherjee: mukherjees@nitrkl.ac.in
• Prof. Sujata Mahanty: [Email ID not specified in the provided text, but implied to be sent to the above mentioned email IDs]

For any clarifications regarding eligibility, candidates may contact the PI and Co-PI using the provided email details.

Required Documents

Candidates are required to submit the following documents along with their application:

• Educational qualification mark sheets and certificates indicating percentage of marks / division.
• Research papers (if any).
• Work experience certificate (if any).

All these documents should be compiled into a single PDF file for submission via email.

Important Instructions and Common Mistakes

Candidates should carefully adhere to the following instructions to avoid common mistakes:

• Read Notification Thoroughly: Ensure you have read and understood all details in the official notification before applying.
• Email Subject Line: Incorrectly formatted or missing advertisement number in the email subject line can lead to rejection. Ensure it is exactly "Advertisement No. NITR / SR / 2026 / Advt.- 24CS021 /L/087".
• Single PDF Submission: Applications must be submitted as a single PDF file containing the application form and all supporting documents. Multiple files or incomplete submissions will not be considered.
• No Hard Copies: Do not send hard copies of your application to the institute, as only soft copies via email are accepted.
• Eligibility Criteria: Double-check that you meet all essential educational qualifications, including the PCM requirement in 11th & 12th standards, and the minimum CGPA/percentage.
• Age Limit Calculation: Ensure your age is within the prescribed limit as of the last date of application (25-Nov-2026).
• Contact for Clarifications: If you have any doubts about eligibility, reach out to the PI or Co-PI via email well before the deadline.

Official Notification and Application Links

FAQs

Q1: What is the last date to apply for the Project Fellow position at NIT Rourkela?
A1: The last date for submitting applications is 25-Nov-2026.

Q2: What is the educational qualification required for the Project Fellow post?
A2: Candidates must have a B.E./B.Tech. in CSE/IT/ECE or related discipline, or MCA, or M.Sc. in an appropriate branch of Science, with PCM mandatory in 11th & 12th. A minimum CGPA of 6.5/10 or 60% marks is required.

Q3: Is there an application fee for this recruitment?
A3: No, the official notification does not mention any application fee.

Q4: How should I apply for the Project Fellow position?
A4: You need to fill the application form, compile it with supporting documents into a single PDF, and email it to the PI and Co-PI's email IDs with the specified subject line.

Q5: What is the age limit for this recruitment?
A5: The upper age limit is 28 years as on 25-Nov-2026, with relaxations applicable for SC/ST/PWD/Female and OBC candidates.