CSIR ASO Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
Executive Summary & Key Facts
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research has issued an official recruitment notification for Assistant Section Officer (ASO), announcing a total of 100 vacancies located in All India. To be eligible, applicants must hold Graduate, with category relaxation applicable as per government guidelines. The selection procedure comprises Objective examination (Paper I & II), Descriptive exam (Paper III), and Computer Proficiency Test (CPT).. For complete guidelines, syllabus breakdown, and official notification PDF, refer to the verified information below on ApplySarkariJob.
📝 Assistant Section Officer (ASO) - Detailed Notification Guide
Overview of CSIR Assistant Section Officer (ASO) Recruitment 2026
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) conducts the recruitment for Assistant Section Officer (ASO) positions through a multi-stage selection process. Candidates preparing for this examination must understand the structure of the written papers and the practical requirements of the Computer Proficiency Test (CPT).
Selection Stages
- Stage 1: Objective type papers (Paper I and Paper II).
- Stage 2: Descriptive paper (Paper III).
- Stage 3: Computer Proficiency Test (CPT).
The final merit list is determined based on performance in the objective and descriptive stages, while the CPT is qualifying in nature.
Exam Pattern Structure
| Stage | Paper | Type | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Paper I & II | Objective | 1 Hour per Paper |
| Stage 2 | Paper III | Descriptive | 1 Hour |
| Stage 3 | CPT | Practical | 1 Hour |
Note: A negative marking of 0.25 marks applies to each incorrect answer in the objective papers.
Syllabus Breakdown
Paper I: General Awareness and English
- General Awareness: Indian history (National Movement, Medieval, Ancient), Constitution of India, Polity, Governance, Current Events (National/International), and Economics.
- English Language: Comprehension, grammar, sentence correction, idioms, and vocabulary.
Paper II: Reasoning and Mental Ability
- General Intelligence: Analytical reasoning, decision-making, blood relations, coding-decoding, and series.
- Numerical Ability: Arithmetic (Percentage, Profit & Loss, Interest, Time & Work, Mensuration) and Data Interpretation.
- General Science & Tech: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Computer fundamentals.
- Ethics & Management: Management principles, ethics in human actions, and problem-solving.
Computer Proficiency Test (CPT)
The CPT assesses practical skills in:
- Word Processing (Document creation/formatting).
- Spreadsheets (Data entry/formulas).
- Presentation (PowerPoint).
- General Office Software usage.