ISRO has opened the door for fresh graduates, diploma holders and ITI pass-outs to spend a year training inside one of its most important centres. The Space Applications Centre (SAC) in Ahmedabad has invited online applications for apprentice posts under Advertisement No. SAC: 03:2026, and the window opened on 11 November 2026. There is no written exam and no interview. Selection is based on marks in the qualifying examination, followed by document verification.
The drive covers 26 apprentice posts across three categories: 9 Graduate Apprentice posts, 5 Technician Apprentice posts and 12 Trade Apprentice posts. One point candidates should note: the official notice lists 26 position codes and does not print a seat count for each code, so treat 26 as the number of posts on offer. Applications close at 5 pm on 2 December 2026, and the training is expected to start in January or February 2027.
What SAC does, and why this opening matters
SAC is one of the lead centres of the Indian Space Research Organisation, working under the Department of Space. It is the centre that builds payloads and instruments for communication, navigation and earth observation satellites, and it also works on remote sensing applications used by government departments across the country. An apprenticeship here puts a young engineer or technician inside a working space centre, not a classroom.
For many applicants, the appeal is simple. The training lasts one year, it is paid, and it needs no entrance test. A candidate who finished a degree, diploma or ITI course recently and wants hands-on experience with satellite systems will find few better places to get it. The notice is clear on one thing, though: completing the apprenticeship gives no claim to a job at SAC or any other ISRO centre later. This is training, not a route to permanent employment.
Posts, stipend and who can apply
The 26 posts are split into three groups. Graduate Apprentices get a stipend of Rs 12,300 a month. Technician Apprentices get Rs 10,900 a month. Trade Apprentices get Rs 10,560 or Rs 11,040 a month, depending on the trade. The training period is one year for all three categories.
- Graduate Apprentice (9 posts): for candidates with a degree in engineering or a related field.
- Technician Apprentice (5 posts): for candidates with a diploma in engineering or a related field.
- Trade Apprentice (12 posts): for candidates with an ITI certificate in trades such as Electrician and other notified trades.
Only Indian nationals can apply. The degree, diploma or ITI certificate must have been passed in or after December 2023, so this drive is aimed squarely at recent pass-outs. Age limits vary by post code and are counted as on 2 December 2026, so candidates should check the limit printed against their post code in the official notice before applying.
No exam, no interview: how selection works
There is no written test and no interview in this recruitment. SAC will shortlist candidates on the basis of the percentage of marks scored in the qualifying examination, and shortlisted candidates will then be called for document verification. That makes the qualifying exam score the single deciding factor, so candidates should enter their marks carefully and keep their certificates ready.
The notice mentions no application fee. Applications are accepted online only, through the SAC website at sac.gov.in or careers.sac.gov.in. The portal opened at 9:30 am on 11 November and stays open till 5 pm on 2 December 2026.
How to apply
- Go to sac.gov.in or careers.sac.gov.in and open the apprentice recruitment link for Advertisement No. SAC: 03:2026.
- Pick the post code that matches your qualification, Graduate, Technician or Trade Apprentice.
- Fill in your personal details, qualification and marks, and upload the documents asked for in the notice.
- Submit the form before 5 pm on 2 December 2026 and keep a copy of the submitted application.
- Check the SAC website regularly for the shortlist and document verification schedule.
Candidates should apply only through the official SAC websites. Any other site or agent claiming to collect applications for this drive should be ignored, and no payment is needed to apply.
FAQs
What is the last date to apply for ISRO SAC Apprentice 2026?
Applications close at 5 pm on 2 December 2026. The online window opened on 11 November 2026.
How many posts are on offer?
The notice lists 26 apprentice posts: 9 Graduate Apprentice, 5 Technician Apprentice and 12 Trade Apprentice. It does not state a seat count for each individual post code.
Is there an exam for SAC apprentice posts?
No. There is no written examination and no interview. Selection is on qualifying exam marks, followed by document verification.
What stipend will apprentices get?
Graduate Apprentices get Rs 12,300 a month, Technician Apprentices Rs 10,900, and Trade Apprentices Rs 10,560 or Rs 11,040, depending on the trade.
Does the apprenticeship lead to a job at ISRO?
No. The notice states clearly that completing the one-year training gives no claim to employment at SAC or any other ISRO centre.
With the deadline less than three weeks away and no exam to prepare for, eligible candidates have a straightforward decision to make. If the qualification and the December 2023 pass-out condition match, the application takes only a few minutes on the SAC portal.
