ISRO Scientist Mechanical
ISRO Scientist/Engineer 'SC' (Mechanical) Recruitment Examination
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ExploreAbout this exam
The ISRO Scientist/Engineer 'SC' (Mechanical) recruitment is run centrally by the ISRO Centralised Recruitment Board (ICRB) under the Department of Space, advertised in cycles such as ISRO:ICRB:02(EMC):2025 dated 27.05.2025, with the Mechanical post code BE002. It is aimed at mechanical engineering graduates who want a scientist/engineer career in India's space programme, and the pipeline is a Computer Based Test followed by an interview for screened-in candidates, ending in a published selection panel. The technical paper is a single mechanical-engineering discipline paper, so breadth across thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, strength of materials, theory of machines, manufacturing, design and materials matters more than narrow specialisation. Because ISRO publishes old question papers through a consolidated link on its Careers page, and separately publishes CBT notices, admit-card links, answer keys and objection-management portals, the most reliable preparation loop is: work the official old papers under timed conditions, log every topic that produced a wrong answer, revise that topic from a standard textbook, then re-attempt. Treat dates, CBT schedules and interview phases as moving targets and verify them on the official ISRO Careers page rather than on coaching sites. This page is independent study material and is not affiliated with ISRO.
What you'll study
About ISRO Scientist Mechanical preparation
What is the selection process for Scientist/Engineer 'SC' (Mechanical)?
The published pattern is a Computer Based Test followed by an interview stage: ISRO notices list candidates 'screened in for interview' and later publish a selection panel for the Mechanical post. So prepare for a two-gate process, not a single written exam, and keep your documents ready once you clear the CBT.
Where can I find official old question papers?
The ISRO Careers page carries a line reading 'Old question papers Please see this page for consolidated links to old question papers'. Use that consolidated page as your primary practice source instead of third-party PDFs, which are often mislabelled by post or year.
How long is the CBT and how many questions are there?
The source page does not state a duration, question count, marking scheme or cutoff for the Mechanical CBT. Do not rely on numbers quoted by coaching sites. Confirm the pattern from the official advertisement and information brochure for your cycle before you build a timed practice plan.
Can I retake the exam if I am not selected?
There is no stated limit on attempts in the source material. Practically, you reapply when a fresh advertisement for the Mechanical post appears. Because advertisement numbers change each cycle, track the Careers page for the new notice rather than assuming the previous year's dates carry over.
How difficult is the Mechanical paper?
Expect final-year BTech depth across the core mechanical subjects, delivered at speed. The difficulty is rarely a single hard question; it is sustained accuracy over a wide syllabus. Candidates who only revise two or three favourite subjects usually lose marks in manufacturing, materials and thermal topics.
In what order should I study?
Start with the high-yield core: strength of materials, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and manufacturing, since these recur across papers. Then add theory of machines, machine design, heat transfer and materials. Finish with engineering mathematics and aptitude-style practice, and keep one revision cycle for formula sheets and short notes.
What are the most common failure modes?
Three recur: skipping manufacturing and materials because they feel less 'scientific'; practising untimed so the CBT pace surprises you; and ignoring the interview stage until the CBT result. Also common is trusting stale dates or patterns from older advertisements instead of the current official notice.
How do I check CBT dates, admit cards and answer keys?
Everything is posted on the ISRO Careers page: CBT date notices, admit-card download links, response sheets, answer keys and objection-management portals. Dates shift, so check the page directly. A notice dated 27-08-2026 states the CBT for ISRO:ICRB:03(EMC):2026 was postponed to 29.10.2026 (Thursday).
Is this page officially connected to ISRO?
No. This is independent study content written for candidates searching for this exam. It is not affiliated with ISRO or the Department of Space, and it does not reproduce official question papers. Always treat the official ISRO Careers page as the authoritative source for notices and eligibility.