Thumbnail: Viksit Haryana | ZSI Recruitment 2026, 4 posts, last date 20 November 2026
Cleared NET or GATE and looking for a research career? The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has opened 4 research fellowships, and NET/GATE-qualified candidates can earn a fellowship of up to Rs 42,000 a month plus HRA.
The best part is how simple the process is. There is no portal, no fee and no written exam — you send a single PDF by email before 20 November 2026. Junior fellows will work in the field across six locations, from the Nilgiris to the Andaman Islands, so this is genuine field-research experience at a national institute.
ZSI Recruitment 2026 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Southern Regional Centre, Chennai — Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India |
| Advertisement No. | ZSI/LTEO/2026/01, dated 31 October 2026 |
| Project | Long Term Ecological Observatories (Arthropods) |
| Total posts | 4 posts (3 Junior + 1 Senior) |
| Fellowship | Rs 25,000 to Rs 42,000 a month plus HRA |
| How to apply | By email only — [email protected] |
| Application fee | No fee is mentioned in the notice |
| Last date to apply | 20 November 2026 |
How many posts are there, and what is the fellowship?
There are 4 posts in total. Each post comes in two versions — a NET/GATE-qualified candidate joins as a Research Fellow, while a candidate without NET/GATE joins as a Project Fellow. The work is the same, but the fellowship differs sharply.
| Post | Posts | Fellowship per month |
|---|---|---|
| Junior Research Fellow (NET/GATE qualified) | 3 | Rs 37,000 + HRA |
| Junior Project Fellow (without NET/GATE) | 3 (of the same 3) | Rs 25,000 + HRA |
| Senior Research Fellow (NET/GATE qualified) | 1 | Rs 42,000 + HRA |
| Senior Project Fellow (without NET/GATE) | 1 (of the same 1) | Rs 28,000 + HRA |
That means a JRF earns Rs 12,000 a month more than a JPF, and an SRF earns Rs 14,000 a month more than an SPF. The engagement is purely temporary and co-terminus with the project. The initial appointment is for one year, with reappointment possible on the basis of performance in the field and laboratory.
Who can apply?
Both posts need the same basic degree — an M.Sc. in Zoology, Wildlife Biology or Biodiversity with at least 65% marks or a CGPA of 6.5 on a 10-point scale.
- Junior posts: CSIR-NET or GATE qualification is required for the JRF version. Desirable: knowledge of sampling, data collection, taxonomy and ecology of arthropods.
- Senior post: CSIR-NET or GATE is required for the SRF version, plus two years of experience in data curation, data analysis, GIS, remote sensing and species distribution modelling, with research publications. Proficiency in statistical GIS software for biodiversity data analysis and species distribution modelling is desirable.
What is the age limit?
| Post | Maximum age |
|---|---|
| Junior posts (JRF/JPF) | Not more than 28 years |
| Senior post (SRF/SPF) | Not more than 32 years |
SC, ST, OBC, women and physically challenged candidates get age relaxation as per Government of India norms. The notice prints no age cut-off date, so the age limits are given here exactly as printed in the notification.
Where will you work, and what will you do?
The junior posts are field posts. The six work locations are the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Central India, Gujarat, Western Himalaya, Eastern Himalaya and the Andaman Islands. The senior post is based in Chennai, at the Southern Regional Centre, and handles the data coming in from all the sites.
Junior fellows will conduct novel research on the long-term ecological monitoring of arthropods in LTEO sites across India, in terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems — community ecology, stream ecology, GIS and remotely sensed data, molecular studies, and responses to environmental stresses in the context of global change. The senior fellow will maintain, curate and analyse the data collected from LTEO sites using statistical techniques and GIS, and prepare scientific and technical reports and manuscripts.
How will selection happen?
Selection has two stages — shortlisting on the basis of qualification and experience, followed by an interview before a committee. The notice mentions no written examination. Shortlisted candidates will be informed by email or speed post, and the date and time of the interview will be communicated through their mobile number or email. The interview date has not been announced yet.
How to apply
Applications are accepted by email only. There is no online portal, and no application is accepted by post.
- Download the official notification from the ZSI website and fill the application form printed in it.
- Attach self-attested copies of all certificates, address proof and Aadhaar proof. Affix a recent photograph, self-attested, to the form.
- If you are already employed, enclose a No Objection Certificate from your present employer.
- Convert everything into a single PDF and email it to [email protected] on or before 20 November 2026.
- Keep the acknowledgement of your sent email.
The application is addressed to The Officer-in-Charge, Zoological Survey of India, Southern Regional Centre, #130 Santhome High Road, Chennai – 600 028. Applications received after the last date will be summarily rejected, incomplete forms will be summarily rejected, and canvassing in any form will disqualify the applicant.
Documents required
- Filled application form (printed in the notification)
- Self-attested educational certificates (mark sheets and degree certificates from Class 10 onwards)
- NET/GATE certificate (for JRF/SRF)
- Proof of experience (for the senior post)
- Address proof and Aadhaar card copy
- Recent self-attested photograph
- No Objection Certificate from the present employer (if employed)
Important links
- Official notification PDF (Advt. No. ZSI/LTEO/2026/01)
- Zoological Survey of India — official website
- CSIR-IMMT Recruitment 2026: 13 project posts, apply by 20 November
- ISRO SDSC SHAR Apprentice Recruitment 2026: 400 posts
- UGC Recruitment 2026: 6 contractual posts
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many posts are there in ZSI Recruitment 2026?
Four posts in total — three Junior Research Fellow / Junior Project Fellow posts and one Senior Research Fellow / Senior Project Fellow post, under the LTEO (Arthropods) project.
2. What is the fellowship?
JRF gets Rs 37,000 plus HRA, JPF gets Rs 25,000 plus HRA, SRF gets Rs 42,000 plus HRA and SPF gets Rs 28,000 plus HRA. The higher figure in each pair needs CSIR-NET or GATE qualification.
3. What is the last date to apply?
20 November 2026. Applications must reach [email protected] by email, as a single PDF of the filled form and certificates.
4. Can I apply without NET or GATE?
Yes. Candidates without NET or GATE can apply as Project Fellows, but the fellowship is lower — Rs 25,000 for the junior post and Rs 28,000 for the senior post, plus HRA.
5. Is this a permanent government job?
No. This is a purely temporary, project-based fellowship. The initial appointment is for one year, with reappointment possible on the basis of performance.
Next Action
Read the official ZSI notification (Advt. No. ZSI/LTEO/2026/01) and email your single-PDF application to [email protected] before 20 November 2026.
Sources: Zoological Survey of India, Advertisement No. ZSI/LTEO/2026/01 dated 31 October 2026 (official notification PDF, zsi.gov.in). Read the official notification before applying.
