Sarkari Sahayta - Raman Research Institute Recruitment 2026: Personal Secretary & Assistant (Advt. No. 16/2026)

Vacancy overview — Posts, pay level and reservations

RRI is a premier basic-science research institute funded by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, and this notification aims to fill regular non-teaching posts through direct recruitment. Two cadres are advertised: Personal Secretary (Level 8) and Assistant (Level 4), with a total of 7 vacancies.

• Personal Secretary: Pay Level 8 (7th CPC), 1 vacancy, category: Unreserved (UR).
• Assistant: Pay Level 4 (7th CPC), 6 vacancies, categories: 5 UR, 1 EWS (Economically Weaker Section).
• All posts are to be filled by direct recruitment and carry regular appointment status with a probation period of 2 years.
• The last date and time for submission of online applications is 06 July 2026, 11:59 pm.

About Raman Research Institute and these posts

The Raman Research Institute, located in Bengaluru 560080, is engaged in cutting-edge research in basic sciences and functions as an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. To support its research and administration, the Institute has notified regular vacancies in the administrative cadre—specifically Personal Secretary and Assistant—via Advertisement No. 16/2026.

These posts are essential to the Institute’s day-to-day functioning, including secretarial support to senior officers and administrative work in general administration, purchase and accounts. Selected candidates will be part of a structured government-like environment governed by central rules such as CCS (Conduct) Rules and CCS (CCA) Rules.

Post 1: Personal Secretary — Role, pay level and nature of appointment

The Personal Secretary post is at Pay Level 8 as per the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC), which is a higher-level post in the non-teaching administrative hierarchy. There is one vacancy and it is unreserved (UR), open to any eligible Indian national fulfilling the criteria.

The appointment is on a regular basis with a probation period of two years, during which performance and conduct will be evaluated as per Institute rules. The role involves secretarial and office support functions for senior officers of the Institute, requiring strong organisational and communication skills along with experience in a government or similar institutional setup.

Eligibility for Personal Secretary — Qualification, experience and age

The minimum essential qualification for the Personal Secretary post is a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognised university along with specific secretarial experience. The candidate must possess at least three years of experience in secretarial work in one of the designated organisations.

• Educational qualification: Graduate in any discipline from a recognised university.
• Experience: Minimum 3 years of secretarial work in any of the following: Central Government office, State Government office, Central Autonomous Body, Government of India Undertaking, University or Research Institute.
• Desirable attributes:
  • Exposure to a computerised working environment.
  • Knowledge of software tools for secretarial work (such as office suites, scheduling tools and document handling applications).
  • Good communication skills, which are crucial for interacting with internal and external stakeholders.
• Upper age limit: 30 years as on the last date of application (i.e., as on 06 July 2026).
• Citizenship: The candidate must be a citizen of India.

What does a Personal Secretary do at a research institute?

Although the advertisement does not list duties line by line, typical responsibilities of a Personal Secretary in a research institute include handling correspondence, scheduling, document preparation and coordination. The role involves maintaining confidential files, preparing minutes and notes, managing phone calls and visitors, and providing organisational support to senior scientists or administrators.

Given the desirable criteria, knowledge of computerised office tools and secretarial software is important for managing emails, documents, spreadsheets, and meeting schedules effectively. Strong communication skills help in liaising with departments, external agencies and visitors to the Institute.

Post 2: Assistant — Role, pay level and nature of appointment

The Assistant post is at Pay Level 4 as per the 7th CPC, which is a key support role in the administrative framework of the Institute. There are six vacancies for the Assistant post: 5 unreserved and 1 reserved for the EWS category.

These are regular posts with a probation period of two years similar to the Personal Secretary post. Assistants typically work in areas such as General Administration, Purchase, and Accounts, providing clerical, documentation and coordination support.

Eligibility for Assistant — Qualification, experience and age

The essential qualification for the Assistant post is graduation from a recognised university or equivalent, along with a minimum of three years of relevant experience. The experience should be in a central government organisation, PSU or autonomous body and must be in specified functional areas.

• Educational qualification: Graduate in any discipline from a recognised university or equivalent.
• Experience: Minimum 3 years’ experience in a central government organisation, PSU or autonomous body in any of the following: General Administration, Purchase or Accounts-related matters.
• Desirable attributes:
  • Exposure to a computerised working environment.
  • Good communication skills, both verbal and written, in Hindi, English and Kannada.
• Upper age limit: 28 years as on the last date of application (06 July 2026).
• Citizenship: The candidate must be a citizen of India.

Job profile of an Assistant at RRI

Assistants at RRI are likely to be posted in sections dealing with administration, purchase or accounts, as indicated by the experience requirement for these areas. In General Administration, duties may involve file handling, drafting letters, maintaining records, and supporting recruitment or establishment matters.

In Purchase, Assistants may process indents, obtain quotations, prepare comparative statements and track orders, while in Accounts they may assist in vouchers, bills, reimbursements and basic financial record-keeping. Exposure to a computerised environment ensures that the Assistant can comfortably work with office automation systems and ERP or financial software.

Age limits, reservation and disqualifications

The upper age limits are 30 years for Personal Secretary and 28 years for Assistant, calculated as on the last date of application (06 July 2026). The advertisement does not list specific age relaxations, but general Government of India rules normally apply, subject to RRI’s recruitment norms and reservation matrix.

The vacancy table specifies category-wise distribution, with Personal Secretary as UR and Assistant with 5 UR and 1 EWS posts. There is also a specific disqualification clause relating to certain types of marriages where one spouse already has a living spouse, with the possibility of exemption only if permitted under personal law and if the Central Government so decides.

Method of selection — Two-stage written examination

The selection process for both posts consists of a written test with two stages: an objective test (Stage 1) and a descriptive test (Stage 2). The Stage-1 examination will be an objective-type written test, which acts as a screening test.

Based on the performance in Stage-1, candidates will be shortlisted for Stage-2, which is a descriptive written test. Only candidates scoring sufficiently high in the objective test will be called for the descriptive stage, and the final selection is expected to depend on performance in both stages and fulfilment of eligibility conditions.

Likely pattern of objective and descriptive tests (guidance)

While the advertisement states the stages and types of tests, it does not specify detailed syllabus or marks distribution. However, for posts like Personal Secretary and Assistant, candidates can reasonably expect sections on General English, General Awareness, Computer knowledge and job-related questions.

The descriptive test is likely to assess drafting skills, comprehension, office communication and possibly basic noting/letter writing or minutes preparation. Since good communication and computerised office exposure are desirable for both posts, candidates should practice clear written English, formal letter formats, noting styles and basic office correspondence.

Terms and conditions — Service, probation and rules

The appointments under this advertisement will be on regular basis with a probation period of two years. During service, employees will be covered by the New Pension Scheme (NPS) if appointed on or after 01 January 2004.

Every employee is subject to Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules and CCS (CCA) Rules, which govern conduct, discipline and appeal. The Institute clarifies that the prescribed qualifications are minimum requirements, and mere possession does not guarantee being called for the written test.

Application process — Online only

Candidates must apply only through the RRI recruitment portal; no offline or email applications will be accepted. The recruitment portal is open from 04 June 2026 for submission of online applications.

Applicants are advised to visit the Institute’s careers page at https://www.rri.res.in/careers/regular-other-openings for notification and other details, and then proceed to the online portal linked there. After submitting the online form, candidates should take a print-out of the submitted application and keep it safely for their reference.

Mandatory documents to upload with application

RRI has clearly stated that uploading marks cards, certificates and experience documents is mandatory, and applications without these attachments will be summarily rejected. No further correspondence will be entertained regarding missing documents, so candidates must prepare and upload all required files before final submission.

• Marks cards and certificates from Class 10th onwards, including essential qualification degree with marks obtained.
• Caste certificate if applicable and claimed.
• Experience certificates proving at least 3 years of secretarial work (for Personal Secretary) or relevant administration/purchase/accounts experience (for Assistant) in the specified organisations.
• Date of birth proof usually from Matriculation/Secondary Examination Certificate or Birth Certificate; this is the only date of birth that will be accepted.
• NOC or undertaking if currently employed in Government/PSU/Autonomous bodies, as detailed below.

Verification of details and consequences of incorrect information

The details provided in the online application will be verified before publishing results, and candidates must produce authentic proof for all entries. If a candidate fails to provide authentic proof, his or her candidature will be summarily forfeited.

The Institute also reserves the right to verify antecedents and documents even after appointment, and if any document is found non-genuine, services can be terminated after due process and disciplinary or criminal proceedings may be initiated. This strict verification makes it essential that candidates avoid any misrepresentation or incorrect claims in the application.

Date of birth and age proof — No changes later

The Date of Birth (DoB) entered in the online application must match the DoB recorded in the Matriculation or Secondary Examination Certificate or Birth Certificate. RRI clearly states that this date will be accepted as final for determining age, and no subsequent request for change will be considered or granted.

Therefore, candidates must double-check the DoB field in the online form and ensure that their uploaded certificate supports the same date. Any mismatch may lead to rejection during verification or later stages.

Application fee and exemptions

An application fee of ₹ 250 is payable through the online recruitment portal for each application. Candidates applying for multiple posts must submit separate applications and remit the fee separately for each post.

No fee is charged for SC, ST, Woman and Divyaang candidates. Candidates who are required to pay the fee but fail to do so as per instructions will face rejection of their application.

Candidates already in Government/PSU/Autonomous bodies — NOC and undertaking

Candidates working in Government, PSUs or Autonomous Bodies should obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their present employer and upload it online with the application. However, applications will still be considered if the candidate uploads a duly signed undertaking that the NOC will be submitted at the time of verification of certificates.

This flexibility allows candidates to apply even if NOC is not immediately available, but they must follow through with the NOC during document verification. Failure to provide NOC at that stage could affect final appointment.

Exam centre, call letters and communication

The written test will be conducted at Bengaluru, and candidates will have to appear for the test at their own cost, without any travel allowance mentioned in the advertisement. Call letters for the written test will be sent to candidates only by e-mail, using the email ID registered during online application.

Candidates must therefore check their registered email frequently, including spam or promotions folders. It is advisable to double-check the correctness of the email address in the online form and keep it active until the recruitment process is complete.

Institute’s rights — Rejection, cancellation and jurisdiction

RRI reserves the right to reject any application without assigning any reason and may cancel the advertisement or recruitment process at any stage due to administrative reasons. No correspondence will be entertained regarding such decisions.

Any disputes related to this recruitment will fall under the jurisdiction of courts in Bengaluru. The Institute also retains the right to verify antecedents and documents and to terminate services in case of non-genuine submissions, even after appointment.

Step-by-step guide to filling the online form

To help candidates avoid errors and rejections, this section outlines a logical sequence for filling the online application on the RRI portal. Always cross-check with the official notification and instructions on the portal before final submission.

• Step 1 — Read the advertisement completely: Go through Advt. No. 16/2026 and the careers page at RRI Careers – Regular Other Openings to confirm eligibility, age, and post details.
• Step 2 — Prepare documents: Scan marks cards and certificates from Class 10 onwards, experience certificates, caste certificate (if any), DoB proof and NOC/undertaking if applicable.
• Step 3 — Register on the RRI recruitment portal: Create an account with a valid email ID and mobile number, as all communication will be via email.
• Step 4 — Fill personal details: Enter name, date of birth (exactly as per Matriculation/Birth Certificate), address and other basic data carefully.
• Step 5 — Enter qualification and experience: Provide details of your degrees, marks and relevant experience, ensuring they match uploaded certificates.
• Step 6 — Upload documents: Upload scans as per file size and format guidelines on the portal; ensure legibility.
• Step 7 — Pay application fee: Pay ₹ 250 via the portal if you are not exempt (SC/ST/Woman/Divyaang).
• Step 8 — Final review and submission: Verify all details and submit the form before 06 July 2026, 11:59 pm.
• Step 9 — Save application print-out: Download and print the submitted application and payment receipt (if any) for your records.

Application checklist — Avoid common mistakes

Many government applications are rejected for simple avoidable errors, and RRI specifically warns that applications will be summarily rejected if mandatory documents are not uploaded. Use this quick checklist before final submission.

• Have you confirmed eligibility for the post (qualification, experience, age limit)?
• Have you scanned all marks cards and certificates from Class 10 onwards?
• Is your Date of Birth correctly entered as per Matriculation/Birth Certificate?
• Have you uploaded experience certificates showing minimum 3 years of relevant experience in the specified organisations?
• Have you uploaded a caste certificate if applying under a reserved category, and EWS certificate if applying to the EWS Assistant post?
• If currently in Government/PSU/autonomous body, have you uploaded NOC or a signed undertaking promising to provide NOC at verification?
• Have you paid the application fee of ₹ 250 if applicable, and confirmed successful payment?
• Have you saved and printed the final application form?

Exam preparation tips for Personal Secretary and Assistant

Although the notification does not provide a detailed syllabus, candidates can align their preparation with the nature of duties and common patterns in similar institute-level exams. For both posts, focusing on language skills, general awareness and office procedures is advisable.

• General English: Grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, spotting errors, and formal letter/notice writing (especially relevant for descriptive stage).
• General Awareness: Basic knowledge of Indian polity, economy, science & technology, current affairs and government schemes may be useful.
• Computer knowledge: MS Office, email etiquette, file handling, basic IT terminology and office automation tools.
• Office procedure & drafting: For descriptive test, practice official letter formats, noting, preparation of minutes and concise email drafting.
• Job-related topics: For Assistant (Accounts), revise basics of vouchers, invoices, GST concepts; for General Administration and Purchase, revise purchase procedures, file movement, and record maintenance basics.

Contact details and where to find official updates

For detailed notification and updates, candidates should regularly check the Institute’s career page at RRI Careers – Regular Other Openings. Any amendments, corrigenda or notices related to the recruitment are usually made available on the same page.

In case of queries, candidates may contact the Institute via telephone at 080-24424403 or email at recruitment.nt@rri.res.in, as mentioned in the advertisement. It is advisable to mention the advertisement number (Advt. No. 16/2026) and post name in any official communication.

FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions

What posts are advertised under RRI Advt. No. 16/2026?

The advertisement covers two regular posts: Personal Secretary (Pay Level 8, 1 UR vacancy) and Assistant (Pay Level 4, 6 vacancies — 5 UR and 1 EWS).

What is the last date to apply online?

The last date and time for submission of online applications is 06 July 2026 till 11:59 pm.

What are the essential qualifications and experience for Personal Secretary?

A candidate must be a graduate in any discipline from a recognised university with a minimum of three years’ secretarial work experience in a Central/State Government office, Central autonomous body, Government of India undertaking, university or research institute.

What are the essential qualifications and experience for Assistant?

An Assistant must be a graduate in any discipline from a recognised university or equivalent with at least three years’ experience in a central government organisation, PSU or autonomous body in General Administration, Purchase or Accounts-related matters.

What are the upper age limits for these posts?

The upper age limit is 30 years for Personal Secretary and 28 years for Assistant, both calculated as on the last date of application.

How will candidates be selected?

Selection will be through a written test conducted in two stages: Stage-1 objective and Stage-2 descriptive. Candidates will be shortlisted for the descriptive test based on their score in the objective test.

What is the application fee and who is exempt?

The application fee is ₹ 250 per post, payable online. SC, ST, Woman and Divyaang candidates are exempt from paying the fee.

Are applications without documents accepted?

No. Uploading marks cards and certificates from Class 10th onwards, essential degree marks, caste and experience certificates is mandatory. Applications without these attachments will be summarily rejected.

How will I receive my admit card or call letter?

Call letters for the written test will be sent only by email to the registered email address, so candidates must check their email regularly.

Where can I get official information and updates?

All official information, notifications and updates are available on the Institute’s careers page at https://www.rri.res.in/careers/regular-other-openings. For queries, you can contact 080-24424403 or email recruitment.nt@rri.res.in.