CDAC ACR Recruitment 2026 is now officially active. If you’ve been waiting for a break in the R&D sector, the wait is over. The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) has released a notification for 60 Project Engineer positions. These roles are specifically for high-impact domains like AI, VLSI, and Embedded Systems.
The application window is tight: you must apply online by January 31, 2026. Successful applicants will then be invited for walk-in interviews scheduled for February.
CDAC ACR Recruitment 2026 Notification: An Overview
The CDAC ACR Recruitment 2026 drive isn’t just another government job alert; it’s a gateway to working on projects under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). The current notification (Advt No: CDACB/RCT/2026) is looking for “project-ready” engineers for the Bengaluru centre.
Unlike the exhausting cycles of standard exams where you might spend months figuring out How to attempt GATE 2026, this recruitment is fast-tracked. It skips the written exam entirely, focusing instead on a screening process followed by a technical walk-in interview.
| Feature | Details |
| Recruitment Authority | Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) |
| Notification No. | CDACB/RCT/2026 |
| Post Name | Project Engineer (Various Domains) |
| Total Vacancies | 60 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Registration Dates | Jan 17, 2026 – Jan 31, 2026 |
| Selection Process | Screening + Walk-in Interview |
| Job Location | Bengaluru (Primary) |
| Official Website | www.cdac.in |
CDAC ACR Vacancy 2026: Domain-Wise Breakdown
When applying for CDAC ACR Recruitment 2026, precision matters. The vacancies are strictly categorized by technical specialization. Warning: You can only apply for one post code. If you try to hedge your bets with multiple applications, you risk disqualification.
Project Engineer Vacancy Distribution
| Post Code | Domain / Specialization | Vacancies |
| PE01 | Embedded Systems / Firmware Developer | 06 |
| PE02 | Software Dev (App/Frontend/Backend/DevOps) | 12 |
| PE03 | Electronics / Embedded Hardware Design | 20 |
| PE04 | VLSI / RTL / FPGA / ASIC Design | 06 |
| PE05 | Mechanical / Automobile / Robotics | 05 |
| PE06 | AI / Machine Learning | 04 |
| PE07 | Power Electronics / Energy Systems | 05 |
| PE08 | Communication Engineering | 02 |
| Total | 60 |
Strategist Note: The highest vacancy count is in Electronics/Embedded Hardware (PE03). This clearly signals C-DAC’s aggressive push into hardware prototyping and indigenous system design this year.
CDAC ACR Eligibility Criteria 2026
Meeting the CDAC ACR Recruitment 2026 eligibility norms is the first hurdle. C-DAC is notoriously strict during document verification, so ensure your papers are in order.
Educational Qualifications
You need a First Class (60% or equivalent CGPA) in your qualifying degree:
- B.E. / B.Tech in relevant disciplines (CS, IT, ECE, EEE, Mechanical, etc.).
- M.E. / M.Tech or Ph.D. in relevant domains.
- MCA / M.Sc (Computer Science/Electronics) is accepted for specific software roles.
Age Limit (As of Jan 31, 2026)
- Freshers: Maximum 30 years.
- Experienced (1-4 years): Maximum 45 years.
- Standard relaxations apply for SC/ST/OBC/PWD candidates as per GoI rules.
Experience Requirements
- Freshers: You are fully eligible for entry-level Project Engineer roles.
- Experienced: If you have 1–4 years of industry experience, you may be considered for a higher initial pay fixation.
Note for Job Seekers: If you don’t meet these specific criteria, you might want to explore other parallel opportunities like the BSNL JTO Recruitment 2026, which often has different eligibility parameters better suited for general engineering graduates.
CDAC ACR Salary 2026 and Benefits
Let’s talk about salary & pay. The CDAC ACR salary 2026 is consolidated. This means you get a fixed monthly amount without the confusing HRA/DA split seen in permanent jobs.
- Annual CTC Range: ₹4.49 Lakhs – ₹7.11 Lakhs.
- Determination Factor: Your exact pay depends on your qualification (B.E. vs. M.Tech) and relevant experience.
- Increments: Yes, even contractual staff are eligible for annual performance-based revisions.
While the role is contractual, the value lies in the exposure. Working on national-level projects (like Param Supercomputers) adds a weight to your resume that often outperforms the initial salary difference compared to private MNCs.
CDAC ACR Selection Process 2026
The CDAC ACR Recruitment 2026 process is streamlined for speed. Here is how it works:
Stage 1: Screening
Applications are screened based on academic marks and the relevance of your experience to the job description. Merely meeting the eligibility doesn’t guarantee an interview. If applications flood in, C-DAC raises the cut-off percentage.
Stage 2: Walk-in Interview
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a walk-in interview in Bengaluru (Tentatively in February 2026).
- Format: A technical assessment followed by an HR interaction.
- Focus Areas: Expect deep questions on core domains (e.g., Verilog for VLSI, PyTorch for AI) rather than generic aptitude.
Pro Tip: Carry a “Project Portfolio”. Being able to walk the interviewers through what you built and how you fixed bugs is far more valuable here than reciting definitions.
How to Apply for CDAC ACR Recruitment 2026
The application window is short. Follow these steps to ensure your CDAC ACR Recruitment 2026 application isn’t rejected:
- Registration: Go to the official C-DAC Careers page (cdac.in) and find “Current Job Opportunities”.
- Select Notification: Click on Advt No: CDACB/RCT/2026.
- Fill Details: Enter your personal, educational, and experience details. Accuracy is key here.
- Upload Documents: Scan and upload your photo, signature, and mark sheets.
- Submit: Finalize everything before January 31, 2026.
- Print Application: Crucial Step B – Download and print the submitted form. You must carry this physical copy to the walk-in interview.
Note: There is typically no application fee for Project Engineer roles, but always double-check the specific PDF.
Critical Analysis: Contractual vs. Permanent Roles
One of the most common doubts regarding the CDAC ACR Recruitment 2026 is the “Contractual” nature (usually 3 years) of the job.
The Contrarian View:
Many engineers dismiss C-DAC contracts in favor of permanent roles, perhaps aiming for the BPSC AE Recruitment 2026 for job security. However, this ignores the “Employability Leap”.
- The Trap of Permanence: Junior engineers in some permanent PSU roles can get stuck in administrative loops with outdated tech.
- The C-DAC Advantage: C-DAC projects (like RISC-V or Exascale Computing) are at the bleeding edge. A 3-year stint here acts as a “Finishing School”. Alumni of C-DAC’s ACR projects are aggressively poached by top semiconductor firms (Intel, AMD, NVIDIA) because they have hands-on experience with technology stacks that simply don’t exist elsewhere in India.
Verdict: If you are an early-career engineer, prioritize the learning curve over the permanent tag.
Practical Use Case: Life as a Project Engineer (PE)
To visualize your life after clearing the CDAC ACR Recruitment 2026, let’s look at a typical day for a PE06 (AI/ML) role.
Scenario: You are developing a Multi-Lingual Translation System.
- Your Task: You aren’t just calling APIs. You might be optimizing a Transformer model to run on low-power edge devices designed by your colleagues in the PE03 (Hardware) team.
- Collaboration: You work daily with linguistic experts and hardware designers.
- Outcome: Your code gets deployed in real government offices or public welfare portals.
This is a stark contrast to many entry-level private jobs where freshers often spend their first year handling bug fixes or writing testing scripts.
Final Decision: Why You Shouldn’t Miss CDAC ACR Recruitment 2026
The CDAC ACR Recruitment 2026 deadline is coming up. This is a rare chance to skip the usual hard written tests and go straight to high-end technical interviews. Applications are due by January 31, 2026. This is your playground if you love technology and would rather build systems than memorize formulas.
Keep in mind that C-DAC isn’t just looking for an employee; they’re also looking for someone to work on a project with. Make sure your GitHub repositories are up to date, write down what your hardware prototypes do, and be ready to explain why you made the design choices you did during the walk-in. This experience will probably help you get started in your core engineering career.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I apply for multiple post codes?
No. Candidates are strictly advised to apply for only one post code. Submitting multiple applications may lead to the cancellation of your candidature.
Is there an application fee for this recruitment?
Typically, there is no application fee for C-DAC Project Engineer recruitment, but you should verify this against the specific notification PDF on the official website.
Are freshers eligible to apply for CDAC ACR positions?
Yes, freshers with a relevant engineering degree and a minimum of 60% marks are eligible for entry-level Project Engineer roles (Post-qualification experience: 0 - 4 years).
What is the maximum age limit for applicants?
The upper age limit is 30 years for freshers and up to 45 years for experienced candidates (1–4 years of experience), with standard government relaxations for reserved categories.
What is the selection process for these roles?
The process involves two stages: initial screening based on academic performance/experience, followed by a walk-in interview in Bengaluru.
Is this a permanent government job?
No. These positions are contractual, initially for a period of up to 3 years or until the completion of the project, whichever is earlier.
What documents should I bring to the walk-in interview?
You must bring a printed copy of your online application, original and copies of educational certificates (10th, 12th, Degree), ID proof (Aadhaar/PAN), and experience certificates if applicable.
