Official Summary: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Centralised Recruitment Board (ICRB) has officially released the Computer Based Written Test Answer Key & Candidate Response Sheet on 25th September 2026 for the recruitment of 244 Posts of Assistant, Junior Personal Assistant (JPA), Upper Division Clerk (UDC), and Stenographer under Advt. No. ISRO:ICRB:01(A-JPA):2026. Candidates who appeared for the nationwide written examination on 21st September 2026 can now access their response sheet directly through the designated TCS iON candidate portal (cdn.digialm.com) using their User ID and Password. The official objection window is active for 5 days from publication. Candidates can calculate their sectional scores with 0.25 Negative Marking and view their real-time Shift & Category Rank on CBTRank. Read our complete guide below for step-by-step check instructions, exam pattern, score formula, and objection submission rules.
| ISRO ICRB Assistant, JPA, UDC & Steno Recruitment 2026: Key Highlights | |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Organisation | Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Department of Space, Govt. of India |
| Recruitment Board | ISRO Centralised Recruitment Board (ICRB) |
| Advertisement Number | Advt No. ISRO:ICRB:01(A-JPA):2026 dated 27-07-2026 |
| Posts Included | Assistant, Junior Personal Assistant (JPA), Upper Division Clerk (UDC), and Stenographer |
| Total Notified Vacancies | 244 Posts (Assistant: 130 | JPA: 82 | UDC: 22 | Stenographer: 10) |
| Pay Scale / Level | Level 4 of Pay Matrix (Basic Pay: ₹25,500 – ₹81,100 per month) |
| Written Exam Date | 21st September 2026 (Conducted across 38 cities nationwide) |
| Answer Key Release Date | 25th September 2026 (Live Now) |
| Objection Window Duration | 5 Days from Answer Key publication (Clause 20) |
| Total Questions & Marks | 200 Questions – 200 Marks (1 Mark per Question) |
| Exam Duration | 150 Minutes (2.5 Hours) [Compensatory time for eligible PwBD candidates] |
| Negative Marking Policy | 0.25 Mark deducted for every wrong answer |
| Subsequent Selection Stage | Skill Test (Computer Literacy Test / Stenography Test – 1:5 Shortlisting Ratio) |
| Official Answer Key Login URL | cdn.digialm.com Login Link |
| Answer Key & Rank Calculator Link | cbtrank.com/answerkey |
1. How to Check ISRO ICRB Answer Key & Calculate Rank on CBTRank
Evaluating 200 questions by hand with negative deductions can be tedious and prone to mistakes. By using CBTRank, you can instantly parse your response sheet, obtain an error-free sectional score breakdown, and view your real-time shift rank. Follow these easy steps:
Step 1: Open Your Official Response Sheet on TCS iON DigiALM
Open the official ISRO ICRB login link: https://cdn.digialm.com/EForms/configuredHtml/1258/101396/login.html. Enter your User ID and Password, type the visual security captcha, and click "Login". Once logged in, open the "Candidate Response" tab and click on the hyperlink to generate your question paper and recorded answers. Copy the complete URL from your browser address bar.
Step 2: Visit the CBTRank Answer Key Calculator
Open the dedicated calculator link on your device: cbtrank.com/answerkey.
Step 3: Paste Your Response Sheet URL & Select Category
Paste your copied response sheet URL into the input field. Select your applied examination (ISRO ICRB 2026), your Post (Assistant / UDC or JPA / Stenographer), your Reservation Category (UR, OBC, SC, ST, EWS), and Sub-Category (Ex-SM, PwBD).
Step 4: Check Your Scorecard & Real-Time Shift Rank
Click on "Calculate Marks and Rank". Within seconds, CBTRank analyzes your answers, applies the official negative marking formula (-0.25 for incorrect answers), gives you detailed subject-wise marks across all parts, your overall raw score out of 200, accuracy percentage, and your live rank against other aspirants.
2. ISRO ICRB Written Exam Pattern & Marks Distribution
As stipulated under Annexure-II & Annexure-III of Advt No. ISRO:ICRB:01(A-JPA):2026, the written examination consists of a single objective type multiple-choice paper of 200 Questions (200 Marks) with a total duration of 150 Minutes (2.5 Hours). A deduction of 0.25 marks is applicable for every incorrect answer. The structure varies by post group as shown below:
A. Exam Pattern for Assistant & Upper Division Clerk (UDC) – Annexure-II
| Part / Subject | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Marking Scheme & Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part A: General English | 50 | 50 | +1.0 Mark for correct answer -0.25 Mark for incorrect answer Exam Duration: 150 Minutes (2.5 Hours) |
| Part B: Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | |
| Part C: General Intelligence & Reasoning Ability | 50 | 50 | |
| Part D: General Knowledge | 50 | 50 | |
| Total (Assistant & UDC Paper) | 200 Questions | 200 Marks | Qualifying: 50% UR | 40% Reserved (in each part) |
B. Exam Pattern for Junior Personal Assistant (JPA) & Stenographer – Annexure-III
| Part / Subject | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Marking Scheme & Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part A: English Language & Comprehension | 100 | 100 | +1.0 Mark for correct answer -0.25 Mark for incorrect answer Exam Duration: 150 Minutes (2.5 Hours) |
| Part B: General Intelligence & Reasoning Ability | 50 | 50 | |
| Part C: Quantitative Aptitude & General Knowledge | 50 | 50 | |
| Total (JPA & Steno Paper) | 200 Questions | 200 Marks | Qualifying: 50% UR | 40% Reserved (in each part) |
3. Official ISRO Marking Scheme & Raw Score Formula
In accordance with the official ICRB notification, marks are awarded and deducted based on this standard formula:
• Correct Response: +1.0 Mark | Incorrect Response: -0.25 Mark | Unattempted Question: 0.00 Mark
Sectional Cut-Off Requirement: To qualify for the Skill Test, candidates must score at least 50% in each individual part (Part A, B, C, D for Assistant/UDC and Part A, B, C for JPA/Steno) for the Unreserved category, and at least 40% in each part for reserved category vacancies.
4. Selection Process & Skill Test Evaluation Criteria
Under Clause 15 of the Notification, the recruitment is finalized through two structured stages:
Based on written test performance and meeting the sectional qualifying marks, candidates are shortlisted for the Skill Test in the ratio of 1:5 (maximum) against category-wise vacancies, with an aggregate minimum of 10 candidates.
Candidates appear for a Computer Literacy Test (75 Minutes) covering MS Word (35 marks), MS Excel (35 marks), and MS PowerPoint (30 marks) totaling 100 marks. The qualifying benchmark is 60% marks for UR and 50% marks for Reserved categories. The skill test is purely qualifying in nature.
Includes both Computer Literacy Test and a Shorthand dictation test of 300 words @ 60 w.p.m. (transcription time: 30 minutes). Permissible mistakes: maximum 10% for UR and 12% for Reserved categories.
The final selection panel is prepared 100% on the basis of marks scored in the Written Test from among those who qualify the Skill Test.
5. Post-Wise Vacancies & Pay Scale Breakdown
| Post Code & Title | Total Vacancies | Pay Scale (Level 4) | Essential Educational Qualification | Age Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Post No. 1: Assistant ISRO Centres / Units |
113 | Level 4 (₹25,500 – ₹81,100) | Graduation with min 60% marks / CGPA 6.32 + Computer Proficiency | 28 Yrs |
| Post No. 2: Junior Personal Assistant (JPA) ISRO Centres / Units |
81 | Level 4 (₹25,500 – ₹81,100) | Graduation with 60% OR Diploma in Commercial/Secretarial Practice + 80 wpm Steno | 28 Yrs |
| Post No. 3: Upper Division Clerk (UDC) DOS Branch Secretariat, Bengaluru |
22 | Level 4 (₹25,500 – ₹81,100) | Graduation with min 60% marks / CGPA 6.32 + Computer Proficiency | 28 Yrs |
| Post No. 4: Stenographer DOS Branch Secretariat, Bengaluru |
10 | Level 4 (₹25,500 – ₹81,100) | Graduation with 60% OR Diploma + 80 wpm English Shorthand | 28 Yrs |
| Post No. 5: Assistant Autonomous Bodies (NARL, etc.) |
17 | Level 4 (₹25,500 – ₹81,100) | Graduation with min 60% marks / CGPA 6.32 + Computer Proficiency | 28 Yrs |
| Post No. 6: JPA Autonomous Institutions under DOS |
01 | Level 4 (₹25,500 – ₹81,100) | Graduation with 60% OR Diploma + 80 wpm Steno | 28 Yrs |
| Total Vacancies | 244 Posts | Age relaxation: 31 years for OBC, 33 years for SC/ST. Standard relaxation for Ex-SM & PwBD. | ||
6. Official ISRO Answer Key Objection & Challenge Rules
In accordance with Clause 20 of the Official Advertisement, candidates can submit representations against questions or tentative keys subject to these rules:
- Strict 5-Day Objection Window: The objection link is active for 5 days following the publication of the answer key on 25th September 2026. Submissions after this timeline will be summarily rejected.
- Online Submission Only: Representations must be submitted strictly online through the candidate login link provided on the official portal. Objections sent through physical letters, emails, or faxes will not be entertained.
- Valid Justification Required: Candidates must provide clear, authentic references (standard academic textbooks or official sources) explaining why the published answer key option is incorrect.
- Finality of Decision: The decision of the ISRO ICRB subject expert committee regarding representations is final and binding on all candidates.
7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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