What IMD Scientific Assistant is
The India Meteorological Department recruits Scientific Assistants, typically through a Staff Selection Commission-conducted exam, into weather observation, forecasting support, and meteorological data roles across IMD’s offices and observatories nationwide. It is a technical science role distinct from IMD’s more senior Meteorologist and scientist posts, which carry their own separate, higher qualification requirements not covered by this page.
Because the post is physics and mathematics heavy, the subject-specific portion of the exam draws directly on a candidate’s undergraduate science or engineering coursework rather than general aptitude alone. Postings are spread across IMD’s regional meteorological centres and observatories nationwide, so a candidate’s eventual location depends on the vacancies notified and their rank in the merit list, not a fixed regional choice made at the application stage.
This post is a genuinely different entry route from India’s space and research exams also covered on this site: IMD’s mandate is operational weather monitoring and forecasting support, not satellite or space research, even though both draw candidates with a strong physics and mathematics background.
Who can apply
A Bachelor’s degree in Science with Physics and Mathematics, or a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Technology in a relevant discipline, is required, as specified in the notification. The general age limit is up to 30 years as on the date specified in the notification, with standard relaxations for reserved categories and persons with disability.
How the exam runs
The Computer Based Examination is an objective test covering General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, English Comprehension, and a subject-specific Physics and Mathematics section, with negative marking as specified in the notification. There is no interview stage; selection is based on the exam merit list followed by Document Verification against the candidate’s application and certificates.
Preparing the application
The recruiting body specifies exact photograph and signature requirements in each notification rather than a fixed year to year standard, so check the current notification’s dimensions and file size before uploading. The tools on this site can resize your photograph to whatever specific target the notification states.
On exam day
Arrive at least an hour before the reporting time on your admit card, with the printed admit card and a government photo identification matching the name and photo on the admit card. No electronic devices are permitted inside the exam centre.
The official IMD and SSC websites, linked above, carry the current vacancies, syllabus, and schedule for the cycle you are applying to.