Research scientists design experiments, build and test systems, and publish or apply their results.
Read this first. This page rests on one dated pay figure from a named source. That is evidence of what that source states, not of what Research Scientist roles pay across India.
●VERIFIED
≡1 observations
◷Latest 2026-08-27
Salary✓VERIFIED1 obs · MEDIUM
Demand—INSUFFICIENT
Skills↑SIGNAL1 of 1 with a sector signal
Location◐LIMITED32 cities · PLFS state factor
Industry↑SIGNAL+9% projected 2026 (Aon)
What the work is
In India many work in government science organisations such as ISRO, DRDO, CSIR laboratories and ICAR, as well as in industry research and universities. The figure on this page is ISRO's entry grade, Scientist/Engineer 'SC'.
How people enter it
A degree in the discipline
ISRO recruits Scientists/Engineers 'SC' with an engineering degree or a master's in science, discipline by discipline.
ISRO's recruitment board
ISRO's Centralised Recruitment Board holds a written test and an interview.
Other laboratories
DRDO and CSIR recruit scientists through their own boards; a PhD is common for research posts in laboratories and universities.
What the pay figures say
One dated figure is on file. It comes from an employer's own notice. It took effect on 27 August 2026. Each card says what the figure is; open "How the figure is read" for the method and what it leaves out.
ISRO (Department of Space) · Scientist/Engineer SC (Level 10)₹6,73,200 a year
Employer noticeISRO ICRB Advt. 03(EMC):2026 · effective 27 August 2026
How the figure is read
Scientist/Engineer "SC", Level 10, minimum basic ₹56,100 per month × 12. Starting basic pay of the level × 12; excludes DA, HRA and other allowances.
Limits. Basic pay only; DA, HRA and transport allowance excluded. One employer (ISRO); an engineering entry grade, not a research-fellow or private R&D figure.
Grade: ISRO's scientists move through grades SC, SD, SE and above on merit review.
Organisation: government science bodies use the pay matrix; industry research pays by company.
A PhD and publications count for research-track posts.
Questions
What do the Research Scientist posts on this page pay?
ISRO (Department of Space), Scientist/Engineer SC (Level 10): Scientist/Engineer SC minimum basic × 12 (Level 10), recorded here as ₹6,73,200 a year (ISRO ICRB Advt. 03(EMC):2026).
Is that the take-home pay?
No. A figure given as basic pay leaves out dearness allowance, house rent allowance and the other allowances paid on top of it, and it is before income tax and provident fund or NPS deductions. The CTC breakup calculator on this site works out a monthly in-hand figure from a CTC.
What is ISRO's 'SC' grade?
The entry grade for Scientists/Engineers at ISRO, at pay level 10 of the pay matrix. Promotion to SD, SE and higher grades follows a merit-based review.
Basic pay only; DA, HRA and transport allowance excluded. One employer (ISRO); an engineering entry grade, not a research-fellow or private R&D figure.
Aliases this role answers to
research scientist · scientist · r&d scientist · research associate · research fellow · postdoc
Run the intelligence
Enter your experience, location and pay to see market value, position, gap and confidence for this role.
Roles in Research & Science first, then the rest of the covered set. Listed so a comparison is one click away — no role is ranked above another, and a role appears here only when it has sourced observations of its own.