Vacancies: 1 · Posts: 1 · Type: Contractual (Project-based) · Mode: Offline Application + Walk-in Interview · Fee: ₹200 · Apply: By 03 July 2026 · Salary: ₹25,000 + 16% HRA · Selection: Walk-in Interview · Location: Ludhiana, Punjab
Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, has released a focused project opportunity under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India. The university is inviting applications for just one Project Associate-I position in the School of Agricultural Biotechnology.
This recruitment is part of the DBT-funded project “Application of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology in Agriculture-BIC at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana” (CSS-04, PC-6352). It offers a fixed monthly emolument of ₹25,000 plus 16% HRA for candidates with strong computational biology or bioinformatics backgrounds.
The window is short. Applications must reach the office by 03 July 2026, followed by a walk-in interview on 14 July 2026. This suits candidates who already possess the exact qualification and want quick research exposure in a premier agricultural university.
Who Should Apply? (Quick Eligibility Check)
- M.Sc/M.Tech in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Systems Biology, Data Science, Biotechnology or related disciplines (minimum OCPA 6.50/10 or 65% marks) → Project Associate-I – 1 post
- B.Sc/B.Tech holders (minimum OCPA 6.00/10 or 60% marks) who also hold a PhD in a relevant discipline → Project Associate-I – 1 post
- Candidates with hands-on experience in NGS data analysis, programming languages, database development, Machine Learning or AI will have an advantage during the interview.
No separate reservation or gender restriction is mentioned for this single post.
About Punjab Agricultural University & Why This Role Matters
Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) – Overview
Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, is one of India’s oldest and most respected state agricultural universities. Established in 1962, it played a key role in the Green Revolution and continues to lead in crop improvement, plant biotechnology and now computational biology research. The university operates under the Government of Punjab and receives funding from ICAR and DBT for various projects.
Why Candidates Search for PAU Project Posts
PAU project positions give research exposure in a well-known agricultural university with good laboratory facilities. The pay is modest but stable for the project duration. Many candidates use such roles as a stepping stone for PhD admissions or research positions in ICAR institutes and other DBT projects.
The honest downside is that these are purely contractual project posts with no automatic absorption or permanent job guarantee after the project ends. Pay is also lower than regular university or government Scale posts.
Why this PAU Project Associate-I role is attractive:
- Direct work on a DBT-funded national project in agricultural bioinformatics.
- Opportunity to work with NGS data and modern computational tools.
- Short and clear timeline — interview within 11 days of the last date.
- Experience certificate from a reputed state agricultural university.
The SahisarkariJobs.in Analyst’s Take – Is This PAU Project Post for You?
This is a genuine short-term research opportunity for candidates who already match the exact M.Sc/M. Tech + 65% or PhD profile. With only one post and interview-based selection, it favours candidates who can clearly demonstrate relevant skills in NGS, programming or machine learning during the interview.
Best suited for fresh postgraduates or PhD holders looking for DBT project experience and a strong university name on their CV. Skip this if you are looking for permanent government job security or higher starting pay — this is a fixed ₹25,000 + HRA contractual role for the project duration only.
Practical tip: Since selection is purely through a walk-in interview, prepare a crisp one-page summary of your thesis work, any NGS/ML projects, and programming skills. Bring all original certificates and the fee payment receipt on 14 July 2026.
Unlike many regular university recruitments that go through written tests and long waiting periods, this PAU post moves fast. The trade-off is lower pay and no long-term job assurance.
Quick Overview – PAU Ludhiana Project Associate-I Recruitment 2026
- Organisation: Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana
- Sector: Agriculture Education & Research (State Agricultural University)
- Recruitment / Exam Name: Project Associate-I under DBT BIC Project
- Notification / Advertisement No.: Endst.No.EA.Biot.2026/1381-21, Dated: 19.06.2026
- Post / Trade / Exam Name(s): Project Associate-I
- Total Vacancies: 1
- Job Location / Exam Centre: Ludhiana, Punjab (School of Agricultural Biotechnology, PAU)
- Job Type / Nature: Contractual (Project-based under DBT, co-terminus with project)
- Approx. Pay: ₹25,000 per month fixed + 16% HRA
- Apply / Register Between: Applications must reach by 03 July 2026
- Walk-in Interview: 14 July 2026 at 11:00 AM
- Notification PDF: View Official Vacancy Details on the PAU Website
- Official Portal: www.pau.edu
Important Dates – PAU Ludhiana Project Associate-I Recruitment 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 19 June 2026 |
| Last Date for Receipt of Applications | 03 July 2026 |
| Walk-in Interview Date | 14 July 2026 (11:00 AM) |
| Result / Selection Intimation | Through email (only to selected candidates) |
What Is the Application Fee? – PAU Project Associate-I 2026
Application Fee: ₹200 (same for General / OBC / SC / ST / EWS / PwBD)
Payment Mode: Online payment (any working day, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM) in favour of Comptroller, PAU, Ludhiana. Attach the payment receipt to the application form.
How to Apply for PAU Project Associate-I 2026? (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Download and Prepare Application
- Visit the official PAU website: www.pau.edu and go to the Recruitment / Vacancy section.
- Download the prescribed application form for this post.
- Fill the form in your own handwriting or as instructed.
- Make an online payment of ₹200 in favour of Comptroller, PAU, Ludhiana and keep the receipt ready.
Step 2: Submit the Application (Must Reach by 03 July 2026)
- Attach self-attested copies of all certificates (educational qualifications, age proof, experience, if any, category certificate if applicable).
- Affix a recent passport-size photograph and sign wherever required.
- Put the complete application in an envelope and clearly superscribe “Application for the post of Project Associate-I under DBT BIC Project – Endst.No.EA.Biot.2026/1381-21”.
- Submit/send the application so that it reaches the office of the Head, School of Agricultural Biotechnology, PAU, Ludhiana by 03 July 2026.
Step 3: Appear for a Walk-in Interview
- Only shortlisted candidates will be informed via email. However, the notification clearly states that candidates should appear for the interview on the scheduled date.
- Report at the office of the undersigned (School of Agricultural Biotechnology) on 14 July 2026 at 11:00 AM with all original documents for verification.
- No TA/DA will be paid for attending the interview.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting an incomplete application or a missing fee receipt — applications without proper documents will be rejected.
- Reaching the office after 03 July 2026 — only applications received on or before the last date will be considered.
- Not bringing original certificates on interview day — document verification is mandatory.
- Assuming online submission is enough — this is a physical receipt-based process.
ਪੰਜਾਬ ਐਗਰੀਕਲਚਰਲ ਯੂਨੀਵਰਸਿਟੀ ਲੁਧਿਆਣਾ ਪ੍ਰੋਜੈਕਟ ਐਸੋਸੀਏਟ ਭਰਤੀ 2026
ਪੰਜਾਬ ਐਗਰੀਕਲਚਰਲ ਯੂਨੀਵਰਸਿਟੀ (PAU), ਲੁਧਿਆਣਾ ਨੇ DBT ਫੰਡਿਡ ਪ੍ਰੋਜੈਕਟ ਤਹਿਤ ਇੱਕ Project Associate-I ਦੀ ਭਰਤੀ ਲਈ ਅਰਜ਼ੀਆਂ ਮੰਗੀਆਂ ਹਨ। ਇਹ ਅਹੁਦਾ School of Agricultural Biotechnology ਵਿੱਚ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਪ੍ਰੋਜੈਕਟ “Application of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology in Agriculture-BIC” ਨਾਲ ਜੁੜਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈ।
ਯੋਗਤਾ: M.Sc/M.Tech Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Data Science ਜਾਂ ਸੰਬੰਧਿਤ ਵਿਸ਼ਿਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਘੱਟੋ-ਘੱਟ 65% ਅੰਕ (OCPA 6.50/10) ਜਾਂ ਸੰਬੰਧਿਤ ਵਿਸ਼ੇ ਵਿੱਚ Ph.D. ਹੋਣੀ ਚਾਹੀਦੀ ਹੈ। B.Sc/B.Tech ਵਾਲੇ ਉਮੀਦਵਾਰ ਵੀ Ph.D. ਨਾਲ ਯੋਗ ਹਨ।
ਤਨਖਾਹ: ₹25,000 ਪ੍ਰਤੀ ਮਹੀਨਾ ਫਿਕਸਡ + 16% HRA।
ਅਰਜ਼ੀ ਦਾ ਆਖਰੀ ਦਿਨ: 03 ਜੁਲਾਈ 2026 ਤੱਕ ਅਰਜ਼ੀ ਆਫਿਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਪਹੁੰਚਣੀ ਚਾਹੀਦੀ ਹੈ।
ਇੰਟਰਵਿਊ: 14 ਜੁਲਾਈ 2026 ਨੂੰ ਸਵੇਰੇ 11:00 ਵਜੇ PAU ਲੁਧਿਆਣਾ ਵਿਖੇ ਵਾਕ-ਇਨ ਇੰਟਰਵਿਊ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ।
ਵਧੇਰੇ ਜਾਣਕਾਰੀ ਲਈ ਅਧਿਕਾਰਿਕ ਵੈੱਬਸਾਈਟ pau.edu ਤੇ ਜਾਓ ਅਤੇ ਫਾਰਮ ਡਾਊਨਲੋਡ ਕਰੋ।
Post-wise Vacancy & Eligibility
| Post Name | Vacancies | Essential Qualification | Desirable | Age Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project Associate-I | 1 | B.Sc./B.Tech (min 60% / OCPA 6.0) AND M.Sc/M.Tech in Bioinformatics/Computational Biology/Systems Biology/Data Science/Biotechnology or related (min 65% / OCPA 6.5) OR PhD in relevant discipline | Experience in NGS data, programming, ML/AI | 18–35 years |
Vacancy Interpretation Note: Only one post is available. This is a highly focused recruitment for candidates with a strong computational biology background. Competition is expected to be intense among qualified M.Sc/M. Tech and PhD candidates.
Eligibility – Education, Age, & Other Conditions
1. Educational Qualification (as on last date 03 July 2026)
Candidates must possess the exact qualifications mentioned in the notification. PhD holders in the relevant discipline are eligible even without a Master’s degree. Desirable experience in NGS data handling, programming languages, database development, Machine Learning and AI will be preferred.
2. Age Limit (as on the last date of application)
| Category | Minimum Age | Maximum Age | Relaxation |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Categories | 18 years | 35 years | No additional relaxation is mentioned in the notification |
Examples:
- ✅ A 34-year-old candidate (born on or after 04 July 1991) — eligible.
- ❌ A 36-year-old candidate (born on or before 03 July 1990) — not eligible.
Not sure about your age eligibility? Use our Age Eligibility Calculator to check instantly.
3. Additional Notes
- Candidates must fulfil all qualifications by the last date of application (03 July 2026).
- Incomplete applications or those without supporting documents will not be entertained.
What Is the Salary? – Pay Scale & Benefits – PAU Project Associate-I 2026
Monthly Emoluments
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Fixed Monthly Pay | ₹25,000 |
| House Rent Allowance (HRA) | 16% of fixed pay |
| Gross Monthly Emoluments | ₹29,000 |
This is a project-based contractual position. There is no DA revision, grade pay, pension or other regular government benefits unless specifically mentioned in the project terms. The position is co-terminus with the DBT project.
How Are Candidates Selected? – PAU Project Associate-I 2026
Selection Process: Walk-in Interview only.
- Candidates must submit their applications by 03 July 2026.
- Shortlisted candidates will be informed via email.
- Walk-in Interview on 14 July 2026 at 11:00 AM at the office of the Head, School of Agricultural Biotechnology, PAU, Ludhiana.
- Document verification will be done at the time of the interview.
- Final selection will be based on performance in the interview and verification of documents.
- No TA/DA is admissible for attending the interview.
What Documents Are Required? – PAU Project Associate-I 2026
At the Time of Application Submission
- Duly filled the prescribed application form
- Online payment receipt of ₹200
- Self-attested copies of educational certificates and mark sheets
- Proof of age
- Experience certificates (if any)
- Category certificate (if applicable)
- Recent passport-size photographs
At the Time of the walk-in interview
- All original certificates and mark sheets
- Original fee payment receipt
- One set of self-attested photocopies
- Printed copy of submitted application
Document Alert: Only applications received in the office by 03 July 2026 with complete documents and fee receipt will be considered. Incomplete applications will be rejected outright.
What Happens After Selection? – PAU Project Associate-I 2026
- The selected candidate will be informed through email.
- Document verification and offer letter issuance will follow.
- The candidate will join the DBT-funded BIC project at the School of Agricultural Biotechnology, PAU, Ludhiana.
- Work will involve bioinformatics and computational biology applications in agriculture.
- The position is purely contractual and co-terminus with the project duration.
- An experience certificate will be issued on successful completion of the project work.
Contact & Helpline – PAU Ludhiana
Contact details are not separately mentioned beyond the notification. All correspondence should be addressed to the office of the Head, School of Agricultural Biotechnology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana.
For updates, regularly check the official website: www.pau.edu
Important Links – PAU Project Associate-I Recruitment 2026
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Website | www.pau.edu |
| Official Vacancy Details Page | View Full Notification on PAU Website |
| Application Form | Available on the PAU website under the Recruitment section |
FAQs – PAU Ludhiana Project Associate-I Recruitment 2026
Q1: What is the last date to apply for PAU Project Associate-I 2026?
A: 03 July 2026. Applications must physically reach the office of the Head, School of Agricultural Biotechnology, PAU, Ludhiana by this date.
Q2: What is the age limit for this PAU post?
A: 18 to 35 years as on the last date of application. No additional relaxation details are mentioned in the notification.
Q3: Is there a written exam, or is selection only through interview?
A: Selection is through a walk-in interview only. There is no written examination.
Q4: What is the salary of PAU Project Associate-I?
A: ₹25,000 per month fixed plus 16% HRA (gross approximately ₹29,000 per month). This is a contractual project position.
Q5: Can final-year students apply?
A: No. Candidates must have completed the required degree and possess the certificate by the last date of application (03 July 2026).
Q6: Is this a permanent government job?
A: No. This is a purely contractual project-based position under a DBT-funded project. There is no automatic claim for permanent employment.
Q7: Can candidates from other states apply?
A: Yes. No domicile restriction is mentioned in the notification. All India candidates meeting the educational qualification can apply.
Q8: Where will I be posted?
A: At the School of Agricultural Biotechnology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, for the duration of the project.
Q9: What are the disadvantages of this recruitment?
A: The honest downside is that it is a short-term contractual post with modest pay and no pension or long-term job security. The project duration is not specified, so candidates should be prepared for uncertainty after the project ends.
Q10: How competitive is this single post?
A: With only one vacancy and interview-based selection, it will be competitive among candidates who already possess an M.Sc/M.Tech in bioinformatics or related fields with the required percentage and desirable skills.
Final Checklist – Is This the Right Opportunity for You?
- You have M.Sc/M. Tech in Bioinformatics/Computational Biology or related field with minimum 65% marks (or PhD in relevant discipline).
- You are within 18–35 years of age as on 03 July 2026.
- You are comfortable with a contractual project position (no permanent job guarantee).
- You can reach Ludhiana and appear for the walk-in interview on 14 July 2026.
- You can arrange all documents and the ₹200 fee payment receipt before the deadline.
📄 Source: Official notification released by Punjab Agricultural University on 19 June 2026 (Endst.No.EA.Biot.2026/1381-21). All details sourced from the official vacancy page on pau.edu.
