BARC OCES/DGFS-2026: Eligibility by Department and How GATE Counted
The OCES/DGFS-2026 brochure's last date to register was 21 January 2026; it called all its dates tentative. Screening was by its online test, a GATE score or both; final selection rested on the interview alone. Biotechnology degrees were not eligible.
Updated 11 October 2026
| Department | Eligible under this notice? |
|---|---|
| ECE | Yes, for the Electronics post (code 25). The OCES/DGFS-2026 brochure lists Electronics & Communication Engg. and Electronics & Telecommunication Engg. among its degree names. Its list of degrees that are NOT eligible names Communication Engineering and Electronics & Computer Engineering. |
| EE | Yes, for either the Electrical post (code 24) or the Electronics post (code 25). The OCES/DGFS-2026 brochure lists Electrical Engineering and Electrical & Electronics Engineering for Electrical, and Electrical Engg. and Electrical & Electronics Engg. for Electronics. A candidate with a B. Tech. in Electrical Engg. was eligible for both the Electrical (code-24) and Electronics (code-25) screening disciplines but had to choose one. |
| AEIE | Yes, for the Instrumentation post (code 27). The OCES/DGFS-2026 brochure lists Instrumentation Engg, Instrumentation & Controls Engg, applied Electronics & Instrumentation Engg and Electronics & Instrumentation Engg. |
| CSE/IT | Yes for a Computer Science degree, for the Computer Science post (code 26). The OCES/DGFS-2026 brochure lists Computer Science, Computer Engineering and Computer Science & Engineering as degree names. Its list of degrees that are NOT eligible names Information Technology. The GATE paper for this post is named Computer Sc. & Information Technology (CS). |
| DS & AI | No. The OCES/DGFS-2026 brochure's list of degrees that are NOT eligible names Data Science, AI and AIML. |
| BT | No. The OCES/DGFS-2026 brochure says B.E. / B.Tech. / B. Sc. (Tech) in Biotechnology, Genetic Engineering, Biomedical Engineering and Food Process Engineering are NOT eligible. |
| CE | Yes, for the Civil post (code 28). The OCES/DGFS-2026 brochure lists Civil Engineering as the degree name. |
Source: BARC, Information Brochure for OCES/DGFS-2026 (BARC Training Schools); Information Brochure for OCES/DGFS-2026, copy hosted on the official exam portal barcocesexam.in (minor wording differences from the barc.gov.in copy).
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| How selection worked | Selection for the OCES/DGFS-2026 programme had two steps: screening, then an interview. Screening was by BARC's online test, by a GATE score, or by both. Final selection rested only on the interview, subject to medical fitness. |
| The written test | The online test had 100 questions, all with one correct choice, and was designed to be answered in 120 minutes. A correct answer got 3 marks and a wrong one lost one mark. Questions were in English only. |
| Is a GATE score used? | Applicants who wanted to be considered on a GATE score needed a valid GATE-2024, GATE-2025 or GATE-2026 score in the same GATE paper or subject as the qualifying degree discipline. The highest was considered for screening. Those who opted only for GATE could not sit the online exam. |
| Minimum marks | The OCES/DGFS-2026 brochure asked for at least 60% aggregate marks, or 6.0 CGPA on a scale of 10 or equivalent, in the degree. Final-year students could apply, but all degree requirements must be done before 31st July 2026. |
| Age limit | Maximum age on August 1, 2026 was 26 for General, 29 for OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) and 31 for SC/ST. Physically challenged applicants got 10 years of relaxation. The minimum age was 18. |
| Pay | The OCES/DGFS-2026 brochure gives OCES trainees a stipend of ₹ 74,000 per month during their one year training programme and a one-time book allowance of ₹ 30,000. The post is Scientific Officer C in Level 10 (₹ 56,100). Monthly emoluments at joining, with three increments and including Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance and Transport Allowance at the present Mumbai rate, are about ₹ 1,34,000. |
| Dates in this notice | The OCES/DGFS-2026 brochure's schedule gives 21st January 2026 as the last date for registration for online application, 14th and 15th March 2026 for the online examination and 12th May to 12th June 2026 for selection interviews. It says all dates are tentative. |
| Syllabus | The test syllabus was specific to the discipline chosen, at B.E. / B.Tech. level. General English, General Knowledge and Aptitude were not assessed. |
| Past papers | Not stated on the source pages |
Source: BARC, Information Brochure for OCES/DGFS-2026 (BARC Training Schools).
| Source | Link |
|---|---|
| BARC, Information Brochure for OCES/DGFS-2026 (BARC Training Schools) | barc.gov.in (PDF) |
| Information Brochure for OCES/DGFS-2026, copy hosted on the official exam portal barcocesexam.in (minor wording differences from the barc.gov.in copy) | barcocesexam.in (PDF) |
Source: Accessed 11 October 2026.
About this resource
This page covers BARC's Information Brochure for OCES/DGFS-2026. Its schedule gives 21 January 2026 as the last date to register and 12 May to 12 June 2026 for selection interviews, and says all dates are tentative.
Frequently asked questions
Were Biotechnology degrees eligible for OCES/DGFS-2026?+
No. The OCES/DGFS-2026 brochure says B.E. / B.Tech. / B. Sc. (Tech) in Biotechnology, Genetic Engineering, Biomedical Engineering and Food Process Engineering are NOT eligible.
Was an IT degree eligible?+
No. The OCES/DGFS-2026 brochure lists Computer Science, Computer Engineering and Computer Science & Engineering as degree names for the Computer Science post, and its list of degrees that are NOT eligible names Information Technology.
How did a GATE score count for OCES/DGFS-2026?+
Applicants who wanted to be considered on a GATE score needed a valid GATE-2024, GATE-2025 or GATE-2026 score in the same GATE paper or subject as the qualifying degree discipline. The highest was considered for screening. Those who opted only for GATE could not sit the online exam. Final selection rested only on the interview.
What was the stipend?+
₹ 74,000 per month during training, with a one-time book allowance of ₹ 30,000.
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