AERC Recruitment 2026 – Apply Online for Research Investigator & Junior Assistant Posts
AERC Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Agricultural Economics Research Centre (AERC) |
| University | University of Delhi |
| Advertisement No. | 01/2026 |
| Advertisement Date | 09 September 2026 |
| Post Name | Research Investigator, Junior Assistant |
| Total Vacancies | 05 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Last Date | 17 October 2026 or within four weeks from publication in Employment News, whichever is later |
| Job Location | Delhi |
| Official Website | www.aerc.du.ac.in |
AERC Vacancy Details 2026
| Post | Pay Level | UR | SC | ST | OBC | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research Investigator | Level-6 | 02 | 01 | — | 01 | 04 |
| Junior Assistant | Level-2 | 01 | — | — | — | 01 |
| Total | 05 | |||||
AERC Recruitment 2026 – Eligibility Criteria
1. Research Investigator – Group B, Pay Level-6
Educational Qualification:
- Master’s Degree with a minimum of 55% marks in Economics, Statistics, Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Statistics or Econometrics.
- In addition, candidates must satisfy either of the following:
- Minimum 2 years of teaching/research experience in data collection, analysis and report writing, along with knowledge of statistical/data analysis/econometric software such as MS Office with proficiency in Excel, Stata, E-Views, SPSS, R, etc.
- OR possess a Ph.D. degree in the relevant subject.
Maximum Age: 35 years as on 17 October 2026. Age relaxation is applicable as per University of Delhi rules.
Probation Period: 2 years.
2. Junior Assistant – Group C, Pay Level-2
Educational Qualification:
- Bachelor’s Degree from any recognized Institute/University.
- English Typing: 35 words per minute OR Hindi Typing: 30 words per minute.
- Proficiency in Computer Operations.
Maximum Age: 32 years as on 17 October 2026. Age relaxation is applicable as per University of Delhi rules.
Probation Period: 2 years.
Application Fee
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / Unreserved | ₹1,000 |
| OBC (NCL), EWS, Female | ₹800 |
| SC, ST, PwBD | ₹600 |
Applications containing incomplete information or submitted without the prescribed fee are liable to be rejected. The notification states that the fee once paid will not be refunded.
AERC Recruitment 2026 – Selection Process
The recruitment process differs slightly according to the post.
Research Investigator
- Preliminary Test – MCQ based
- Main Examination – Descriptive
- Skill Test – Qualifying in nature
Junior Assistant
- Preliminary Test – MCQ based
- Main Examination – Descriptive
- Skill Test – Qualifying in nature
Research Investigator Exam Pattern
Preliminary Test
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Domain Knowledge – relevant Master’s degree syllabus | 45 | — |
| Reasoning | 35 | — |
| Mathematical Ability | 35 | — |
| Administration of Higher Educational Institutions | 35 | — |
| Total | 150 | 300 |
Duration: 3 hours.
The Preliminary Test is only for shortlisting and carries no weightage in the final assessment. Each question carries 2 marks and there is a negative marking of 0.5 marks for each wrong answer.
Main Examination
Duration: 3 hours.
The descriptive Main Examination covers:
- Domain Knowledge based on the relevant Master’s degree syllabus.
- Knowledge of Computers, including Word Processing and Data Analysis Packages.
- Educational Administration and Management.
Total Marks: 300.
Skill Test
- Domain Knowledge.
- Knowledge of Computers and relevant software packages.
- Word Processing and Data Analysis Packages.
The Skill Test carries 100 marks and is qualifying in nature. The minimum qualifying requirement is 50 marks.
Junior Assistant Exam Pattern
Preliminary Test
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Knowledge | 35 | 300 |
| Reasoning | 35 | |
| Mathematical Ability | 35 | |
| Administration of Higher Educational Institutions | 45 | |
| Total | 150 | 300 |
Duration: 3 hours. The Preliminary Test is conducted for shortlisting and has no weightage in the final assessment.
Main Examination
Duration: 2 hours.
- Basic knowledge of the Constitution of India.
- Working of the Indian Political System and Economy.
- General Studies.
- Acts, Statutes and Ordinances of the University of Delhi.
Total Marks: 200.
Skill Test
The Skill Test carries 100 marks and is qualifying in nature. The candidate must obtain a minimum of 50 marks.
- Management of Administrative Units of the University.
- Understanding of Manual of Office Procedures.
- Knowledge of Information Technology.
- Noting and Drafting.
Important Examination Instructions
- The Preliminary Test, Main Examination and Skill Test question papers will be bilingual in English and Hindi.
- Candidates may answer in either English or Hindi but must use the same language throughout.
- All Preliminary Test questions are compulsory.
- There is negative marking of 0.5 marks for each incorrect answer in the Preliminary Test.
- For PwBD candidates such as those covered under the specified categories, an additional 20 minutes per hour is provided as prescribed in the notification.
- The Skill Test is qualifying only and does not determine the final merit ranking.
Research Investigator – Syllabus Highlights
The notification provides a detailed syllabus covering the following major areas:
- Microeconomics
- Macroeconomics
- Public Economics
- Statistics and Econometrics
- Mathematical Economics
- Growth and Development Economics
- Environmental Economics and Demography
- Indian Economy
- Agricultural Economics
The Agricultural Economics section includes areas such as agricultural development and policy, natural resource and production economics, agricultural finance and project management, agricultural marketing, price analysis and trade.