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IIT Mandi Project Associate Recruitment 2026 – CHETNA Neuro-Assistance Project
IIT Mandi Project Associate Recruitment 2026 announces a compelling research opportunity for electronics, electrical, and computer science engineers to contribute to a nationally funded, cutting-edge neuro-assistance technology project at one of India’s premier second-generation IITs. The Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, located in the scenic Kamand Valley of Himachal Pradesh, currently seeks a Project Associate for the CHETNA project — Cognitive Hardware for EEG/EMG-based Therapeutic Neuro-Assistance — funded by the IITI DRISHTI CPS Foundation under the NM-ICPS scheme. Eligible candidates must apply by email to the Principal Investigator by 31st March 2026 at 5:00 PM IST.
IIT Mandi has built a strong research culture since its inception, signing MoUs with numerous national and international universities, companies, research centres, and organizations. The institute became a full IIT under The Institutes of Technology (Amendment) Act, 2011, passed by the Lok Sabha on 24th March 2011 and the Rajya Sabha on 30th April 2012. IIT Mandi Project Associate Recruitment 2026 therefore places the selected candidate within a nationally recognized, research-intensive institution with strong industry and academic collaborations across multiple R&D domains.
Job Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organization Name | Indian Institute of Technology Mandi (IIT Mandi) |
| Post Name | Project Associate |
| Project Title | CHETNA: Cognitive Hardware for EEG/EMG-based Therapeutic Neuro-Assistance |
| Funding Agency | IITI DRISHTI CPS Foundation under NM-ICPS Scheme |
| Job Category | Research — Project Staff |
| Stipend | ₹25,000 per month |
| Application Mode | Email (to PI) |
| Last Date to Apply | 31st March 2026 at 5:00 PM IST |
| Job Location | Kamand, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh – 175075 |
| PI Email | src@iitmandi.ac.in |
| Official Website | iitmandi.ac.in |
Project Overview & Research Significance
IIT Mandi Project Associate Recruitment 2026 is anchored in the CHETNA project — a high-impact, nationally funded research initiative addressing cognitive and therapeutic neuro-assistance through advanced hardware design. The project focuses on developing cognitive hardware systems that process EEG (electroencephalography) and EMG (electromyography) signals for therapeutic applications, directly targeting neurological rehabilitation and assistive technology development.
Why CHETNA Matters
EEG and EMG-based systems hold transformative potential in healthcare — enabling brain-computer interfaces, prosthetic control, epilepsy monitoring, and motor rehabilitation for patients with neurological disorders. Designing energy-efficient, real-time cognitive hardware for such applications represents one of the most impactful research frontiers at the intersection of electronics, neuroscience, and healthcare technology.
Funding Context
The project is funded by the IITI DRISHTI CPS Foundation under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) — a flagship Government of India initiative supporting advanced cyber-physical research with direct societal applications. This prestigious funding context ensures strong institutional backing, access to state-of-the-art equipment, and high visibility for research outputs generated during the project.
Career Value for the Selected Candidate
Working on CHETNA at IIT Mandi exposes the Project Associate to advanced signal processing, hardware design for biomedical applications, and real-time embedded systems development. The research environment provides direct mentorship from Prof. Shubhajit Roy Chowdhury, a recognized expert in the field. Strong performers may additionally explore Ph.D. opportunities at IIT Mandi, making this position an ideal entry point for research careers in neuro-engineering and cyber-physical systems.
Eligibility Criteria & Qualifications
Essential Qualifications
Candidates must meet one of the following two qualification pathways to be eligible for IIT Mandi Project Associate Recruitment 2026:
| Qualification Pathway | Requirements |
|---|---|
| B.Tech. (or equivalent) + GATE | B.Tech. in eligible discipline with 70% marks or 7.0 CGPA AND valid GATE qualification in any year |
| M.Tech. (or equivalent) | M.Tech. in eligible discipline with 70% marks or 7.0 CGPA (GATE not separately required) |
Eligible Engineering Disciplines
Both B.Tech. and M.Tech. candidates must hold their degree in one of the following disciplines:
Electrical Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Electronics and Communication Engineering, Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering, or Computer Science and Engineering.
Candidates from allied disciplines not listed above should not apply, as the project’s hardware and signal processing focus requires specific domain expertise from the eligible engineering streams.
GATE Qualification Details
For B.Tech. applicants, a valid GATE score in any year is mandatory — there is no restriction on the year of qualification. Candidates who have qualified GATE in relevant papers such as EC (Electronics and Communication), EE (Electrical Engineering), IN (Instrumentation Engineering), or CS (Computer Science) meet this requirement. M.Tech. candidates are not separately required to hold GATE scores, as their postgraduate qualification satisfies the research readiness criterion independently.
Preferred Research Background
Beyond the essential qualifications, candidates with prior hands-on experience in the following areas carry a measurably stronger application profile for this project:
EEG/EMG signal acquisition and processing, embedded systems and FPGA design, VLSI design for biomedical applications, real-time digital signal processing, machine learning for biosignal analysis, and low-power hardware design for wearable or implantable systems.
Age Limit
Age criteria for Project Associate positions at IIT-level institutions typically follow DST/SERB or funding agency norms. Candidates should confirm the applicable age limit from the detailed official advertisement on the IIT Mandi website before applying.
Stipend & Financial Benefits
| Post | Monthly Stipend |
|---|---|
| Project Associate | ₹25,000 per month |
The stipend is fixed at ₹25,000 per month as per the project funding norms under the NM-ICPS scheme. HRA and other allowances, if applicable, should be confirmed directly with Prof. Shubhajit Roy Chowdhury at src@iitmandi.ac.in before joining. Candidates who demonstrate strong research output during the project may be considered for enhanced roles or Ph.D. admissions at IIT Mandi based on performance and availability.
Selection Process
IIT Mandi follows a focused, PI-led selection process for this Project Associate position:
Stage 1 — CV Screening: Prof. Shubhajit Roy Chowdhury and the project team review all received CVs for qualification compliance, GATE status, academic score, and relevance of research background to the CHETNA project’s technical requirements.
Stage 2 — Shortlisting: Shortlisted candidates receive direct communication from the PI with interview schedule details. Only candidates who clearly meet the essential qualification criteria advance to this stage.
Stage 3 — Technical Interview: Shortlisted candidates attend a personal or online technical interview. The panel evaluates knowledge of signal processing, hardware design, embedded systems, and biomedical electronics alongside general research aptitude and project motivation.
Stage 4 — Document Verification and Joining: The selected candidate undergoes verification of all original academic certificates and GATE scorecard before completing joining formalities at IIT Mandi, Kamand.
Application Procedure
Before Applying
Candidates interested in IIT Mandi Project Associate Recruitment 2026 should read the detailed official advertisement carefully on the IIT Mandi website before preparing their application. Confirming discipline and score eligibility before drafting the CV avoids wasted effort and ensures a targeted, relevant submission.
CV Preparation Guidelines
IIT Mandi requires a comprehensive CV covering the following elements. Personal details and contact information must appear at the top. Academic qualifications with percentage or CGPA for each degree follow next. GATE qualification details — paper, year, and score — must be clearly stated. Research experience, publications, and project work form the core of the CV body. Finally, the names, affiliations, and mobile numbers or email addresses of two academic referees must be included at the end.
Sending the Application
Candidates must email their complete CV as a PDF attachment to src@iitmandi.ac.in with the advertisement number clearly mentioned in the email subject line. The subject line format should read: “Application for Project Associate — CHETNA Project — [Your Name]”
All applications must reach the PI by 31st March 2026 at 5:00 PM IST. Applications received after this deadline will not receive consideration under any circumstances.
Documents to Attach
- Complete CV as a single PDF covering all required sections listed above
- Scanned copy of B.Tech. or M.Tech. degree certificate and all mark sheets
- Valid GATE scorecard (mandatory for B.Tech. applicants)
- Research experience or project completion certificates (if applicable)
- Government-issued photo ID — Aadhaar, Passport, or PAN
- Category certificate — SC/ST/PwD (if applicable)
Important Links & Dates
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | 23rd March 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 31st March 2026 at 5:00 PM IST |
| Application Mode | Email to PI |
| PI Email | src@iitmandi.ac.in |
| Official Website | iitmandi.ac.in |
| Detailed Advertisement | Available on IIT Mandi official website |
The application window runs for just eight days from the notification date. Candidates should prepare and send their CV on the same day they identify this opportunity to maximize their chances of early consideration by the PI.
Application Fee
IIT Mandi has not specified any application fee for this Project Associate recruitment. Candidates from all categories may apply without any fee payment, consistent with standard funded research project recruitment practices at IIT-level institutions.
Contact Information
PI Email (Applications): src@iitmandi.ac.in
Principal Investigator: Prof. Shubhajit Roy Chowdhury
Institution Address: Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, Kamand, Mandi District, Himachal Pradesh – 175075, India
Official Website: iitmandi.ac.in
Candidates with queries about the project scope, technical requirements, or eligibility clarifications should email Prof. Roy Chowdhury directly at src@iitmandi.ac.in well before the 31st March 2026 deadline to allow adequate time for a response.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the last date to apply for IIT Mandi Project Associate Recruitment 2026?
The last date to submit the application for IIT Mandi Project Associate Recruitment 2026 is 31st March 2026 at 5:00 PM IST. Candidates must email their complete CV as a PDF to src@iitmandi.ac.in with the advertisement number in the subject line before this strict deadline. Applications arriving after 5:00 PM IST on 31st March 2026 will not be considered, so early submission is strongly advised.
Is GATE qualification mandatory for IIT Mandi Project Associate Recruitment 2026?
GATE qualification is mandatory for B.Tech. applicants but not separately required for M.Tech. applicants. B.Tech. candidates must hold a valid GATE score in any year in a relevant paper such as EC, EE, IN, or CS. M.Tech. candidates with 70% marks or 7.0 CGPA in an eligible discipline are directly eligible without a separate GATE requirement.
What is the CHETNA project at IIT Mandi about?
CHETNA stands for Cognitive Hardware for EEG/EMG-based Therapeutic Neuro-Assistance. The project develops cognitive hardware systems that process EEG and EMG biosignals for therapeutic and rehabilitation applications targeting neurological conditions. Funded under the NM-ICPS scheme by the IITI DRISHTI CPS Foundation, CHETNA sits at the intersection of electronics engineering, signal processing, and healthcare technology.
What stipend does the Project Associate receive at IIT Mandi?
The selected Project Associate receives a fixed monthly stipend of ₹25,000 as per NM-ICPS project funding norms. Candidates should confirm HRA and any additional allowances directly with Prof. Shubhajit Roy Chowdhury at src@iitmandi.ac.in before accepting the position. Strong performers may also explore Ph.D. admission opportunities at IIT Mandi based on project performance.
Which engineering disciplines are eligible for this Project Associate post at IIT Mandi?
Eligible disciplines include Electrical Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Electronics and Communication Engineering, Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering, and Computer Science and Engineering — at both B.Tech. and M.Tech. levels. Candidates from other engineering disciplines are not eligible for this specific recruitment drive, as the project demands technical expertise directly aligned with the listed streams.