IIIT Pune Faculty Recruitment 2026: Apply for 17 Posts

The Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT Pune) has officially rolled out its faculty recruitment drive for 2026, opening up 17 vacancies for Assistant Professor positions. Operating as an Institute of National Importance under the Ministry of Education, the institution is looking to onboard qualified researchers, academics, and industry experts across multiple specialized departments located at its Talegaon campus in Maharashtra.

This hiring campaign targets high-caliber talent to bolster academic and research output in foundational technology domains. With structured timelines for both digital submissions and physical document verification, prospective candidates need to act quickly to meet the Ministry of Education’s rigorous hiring criteria.

Vacancy Breakdown and Eligibility Requirements

The recruitment drive is structured under two primary advertisements: Advt. No. IIITP/T/2026/01 and Advt. No. IIITP/T/2026/02. The positions are divided across two distinct grades under the four-tier flexible faculty structure:

• Assistant Professor Grade-I (Level-12): Accounts for 6 posts, distributed across Unreserved (3), OBC (1), SC (1), and EWS (1) categories. Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in a relevant discipline with first-class marks in preceding degrees, alongside a minimum of three years of post-Ph.D. experience (or six years of total teaching and research experience). Candidates must also hold an essential cumulative credit score of 20 points.
• Assistant Professor Grade-II (Level-10 on contract): Accounts for 11 posts, allocated to Unreserved (6), OBC (4), and EWS (1) categories. This track requires a Ph.D. with first-class degrees but zero prior experience or credit points, serving an initial one-year contract that is renewable up to five years.

To prevent academic inbreeding and foster institutional diversity, candidates who earned their Ph.D. directly from IIIT Pune are barred from consideration unless they possess a minimum of three years of qualifying external experience post-doctorate. Additionally, publication metrics are heavily filtered; only quality papers indexed in SCI, SCIE, SSCI, or SCOPUS are evaluated, completely excluding paid or predatory journals.

Research Frameworks and Institutional Growth

IIIT Pune emphasizes niche technological domains such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Cyber-Physical Systems, Internet of Things (IoT), and high-performance computing networks. Bringing in 17 new faculty members directly scales the institute’s capacity to expand advanced laboratory infrastructure, supervise doctoral candidates, and secure competitive research grants from national bodies like the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

The institute’s four-tier faculty framework relies on an incentive-driven credit points system. Faculty members must continuously produce verifiable research outputs, file patents, generate industrial consultancy revenue, and manage sponsored projects to transition between academic grades. This performance model helps maintain high institutional rankings and attracts top-tier engineering talent amid a nationwide shortage of qualified Ph.D. holders in core computing fields.

Step-by-Step Application Process and Fee Structure

Candidates must submit their applications exclusively through the official E-Samarth portal. The process involves creating a user profile, uploading verified documents, and paying a non-refundable application fee:

• General, OBC, and EWS Applicants: ₹2,360 (inclusive of 18% GST) per post and department.
• SC, ST, Female, and PwBD Applicants: ₹1,180 per post and department.
• Internal Candidates: Regular employees of IIIT Pune are exempt from the fee.

Once the digital form is submitted, applicants must print a hard copy, attach fee receipts, and compile all supporting documents in accordance with Annexure-IV guidelines. These physical packets must be self-attested, serially numbered, and mailed or hand-delivered to the Registrar at IIIT Pune. The outer envelope must be clearly superscribed with the post name, academic level, department, and unique E-Samarth Form Number. Applicants currently working in government or public sector enterprises must route their forms through proper channels or attach a valid No Objection Certificate (NOC) along with vigilance clearance.

Multi-Stage Selection Mechanism

The evaluation framework is designed to thoroughly test both pedagogical and technical competence through multiple rounds:

• Stage 1 (Screening & Written Test): Applications undergo preliminary screening based on specialized departmental criteria. Shortlisted candidates are invited to take a written examination consisting of multiple-choice questions at the IIIT Pune campus. The test features a negative marking scheme of one-fourth of a mark per incorrect answer, with mandatory qualifying cut-offs set at 35% for reserved categories and 40% for all other applicants.
• Stage 2 (Presentation & Interview): Candidates who clear the written test advance to a formal presentation-cum-interview before an expert selection committee. This stage evaluates past research achievements, future academic roadmaps, and teaching methodologies, ultimately determining the final merit list.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the last date to apply for IIIT Pune Faculty Recruitment 2026?

The online application window closes on November 28, 2026, at 11:59 PM. The physical hard copy of the application must reach the institute by December 9, 2026, at 5:30 PM.

What are the application fees for the posts?

General, OBC, and EWS candidates must pay ₹2,360 inclusive of GST. SC, ST, female, and PwBD applicants pay a concessional fee of ₹1,180 per department and post.

Is prior teaching experience mandatory for all positions?

No. While Assistant Professor Grade-I requires at least three years of post-Ph.D. experience, Assistant Professor Grade-II positions are open to candidates with zero prior experience.

Can Ph.D. holders from IIIT Pune apply for these faculty positions?

Candidates who completed their Ph.D. directly from IIIT Pune are generally restricted from applying unless they have acquired a minimum of three years of post-doctoral teaching or research experience outside the institute.

Sources and further reading

Primary announcement and guidelines provided by IndGovtJobs.