Government Jobs · Data Science · Artificial Intelligence
National e-Governance Division Recruitment 2026: Data Scientist AI and Machine Learning Vacancies — Qualifications, Experience and Application Process (October 23, 2026)
Article Updated: October 25, 2026
The National e-Governance Division (NeGD), under Digital India Corporation and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), is listing a Data Scientist (AI & ML) opening in Delhi. Published recruitment summaries report four posts, online applications, and a closing date of November 4, 2026. The key point for applicants is experience: the summaries describe a role requiring around four or more years in data science, machine learning, or applied AI, so it is not presented as a typical fresher vacancy.
Key takeaways
- Post: Data Scientist (AI & ML), Advertisement No. N/39/2026-NeGD.
- Vacancies: Four posts are reported by recruitment summaries; check the original notice before relying on the count.
- Last date: November 4, 2026, as displayed on the official NeGD careers listing.
- Experience: Published summaries specify 4+ years in data science, machine learning, or applied AI, including 3+ years with models or AI systems used in production or operational decisions.
- Compensation and tenure: The reported budget is up to ₹40 lakh per annum; the role is described as a contract engagement initially for three years, not a guaranteed permanent government appointment.
1. NeGD Recruitment 2026: overview
The opening is for a technical role focused on data science and AI/ML, rather than a general IT support position. The recruitment is associated with NeGD and Digital India Corporation, which work on digital governance programmes and services. Candidates should read the role as a professional, experience-led opportunity requiring evidence that they can design, evaluate, and maintain models—not simply list AI tools on a CV.
AI and machine-learning projects also depend on reliable computing infrastructure. For broader context on that side of the ecosystem, read our report on AI data-centre capacity and Microsoft’s Nscale discussions .
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting organisation | National e-Governance Division (NeGD), Digital India Corporation, MeitY |
| Post name | Data Scientist (AI & ML) |
| Advertisement number | N/39/2026-NeGD |
| Number of vacancies | 4, according to published recruitment summaries; verify against the original notice |
| Application method | Online, according to published recruitment summaries |
| Job location | New Delhi; potentially transferable to NeGD project locations as required |
| Last date | November 4, 2026 |
The official careers page was checked for the active Data Scientist (AI & ML) listing and its closing date. Detailed eligibility and employment conditions below are cross-checked against published recruitment summaries; the full official notice should be read before applying.
2. What will a Data Scientist (AI & ML) do?
The role summary describes work across statistical models, machine learning, deep learning, and large language model (LLM) applications. A successful candidate is expected to turn a real operational question into a measurable modelling task, select an appropriate method, test whether the result is dependable, and deliver code that can be used in a production setting.
Core responsibilities described in recruitment summaries
- Predictive analytics: build and evaluate models for classification, regression, ranking, forecasting, risk scoring, and anomaly detection.
- Generative AI and document intelligence: develop LLM applications for document extraction, summarisation, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), and tool-assisted workflows.
- Multimodal data: work with text, images, speech, documents, and potentially Indian-language or code-mixed data.
- Model validation: check data quality, leakage, bias, error patterns, uncertainty, and whether the model performs well for different groups or input types.
- Production delivery: write tested code, document experiments, monitor model quality and data drift, and coordinate handover with engineering or MLOps teams.
- Responsible AI: test for prompt injection and data leakage, minimise personal data, and document limitations and evaluation results.
This means a candidate’s portfolio should demonstrate more than a tutorial notebook. Useful evidence includes a project deployed for actual users or operational decisions, evaluation results, a reproducible pipeline, and a clear explanation of what did and did not work.
3. Educational qualification and experience
Educational qualification
Published recruitment summaries list a B.Tech./B.E., M.Tech./M.S., or M.Sc. in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, or a related quantitative discipline. An advanced degree or applied work in machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, or statistics is described as desirable.
Important qualification caveat
One published summary says strong, verifiable work—such as substantial open-source contributions, published research, or a high-level Kaggle record—may be considered in lieu of a formal qualification. Because the original notice PDF could not be directly inspected during this research session, do not rely on this exception without confirming its exact wording and conditions in the official listing or notice.
Professional experience
Published summaries describe the following experience expectations:
- At least 4 years in data science, machine learning, or applied AI; 6 or more years is described as preferred.
- At least 3 years developing models or AI systems deployed in production or used in operational decisions.
- End-to-end ownership of at least two models or AI systems, supported by measurable outcomes.
- Hands-on work with at least one LLM or deep-learning application released to end users, with evaluation documented.
- Experience in at least two relevant domains, such as fraud/anomaly detection, forecasting, risk scoring, NLP/LLMs, computer vision/document AI, speech, or causal inference.
- Ability to work with large, varied datasets and link records across sources.
Experience in a regulated sector—such as public services, finance, healthcare, or telecommunications—or work involving Indian-language data is described as an advantage, not a universally stated essential condition.
Are fresh graduates eligible?
Based on the published experience requirements, a candidate with only a degree and academic projects is unlikely to meet the stated experience profile. This opportunity should be treated as an experienced-hire role unless the official notice expressly sets out an alternative route that applies to the candidate.
4. Technical skills candidates should review
The published role description spans traditional modelling and newer generative-AI systems. Applicants should map their CV to the requirements they can genuinely demonstrate, rather than copying a long list of tools into the skills section.
| Area | Examples named in published role summaries | What to show in your CV or portfolio |
|---|---|---|
| Statistics and causal analysis | Hypothesis testing, Bayesian methods, experiments, causal inference | Problem statement, assumptions, evaluation plan, and a defensible interpretation of results |
| Machine learning | Classification, regression, anomaly detection, clustering, forecasting; tools such as XGBoost, LightGBM or CatBoost | Baseline comparison, validation strategy, performance metrics, and error analysis |
| LLMs and retrieval | Prompting, structured outputs, tool calling, RAG, hybrid search, reranking, vector databases | Retrieval quality, answer evaluation, hallucination checks, and practical limits |
| Deep learning and document AI | PyTorch, Hugging Face Transformers, OCR/document understanding, vision and speech models | Dataset handling, model choice, evaluation method, and deployment details |
| Engineering and MLOps | Python, SQL, Git, testing, Docker, experiment tracking and model monitoring | Reproducible code, automated tests, versioning, monitoring, or a clear deployment pipeline |
| Responsible AI | Privacy safeguards, prompt-injection testing, bias analysis and data minimisation | Threat scenarios, safeguards, subgroup results, limitations and documentation |
Because the role includes evaluation and production use, candidates should be ready to explain trade-offs: why a simpler model may be preferable to an LLM, how data leakage was prevented, how model performance is monitored, and what happens when an input is outside the training distribution.
For related consumer-device context, see our Google Pixel 11 coverage of projected AI and hardware features . That article distinguishes early projections from officially confirmed specifications.
5. Age limit, compensation and employment terms
- Maximum age: published recruitment summaries state 55 years as of the application closing date. Check the official notice for the exact age-calculation rule and any applicable conditions.
- Compensation: the stated budget is reported as up to ₹40 lakh per annum (40 LPA). “Up to” is a ceiling or budget indication—not a promise that every selected candidate will receive that amount.
- Tenure: the role is reported as a contract appointment initially for three years, with extension possible subject to project requirements.
- Permanent status: published summaries describe the position as project-based/temporary and state that it does not create an automatic right to a permanent post.
- Posting: New Delhi is listed as the location, with possible transfer to NeGD project locations under the applicable policy.
- Application fee: secondary recruitment summaries say the notice does not specify a fee. Confirm directly in the official notice before submitting; do not pay any person or unofficial site to secure selection.
For applicants comparing this vacancy with a permanent government post, the contract terms are important. Read the tenure, renewal, termination, location, and compensation conditions carefully before accepting an offer.
6. Important dates and vacancy notice
| Event | Date / status |
|---|---|
| Advertisement date | October 20, 2026, as reported by recruitment summaries |
| Last date to apply | November 4, 2026 |
| Interview or assessment date | No post-specific date confirmed in the sources checked |
| Result date | Not announced in the sources checked |
Do not wait until the final day. The online portal can require time to complete a profile, enter employment history, and upload supporting documents. The official NeGD careers listing is the safest starting point for checking whether the opening and deadline remain unchanged.
7. How to apply for NeGD Data Scientist Recruitment 2026
Published summaries describe the application process as online through the Digital India Corporation recruitment portal. Start at the official NeGD careers page so that you open the correct advertisement and follow the current application instructions.
- Open the official careers page. Locate the listing named “Data Scientist (AI & ML)” showing the November 4, 2026 deadline.
- Read the full notice first. Confirm the qualification wording, experience requirements, maximum age, contract terms, documents, application deadline, and any fee instructions.
- Complete the online application. Follow the application link attached to the official listing. Register or sign in where the portal requires it.
- Use a targeted CV. Highlight relevant years of work, models deployed, end-to-end ownership, tools used, measurable outcomes, evaluation methods, and production responsibilities.
- Prepare supporting documents. Keep degree certificates, identity details, work-experience evidence, and project/research records ready. Upload only what the notice or form requests.
- Check whether an NOC is relevant. A published summary mentions a No Objection Certificate for applicants already employed by government departments, public-sector undertakings, or autonomous bodies. Verify the exact condition in the official notice.
- Review and submit early. Check spelling, dates, contact details, and attachments, then save the submission confirmation or application number.
Avoid unofficial application links
Do not send money, passwords, OTPs, or original certificates to a third party claiming to guarantee selection. Use the official NeGD/Digital India Corporation listing and the application route linked from it.
8. Selection process: what candidates should expect
Published recruitment summaries describe application screening based on qualifications, age, and relevant experience, followed by shortlisting and interviews. They also note that the organisation may apply a higher screening threshold and may interview only a limited set of candidates.
The official NeGD careers page describes the organisation’s general hiring flow as resume screening, review by team leads and HR, a panel interview with project heads (via video conference in the general process description), and finalisation by the selection committee. That general description should not be treated as a substitute for the post-specific notice; the advertisement will control the actual stages.
How to prepare for a technical interview
- Be ready to explain two real projects from business problem to model validation and deployment.
- Explain why you selected a model, which baseline you compared it with, how you measured performance, and what failure cases remained.
- Prepare examples of production monitoring, drift detection, reproducibility, and privacy or bias safeguards.
- For an LLM/RAG project, be able to discuss retrieval quality, prompt injection, factuality checks, latency, and cost—not only prompt writing.
- Use clear language to explain uncertainty and technical limitations to a non-technical stakeholder.
No post-specific written-test date or exam pattern was confirmed in the sources checked. Candidates should not assume either that a written test will be held or that it will not be held; follow the official recruitment communication.
9. Quick self-check before applying
Use this checklist to decide whether it is worth preparing an application. It is a practical screening aid, not a replacement for the official eligibility clauses.
- My degree or documented alternative fits the exact rule stated in the notice.
- I can document the required years of relevant professional experience.
- I have evidence of at least two models or AI systems that I owned end to end and evaluated using meaningful outcomes.
- I can explain a production deployment or operational use, not only a classroom or tutorial project.
- I can show experience across the required technical problem areas.
- I understand that the reported role is contract-based and that ₹40 LPA is a maximum budget indication, not a guaranteed salary.
- I have confirmed the latest deadline, age rule, documents, and application conditions on the official page.
Frequently asked questions
1. How many vacancies are available in NeGD Data Scientist Recruitment 2026?
Published recruitment summaries list four Data Scientist (AI & ML) vacancies under Advertisement No. N/39/2026-NeGD. The official NeGD careers page confirms the relevant opening and deadline; applicants should verify the final vacancy count in the original notice.
2. What is the last date to apply?
The official NeGD careers listing displays November 4, 2026, as the closing date for the Data Scientist (AI & ML) opening. Check the listing again before submitting in case the organisation publishes a correction or extension.
3. What qualification is required?
Published summaries list B.Tech./B.E., M.Tech./M.S., or M.Sc. qualifications in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Data Science, AI/ML, or a related quantitative discipline. Read the original notice for the exact essential qualification and any alternative route.
4. Can freshers apply?
The published experience profile specifies 4+ years in data science, machine learning, or applied AI, with 3+ years developing systems used in production or operational decisions. On that basis, this is not a typical fresher-level vacancy.
5. What is the age limit?
Published recruitment summaries state a maximum age of 55 years on the closing date. They do not clearly identify a minimum age. Confirm the official age-calculation date and any applicable relaxation or special conditions in the original notice.
6. What is the salary for the post?
The budget is reported as up to ₹40 lakh per annum. This should not be read as a guaranteed fixed salary for every selected candidate. The offer and appointment terms will determine the actual compensation and applicable conditions.
7. Is the role permanent, and will there be a written exam?
Recruitment summaries describe a contract role initially for three years, potentially extendable subject to project requirements. The sources checked describe screening and interviews but do not confirm a post-specific written-exam schedule; follow the official notice for the actual selection stages.
Sources and references
The official careers listing is the primary source for the active opening and closing date. The original job-notification PDF could not be directly inspected during this research session, so details that rely on the full notice—especially qualification exceptions, documents, and fee conditions—must be checked before publication or application.
- National e-Governance Division (official) — Careers / Current Openings. The live listing shows “Data Scientist (AI & ML)” with a November 4, 2026 closing date and Delhi as the location.
Open official NeGD Careers - FreeJobAlert — “NeGD Data Scientist Recruitment 2026 – Apply Online,” updated October 23, 2026. Used as a secondary summary for the vacancy count, qualification, experience, tenure, and pay details.
Read the FreeJobAlert summary - CheckMyPrep — “NeGD Data Scientist Recruitment 2026 – Apply Online,” October 23, 2026. Used to cross-check key recruitment details and the reported advertisement number.
Read the CheckMyPrep summary - NRAI — “NeGD Data Scientist Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 04 Posts,” posted October 23, 2026. Used as an additional secondary cross-check for the application date, age, selection outline, and reported pay ceiling.
Read the NRAI summary
Explore more reporting through the site’s Technology section .
Editorial note: This guide is informational and is not an official recruitment notice. The original notification and live NeGD/Digital India Corporation application instructions take precedence. Verify all eligibility clauses and application requirements before submitting. Updated October 25, 2026.
