But here’s the catch: you must be on UPSC’s ‘Pratibha Setu’ portal; meaning you’ve already appeared for Civil Services. It’s not a regular job. No guarantee of permanency. But for top UPSC aspirants with niche skills; say, law or finance; this could be a golden gap-year gig with elite exposure. 12 spots for Academic Research, 2 each for Legal & Finance. PhDs, LLMs, CAs get preference. Interviews + maybe written tests. Think of it as a 24-month ‘fast-track internship’ with India’s biggest exam body; while you prep for your next UPSC attempt. And yes; it pays better than many government jobs. Smart move by NTA to tap into UPSC talent pool without long-term obligation. If you’re on Pratibha Setu and have that postgraduate edge, don’t sleep on this. Deadline’s not mentioned; but these roles will fill fast.