ISRO JPA Exam Pattern 2026: Written Test, Skill Test and Marking Scheme

The ISRO JPA exam pattern has two stages: a single objective computer-based test (CBT) and a skill test made up of a Computer Literacy Test and a Stenography Test. The pattern below is from Advertisement No. ISRO:ICRB:01(A-JPA):2026, issued by the ISRO Centralised Recruitment Board (ICRB) on 27 July 2026, as amended by the corrigendum of 11 August 2026.

The main change this cycle is time. The written test now runs for 150 minutes for 200 questions, compared with 120 minutes in the previous cycle, which gives you about 45 seconds per question. This page explains the marking scheme, the part-wise qualifying marks, the skill test rules, how the final merit list is made and how to use your time in the exam.

ISRO JPA Exam Pattern at a Glance

ISRO JPA Written Test Pattern

The advertisement gives one duration for the whole paper and does not set separate timers for each part. PwBD candidates who are eligible get compensatory time as per rules. The FAQ document issued with the advertisement confirms that the written test is a computer-based test.

Qualifying marks in the written test

The minimum applies to every part separately, not just the total. In the previous cycle, after evaluation, ISRO applied these minimums to Part A out of 99, Part B out of 49 and Part C out of 50.

ISRO JPA Marking Scheme and Negative Marking

• Correct answer: plus 1 mark.

• Wrong answer: minus 0.25 marks.

• Unattempted question: no marks added or deducted.

What the Pattern Means for You

• Each question is worth the same: One mark per question in every part, so an easy GK question counts as much as a hard comprehension question. Answer the quick ones first.

• A wrong guess costs a quarter mark: Four wrong answers cancel one correct answer. Guess only when you can rule out at least two options.

• English is half the paper: Part A has 100 marks and is the first tie-breaker, so a strong English score helps twice.

• The part-wise minimum is the real risk: If you are UR, scoring below 25 in Part B or Part C stops you from reaching the skill test, however well you do in English.

ISRO JPA Skill Test Pattern

Candidates are called for the skill test at up to five times the number of vacancies in each category, with a minimum of 10 candidates in total. Additional reserved-category candidates are called at up to five times the reserved vacancies.

Computer Literacy Test

To pass, you need 60% (UR and EWS) or 50% (reserved categories).

Stenography Test

• Dictation: A 300-word English passage at 60 words per minute, lasting 5 minutes.

• Transcription: 30 minutes on a computer, with compensatory time for eligible PwBD candidates.

• Shorthand system: Pitman's shorthand only. Longhand transcripts are not evaluated.

• Error limit: Maximum 10% mistakes for UR and EWS, 12% for reserved categories.

• Error formula: (full mistakes plus half mistakes divided by 2) multiplied by 100, divided by the number of words in the passage, rounded to two decimals.

On a 300-word passage, a 10% limit means about 30 full mistakes at most, and 12% means about 36.

How the Final Merit List Is Made

Final selection is based on written test marks among candidates who qualify the skill test. Skill test marks are not added. If two candidates have the same written score, the one with higher marks in English Language and Comprehension ranks higher; if still tied, the older candidate ranks higher.

Worked example (illustrative): Candidate X scores 72 in Part A, 34 in Part B and 30 in Part C, a total of 136. Candidate Y scores 68, 38 and 30, also 136. Both clear the UR part-wise minimum and pass the skill test. X ranks above Y because X has more marks in English.

Time Management and Exam-day Strategy

1. First pass, about 90 minutes: Attempt every question you can answer confidently, starting with your strongest part. Mark the rest for review.

2. Watch the part-wise minimum: Before the halfway point, make sure you have attempted enough Part B and Part C questions to cross the cut-off line.

3. Second pass, about 45 minutes: Return to marked questions and attempt only those where you can eliminate options.

4. Last 15 minutes: Review flagged answers. Do not make blind guesses to fill blanks.

A Note on Older Pages

Older pages may still show a 120-minute written test or the Assistant and UDC pattern of four 50-question parts. The JPA paper in 2026 is 200 questions in 150 minutes with 100 English questions, so follow the official ICRB advertisement.