ISRO JPA Syllabus 2026: Part-wise Topics for CBT and Skill Test
The ISRO JPA syllabus covers two stages: a written computer-based test (CBT) and a qualifying skill test. The ISRO Centralised Recruitment Board (ICRB) published the written test topics in Annexure-III of Advertisement No. ISRO:ICRB:01(A-JPA):2026, dated 27 July 2026, as an indicative list for English, Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude and General Knowledge.
The topic lists below follow that annexure. Some headings in the annexure are broad (for example, General Knowledge is described as awareness of the environment and its application to society), so the sub-topics under them are built from the annexure and from the previous year JPA paper that ISRO has published. Use them as a working checklist, not as an exhaustive official list. The page also covers the skill test, how the two stages overlap and a phase-wise plan.
ISRO JPA Syllabus at a Glance
Stage | Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Written test (CBT) | Part A: English Language and Comprehension | 100 | 100 | 150 minutes for all three parts |
Written test (CBT) | Part B: General Intelligence and Reasoning Ability | 50 | 50 | Included in 150 minutes |
Written test (CBT) | Part C: Quantitative Aptitude and General Knowledge | 50 | 50 | Included in 150 minutes |
Skill test | Computer Literacy Test (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint) | Practical | 100 | 75 minutes |
Skill test | Stenography Test | 300-word dictation | Qualifying (error limit) | 5 minutes dictation, 30 minutes transcription |
Key Changes to Know
Longer paper time: The 2026 written test allows 150 minutes for 200 questions. The previous cycle allowed 120 minutes, and older pages may still show that figure.
Separate topic list for JPA: The JPA and Stenographer paper has its own pattern (Annexure-III) with 100 English questions. Do not prepare from the Assistant and UDC pattern, which has four equal parts of 50 questions.
Skill test is part of the syllabus: Shorthand at 60 w.p.m. and MS Office skills are tested, and failing either ends your selection regardless of your CBT score.
ISRO JPA Written Test Syllabus
Section | Topics to cover | Start with |
|---|---|---|
English Language and Comprehension | Grammar, correct usage of words, vocabulary, idioms and phrases, comprehension, precise and effective writing | Error spotting, sentence improvement and vocabulary |
General Intelligence and Reasoning | Missing number, series, analogy, Venn diagrams, logical arrangement of words, coding-decoding, seating arrangement, ranking, dice and cubes, calendars, clocks, directions, figure counting, alphabet problems, mirror and water images | Series, analogy and coding-decoding |
Quantitative Aptitude | Number system, percentages, profit and loss, discount, ratio and proportion, mixture and alligation, averages, simple and compound interest, time and distance, time and work, pipes and cisterns, boats and streams, partnership, surds and indices, LCM and HCF, simplification, geometry, mensuration, trigonometry, algebra, statistics and data interpretation | Percentages, ratio and simplification |
General Knowledge | National and international current affairs, history, culture, geography, science, polity, economy | Current affairs of the last 6 to 12 months |
Part A is worth half the paper, so English topics deserve the most time. In Part C, Quantitative Aptitude and General Knowledge share 50 questions; the annexure does not fix how many come from each, so prepare both.
Part A: English Language and Comprehension
The annexure says Part A tests your understanding and knowledge of the language and your ability to write correctly, precisely and effectively. In practice, this means:
Grammar: Parts of speech, tenses, subject-verb agreement, articles, prepositions, voice and narration.
Usage and vocabulary: Synonyms, antonyms, one-word substitution, spelling, commonly confused words.
Idioms and phrases: Meanings and correct use in sentences.
Sentence work: Error spotting, sentence improvement, fill in the blanks, sentence rearrangement.
Comprehension: Reading passages and cloze tests.
Part B: General Intelligence and Reasoning Ability
The annexure lists both verbal and non-verbal question types.
Sub-area | Topics |
|---|---|
Verbal reasoning | Analogy, coding-decoding, alphabet problems, logical arrangement of words, ranking, directions, coded equations |
Numerical reasoning | Missing number, number series, repeated series, sequences, calendars, clocks |
Arrangement and logic | Seating arrangement, Venn diagrams |
Non-verbal reasoning | Dice, cubes and cuboids, figure counting, mirror and water images |
Part C: Quantitative Aptitude
Sub-area | Topics |
|---|---|
Arithmetic | Number system, LCM and HCF, simplification, surds and indices, percentages, profit, loss and discount, ratio and proportion, partnership, mixture and alligation, averages, simple and compound interest |
Time-based problems | Time and distance, time and work, pipes and cisterns, boats and streams |
Advanced maths | Geometry (triangles, circles, quadrilaterals, lines and angles), mensuration, trigonometry, algebra (identities, polynomials, linear equations, coordinate geometry, sequences and series) |
Data | Statistics and data interpretation |
Part C: General Knowledge
Current affairs: National and international events, appointments, awards, sports, government schemes and space missions, including ISRO's own programmes.
Static GK: Indian history and culture, geography, Indian polity and economy.
General science: Everyday physics, chemistry and biology, and basic science and technology.
ISRO JPA Skill Test Syllabus
Test | What is tested | Standard to reach |
|---|---|---|
MS Word (35 marks) | Typing and formatting documents, tables, page layout, letters and notes | 60% overall for UR and EWS, 50% for reserved categories |
MS Excel (35 marks) | Data entry, formatting, basic formulas and functions, sorting, simple charts | Counted in the same 75-minute test |
MS PowerPoint (30 marks) | Creating slides, layouts, inserting tables and images, basic transitions | Counted in the same 75-minute test |
Stenography | 300-word English passage at 60 w.p.m. in Pitman's shorthand, transcribed on a computer in 30 minutes | Maximum 10% mistakes for UR and EWS, 12% for reserved categories |
The advertisement gives the marks for each MS Office application but not a detailed task list. The tasks named above are typical office skills and are indicative only. Longhand is not accepted in the stenography test; dictation must be taken in Pitman's shorthand.
Overlap Between the CBT and Skill Test
Area | Written test | Skill test | How to plan |
|---|---|---|---|
English grammar and spelling | Part A questions | Transcription accuracy | Grammar study reduces transcription mistakes, so study it once for both |
Vocabulary | Synonyms, idioms, comprehension | Recognising words in dictation | Read official and news English daily |
Computer use | Not tested directly | MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and computer transcription | Practise typing your shorthand transcripts in MS Word |
Is There an Interview for ISRO JPA?
No. The 2026 advertisement lists only the written test and the skill test. There is no interview stage and no separate interview syllabus.
How to Cover the ISRO JPA Syllabus
Weeks 1 to 6, foundations: Grammar rules and daily vocabulary for Part A, core arithmetic for Part C, and the main reasoning types. Begin shorthand dictation at a comfortable speed every day.
From week 3, current affairs: Spend 20 to 30 minutes a day on news and make monthly notes. Add static GK in short daily blocks.
Weeks 6 to 10, topic tests: Take topic-wise and sectional tests, and push shorthand speed towards 60 w.p.m. with computer transcription.
Weeks 10 to 12, skill practice: Practise MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint tasks under a 75-minute limit and do full 300-word dictations.
Final phase, full mocks: Take full-length 200-question papers in 150 minutes, analyse them the same day, and revise from your error log.
For eligibility and dates, go back to the ISRO Junior Personal Assistant exam hub.
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