ISRO MTS Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026: Section-wise Topics, Marking Scheme and Preparation Strategy

The ISRO MTS Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026 has been notified by the Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR (SDSC SHAR), Sriharikota in Advertisement No. SDSC SHAR/RMT/03/2026 for the post of Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS). Selection is through a single Computer Based Test (CBT) with four sections: Numerical and Mathematical Ability, Reasoning Ability and Problem Solving, General Awareness, and English Language and Comprehension. There is no skill test and no interview for MTS, so the written test score alone decides the final merit.

This article explains the complete exam pattern, the marking scheme with negative marking, qualifying marks and tie-breaking rules, a detailed section-wise syllabus, the most important topics, and a preparation strategy for each section. The exam pattern details are taken from the official notification. Since the paper is meant for candidates with a Class 10 qualification, the questions are expected to be of matriculation level.

➤ Exam mode: Online Computer Based Test (CBT), objective multiple-choice questions
➤ Sections: Numerical & Mathematical Ability · Reasoning & Problem Solving · General Awareness · English Language & Comprehension
➤ Total questions: 100 · Total marks: 100 · Duration: 90 minutes (combined)
➤ Negative marking: 0.25 mark deducted for each wrong answer
➤ Qualifying marks: UR/EWS 50% · OBC 45% · Other reserved categories 40%
➤ Selection: Written test only – no skill test or interview for MTS
➤ Level of questions: Matriculation (Class 10) standard

ISRO MTS Exam Pattern 2026

The ISRO MTS written test is a single online paper. All four parts must be attempted within one combined time limit of 90 minutes; there is no separate time limit for each section.

Note: The notification fixes 100 questions for the four parts together but does not state how many questions each part will have. Do not leave any section weak – prepare all four evenly.

Figure 1: Structure of the ISRO MTS 2026 written test, marking scheme and tie-breaker

Marking Scheme

How negative marking works: Every four wrong answers cancel one correct answer. For example, a candidate who attempts 84 questions with 72 correct and 12 wrong scores 72 − (12 × 0.25) = 72 − 3 = 69 marks. Had the same candidate skipped the 12 doubtful questions, the score would have been 72. Accuracy is therefore as important as speed.

Minimum Qualifying Marks

These are only the minimum marks needed to be considered. Because the final list is prepared strictly in order of marks, the actual cut-off is usually much higher than the qualifying marks.

Merit List and Tie-Breaking Rules

The merit list (empanelment) is prepared on the basis of marks scored in the written test. If two or more candidates score the same total, the tie is resolved as follows:

1. Candidate with higher marks in Reasoning Ability and Problem Solving is placed higher.
2. If still tied, the older candidate (by date of birth) is placed higher.

This makes the Reasoning section the most valuable section in the paper – a strong Reasoning score can decide your rank in a close contest.

ISRO MTS Selection Process

ISRO MTS Syllabus 2026 – Detailed Section-wise Topics

The notification names the four subjects but does not give a detailed topic list for MTS. The detailed syllabus below follows the standard matriculation-level syllabus used for MTS exams of central government organisations (such as SSC MTS and other ISRO centres), and it covers every type of question likely to appear in each section.

Part I – Numerical and Mathematical Ability Syllabus

Part II – Reasoning Ability and Problem Solving Syllabus

Part III – General Awareness Syllabus

Part IV – English Language and Comprehension Syllabus

Most Important Topics for ISRO MTS

Section-wise Preparation Strategy

Numerical and Mathematical Ability

• Learn tables up to 20, squares up to 30 and cubes up to 15 to speed up calculations.
• Master percentage first – profit and loss, interest and data interpretation all depend on it.
• Solve 20–25 arithmetic questions daily and keep a formula notebook for quick revision.

Reasoning Ability and Problem Solving

• Treat this as your scoring and tie-breaking section – aim for maximum accuracy.
• Learn the alphabet positions (A = 1 to Z = 26 and reverse) for series and coding questions.
• Practise non-verbal questions (mirror image, paper folding, figure counting) regularly, as they are quick to solve once the method is clear.

General Awareness

• Read current affairs daily and revise monthly, with special focus on ISRO missions and launches from Sriharikota.
• Use NCERT Class 6–10 books for science, history, geography and polity basics.
• Make short notes of static GK facts and revise them every week.

English Language and Comprehension

• Revise basic grammar rules – tenses, articles, prepositions and subject–verb agreement.
• Learn 10 new words daily with their synonyms and antonyms.
• Read one short English passage daily to improve comprehension speed.

Time Management in the Exam

With 100 questions in 90 minutes, you get about 54 seconds per question. Since there are no sectional time limits, a smart order of attempt helps:

Negative marking tip: Attempt a doubtful question only when you can eliminate at least two options. Blind guessing usually lowers the score.

Note for West Bengal Aspirants

The ISRO MTS syllabus overlaps heavily with exams that West Bengal candidates already prepare for, such as WBSSC Group D, WB Police Constable, Kolkata Police and SSC MTS. Arithmetic, reasoning and English are almost identical in level, so the same practice material works for all of them. The main extra preparation needed for ISRO MTS is space and ISRO-related general awareness – ISRO centres, launch vehicles, recent missions and Sriharikota facts.

Study Resources on CrackGK

For mock practice in a similar matriculation-level pattern, attempt the CSIR NAL MTS Question Paper 2026 – Mock Test with Solutions. For General Awareness, follow the Daily Current Affairs Quiz and read Darbhanga Planetarium and ISRO Space Gallery for space facts. For General Science, revise Kinematics, Light – Reflection and Refraction, Chemical Reactions and Equations, Metals and Non-Metals and the Endocrine System. For history and economy, read British Expansion in India and Economic Planning and NITI Aayog.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the exam pattern of ISRO MTS 2026?
It is a Computer Based Test of 100 objective questions for 100 marks, covering Numerical Ability, Reasoning, General Awareness and English, with a combined duration of 90 minutes.

2. Is there negative marking in the ISRO MTS exam?
Yes. 0.25 mark is deducted for each wrong answer; unattempted questions carry no penalty.

3. Is there a skill test or interview for ISRO MTS?
No. Selection is based only on the written test marks.

4. What are the qualifying marks for ISRO MTS?
50% for UR/EWS, 45% for OBC and 40% for other reserved categories against notified reserved vacancies.

5. How many questions come from each section?
The notification gives only the total of 100 questions for all four sections and does not specify a section-wise split, so all sections should be prepared equally.

6. Which section is most important in ISRO MTS?
All sections carry equal marks per question, but Reasoning Ability and Problem Solving is used as the first tie-breaker, so it can decide rank when scores are equal.

7. What is the level of questions in ISRO MTS?
Questions are expected to be of matriculation (Class 10) standard, since the post requires a Class 10 qualification.

Conclusion

The ISRO MTS 2026 exam is a single 100-question, 90-minute CBT with 0.25 negative marking, covering Numerical Ability, Reasoning, General Awareness and English. With no skill test or interview, every mark in the written test counts, and Reasoning carries extra weight as the tie-breaker. Cover the section-wise syllabus above, give priority to the most important topics, add ISRO and space-related current affairs to your General Awareness preparation, and practise timed mock tests to build both speed and accuracy.

Reference: Official notification – Advertisement No. SDSC SHAR/RMT/03/2026, Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, Sriharikota (ISRO). Check www.shar.gov.in for any corrigendum or updates.