Is it really free? No hidden charges?

100% free. No in-app purchases, no subscriptions, no forced ads. Play immediately from the shared question bank — no setup needed. Optional extras stay optional: watch a rewarded ad only if you want +5 coins, and add your own free Gemini API key only if you want unlimited AI-generated questions.

What is a Gemini API key and do I need one?

You don't need one — the shared question bank works without it. A Gemini key is a free key from Google AI Studio that unlocks unlimited freshly generated AI questions tuned to your exam and branch. Takes 2 minutes, no billing: aistudio.google.com → Get API Key → Create → copy and paste.

Should I install from Google Play or the APK?

Use the APK for now — it's the fastest route and installs in 30 seconds after enabling 'Install unknown apps'. Aspirant Arcade is still in Google Play closed testing, so the Play listing only opens for enrolled testers. If you'd rather install from Play, request early access on the download page and we'll walk you through the two taps Google needs. Don't want to install anything? The web version runs straight in your browser.

Which engineering branches are supported?

Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, Chemical, Computer Science/IT, Electronics, Metallurgy, Mining and Petroleum. Questions generated specifically for your branch — not generic.

Will questions repeat across sessions?

No. The app tracks every question you've seen and tells Gemini to avoid them. Every session has fresh questions.

Does it work offline?

Partially. Bookmarked questions and insights are available offline. AI question generation needs internet to call the Gemini API.

Yes. Stored locally on your device using encrypted secure storage. Never sent to any server — not ours, not anyone's.

Which engineering exams are covered?

GATE, IES/ESE and PSU recruitment exams — HPCL, Coal India, BHEL, ONGC, NTPC, SAIL, IOCL, GAIL, BPCL and more. Interview Simulator available for exams with GD/PI rounds like HPCL, BHEL and IES.

Is Aspirant Arcade only for engineering exam aspirants?

No — engineering (GATE, IES, PSU) is one of five categories. It also covers entrance exams (JEE Main, JEE Advanced, NEET, CUET, BITSAT), govt exams (SSC, Banking, Police), college degrees (BCA, MCA, MBBS, Nursing, B.Pharm and more) and CBSE Class 9–12 boards. Pick your category on the home screen.

Does Aspirant Arcade cover SSC, Banking and Police exams?

Yes. SSC CGL, CHSL, MTS, GD Constable and CPO, IBPS PO/Clerk, SBI PO/Clerk, UP Police Constable and Delhi Police Constable are all covered with free, section-wise gamified MCQ practice matching each exam's real syllabus, question count and marking scheme.

Is Aspirant Arcade a replacement for Testbook, Adda247, Physics Wallah or Unacademy?

No — it's a free companion, not a competitor. Platforms like Testbook, Adda247, Physics Wallah and Unacademy give you structured courses, live classes and full-length mocks. Aspirant Arcade adds a gamified practice layer on top: streaks, survival rounds, multiplayer challenges and AI interview drills that turn idle scroll time into extra MCQ reps between coaching sessions.

Which college degree exams are supported?

BCA, MCA, MBBS, BMLT/BMLS, BMRIT, BPT (Physiotherapy), B.Sc Nursing and B.Pharm — free subject-wise core practice authored from each degree's real university curriculum, with shared foundational subjects (like Anatomy and Physiology) reused across the medical degrees at the right difficulty band.

Do I need a Gemini API key to play?

No. You can play immediately from our shared question bank — no key or signup required. Adding a free Gemini key (Google AI Studio, 2 minutes, no billing) unlocks unlimited freshly generated questions every session.

How do coins and multiplayer challenges work?

You start with 100 coins, earn +50 per referral, and can watch an optional rewarded ad for +5. Spend 2 coins to unlock a question hint. For multiplayer, create a Synced Challenge lobby, share the invite code with up to 10 friends, and compete under a synchronized 5-minute timer for ranked trophy scorecards.

Focus Mode is an Android-only feature that catches you on Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts and makes you clear a few MCQs from your branch and syllabus before you can keep scrolling. You set the scroll limit and how many questions, and you can turn it off anytime. It turns doom-scrolling into drip-fed revision without quitting the app.

Does Focus Mode read my messages or spy on me?

No. It only checks which app is open and the screen name (Reels or Shorts) — like a sign on a door, not what's inside the room. It never reads your DMs, captions, comments or the videos themselves, and nothing leaves your phone. Questions are cached locally on your device.

Is the CSIR SRF 2026 open to candidates who have already finished their PhD?

No, candidates who have already been awarded a PhD, MD, MS, or MDS degree are not eligible to apply.

What is the primary factor for the extension of the fellowship beyond two years?

The extension is granted for one year based on the outcome of a performance assessment regarding the candidate's research progress during the initial tenure.

Are there specific publication requirements for MTech/ME candidates?

The official criteria for MTech/ME candidates focus on a minimum of 60% marks, unlike other degrees that strictly mandate an SCI-indexed journal publication.

How is the age limit calculated for the fellowship?

The maximum age of 32 years is calculated as of the application closing date, September 17, 2026, subject to category-based relaxations.

What happens if I submit my application without proof of research experience?

Applications that do not include the required supporting documents for research experience or PhD registration are subject to immediate rejection.

CSIR Senior Research Fellowship 2026: Eligibility and application guide

What's Official

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has officially announced the commencement of the Direct Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) programme for 2026. This prestigious fellowship is designed for emerging researchers looking to advance their work in science and technology within recognized national institutions, laboratories, and universities.

The application window opens on August 18, 2026. Candidates must submit their applications via the official CSIR-HRDG portal. The process will remain active until September 17, 2026. As the selection involves rigorous screening, it is recommended that candidates review their academic credentials against the specific requirements provided in the official notification before initiating the online application.

Eligibility at a Glance

▸Age Limit: Maximum 32 years as of September 17, 2026.
▸Age Relaxations: 5 years for SC/ST, PwD, and female candidates; 3 years for OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates.
▸MSc/BE/BTech: 55% marks, at least one SCI-indexed publication, and two years of research experience.
▸MTech/ME: 60% minimum marks in the qualifying degree.
▸MBBS/BDS: 60% marks and mandatory one-year internship.
▸BPharm/BVSc/BSc Agriculture: 55% marks, one SCI publication, and three years of research experience.
▸MPharm/MVSc/MSc Agriculture/MPhil: 55% marks, one SCI publication, and one year of research experience.

Tip

Candidates who have already been awarded a PhD or have submitted their thesis for an MD, MS, or MDS degree are ineligible for this fellowship.

Selection Process and Research Roadmap

Unlike standard competitive recruitment exams, the CSIR SRF selection process centers on the candidate's existing research proficiency and potential. The process is divided into two primary stages: initial shortlisting based on documentation, followed by a formal interview. Because the panel assesses both your research trajectory and technical competence, your ability to articulate your previous findings is as critical as your formal qualifications.

To stay competitive, you should regularly refine your technical knowledge through dedicated practice. Utilizing the Aspirant Arcade platform to run mock drills and sharpen your understanding of scientific core concepts will provide the necessary foundation when you finally sit for the interview panel's technical inquiries. Tracking your progress on a structured roadmap ensures you do not overlook the submission of vital supporting documents, such as fellowship records and PhD registration proofs, which are mandatory for this application.

Stipend and Professional Tenure

▸Monthly Stipend: ₹42,000 per month.
▸Contingent Grant: Up to ₹20,000 per annum for research-related expenses.
▸Initial Tenure: Two years.
▸Potential Extension: One additional year, contingent upon a formal assessment of your research performance.

Application Strategy

The CSIR-HRDG portal will be the sole gateway for applications. Ensure all digital copies of your research publications, degree certificates, and proof of research experience are prepared in the format specified in the notification. Incomplete submissions without the required documentation will lead to automatic rejection. Given the strict cutoff for age and qualification, double-check your documents against the September 17, 2026 deadline to avoid last-minute technical delays.