195 Posts: DRDO Recruitment 2026 – Apply Online

Post/Category Names : Graduate Apprentice, Technician (Diploma) Apprentice, Trade Apprentice (ITI)

Total Vacancies : 195

Important Dates

Minimum Age Reckoning Date : 01 September 2026

Last Date for Receipt of Online Application : 30 days from the date of publication of this advertisement in a newspaper (01 November 2026)

Note: Not specified in the official notification: a fixed closing date, portal opening date, document verification date, or joining date. The notification only fixes the closing date relative to the newspaper publication date; candidates should check drdo.gov.in regularly for any dated corrigendum.

Vacancy Details :

Age Limit

Minimum Age: Candidate should not be less than 18 years as on 01 September 2026. Not specified in the official notification: any upper age limit.

Stipend :

Stipend is paid as per Government norms (referenced to the Gazette Notification dated 03 September 2025) – the notification does not state the exact monthly stipend figures for each category.

For Graduate and Technician (Diploma) Apprentices, it is mandatory to have an Aadhaar-seeded/linked bank account, as 50% of the stipend is paid by the Board of Apprenticeship Training (BOAT) under the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme.

Selection Process :

Selection is based on Academic Merit / Interview as required, subject to satisfactory document verification – there is no written test

Reservation for SC/ST/OBC/PwD/EWS categories applies as per the Apprentices Act 1961, Apprentice Rules 1992, and the Apprenticeship (Amendment) Rules 2019 & 2025

Shortlisted candidates are informed only via the e-mail ID given in the application; candidates must keep it active throughout the selection process, as RCI is not responsible for non-receipt of communication due to a changed mobile number/e-mail

Before commencement of training, selected candidates must execute a contract of apprenticeship on the respective portal (NATS/NAPS)

Selected candidates must produce a valid Police Verification Certificate (from their place of last residence for at least 1 year, or permanent address) at the time of joining

How to Apply for RCI Apprentice Engagement 2027

Before applying, ensure you fulfil all eligibility criteria as mentioned in the detailed advertisement at drdo.gov.in.

B.E./B.Tech/Diploma candidates: Register on the NATS 2.0 portal at nats.education.gov.in (mandatory).

Log in to NATS 2.0 and apply by selecting Research Centre Imarat, DRDO – Enrolment ID: STLRAC000010.

ITI Trade candidates: Register on the Apprenticeship India portal at apprenticeshipindia.gov.in (mandatory).

Log in, click “Apprenticeship Opportunities,” search by Establishment Name “RESEARCH CENTRE IMARAT” (Establishment ID: E05203600040), choose your trade, and click Apply.

Submit the application within 30 days of the advertisement’s publication in a newspaper.

Important: Portal registration (NATS 2.0 or Apprenticeship India, as applicable to your category) is mandatory before applying. There is no separate offline or e-mail application route described for the main application itself.

Documents Required (At Document Verification/Joining)

Duly filled application form

NATS/NAPS profile printout

10th class mark sheet and certificate

Consolidated/final mark sheet of the qualifying examination

Original/provisional certificate of the qualifying examination

Caste certificate, if applicable

PwD certificate, if applicable

Valid EWS certificate, if applicable

Any photo ID issued by Govt. of India (PAN Card/Voter ID/Driving Licence)

Aadhaar Card (mandatory)

Copy of Aadhaar-seeded bank passbook/statement (mandatory, Aadhaar-linked account required)

Medical fitness certificate issued by a Government Civil Assistant Surgeon

Two latest passport-size photographs

All documents must be carried in original and self-attested copy.

Important Conditions

Document verification is done for shortlisted candidates only, prior to creation of the apprenticeship contract; any deviation from the desired qualification leads to rejection

All qualifications must be from Indian Institutions recognized by the appropriate statutory authority

Suppression of facts leads to disqualification at any stage of selection or during the apprenticeship period

No TA/DA is paid to applicants called for any stage of the selection process

Apprentices are not provided hostel accommodation, quarters, or transport by RCI, either during interview or during the apprenticeship period

The engagement and training strictly follow the Apprentices Act 1961; there is no obligation for employment on completion of training

Canvassing or personal follow-up for selection leads to immediate cancellation of candidature

RCI reserves the right to terminate apprenticeship, or to amend/refix/cancel/suspend the selection process at any time, without assigning any reason; the Management’s decision is final and binding, with no appeal entertained

Selected candidates will not be allowed to withdraw from training except for reasons beyond their control, and must execute an apprenticeship contract on the respective portal before training begins

Any legal dispute is subject to the jurisdiction of the Hon’ble High Court, Hyderabad, Telangana

Important Links