DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 195 Vacancies

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), under its premier laboratory Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in Hyderabad, has released an official recruitment notification for the engagement of Apprentices. Under this 2026 drive, DRDO RCI aims to fill 195 vacancies for Graduate, Diploma, and ITI Trade Apprentices across various technical disciplines. This represents a prime opportunity for fresh engineering graduates, diploma holders, and ITI-certified candidates to gain hands-on experience in cutting-edge aerospace and missile technologies. The online application portal is currently active, and eligible candidates must apply before the deadline on November 1, 2026.

Important Dates

Candidates must ensure that they complete their registration on the respective national portals and submit the DRDO online application strictly within the provided timelines.

• Official Notification Release Date: October 1, 2026
• Online Application Start Date: October 5, 2026
• Last Date to Apply Online: November 1, 2026
• Merit List Release Date: Expected in the third week of November 2026

Vacancy Details

DRDO RCI has announced a total of 195 Apprentice vacancies, distributed across three primary educational levels to support its ongoing research and manufacturing projects:

• Graduate (B.E./B.Tech) Apprentices: 50 Posts
  • Disciplines include Electronics, Mechanical, Computer Science, and Electrical Engineering.
• Technician (Diploma) Apprentices: 60 Posts
  • Disciplines include Electronics, Mechanical, Computer Science, and Electrical Engineering.
• Trade (ITI) Apprentices: 85 Posts
  • Trades include Fitter, Turner, Electrician, Machinist, Welder, and COPA.

Category-wise reservations (SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and PwD) will be strictly implemented in accordance with Government of India and Apprentices Act guidelines.

Eligibility Criteria

Before proceeding to apply, applicants must verify that they meet all educational and age requirements specified by DRDO RCI.

Educational Qualification

• For Graduate Apprentices: Candidates must hold a full-time B.E./B.Tech degree in the relevant engineering discipline from an AICTE recognized university or institution.
• For Technician Apprentices: Candidates must hold a full-time 3-year Diploma in the relevant engineering branch from a State Board of Technical Education.
• For ITI Trade Apprentices: Candidates must possess a National Trade Certificate (ITI pass) in the respective trade issued by NCVT or SCVT.
• Crucial Note: Only candidates who have passed their qualifying examination in the years 2024, 2025, or 2026 are eligible to apply. Candidates with higher qualifications (e.g., M.Tech) or those who have already completed an apprenticeship elsewhere are strictly not eligible.

Age Limit

Candidates must meet the specific age brackets as of November 1, 2026:

• Minimum Age: 18 years
• Maximum Age: 24 years (for General/UR candidates)
• Note: Standard upper age limit relaxations apply: 5 years for SC/ST candidates, 3 years for OBC (NCL) candidates, and 10 years for PwD candidates.

Stipend Details

Selected candidates will undergo a standard one-year apprenticeship training program at the DRDO RCI campus in Hyderabad. During this period, they will be paid a consolidated monthly stipend.

• Graduate (Degree) Apprentices: Rs 9,000 per month.
• Technician (Diploma) Apprentices: Rs 8,000 per month.
• Trade (ITI) Apprentices: Rs 7,700 to Rs 8,050 per month (depending on the specific trade duration).

How to Apply

The application process requires candidates to register on the national apprenticeship portals before applying on the DRDO website. Follow these exact steps:

1. For Degree/Diploma Candidates: First, register yourself on the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) portal at nats.education.gov.in.
2. For ITI Trade Candidates: First, register yourself on the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) portal at apprenticeshipindia.gov.in.
3. Once you have your 16-digit registration number, visit the official DRDO RAC (Recruitment and Assessment Centre) website at rac.gov.in.
4. Navigate to the "DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026" link and click on "Apply Online".
5. Fill out the detailed DRDO application form, entering your NATS/NAPS registration number, personal details, and academic marks.
6. Upload scanned copies of your recent photograph, signature, Aadhaar card, and degree/diploma/ITI certificates.
7. Submit the application. Note: There is absolutely no application fee for any category.
8. Print the generated confirmation page. You will need to bring this printout during the Document Verification process.

Official Links

• DRDO Official Website: drdo.gov.in
• DRDO RAC Application Portal: rac.gov.in

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is there a written exam for the DRDO RCI Apprentice recruitment?

No. The selection process is purely merit-based. The merit list will be prepared based on the percentage of marks candidates secured in their qualifying academic examinations (Degree, Diploma, or ITI).

Will completing this apprenticeship guarantee a permanent job at DRDO?

No. This is exclusively a one-year training contract designed to provide industrial and research exposure. It does not confer any right to claim permanent employment at DRDO or any other government establishment post-completion.

Where will the document verification and training be conducted?

The document verification, medical fitness check, and the entire one-year training program will take place at the Research Centre Imarat (RCI) campus, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex, Hyderabad, Telangana.