Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad has released the DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 notification for 195 apprentice vacancies. The engagement is for Graduate, Technician (Diploma) and ITI Trade Apprentices for a training period of one year (training year 2027).
DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Overview
Eligible B.E./B.Tech, Diploma and ITI pass-outs of 2022 to 2026 with at least 70% marks or 7.5 CGPA can apply online through the NATS 2.0 and Apprenticeship India portals. The last date is 30 days from the date the advertisement appears in the newspaper. Read on for vacancy details, eligibility, stipend, selection process and the step-by-step application procedure.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) |
| Laboratory | Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad |
| Advertisement No. | RCI/HRD/Apprenticeship/Advt/2027 |
| Post Name | Graduate, Technician (Diploma) and ITI Trade Apprentice |
| Total Vacancies | 195 |
| Training Period | 1 year |
| Act | Apprentices Act 1961 (as amended) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Last Date | 30 days from newspaper publication |
| Minimum Age | 18 years (as on 01 Sept 2026) |
| Selection Process | Academic merit / interview, document verification |
| Stipend | As per Govt norms (Gazette dated 03 Sept 2025) |
| Job Location | Hyderabad, Telangana |
| Official Website | drdo.gov.in |
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DRDO RCI Apprentice 2026: Important Dates
The application window stays open for 30 days from the date the advertisement is published in the newspaper.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | October 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | From newspaper publication date |
| Last Date to Apply | 30 days from newspaper publication |
| Age Calculation Date | 01 September 2026 |
| Shortlist / Interview Intimation | Via e-mail (to be notified) |
DRDO RCI Apprentice Vacancy 2026
A total of 195 apprentice seats are on offer, with the largest share (115) for ITI Trade Apprentices. The vacancies are tentative and may vary.
| Apprenticeship Category | Disciplines / Trades | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentice (B.E./B.Tech) | ECE, Instrumentation, EEE, CSE, Mechanical, Chemical, Metallurgical, Safety, Aeronautical, Aerospace and Civil Engg | 50 |
| Technician Apprentice (Diploma) | ECE, Instrumentation, EEE, CSE, Mechanical, Chemical, Metallurgical and Safety Engg | 30 |
| Trade Apprentice (ITI, NCVT/SCVT) | Fitter, Welder, Turner, Machinist, Mechanic-Diesel, Electronic-Mechanic, Electrician, COPA, Draughtsman (Mech) and Grinder | 115 |
| Total | 195 |
Reservation for SC/ST/OBC/PwD/EWS categories applies as per the Apprentices Act 1961, Apprenticeship Rules 1992 and the 2019 and 2025 amendment rules.
DRDO RCI Apprentice Eligibility Criteria 2026
Candidates must be Indian nationals and meet the educational, marks and age conditions below.
Educational Qualification
- Graduate Apprentice: B.E./B.Tech in the disciplines listed in the vacancy table.
- Technician Apprentice: Diploma in the disciplines listed in the vacancy table.
- Trade Apprentice: ITI pass in the listed trade, with NCVT/SCVT affiliation.
- All qualifications must be from Indian institutions recognised by the appropriate statutory authority.
Minimum Marks and Year of Passing
Only regular candidates who passed the qualifying exam in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 or 2026 with 70% marks or 7.5 CGPA and above are eligible.
Age Limit
Candidates must be at least 18 years old as on 01 September 2026. The notification does not mention an upper age limit.
Who Is Not Eligible
- Candidates with a higher qualification than the one required.
- Candidates who have already completed, or are currently undergoing, apprenticeship training in any organisation.
- Candidates with more than one year of work experience.
DRDO RCI Apprentice Notification 2026 PDF
The official notification is a bilingual (Hindi and English) four-page PDF covering vacancies, eligibility, application procedure, selection process and instructions. Candidates should read it fully before applying. The detailed advertisement is available on the official DRDO website, drdo.gov.in.
Download DRDO RCI Apprentice Notification 2026 PDF
DRDO RCI Apprentice Stipend 2026
The stipend for all three categories will be paid as per Government norms, with reference to the Gazette notification dated 03 September 2025. For Graduate and Technician Apprentices, 50% of the stipend is paid by the Board of Apprenticeship Training (BOAT) under the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme, so an Aadhaar-seeded bank account is mandatory.
No hostel, quarters, transport or TA/DA is provided during the interview or the apprenticeship period. Completing the training does not guarantee a job at RCI or DRDO.
How to Apply for DRDO RCI Apprentice 2026
The application is online only, and the portal depends on your category. Registration on the relevant portal is mandatory.
For B.E./B.Tech and Diploma Candidates (NATS 2.0)
- Visit the NATS 2.0 portal at nats.education.gov.in and complete your registration.
- Log in with your enrolment credentials.
- Search for Research Centre Imarat, DRDO (Establishment ID: STLRAC000010).
- Select the relevant opportunity and submit your application.
- Save a printout of your NATS profile for document verification.
For ITI Trade Candidates (Apprenticeship India)
- Visit apprenticeshipindia.gov.in and register.
- Log in and click Apprenticeship Opportunities.
- In Search by Establishment Name, type RESEARCH CENTRE IMARAT (Establishment ID: E05203600040).
- Choose your trade and click Apply.
- Save a printout of your NAPS profile for document verification.
For queries, candidates can write to hrd.apply@gov.in as given in the notification.
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DRDO RCI Apprentice Selection Process 2026
There is no written exam; selection is based on academic merit and an interview where required.
- Shortlisting on the basis of marks in the qualifying examination.
- Interview, if required.
- Document verification before the apprenticeship contract is created.
- Contract of apprenticeship executed on the NATS/Apprenticeship India portal, followed by joining with a Police Verification Certificate.
Shortlisted candidates are informed only by e-mail, so keep the registered e-mail ID active until selection is complete. Canvassing of any kind leads to cancellation of candidature.
Documents Required for DRDO RCI Apprentice 2026
Shortlisted candidates must bring originals and self-attested copies of the following at document verification or joining.
- Duly filled application form
- NATS / NAPS profile printout
- Class 10 mark sheet and certificate
- Consolidated / final mark sheet of the qualifying exam
- Original / provisional certificate of the qualifying exam
- Caste, PwD or valid EWS certificate (if applicable)
- Govt photo ID such as PAN card, Voter ID or driving licence
- Aadhaar card (mandatory)
- Copy of Aadhaar-seeded bank passbook or statement
- Medical fitness certificate from a Govt Civil Assistant Surgeon
- Two recent passport-size photographs
- Police Verification Certificate (at the time of joining)
DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026: FAQs
Q1. How many vacancies are announced in DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
A total of 195 vacancies: 50 Graduate, 30 Technician (Diploma) and 115 ITI Trade Apprentice posts.
Q2. What is the last date to apply?
The last date is 30 days from the date the advertisement is published in the newspaper.
Q3. What minimum marks are required?
Candidates need at least 70% marks or a CGPA of 7.5 in the qualifying exam passed between 2022 and 2026.
Q4. Is there a written exam?
No. Selection is based on academic merit and an interview if required, followed by document verification.
Q5. What is the minimum age limit?
Candidates must be at least 18 years old as on 01 September 2026.
Q6. What is the Establishment ID of RCI for applying?
STLRAC000010 on the NATS portal (Graduate/Diploma) and E05203600040 on the Apprenticeship India portal (ITI).
Q7. Will apprentices get a permanent job after training?
No. There is no obligation on RCI to offer employment after the one-year apprenticeship.