DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 195 Posts

DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 195 Graduate, Diploma & ITI Posts

The Research Centre Imarat (RCI), a premier laboratory of the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has invited online applications from eligible Indian nationals for apprenticeship training for the year 2027. The DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 notification, Advertisement No. RCI/HRD/Apprenticeship/Advt/2027, covers a total of 195 tentative vacancies for Graduate Apprentice, Technician Apprentice (Diploma) and Trade Apprentice (ITI) categories. The apprenticeship training will be for a period of one year. Eligible candidates who meet the prescribed qualification, marks, passing-year and other conditions can apply through the relevant apprenticeship portal. The official DRDO vacancy page shows the application period from 1 October 2026 to 1 November 2026. Candidates should carefully check the official advertisement before submitting their application.

DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 — Overview

*The official notification states that vacancies may vary. The PDF also states that the last date for receipt of online applications is 30 days from the date of publication of the advertisement in the newspaper. The DRDO vacancy page currently displays 1 November 2026 as the end date.

DRDO RCI Apprentice Vacancy 2026

RCI has announced 195 tentative apprenticeship vacancies across three categories.

The number of vacancies may vary according to the requirements of Research Centre Imarat.

Graduate Apprentice — 50 Vacancies

Candidates with B.E./B.Tech qualifications in the following disciplines are eligible, subject to the remaining conditions of the notification:

• Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE)

• Instrumentation Engineering

• Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE)

• Computer Science Engineering (CSE)

• Mechanical Engineering

• Chemical Engineering

• Metallurgical Engineering

• Safety Engineering

• Aeronautical Engineering

• Aerospace Engineering

• Civil Engineering

Technician Apprentice (Diploma) — 30 Vacancies

The prescribed diploma disciplines include:

• Electronics and Communication Engineering

• Instrumentation Engineering

• Electrical and Electronics Engineering

• Computer Science Engineering

• Mechanical Engineering

• Chemical Engineering

• Metallurgical Engineering

• Safety Engineering

Trade Apprentice — 115 Vacancies

ITI candidates from the following trades can apply:

• Fitter

• Welder

• Turner

• Machinist

• Mechanic-Diesel

• Electronic Mechanic

• Electrician

• COPA — Computer Operator and Programming Assistant

• Draughtsman Engineering (Mechanical)

• Grinder

DRDO RCI Apprentice Important Dates 2026

*The DRDO vacancy page currently displays 1 November 2026 as the end date. The detailed advertisement describes the deadline as 30 days from the date of publication of the advertisement in the newspaper. Candidates should verify the applicable deadline before applying.

DRDO RCI Apprentice Application Fee

The official apprenticeship advertisement does not specify any application fee for this engagement.

Candidates should follow only the instructions displayed on the respective official apprenticeship portal while submitting the application.

DRDO RCI Apprentice Eligibility Criteria 2026

Candidates must satisfy all the conditions prescribed by Research Centre Imarat before applying.

Educational Qualification

The educational qualification depends on the apprenticeship category.

Graduate Apprentice:
B.E./B.Tech in one of the disciplines specified by RCI, including ECE, Instrumentation Engineering, EEE, CSE, Mechanical, Chemical, Metallurgical, Safety, Aeronautical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering.

Technician Apprentice:
Diploma in the disciplines specified in the official advertisement, including ECE, Instrumentation Engineering, EEE, CSE, Mechanical, Chemical, Metallurgical and Safety Engineering.

Trade Apprentice:
ITI qualification in the specified NCVT/SCVT-affiliated trades such as Fitter, Welder, Turner, Machinist, Mechanic-Diesel, Electronic Mechanic, Electrician, COPA, Draughtsman Engineering (Mechanical) and Grinder.

All qualifications must be from Indian institutions recognised by the appropriate statutory authority.

Marks and Passing Year

Only regular candidates who secured 70% marks or 7.5 CGPA and above in the qualifying examination are eligible.

The qualifying examination must have been completed in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 or 2026.

Age Limit

The candidate should not be less than 18 years of age as on 1 September 2026.

The official advertisement does not specify a maximum age limit in the eligibility section.

Candidates should not assume any additional age relaxation unless applicable under the official rules and notification.

Other Important Eligibility Conditions

Candidates should carefully note the following conditions:

• Candidates with higher qualifications are not eligible to apply.

• Candidates who have already undergone apprenticeship training are not eligible.

• Candidates who are currently undergoing apprenticeship training under any organisation are not eligible.

• Candidates with more than one year of work experience are not eligible.

• The candidate must satisfy the required academic percentage/CGPA condition.

• Suppression of facts can lead to disqualification.

• The required qualifications must be from recognised Indian institutions.

DRDO RCI Apprentice Stipend

The official notification states that the stipend will be paid as per Government norms and refers to the Gazette dated 3 September 2025.

The notification does not provide a fixed rupee amount in the vacancy table. Therefore, candidates should not rely on unofficial figures when calculating the expected monthly stipend.

For Graduate and Technician Apprentices, an Aadhaar-seeded bank account is mandatory for receiving 50% of the stipend from the Board of Apprenticeship Training (BOAT) through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme.

DRDO RCI Apprentice Selection Process 2026

The selection will be made on the basis of:

1. Academic Merit

2. Interview, if required

3. Document Verification

The official notification states that selection will be based on academic merit/interview as required, subject to satisfactory verification of documents.

Shortlisted candidates will be informed through the email address provided in their application.

Candidates should keep their registered email account active and check it regularly throughout the selection process.

Exam Pattern and Syllabus

There is no written examination pattern or syllabus specified in the official RCI Apprentice notification.

The notification states that selection will be based on academic merit/interview as required. Therefore, candidates should focus primarily on:

• Academic qualification and marks

• Correct apprenticeship portal registration

• Required documents

• Verification of credentials

• Interview preparation, if called

How to Apply for DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026

The application process differs according to the qualification category.

For B.E./B.Tech and Diploma Candidates

1. Visit the NATS 2.0 portal.

2. Complete the mandatory registration on the NATS 2.0 portal.

3. Log in using your registered credentials.

4. Search for Research Centre Imarat, DRDO.

5. Select the RCI establishment using Enrolment ID: STLRAC000010.

6. Check the applicable apprenticeship category and eligibility.

7. Submit the application through the portal.

8. Save/print the application details for future reference.

For ITI Candidates

1. Register on the Apprenticeship India portal.

2. Log in to your account.

3. Open the Apprenticeship Opportunities section.

4. Search for RESEARCH CENTRE IMARAT, DRDO.

5. Use Establishment ID E05203600040.

6. Select the eligible ITI trade.

7. Submit the application.

8. Keep a copy of the submitted application/profile for future use.

Candidates should ensure that their information on the respective apprenticeship portal is accurate before applying.

Documents Required

Shortlisted candidates are required to produce original documents along with self-attested copies during document verification/joining.

The documents mentioned in the official notification include:

• 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

• Government-issued photo ID such as PAN Card, Voter ID or Driving Licence

• Aadhaar Card

• Aadhaar-seeded bank passbook/statement

• Medical Fitness Certificate issued by a Government Civil Assistant Surgeon

• Two recent passport-size photographs

Selected candidates must also produce a valid Police Verification Certificate at the time of joining.

Important Instructions for Candidates

Before applying for DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026, candidates should keep the following points in mind:

• Read the complete official advertisement carefully.

• Make sure your qualification exactly matches the prescribed discipline.

• Do not apply if you possess a higher qualification that makes you ineligible under the notification.

• Confirm that your qualifying examination falls within the specified passing years.

• Ensure that you have secured at least 70% marks or 7.5 CGPA.

• Complete the appropriate NATS 2.0 or Apprenticeship India registration.

• Keep your Aadhaar-linked bank account ready where applicable.

• Keep the registered email ID active.

• Do not submit incorrect or misleading information.

• Candidates already undergoing or having completed apprenticeship training should not apply.

• Candidates with more than one year of work experience are not eligible.

• No TA/DA will be paid for stages of the selection process.

• RCI does not provide hostel accommodation, quarters or transport during the apprenticeship.

• Completion of apprenticeship does not guarantee regular employment with DRDO.

Important Links

NATS 2.0: Candidates applying for Graduate and Diploma Apprentices must use the NATS 2.0 portal.

Apprenticeship India: ITI Trade Apprentice candidates must apply through the Apprenticeship India portal.

Official Notification: The detailed RCI/HRD/Apprenticeship/Advt/2027 advertisement is available on the DRDO website.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many vacancies are available in DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026?

A total of 195 tentative apprenticeship vacancies have been announced: 50 Graduate Apprentice, 30 Technician Apprentice and 115 Trade Apprentice vacancies.

2. What is the last date to apply for DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026?

The DRDO vacancy page currently lists 1 November 2026 as the end date. The detailed advertisement states that applications are accepted for 30 days from the date of publication of the advertisement in the newspaper. Candidates should verify the deadline before submitting their application.

3. What is the minimum age for DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment?

Candidates must be at least 18 years old as on 1 September 2026.

4. What percentage is required for RCI Apprentice Recruitment?

Candidates must have secured 70% marks or 7.5 CGPA and above in the relevant qualifying examination.

5. Which candidates can apply for DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment?

B.E./B.Tech, Diploma and ITI candidates can apply for the respective Graduate, Technician and Trade Apprentice categories, provided they satisfy all eligibility conditions.

6. What is the duration of DRDO RCI apprenticeship training?

The apprenticeship training will be for a period of one year.

7. Is there any written exam for DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment?

The official notification does not prescribe a written examination. Selection will be based on academic merit/interview as required, followed by document verification.

8. Does completing the RCI apprenticeship guarantee a DRDO job?

No. The official notification clearly states that the apprenticeship engagement does not create an obligation for employment after completion of the training.

Conclusion

DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 provides an opportunity for eligible B.E./B.Tech, Diploma and ITI candidates to undergo one year of apprenticeship training at Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad. A total of 195 tentative vacancies are available across Graduate, Technician and Trade Apprentice categories. Candidates must meet the prescribed qualification, marks, passing-year, age and other eligibility requirements before applying.

Interested candidates should complete registration through the appropriate apprenticeship portal and submit their application within the prescribed period. Since recruitment conditions and vacancy numbers can change, candidates should always verify the latest information and read the official RCI notification carefully before applying.