DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 195 Posts

Are you wondering how many seats are actually available for your specific qualification? Well, DRDO has neatly divided the 195 tentative slots into three primary educational categories to accommodate a wide variety of young talents. Whether you are an engineering graduate, a diploma holder, or an ITI pass-out, there is a dedicated chunk of vacancies waiting just for you. Let’s break down the exact distribution!

• Graduate Apprentice: 50 Posts
• Technician Apprentice (Diploma): 30 Posts
• Trade Apprentice (ITI): 115 Posts
• Total Combined Vacancies: 195 Posts

Let’s talk about what you actually need in your academic portfolio to grab this much-awaited job opening. The educational requirements are highly specific to the category you are applying for. Graduate apprentices need a regular B.E. or B.Tech degree, while Technician apprentices must hold a regular Engineering Diploma. For the Trade apprentice slots, a valid ITI certificate is an absolute must. Check the detailed streams below:

• Graduate Apprentice: Regular B.E. / B.Tech degree in a relevant engineering discipline from a recognized institution. (Streams: ECE, Instrumentation, EEE, CSE, Mechanical, Chemical, Metallurgical, Safety, Aeronautical, Aerospace, and Civil Engineering).
• Technician Apprentice: Regular Engineering Diploma in a relevant field. (Streams: ECE, Basic Instrumentation, EEE, CSE, Mechanical, Chemical, Metallurgical, and Safety Engineering).
• Trade Apprentice (ITI): ITI pass-out from an institute affiliated with either NCVT or SCVT. (Trades: Fitter, Welder, Turner, Machinist, Mechanic-Diesel, Electronic-Mechanic, Electrician, COPA, Draughtsman Mechanical, and Grinder).

Please pay close attention here, guys! DRDO is very strict when it comes to eligibility, and you must check these rules before you hit the apply button. The most crucial rule is the 70% cut-off; your degree or diploma must have at least 70% marks or a 7.5 CGPA. Also, make sure you don’t have any prior work experience exceeding one year, or your application will be instantly rejected.

• The 70% Cut-off Rule: You must have scored a minimum of 70% marks or a 7.5 CGPA and above in your qualifying examination.
• Passing Year Restriction: Open only for Regular candidates who completed their qualifications in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, or 2026.
• Higher Qualification Exclusion: If you hold a degree higher than what is prescribed for a category, you are completely ineligible.
• Work Experience Limit: If you have more than 1 year of prior work experience, you cannot apply.
• Previous Apprenticeship: Candidates who have already undergone or are currently undergoing apprenticeship training anywhere else are strictly not eligible.
• Nationality: You must hold a valid Indian nationality to apply.

Missing a deadline is the worst feeling ever, especially for such a premium opportunity! The online application window has already swung open on October 1, 2026. You will get exactly 30 days from the publication of the advertisement to wrap up your submission. My honest advice to all of you is to complete your registration as early as possible to avoid any last-minute server glitches.

• Release of Official Advertisement: 1 October 2026
• Online Application Window Opens: 1 October 2026
• DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Last Date: 1 November 2026 (Exactly 30 days from the date of publication).

Getting trained at DRDO is a massive reward in itself, but earning a monthly stipend while learning is the cherry on top! Selected apprentices will receive a handsome monthly allowance directly in their bank accounts according to the latest government norms. However, there is a very strict catch—your bank account must be Aadhaar-seeded, or else your payments will face unnecessary delays.

• Selected candidates will receive a monthly stipend paid entirely according to standard government norms (referenced to the Gazette Notification dated September 3, 2025).
• Mandatory Aadhaar-Seeded Bank Account: For Graduate and Technician branches, 50% of your stipend is directly disbursed by the Board of Apprenticeship Training (BOAT) via the DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) scheme. It is mandatory to have your bank account linked with your Aadhaar card!

Here comes the best news—you don’t have to stress over cracking a tough written exam for this recruitment! The selection process is incredibly smooth and relies entirely on your past academic brilliance. First, candidates will be shortlisted based on the percentage of marks scored in their core qualification. Make sure your email is active because all official updates will be sent right there.

1. Academic Merit Shortlisting: Candidates will first be filtered based on the percentage of marks/CGPA secured in their B.Tech, Diploma, or ITI courses.
2. Personal Interview: RCI, DRDO reserves the right to conduct a brief interview stage wherever required.
3. Document Verification (DV): Shortlisted candidates will be invited to produce all their original certificates for thorough background verification.
4. Apprenticeship Contract Execution: Final selected candidates must sign an official online one-year training contract on the respective portals.
5. Mode of Communication: Shortlisted alerts are sent only via the registered email ID provided by you during form filling. Keep your email inbox active!

When you finally get that golden call for document verification, you must be fully prepared with your paperwork. You will need to present both the original copies and a set of self-attested photocopies of your essential documents. Check out the complete list below and make sure to organize your file way ahead of time so you don’t face any last-minute panic at the center.

• Printout of your successfully completed online application form and NATS/NAPS portal profile page.
• Class 10th Marksheet and Passing Certificate.
• Consolidated or final year Marksheets along with the Provisional/Original Degree, Diploma, or ITI passing certificate.
• Valid Caste Certificate, PwD Certificate, or EWS income asset certificate (if applicable).
• Government-issued photo identification proof (Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Voter ID, or Driving Licence).
• Aadhaar-seeded Bank Passbook front page copy or a formal bank statement.
• An official Medical Fitness Certificate issued by a government civil assistant surgeon.
• Two recent clear passport-size photographs.
• A valid Police Verification Certificate issued by your local police authority covering your place of permanent residence.

Ready to submit your form? The application process is completely online, but it differs slightly based on your educational background. Engineering degree and diploma holders need to register themselves on the NATS 2.0 portal, while ITI pass-outs must use the Apprenticeship India (NAPS) hub. We have broken down the exact step-by-step procedure for both categories below.

A. For Engineering Degree (B.E./B.Tech) and Diploma Candidates:

1. Head over to the official National Apprenticeship Training Scheme 2.0 portal at nats.education.gov.in.
2. Complete your fresh enrollment profile if you are a first-time user.
3. Login using your credentials and navigate straight to the ‘Establishment Search’ section.
4. Search for Research Centre Imarat, DRDO or directly use their unique Enrollment ID: STLRAC000010.
5. Select the relevant apprentice slot matching your engineering branch, review your information, and hit Submit.

B. For ITI Pass-Out Candidates:

1. Go directly to the official National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme hub at apprenticeshipindia.gov.in and ensure your profile score is completed up to 100%.
2. Log into your dashboard and click on the Apprenticeship Opportunities tab.
3. In the search establishment field, type RESEARCH CENTRE IMARAT or use their official Establishment ID: E05203600040.
4. Locate your specific ITI trade from the filtered list, click on the Apply button right next to it, and finish your submission.