Proof & Experimental Establishment (PXE), Chandipur, a premier establishment under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of Defence, has invited applications for engagement of 50 Apprentices – Graduate Apprentice (B.Tech) and Technician Apprentice (Diploma) – for a one-year Apprenticeship Training programme, under Advertisement No. PXE/HRD/AT/01/2026-27. Applications must be downloaded, filled by typing only, and sent by Speed Post/Registered Post to PXE, Chandipur, Balasore, Odisha, on or before 12 October 2026.
Important Note: Three things to check before applying. First, there is no online application portal or e-mail submission route for this recruitment – the form must be downloaded from drdo.gov.in, typed (not handwritten), and posted; handwritten forms will be rejected outright. Second, NATS portal registration is mandatory – applications without a valid Enrollment Number will be rejected. Third, candidates with a post-graduation degree, or one year or more of post-qualification training/job experience, are not eligible and need not apply – this apprenticeship is meant for fresh Diploma/B.Tech passouts from 2022 to 2026.
PXE Chandipur Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Proof & Experimental Establishment (PXE), Chandipur – DRDO, Ministry of Defence |
| Advertisement No. | PXE/HRD/AT/01/2026-27 |
| Engagement Type | One-year Apprenticeship Training under the Apprentices Act 1961 (as amended) |
| Post/Category Names | Graduate Apprentice (B.Tech), Technician Apprentice (Diploma) |
| Total Vacancies | 50 |
| Location | Chandipur, Balasore, Odisha – 756025 |
| Application Mode | Offline only – downloaded form, typed entries, sent by Speed Post/Registered Post |
| Stipend | ₹12,300 (Graduate) / ₹10,900 (Technician) per month |
| Last Date | 12 October 2026 |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Last Date for Receipt of Application (by post) | 12 October 2026 |
This is the date by which the application must be received at PXE, Chandipur – not a portal closing date. Candidates should post their application well in advance to allow for postal transit time. No other dates (form availability start, test/interview schedule) are specified in the official notification.
Vacancy Details
15 Graduate Apprentice (B.Tech) + 35 Technician Apprentice (Diploma) = 50 Total Vacancies
Graduate Apprentice (B.Tech) – Discipline-Wise
| Discipline/Branch | Essential Qualification | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Electronics & Communication | B.Tech in Electronics & Communication Engg. | 04 |
| Mechanical | B.Tech in Mechanical Engg. | 04 |
| Computer Science | B.Tech in Comp. Science & Engg. | 05 |
| Chemical | B.Tech in Chemical Engg. | 02 |
| Total | – | 15 |
Technician Apprentice (Diploma) – Discipline-Wise
| Discipline/Branch | Essential Qualification | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Civil | Diploma in Civil Engg. | 10 |
| Computer Science | Diploma in Computer Science Engg. | 05 |
| Electronics & Communication | Diploma in Electronics & Communication Engg. | 05 |
| Mechanical | Diploma in Mechanical Engg. | 08 |
| Chemical | Diploma in Chemical Engg. | 01 |
| Electrical | Diploma in Electrical Engg. | 02 |
| Cinematography | Diploma in Cinematography Engg. | 02 |
| Automobile | Diploma in Automobile Engg. | 02 |
| Total | – | 35 |
PXE reserves the right to increase or decrease the number of vacancies for apprenticeship engagement at its discretion.
Eligibility
Educational Qualification
B.Tech (in the discipline applied for) for Graduate Apprentice, or a Diploma (in the discipline applied for) for Technician Apprentice – see the discipline-wise tables above.
Other Eligibility Conditions
- Candidates must register on the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) portal (nats.education.gov.in); applications from non-registered candidates or with an invalid Enrollment No. will be rejected.
- Only candidates who passed their respective course in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 or 2026 are eligible.
- Candidates holding a post-graduation degree will not be considered and need not apply.
- Only candidates who completed the essential qualification through regular mode are eligible.
- Candidates with one year or more of training/job experience after acquiring the essential qualification will not be considered.
- Reservation (SC/ST/OBC/PWD/EWS) is applied as per the Apprenticeship Act, 1961 and Apprenticeship Rules, 1992, as amended; caste/category certificates must be produced at document verification.
Age Limit
Not specified in the official notification. No minimum or maximum age limit is mentioned in the advertisement; eligibility is instead defined by year of passing (2022-2026) and NATS registration.
Stipend
| Apprentice Category | Stipend per Month |
|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentice (B.Tech) | ₹12,300 |
| Technician Apprentice (Diploma) | ₹10,900 |
The engagement is for a one-year Apprenticeship Training only and does not confer any right to regular employment in PXE or DRDO. Apprentices are not provided accommodation or transport during training.
Selection Process
- The Selection Board of PXE screens applications and shortlists candidates based on the percentage of marks secured in the essential qualification.
- Shortlisted candidates are called for a Written Test/Interview, held at PXE, Chandipur.
- Selected candidates are offered a joining letter through e-mail only.
- All correspondence, including the offer letter, is sent by e-mail only – candidates are responsible for downloading and printing it.
The written test syllabus, pattern, marks weightage, and interview schedule are not specified in the official notification.
How to Apply for PXE Apprentice Recruitment 2026
- Download the application form from the official DRDO website – Click Here.
- Fill up the form by typing only – handwritten forms will be rejected.
- Enter Name, Apprentice Category, Discipline/Branch, NATS Enrollment No., Aadhaar No., Father’s Name, Nationality, Date of Birth, Gender, Reservation Category, contact details, addresses, and educational qualification details (10th, 12th, Diploma, B.Tech as applicable) with marks/percentage.
- Affix a recent passport-size photograph and sign the declaration.
- Attach mark sheets of the essential qualification and reservation certificate (if applicable) as enclosures.
- Send the completed form by Speed Post/Registered Post only to: The Director, Proof & Experimental Establishment (PXE), Defence R&D Organisation, PO- Chandipur, Dist- Balasore, Odisha- 756025 (Kind Attn. OIC, HRDC).
- Clearly mention on the envelope: “Application for Engagement of Apprentices, Apprentice Category (Degree/Diploma) and Discipline/Branch…..”
- Ensure the application reaches PXE on or before 12 October 2026.
There is no online application portal or e-mail submission route for this recruitment. Handwritten or incomplete application forms will be rejected.
Documents Required
- Mark sheets of the essential qualification (HSC/10th, 12th, Diploma, B.Tech, as applicable)
- NATS Enrollment Number/proof of registration
- Aadhaar card
- Reservation/caste certificate (SC/ST/OBC/PWD/EWS), if applicable, issued by the competent authority
- Recent passport-size photograph (affixed to the form)
Important Conditions
- Before applying, candidates should ensure they fulfil the eligibility criteria and other norms mentioned in the advertisement.
- The offer of Apprenticeship Training does not confer any right to employment in PXE or DRDO.
- Suppression of facts will lead to disqualification at any stage of selection or thereafter.
- PXE reserves the right to increase/decrease the number of vacancies.
- Canvassing or personal follow-up to influence the selection process will lead to immediate cancellation of candidature.
- PXE reserves the right to withdraw/cancel the advertisement or selection process without assigning any reason.
- Apprentices will not be provided accommodation or transport during the training period, and no TA/DA will be provided for joining or attending the interview.
- Selected candidates must execute a one-year training contract as per the Apprentices Act, 1961 and rules framed thereunder.
Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Notification PDF | Click Here |
| Download Application Form | Click Here |
| NATS Portal Registration | Click Here |
| DRDO Official Website | Click Here |
PXE Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – FAQs
Q1. How many apprentice vacancies are notified by PXE Chandipur?
✅ 50 vacancies – 15 Graduate Apprentice (B.Tech) and 35 Technician Apprentice (Diploma), across disciplines like Electronics & Communication, Mechanical, Computer Science, Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Cinematography, and Automobile.
Q2. What is the last date to apply?
✅ The completed application must reach PXE, Chandipur by post on or before 12 October 2026.
Q3. Can I apply online?
✅ No. There is no online application portal; the form must be downloaded, filled by typing only, and sent by Speed Post/Registered Post.
Q4. Is NATS registration mandatory?
✅ Yes, candidates must register on the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) portal; applications without a valid Enrollment No. will be rejected.
Q5. What is the stipend for PXE apprentices?
✅ ₹12,300 per month for Graduate Apprentice (B.Tech) and ₹10,900 per month for Technician Apprentice (Diploma).
Q6. Who is not eligible to apply?
✅ Candidates with a post-graduation degree, those who passed outside 2022-2026, non-regular-mode qualification holders, and those with one year or more of post-qualification training/job experience are not eligible.
Q7. Does this apprenticeship guarantee a job at DRDO?
✅ No. The offer of Apprenticeship Training does not confer any right to employment in PXE or DRDO.
Disclaimer
The information above is compiled from the official PXE Advertisement No. PXE/HRD/AT/01/2026-27 for engagement of Apprentices under the Apprentices Act 1961. Candidates must verify all eligibility and application details directly from drdo.gov.in before applying. This article is for informational purposes only.
