Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of Defence has released Advertisement No. RCI/HRD/Apprenticeship/Advt/2027 inviting online applications from young and meritorious Indian nationals for 195 Apprentice posts. Three categories are notified: 50 Graduate Apprentice (B.E/B.Tech), 30 Technician (Diploma) Apprentice and 115 Trade Apprentice (ITI). The training period is one year at Vignyana Kancha, Hyderabad. The last date to apply is approximately 1 November 2026 (30 days from newspaper publication date). There is no application fee.
Important Note: Three critical things every candidate must know. First, the minimum qualifying marks requirement is strict: 70% marks or CGPA 7.5 and above in the qualifying examination. The qualifying pass must be from 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 or 2026 only. Candidates with higher qualifications than prescribed for the category (e.g. a Graduate applying for the Diploma category) are NOT eligible. Second, the application portal depends on your category: NATS 2.0 (nats.education.gov.in) for Graduate and Diploma Apprentices; Apprenticeship India (apprenticeshipindia.gov.in) for ITI Trade Apprentices. Each has a different DRDO RCI establishment ID – use the correct one. Third, RCI does not provide hostel accommodation, quarters or transport during the apprenticeship. No TA/DA is paid for any stage of selection.
DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex, DRDO, Ministry of Defence |
| Advertisement No. | RCI/HRD/Apprenticeship/Advt/2027 |
| Posts | Graduate Apprentice, Technician (Diploma) Apprentice, Trade Apprentice (ITI) |
| Total Vacancies | 195 (tentative) |
| Training Period | 1 year |
| Training Location | Vignyana Kancha, Hyderabad – 500 069, Telangana |
| Minimum Marks | 70% or CGPA 7.5 and above in qualifying exam |
| Qualifying Pass Year | 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 or 2026 only |
| Minimum Age | 18 years as on 01 September 2026 |
| Upper Age Limit | Not specified in the notification |
| Application Fee | Nil |
| Application Mode | NATS 2.0 (Graduate/Diploma) or Apprenticeship India (ITI) |
| Last Date | Approximately 1 November 2026 (30 days from newspaper publication) |
| Official Website | drdo.gov.in |
DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age Reckoning Date | 01 September 2026 |
| Application Last Date | 30 days from newspaper publication (approximately 1 November 2026) – verify from drdo.gov.in |
| Training Commencement | To be announced |
DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Vacancy Details
| Category | Vacancies | Essential Qualification | Marks Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentice | 50 | B.E/B.Tech in ECE, Instrumentation, EEE, CSE, Mechanical, Chemical, Metallurgical, Safety, Aeronautical, Aerospace or Civil Engineering from a recognised university | 70% or CGPA 7.5+ |
| Technician (Diploma) Apprentice | 30 | Diploma in ECE, Instrumentation, EEE, CSE, Mechanical, Chemical, Metallurgical or Safety Engineering from a recognised institute | 70% or CGPA 7.5+ |
| Trade Apprentice (ITI – NCVT/SCVT) | 115 | ITI pass in Fitter, Welder, Turner, Machinist, Mechanic-Diesel, Electronic Mechanic, Electrician, COPA, Draughtsman (Mechanical) or Grinder | 70%+ |
| Total | 195 |
Vacancy figures are tentative and may vary. Discipline-wise and category-wise (UR/SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD) breakup is not provided in the notification. Reservation applies as per the Apprentices Act 1961 and Rules.
DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Eligibility Conditions
| Condition | Details |
|---|---|
| Qualifying Marks | Minimum 70% marks or CGPA 7.5 and above in the qualifying examination |
| Qualifying Year | Pass must be in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 or 2026 |
| Course Type | Regular candidates only |
| Higher Qualification | Candidates with qualification higher than prescribed for the category are NOT eligible |
| Prior Apprenticeship | Candidates who have already undergone or are currently undergoing apprenticeship anywhere are NOT eligible |
| Work Experience | Candidates with more than 1 year of work experience are NOT eligible |
| Nationality | Indian nationals only |
DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Stipend
Stipend is paid as per Government norms referenced in the Gazette Notification dated 3 September 2025. The exact monthly stipend figures are not stated in the notification – verify from the official DRDO notification PDF at drdo.gov.in. For Graduate and Diploma Apprentices, an Aadhaar-seeded/linked bank account is mandatory as 50% of the stipend is disbursed by the Board of Apprenticeship Training (BOAT) under Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Selection Process
- No written test.
- Selection based on academic merit and/or interview, subject to satisfactory document verification.
- Shortlisted candidates are informed only through their registered email ID. Keep the email ID active throughout.
- Selected candidates must execute a contract of apprenticeship on the respective portal (NATS/NAPS) before training begins.
- A valid Police Verification Certificate (from last residence of at least 1 year or permanent address) must be produced at joining.
How to Apply for DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026
For Graduate and Diploma Apprentices (NATS 2.0)
- Visit nats.education.gov.in and complete registration if not already registered.
- Log in to NATS 2.0.
- Apply by selecting Research Centre Imarat, DRDO – Enrolment ID: STLRAC000010.
- Submit before the deadline.
For ITI Trade Apprentices (Apprenticeship India)
- Visit apprenticeshipindia.gov.in and complete registration.
- Log in and click “Apprenticeship Opportunities.”
- Search by Establishment Name “RESEARCH CENTRE IMARAT” (Establishment ID: E05203600040).
- Select your trade and click Apply.
- Submit before the deadline.
Documents Required at Document Verification/Joining
- Duly filled application form and NATS/NAPS profile printout
- 10th class marksheet and certificate (age proof)
- Consolidated/final marksheet and certificate of qualifying examination
- Caste certificate (if applicable)
- PwD certificate (if applicable)
- Valid EWS certificate (if applicable)
- Government-issued photo ID (PAN/Voter ID/Driving Licence)
- Aadhaar Card (mandatory)
- Aadhaar-seeded bank passbook/statement (mandatory; Aadhaar-linked account required)
- Medical fitness certificate from a Government Civil Assistant Surgeon
- Two recent passport-size photographs
- Police Verification Certificate from SP office (place of last residence of at least 1 year or permanent address)
All documents in original and self-attested copy.
Important Instructions
- No TA/DA is paid for any stage of selection (document verification, interview or joining).
- No hostel accommodation, quarters or transport is provided by RCI during selection or the apprenticeship.
- Communication is only through the registered email. If contact details change, RCI is not responsible for non-receipt of communication.
- This is a training engagement under the Apprenticeship Act 1961. There is NO obligation for regular employment at DRDO/RCI on completion.
- Candidates must not withdraw from training except for reasons beyond their control.
- Canvassing in any form leads to immediate cancellation of candidature.
- Any legal dispute is subject to the jurisdiction of the High Court of Hyderabad, Telangana.
- Monitor drdo.gov.in for any corrigendum or fixed calendar dates.
DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Notification PDF | Click Here |
| Apply Online – Graduate/Diploma (NATS 2.0) | Click Here |
| Apply Online – ITI Trade (Apprenticeship India) | Click Here |
| DRDO Official Website | Click Here |
DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026: FAQs
Q1. How many posts are in DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
195 posts: 50 Graduate Apprentice, 30 Technician (Diploma) Apprentice and 115 Trade Apprentice (ITI). All figures are tentative.
Q2. What is the last date to apply?
Approximately 1 November 2026 (30 days from newspaper publication date). Verify the exact date from drdo.gov.in.
Q3. What is the minimum marks requirement?
70% marks or CGPA 7.5 and above in the qualifying examination (B.E/B.Tech, Diploma or ITI), passed in 2022 to 2026.
Q4. Where do I apply?
Graduate and Diploma Apprentices: NATS 2.0 at nats.education.gov.in (Enrolment ID: STLRAC000010). ITI Trade Apprentices: Apprenticeship India at apprenticeshipindia.gov.in (Establishment ID: E05203600040).
Q5. Is there a written test?
No. Selection is based on academic merit and/or interview, subject to document verification.
Q6. Is this a permanent job at DRDO?
No. This is a one-year apprenticeship training under the Apprentices Act 1961. There is no obligation for employment at DRDO on completion.
Disclaimer
The information in this article is based on DRDO RCI Advertisement No. RCI/HRD/Apprenticeship/Advt/2027 published on drdo.gov.in. The last date (approximately 1 November 2026) is calculated as 30 days from the estimated newspaper publication date of early October 2026 and must be verified from the official DRDO notification. Vacancy figures are tentative. JobShouter is not associated with DRDO or RCI. This article is for informational purposes only.
