Overview
The Defence Research and Development Organisation’s Research Centre Imarat (DRDO RCI), Hyderabad, has announced Apprentice Recruitment 2026 for 195 vacancies. The recruitment drive covers Graduate Apprentice, Technician (Diploma) Apprentice and Trade Apprentice positions for eligible engineering graduates, diploma holders and ITI-qualified candidates.
Applicants should read the detailed notification before registering, particularly for discipline-wise vacancies, eligibility conditions and document requirements. The application schedule is yet to be confirmed officially.
Key Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|
| Organization | DRDO – Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad |
| Post Name | Graduate, Technician and Trade Apprentice |
| Total Vacancies | 195 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Website | drdo.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|
| Application Start | TBA |
| Last Date | TBA |
| Exam Date | TBA |
| Result Date | TBA |
Candidates must submit their applications within the period specified in the official recruitment advertisement. No written examination date has been announced, and applicants should regularly check the DRDO website for schedule updates.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
- Graduate Apprentice: Candidates should possess a BE/BTech or an equivalent graduate engineering degree in the relevant discipline from a recognized university or institution.
- Technician Apprentice: Applicants must hold a diploma in the applicable engineering or technology discipline from a recognized board or institution.
- Trade Apprentice: Candidates should have passed Class 10 and obtained an ITI certificate in the relevant trade from an NCVT- or SCVT-recognized institute.
- The qualification must correspond to the post or trade selected in the application form.
- Candidates awaiting final results may not be eligible unless the notification specifically permits provisional applications.
- Applicants who have already completed apprenticeship training, are currently undergoing apprenticeship, or possess post-qualification experience beyond the permitted period may be ineligible under apprenticeship rules.
- Candidates should check the notification PDF for branch-wise and trade-wise requirements before applying.
Age Limit
- Applicants should have attained the minimum age prescribed under the apprenticeship notification, generally 18 years as of the relevant cut-off date.
- Upper-age requirements, where applicable, will be governed by DRDO RCI rules and the Apprentices Act.
- Age relaxation for candidates belonging to SC, ST, OBC, PwBD and other eligible categories will apply as per government norms.
- The date of birth entered in the application must match the candidate’s matriculation certificate.
Fees
- No application fee is indicated for the apprentice recruitment process.
- Candidates should verify the detailed notification before submission to confirm whether any category-specific charge applies.
- Applicants must not make payments through unofficial links, agents or third-party websites.
Selection Process
- Merit-based shortlisting: Applications may be shortlisted using marks obtained in the prescribed degree, diploma or ITI qualification. DRDO RCI may apply discipline-wise criteria if the number of applications is high.
- Document verification: Shortlisted candidates will be required to produce original educational certificates, identity proof, category certificates, apprenticeship registration details and other relevant records.
- Final selection and medical fitness: Appointment as an apprentice will be subject to verification of eligibility, medical fitness and compliance with the applicable apprenticeship rules. Selected candidates will be informed through the registered contact details or official website.
How to Apply
- Visit the official DRDO website at drdo.gov.in and open the Careers or Recruitment section.
- Locate the advertisement titled DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 and download the complete notification.
- Confirm the required qualification, discipline, age criteria and eligibility conditions for the preferred apprentice category.
- Register on the relevant government apprenticeship portal, such as the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme portal for graduate and diploma apprentices or the apprenticeship portal prescribed for ITI trades.
- Keep the registration or enrolment number generated by the apprenticeship portal ready for the DRDO RCI application.
- Open the application link provided in the official notification and enter personal, academic, category and communication details carefully.
- Upload clear copies of the recent photograph, signature, qualification certificates, marksheets, Aadhaar or other identity proof, category certificate and apprenticeship registration document.
- Review all entries before final submission. Incorrect qualifications, registration numbers or contact details can result in rejection.
- Submit the form before the closing date and save a copy of the completed application and acknowledgement for future reference.
- Monitor the registered email address, mobile number and DRDO website for shortlisting or document-verification updates.
Important Links
FAQs
1. How many vacancies are available under DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
The recruitment drive has announced 195 vacancies for Graduate, Technician and Trade Apprentices.
2. Can ITI-qualified candidates apply?
Yes. Candidates holding an ITI certificate in a notified trade may apply for Trade Apprentice positions, subject to meeting all other eligibility requirements.
3. Will DRDO RCI conduct a written examination?
An examination date has not been announced. Selection may be based on academic merit, document verification and medical fitness, as specified in the detailed notification.
