DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026: 195 Vacancies, Eligibility & Apply Online

Last Updated: 03 October 2026 | Source: DRDO Advertisement Notification No. RCI/HRD/Apprenticeship/Advt/2027 | Posted By: GovtJobDeck | Estimated Time To Read: 12 Minutes

DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026

Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, under the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), has released a notification for the engagement of 195 apprentices for the 2027 apprenticeship training year. The vacancies include 50 Graduate Apprentice, 30 Technician Apprentice and 115 ITI Trade Apprentice positions.

Applications are invited from eligible Indian Nationals through the respective apprenticeship portals. Candidates must meet the prescribed qualification, passing-year, marks and age requirements before applying. The official DRDO vacancy page lists the recruitment as published on 01 October 2026, with an online application period beginning on the same date.

Key facts: 195 vacancies | Graduate, Diploma & ITI | Minimum 70% / 7.5 CGPA | Age 18+ | One-year apprenticeship

Candidates interested in research and technical opportunities can also explore Government Research Jobs 2026 for other opportunities in government research organisations.

DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Highlights

The notification states that RCI is inviting applications for Graduate, Diploma and ITI apprentices for a period of one year.

Important Dates

The detailed notification states that applications must be submitted within 30 days from publication of the advertisement in the newspaper. The DRDO vacancy listing separately displays 01 November 2026 as the end date. Candidates should therefore verify the live DRDO vacancy listing and applicable portal before submitting their application.

Is DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment a Permanent Job?

No.

The DRDO RCI recruitment is for apprenticeship training for one year under the Apprentices Act.

Candidates selected for apprenticeship will undergo training at Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad, according to the applicable apprenticeship rules.

The notification specifically states that completion of apprenticeship does not create any obligation on RCI/DRDO to provide employment after the training period.

Therefore, candidates should not treat the apprenticeship as a regular or permanent DRDO job.

Quick Access Link

DRDO RCI Apprentice Vacancy 2026

The notification has announced 195 apprenticeship vacancies under three categories:

The notification marks these vacancy numbers with an asterisk and states that vacancies may vary.

For more opportunities based on technical qualifications, candidates can also check the latest Technical Government Jobs 2026.

Top Region by Vacancies

All 195 apprenticeship positions are associated with Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, Telangana. This recruitment does not provide a state-wise vacancy distribution across India.

DRDO RCI Apprentice Trade-Wise Vacancy Details

Graduate Apprentice — 50 Vacancies

Eligible B.E./B.Tech disciplines include:

• Electronics & Communication Engineering (ECE)
• Instrumentation Engineering
• Electrical & Electronics Engineering (EEE)
• Computer Science Engineering (CSE)
• Mechanical Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Metallurgical Engineering
• Safety Engineering
• Aeronautical Engineering
• Aerospace Engineering
• Civil Engineering

Total: 50 vacancies

Technician Apprentice — 30 Vacancies

Diploma candidates can apply in the following disciplines:

• Electronics & Communication Engineering
• Instrumentation Engineering
• Electrical & Electronics Engineering
• Computer Science Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Metallurgical Engineering
• Safety Engineering

Total: 30 vacancies

Trade Apprentice — 115 Vacancies

ITI candidates can apply in the notified trades including:

• Fitter
• Welder
• Turner
• Machinist
• Mechanic-Diesel
• Electronic Mechanic
• Electrician
• COPA
• Draughtsman Engineering (Mechanical)
• Grinder

Total: 115 vacancies

The exact trade and qualification requirements should be checked against the official notification before applying.

DRDO RCI Apprentice Eligibility 2026

Educational Qualification

The relevant qualifications and trades are specified in the official RCI notification.

Minimum Marks & Passing Year

The notification specifies the 70%/7.5 CGPA requirement and the eligible qualifying-examination years.

Age Limit

The notification states that candidates should not be less than 18 years of age as on 01 September 2026.

Passing-Year Requirement

Regular candidates who completed their qualifying examination in:

• 2022
• 2023
• 2024
• 2025
• 2026

and meet the required marks/CGPA are eligible to apply.

Who Is Not Eligible for DRDO RCI Apprenticeship?

The notification contains several important restrictions.

Candidates should not apply if they:

• Have a qualification higher than the qualification prescribed for the apprenticeship.
• Have already undergone an apprenticeship.
• Are currently undergoing another apprenticeship.
• Have more than one year of work experience.
• Do not satisfy the required passing-year condition.
• Do not have the required 70% marks or 7.5 CGPA.
• Do not possess the prescribed qualification from a recognised institution.

The notification also requires verification of the candidate’s educational and personal documents before the apprenticeship contract is executed.

DRDO RCI Apprentice Stipend 2026

The notification does not provide a fixed monthly stipend amount.

For Graduate and Technician apprentices, the notification states that an Aadhaar-seeded bank account is mandatory to receive 50% of the stipend from the Board of Apprenticeship Training (BOAT) through DBT.

Therefore, candidates should not rely on unofficial fixed stipend figures unless DRDO/BOAT provides an updated amount.

DRDO RCI Apprentice Selection Process 2026

The notification specifies selection on the basis of:

1. Academic Merit
2. Interview, if required
3. Document Verification
4. Apprenticeship Contract

Shortlisted candidates will be informed through email.

The final engagement is subject to satisfactory verification of the required documents and fulfilment of the applicable conditions.

Important: The notification does not say that selection is exclusively through marks. It specifically mentions Academic Merit / Interview as required.

DRDO RCI Apprentice Application Fee 2026

The detailed notification does not specify an application fee. (Most likely Nil)

Candidates should check the applicable application portal for any payment-related instruction before final submission.

How to Apply for DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026

Candidates must apply online through the apprenticeship portal applicable to their qualification.

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

1. Visit the NATS 2.0 portal and complete your candidate registration.
2. Log in to your NATS account and complete/update your profile with the required educational and personal details.
3. Search for Research Centre Imarat, DRDO.
4. Select Research Centre Imarat, DRDO using Enrolment ID STLRAC000010.
5. Select the relevant Graduate or Technician Apprentice opportunity.
6. Check your eligibility and enter the required details.
7. Submit the apprenticeship application through the NATS portal.
8. Save or print the submitted application/profile details for future reference.

For ITI Candidates

1. Visit the Apprenticeship India portal and complete your candidate registration.
2. Log in and complete your profile with the required personal and educational details.
3. Search for RESEARCH CENTRE IMARAT.
4. Use Establishment ID E05203600040 to identify the RCI establishment.
5. Select the relevant ITI trade for which you meet the prescribed qualification.
6. Review the application details carefully.
7. Submit the apprenticeship application.
8. Save or print the application details for future reference.

The official notification specifically directs B.E./B.Tech and Diploma candidates to NATS 2.0, while ITI candidates must use Apprenticeship India. It also provides the RCI enrolment and establishment IDs above.

Documents Required for DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment

Candidates should keep the following documents ready:

• 10th marksheet/certificate
• Final or consolidated qualifying examination marksheet
• Degree/Diploma/ITI certificate
• NATS/NAPS profile printout
• Caste certificate, where applicable
• PwBD certificate, where applicable
• EWS certificate, where applicable
• Government-issued photo ID
• Aadhaar card
• Aadhaar-seeded bank passbook/statement
• Medical fitness certificate
• Two recent passport-size photographs

The notification requires these documents for document verification/joining as applicable.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Ignoring the 70% / 7.5 CGPA requirement.
• Applying with an ineligible passing year — only 2022–2026 are covered.
• Applying with a higher qualification than prescribed.
• Applying after completing or while undergoing another apprenticeship.
• Ignoring the 1-year work-experience restriction.
• Using the wrong portal — NATS 2.0 for B.E./B.Tech/Diploma; Apprenticeship India for ITI.
• Using incorrect RCI details — NATS ID: STLRAC000010; ITI Establishment ID: E05203600040.
• Assuming a fixed stipend — it is as per Government norms.
• Treating the apprenticeship as a permanent DRDO job.
• Failing to keep original documents ready for verification.

Important Links

Related Opportunities for Apprentice

For more apprenticeship opportunities, candidates can also check the DRDO ACEM Apprenticeship 2026-27 and ISRO ISTRAC Apprentice Recruitment 2026.

DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 FAQs

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

There are 195 vacancies — 50 Graduate, 30 Technician and 115 Trade Apprentice positions.

2. What is the age limit for DRDO RCI Apprentice 2026?

Candidates must be at least 18 years old as on 01 September 2026.

3. What is the minimum percentage required for DRDO RCI Apprentice?

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

4. Can ITI candidates apply for DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026?

Yes. 115 Trade Apprentice vacancies are available for eligible ITI candidates in the notified trades.

5. Is there an interview in DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026?

The notification states that selection will be based on Academic Merit / Interview as required.

6. What is the stipend for DRDO RCI apprentices?

The notification does not specify a fixed amount. The stipend will be as per Government norms.

7. Is DRDO RCI Apprentice a permanent job?

No. It is a one-year apprenticeship training opportunity, and completion of training does not guarantee employment in DRDO/RCI.

Disclaimer

GovtJobDeck is an independent job-information platform and is not affiliated with DRDO or the Ministry of Defence. This article has been prepared from the official DRDO RCI Advertisement Notification No. RCI/HRD/Apprenticeship/Advt/2027 and related official vacancy information; candidates should verify the latest details on the official portal before applying.

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