DRDO Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Apply for 195 Graduate, Diploma and ITI Posts

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has invited online applications for 195 apprenticeship training positions at its Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad. The engagement is being conducted under the Apprentices Act, 1961, as amended.

The official notification was published on October 1, 2026, and the application process has also started from the same date. According to the DRDO vacancy page, the last date to apply is November 1, 2026.

DRDO Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Apply for 195 Posts

The recruitment is open to candidates from Graduate, Diploma and ITI trade backgrounds. The apprenticeship training will be for one year. Candidates should note that the engagement is for apprenticeship training and does not guarantee regular employment with DRDO after completion of the training.

DRDO Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Vacancy Details

The 195 apprentice positions are divided into three categories:

Graduate Apprentice vacancies are available for engineering disciplines including Electronics and Communication Engineering, Instrumentation Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Computer Science Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Safety Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering and Civil Engineering.

Technician Apprentice positions are available for diploma holders in disciplines such as ECE, Instrumentation, EEE, CSE, Mechanical, Chemical, Metallurgical and Safety Engineering.

ITI candidates can apply for notified trades including Fitter, Welder, Turner, Machinist, Mechanic-Diesel, Electronic Mechanic, Electrician, COPA, Draughtsman Engineering (Mechanical) and Grinder.

DRDO Apprentice 2026: Eligibility Criteria

The recruitment is open to regular candidates who secured at least 70% marks or a CGPA of 7.5 or above in their relevant qualifying examination. The notification permits candidates whose Graduate, Diploma or ITI trade qualifications were completed in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 or 2026.

Candidates must be at least 18 years old as on September 1, 2026. The official notification does not specify an upper age limit. Candidates with qualifications higher than the qualification prescribed for the relevant apprenticeship are not eligible. Those who have already completed or are currently undergoing apprenticeship training in any organisation are also ineligible. Candidates with more than one year of work experience cannot apply.

DRDO Apprentice Selection Process 2026

Selection will be based on academic merit and interview, as required, followed by verification of the candidate's documents. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted through the email address provided during registration.

Candidates called for document verification or joining must carry their original documents along with self-attested copies. These include the application form, NATS/NAPS profile, Class 10 certificate and marksheet, qualifying examination marksheets and certificate, applicable caste, PwD or EWS certificates, government photo ID, Aadhaar card, bank details and medical fitness certificate. A valid Police Verification Certificate is also required at the time of joining.

How to Apply for DRDO Apprentice Recruitment 2026

The application process depends on the candidate's qualification.

B.E./B.Tech and Diploma candidates must register on the NATS 2.0 portal at nats.education.gov.in. After logging in, applicants need to search for Research Centre Imarat, DRDO using Enrolment ID STLRAC000010 and apply for the relevant apprenticeship opportunity.

ITI candidates must register on apprenticeshipindia.gov.in. They should open Apprenticeship Opportunities, search for RESEARCH CENTRE IMARAT, DRDO using Establishment ID E05203600040, select their respective trade and submit the application.

DRDO Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Important Instructions

Graduate and Technician Apprentices must have an Aadhaar-seeded bank account because 50% of the stipend is to be transferred by the Board of Apprenticeship and Training through DBT. Selected candidates must execute the apprenticeship contract through the relevant portal before training begins.

DRDO has clarified that apprentices will not be provided hostel accommodation, quarters or transport by the establishment. The training is strictly governed by the Apprenticeship Act and there is no obligation to employ apprentices after successful completion of training.

The DRDO Apprentice Recruitment 2026 application deadline is November 1, 2026, according to the current official DRDO vacancy listing. Candidates should complete the registration and portal application within the prescribed period and carefully check the detailed notification before submitting their details.