DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 notification has been officially announced by the Research Centre Imarat (RCI), a premier laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) situated in Hyderabad. Issued under Advertisement No. RCI/HRD/Apprenticeship/Advt/2027, the notification invites online applications from eligible Indian citizens for engagement to 195 apprentice positions across Graduate, Technician (Diploma), and Trade (ITI) categories under the Apprentices Act, 1961 for a one-year tenure.

The online application process for DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 commenced on 01 October 2026 and will remain accessible until 01 November 2026. Fresh passouts who obtained their qualifying degree, diploma, or ITI certificate in the years 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, or 2026 with a minimum aggregate of 70% marks (or 7.5 CGPA) are eligible to register. Engineering degree and diploma holders must register via the NATS 2.0 portal, whereas ITI applicants must apply through the NAPS portal.

This guide covers everything you need to know about discipline-wise vacancies, stipend guidelines under Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), age requirements, selection methodology, and online application instructions.

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DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Quick Overview

Recruitment Parameter	Official Details
Organization Name	Research Centre Imarat (RCI), DRDO
Advertisement Number	RCI/HRD/Apprenticeship/Advt/2027
Total Vacancies	195 Posts
Post Streams	Graduate Apprentice, Technician (Diploma) & Trade (ITI)
Training Duration	1 Year (12 Months)
Job Location	RCI, Vignyana Kancha, Hyderabad, Telangana
Application Mode	Online Only (NATS 2.0 / NAPS Portals)
Application Start Date	01 October 2026
Application Last Date	01 November 2026
Selection Mode	Academic Merit & Personal Interaction
Official Website	drdo.gov.in

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Important Dates for DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026

Keep track of the official recruitment schedule:

Event Milestone	Scheduled Timeline
Advertisement Publication Date	01 October 2026
Online Application Opening Date	01 October 2026
Online Application Closing Date	01 November 2026 (11:59 PM)
Declaration of Shortlisted Candidates	November 2026
Document Verification & Joining	To be notified via registered email

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Category-Wise Vacancy Breakup (195 Posts)

The total 195 seats under DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 are distributed across three distinct educational levels:

Apprentice Category	Educational Benchmark	Total Seats
Graduate Apprentice	B.E. / B.Tech in relevant engineering discipline	50
Technician Apprentice	3-Year Engineering Diploma in relevant branch	30
Trade Apprentice (ITI)	ITI pass certificate in designated trade (NCVT/SCVT)	115
Grand Total	—	195

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Discipline-Wise Eligible Branches & Trades

1. Graduate Apprentice (50 Seats)

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

2. Technician Apprentice (Diploma) (30 Seats)

• Diploma in ECE
• Diploma in EEE
• Diploma in CSE
• Diploma in Instrumentation Engineering
• Diploma in Mechanical Engineering
• Diploma in Chemical Engineering
• Diploma in Metallurgy
• Diploma in Safety Engineering

3. Trade Apprentice (ITI) (115 Seats)

• Fitter
• Electronic Mechanic
• Electrician
• Computer Operator & Programming Assistant (COPA)
• Turner
• Machinist
• Welder
• Mechanic (Diesel)
• Draughtsman (Mechanical)
• Machinist (Grinder)

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Eligibility Criteria & Qualifications

Before submitting an online application for DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026, review the eligibility conditions:

1. Educational Benchmark & Passing Year

• Candidates must have graduated or completed their Diploma / ITI in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, or 2026.
• Candidates must have secured a minimum aggregate of 70% marks or 7.5 CGPA in their qualifying degree / diploma / ITI.
• Regular, full-time study candidates are eligible. Distance education or correspondence qualifications will not be considered.

2. Age Limit (As on 01 September 2026)

• Minimum Age: 18 Years
• Upper age limit and relaxations for SC, ST, OBC (Non-Creamy Layer), and PwBD candidates are applicable as per Central Government norms.

3. Training Restriction

• Candidates who have already completed apprenticeship training in any organization or have one year or more of industrial experience/employment are not eligible to apply.

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Monthly Stipend & Payment Mode

Selected apprentices receive monthly stipends governed by the revised Apprenticeship Rules:

• Graduate Apprentice: As per Central Government Gazette notification (approx. ₹9,000/- per month).
• Technician (Diploma) Apprentice: Approx. ₹8,000/- per month.
• Trade Apprentice (ITI): Governed by MSDE rates (approx. ₹7,700/- to ₹8,050/- per month).
• Payment Mechanism: For Graduate and Diploma apprentices, stipends are disbursed through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system via BOAT. An Aadhaar-seeded active bank account is mandatory for all enrolled trainees.

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Selection Process for DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026

The evaluation process for shortlisted applicants is outlined below:

[Online Application on NATS/NAPS] ➔ [Screening & Shortlisting based on Academic Merit] ➔ [Document Verification / Interview at RCI Hyderabad] ➔ [Medical Fitness Assessment] ➔ [Final Selection]

1. Academic Screening: Candidates are initially shortlisted based on marks obtained in their degree, diploma, or ITI qualification.
2. Document Verification & Interaction: Shortlisted candidates will be invited to RCI, Hyderabad for physical certificate verification and an interactive interview.
3. Medical Fitness: Selected candidates must produce a Medical Fitness Certificate issued by an authorized Civil Surgeon/Government Medical Officer at the time of joining.

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How to Apply Online for DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026

Applications are accepted strictly through government apprenticeship portals:

For Graduate & Diploma Applicants:

1. Visit the NATS 2.0 portal at nats.education.gov.in.
2. Complete your student enrollment and obtain your permanent Enrollment ID.
3. Log in to your candidate dashboard, navigate to “Establishment Search”, search for “Research Centre Imarat” (or RCI, Hyderabad), and apply for your discipline before 01 November 2026.

For ITI (Trade) Applicants:

1. Open the Apprenticeship India (NAPS) portal at apprenticeshipindia.gov.in.
2. Register as a candidate and ensure your profile verification reaches 100%.
3. Search for the establishment using Establishment ID: E05203600040 (Research Centre Imarat) and apply for the relevant trade vacancy.

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Documents Required for Physical Verification

Shortlisted candidates must produce the following original certificates with self-attested photocopies:

• Printout of submitted online application form from NATS 2.0 / NAPS portal
• SSC / 10th Standard Marksheet & Passing Certificate (Date of Birth verification)
• Engineering Degree / Diploma / ITI National Trade Certificate (NTC) with semester mark sheets
• Valid Caste / Community Certificate (SC / ST / OBC-NCL / EWS), if applicable
• Disability Certificate (PwBD), if applicable
• Aadhaar Card (duly linked with bank account)
• Bank Passbook / Cancelled Cheque (showing IFSC and Account Number)
• Recent passport-size colour photographs

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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Official Links & Important Downloads

Official Resource	Direct URL
Official Notification PDF	Download Advt. 2027 PDF
NATS 2.0 Portal (Degree & Diploma)	nats.education.gov.in
NAPS Portal (ITI Candidates)	apprenticeshipindia.gov.in
DRDO Official Careers Page	drdo.gov.in

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