DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2027: 195 Vacancies, Eligibility & Apply Online

DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2027: Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has invited online applications for 195 apprenticeship training seats. The opportunity is open to eligible B.E./B.Tech, Diploma and ITI-qualified candidates.

According to Advertisement No. RCI/HRD/Apprenticeship/Advt/2027, the training period is one year. Eligible candidates who completed their qualifications between 2022 and 2026 with the required marks can apply through the appropriate apprenticeship portal. The official recruitment closing date is 1 November 2026.

DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2027 Overview

Recruitment Details
Organisation	Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
Laboratory	Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad
Advertisement	RCI/HRD/Apprenticeship/Advt/2027
Training Year	2027
Total Seats	195 (indicative)
Categories	Graduate, Technician (Diploma) and ITI Trade Apprentice
Training Duration	One year
Application Mode	Online apprenticeship portals
Last Date	1 November 2026
Official Website	drdo.gov.in

Important Dates

Event	Date
Official Notification Published	1 October 2026
Application Start Date	1 October 2026
Application Closing Date	1 November 2026
Interview / Selection Date	Not announced in the notification

Note: The advertisement describes the deadline as 30 days from its newspaper publication. DRDO's official recruitment listing displays 1 November 2026 as the closing date. Candidates should follow any updated deadline published by DRDO or the application portals.

DRDO RCI Apprentice Vacancy Details

The 195 advertised apprenticeship seats are divided into three categories:

Apprenticeship Category	Seats
Graduate Apprentice (B.E./B.Tech)	50
Technician Apprentice (Diploma)	30
Trade Apprentice (ITI)	115
Total	195

The notification states that the number of seats may vary. It does not provide a separate vacancy count for every engineering branch or ITI trade.

Educational Qualifications

Graduate Apprentice – 50 Seats

Candidates should have a B.E. or B.Tech degree in one of the following notified disciplines:

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

Technician (Diploma) Apprentice – 30 Seats

Diploma holders in these disciplines are eligible, subject to the remaining conditions:

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

ITI Trade Apprentice – 115 Seats

Applicants must have passed ITI from an NCVT/SCVT-affiliated institution in a notified trade:

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

Candidates must check the exact qualification and trade requirements in the official PDF before applying.

Eligibility Criteria and Age Limit

All applicants must satisfy the following important conditions:

• Age: At least 18 years old as on 1 September 2026.
• Passing years: Regular candidates who completed the relevant qualifying examination during 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 or 2026.
• Minimum marks: At least 70% or CGPA of 7.5 and above in the qualifying examination, as stated in the notification.
• Recognised institution: Qualifications must be from Indian institutions recognised by the appropriate statutory authority.
• Higher qualifications: Candidates possessing higher qualifications are not eligible under the advertisement.
• Previous apprenticeship: Candidates who have already completed or are currently undergoing apprenticeship training are not eligible.
• Work experience: Candidates with more than one year of work experience are not eligible.

The advertisement specifies a minimum age but does not state one fixed maximum age in its detailed eligibility conditions. Candidates should refer to applicable apprenticeship rules and official portal requirements.

Monthly Stipend

Selected apprentices will receive a stipend according to the applicable Government of India norms. The DRDO RCI notification refers to the Gazette dated 3 September 2025 but does not specify a fixed stipend amount for each category.

For Graduate and Technician (Diploma) Apprentices, an Aadhaar-seeded bank account is mandatory to receive the BOAT share of the stipend through the Direct Benefit Transfer scheme.

Important: This is paid apprenticeship training, not a permanent DRDO government job.

How to Apply Online for DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2027

The application portal depends on the candidate's qualification.

For Graduate and Diploma Candidates

1. Visit the official NATS 2.0 portal at nats.education.gov.in.
2. Complete candidate registration and log in.
3. Search for Research Centre Imarat, DRDO.
4. Use the establishment enrollment ID STLRAC000010 to identify the correct organisation.
5. Select the relevant apprenticeship opportunity and complete the application.
6. Review the details and retain a copy or acknowledgment for future reference.

For ITI Trade Candidates

1. Visit apprenticeshipindia.gov.in.
2. Register or log in as a candidate.
3. Open the Apprenticeship Opportunities section.
4. Search the establishment name RESEARCH CENTRE IMARAT.
5. Verify establishment ID E05203600040.
6. Choose the relevant ITI trade and submit the application through the portal.

Both categories should complete the online application before the official closing date. This notification does not instruct applicants to mail physical applications to RCI.

Selection Process

Selection will be based on academic merit and/or interview, as required, followed by satisfactory verification of documents.

Shortlisted candidates will receive information through the email address provided during application. Candidates should keep their registered email account active and check it regularly.

Reservation provisions for SC, ST, OBC, PwD and EWS categories will apply according to the apprenticeship legislation and rules cited in the notification.

Documents Required for Verification and Joining

Shortlisted candidates should be prepared to bring originals and self-attested copies of the following documents, as applicable:

• Completed application form
• NATS/NAPS profile printout
• Class 10 marksheet and certificate
• Final or consolidated marksheet of qualifying examination
• Original or provisional qualification certificate
• Caste, PwD or EWS certificate, if applicable
• Valid government-issued photo identity proof
• Aadhaar card (mandatory)
• Aadhaar-seeded bank passbook or statement
• Medical fitness certificate issued by a Government Civil Assistant Surgeon
• Two recent passport-size photographs

Selected candidates must also provide a valid police verification certificate from their permanent address or last place of residence, as instructed in the advertisement. An apprenticeship contract must be executed through the appropriate portal before training begins.

Important Conditions for Candidates

RCI has clarified several training conditions in the official notification:

• Apprenticeship training lasts for one year.
• There is no guarantee of employment at DRDO after training.
• No travel allowance or daily allowance will be paid for selection-related activities.
• RCI will not provide hostel accommodation, quarters or transport.
• Incorrect information or failure to meet qualification requirements may result in rejection.
• The organisation may amend, suspend or cancel the selection process according to the notification.

Official Notification and Application Links

Resource	Link
Official Notification PDF	Download PDF
DRDO RCI Recruitment Notice	View Official Notice
Graduate / Diploma Applications	NATS 2.0 Portal
ITI Trade Applications	Apprenticeship India Portal

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Final Reminder

Eligible engineering graduates, diploma holders and ITI candidates should verify their marks, passing year and trade eligibility before applying. Graduate and Diploma candidates must use NATS 2.0, while ITI applicants must apply through the Apprenticeship India portal.

The official DRDO recruitment listing shows 1 November 2026 as the closing date. Candidates should apply early rather than wait until the last day.

Official Source: Research Centre Imarat, DRDO – Advertisement No. RCI/HRD/Apprenticeship/Advt/2027, published on 1 October 2026.

Disclaimer: PediaWikiBlog is an independent educational and recruitment information website and is not affiliated with DRDO. The article summarises the official recruitment notification. Applicants should consult the original PDF and official websites for authoritative conditions and updates.