The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), through its premier avionics laboratory Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, has released an official recruitment notification for the engagement of apprentices for the training year 2027 under the Apprentices Act, 1961 (Advt. No. RCI/HRD/Apprenticeship/Advt/2027).

This recruitment drive invites applications to fill 195 apprentice positions across three streams: Trade Apprentices (ITI) – 115 posts, Technician Apprentices (Diploma) – 30 posts, and Graduate Apprentices (B.E./B.Tech) – 50 posts. Candidates who graduated as regular students between 2022 and 2026 with a minimum of 70% marks or 7.5 CGPA are eligible to apply. Online registrations are being processed via the centralized NAPS and NATS 2.0 portals until October 30, 2026. Selection will be based on academic merit, followed by an interview (if required) and document verification, without any written examination.

Quick Overview

Field	Official Information
Recruiting Body	Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
Laboratory / Centre	Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad
Advertisement Number	RCI/HRD/Apprenticeship/Advt/2027
Post Types	Graduate Apprentice, Technician Apprentice (Diploma), Trade Apprentice (ITI)
Total Vacancies	195 Posts (50 Graduate + 30 Diploma + 115 ITI)
Training Duration	01 Year (12 Months)
Stipend Structure	As per Central Government Apprentice Norms (Approx. ₹9,600/- to ₹12,300/-)
Job Location	RCI, Vignyana Kancha, Hyderabad, Telangana – 500069
Selection Mode	Academic Merit / Interview -> Document Verification -> Medical Fitness
Application Mode	Online Only (via NATS 2.0 / Apprenticeship India portals)
Official Portals	drdo.gov.in | nats.education.gov.in | apprenticeshipindia.gov.in

Important Dates

Event / Stage	Official Timeline
Online Application Opening Date	October 1, 2026
Online Application Closing Date	October 30, 2026 (Within 30 days of notification publication)
Crucial Date for Minimum Age	September 1, 2026
Eligible Passing Out Years	2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026
Intimation to Shortlisted Candidates	To be notified individually via registered Email
Document Verification & Induction	Scheduled for late 2026 / Training begins 2027

Application Fee Details

Candidate Category	Application Fee	Mode of Payment
All Categories (General / EWS / OBC / SC / ST / PwD / Female)	₹0/- (Nil / No Fee)	Not Applicable

DRDO does not charge any application or registration fee for apprenticeship engagements across any trade or cadre.

Vacancy Details & Category-Wise Breakdown

A total of 195 apprentice positions are distributed across three technical cadres:

Apprentice Category	Total Vacancies	Qualifying Disciplines / Trades
Graduate Apprentice	50 Posts	B.E. / B.Tech in ECE, EEE, CSE, Mechanical, Chemical, Metallurgical, Instrumentation, Safety, Aeronautical, Aerospace, and Civil Engineering
Technician Apprentice (Diploma)	30 Posts	Engineering Diploma in ECE, EEE, CSE, Mechanical, Chemical, Civil, or related branches
Trade Apprentice (ITI)	115 Posts	ITI (NCVT/SCVT) in Fitter, Electrician, Electronic Mechanic, Turner, Machinist, Welder, Mechanic Diesel, COPA, Draughtsman (Mech), and Grinder
Total Vacancies	195 Posts	—

Essential Qualifications & Eligibility Standards

Candidates must meet the following qualification requirements:

1. Educational Qualifications & Minimum Marks Benchmark:

• Minimum Percentage / CGPA: Candidates must have secured a minimum of 70% aggregate marks or a CGPA of 7.5 and above in their qualifying degree, diploma, or ITI course.
• Graduate Apprentice: Regular full-time B.E. / B.Tech degree in an approved engineering discipline from an AICTE/UGC-recognized University.
• Technician Apprentice: Regular full-time 3-year Engineering Diploma from a State Board of Technical Education or recognized institution.
• Trade Apprentice (ITI): Regular full-time ITI Certificate (NCVT or SCVT affiliated) in the designated trades.

2. Passing Out Year Benchmark:

• Only regular candidates who have passed out in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, or 2026 are eligible to apply.
• Candidates who pursued their qualifications through distance learning, correspondence, or part-time mode are not eligible.

3. Exclusions & Disqualifications:

• Candidates possessing higher postgraduate degrees (M.E. / M.Tech / Ph.D.) will not be considered.
• Candidates who have already undergone apprenticeship training in any organization or who possess 1 year or more of formal work experience are ineligible.

Age Limit & Relaxation Norms

• Minimum Age Limit:18 Years as on September 1, 2026.
• Upper Age Limit & Relaxation: Relaxation for reserved categories (SC / ST / OBC / PwD) applies in accordance with central government rules and the Apprentices Act, 1961.

Monthly Stipend & Training Conditions

• Stipend Structure: Selected candidates will receive a monthly consolidated stipend as per Government of India apprenticeship rules (ranging approximately from ₹9,600/- to ₹12,300/- per month depending on the cadre).
• Training Tenure: Purely for a period of 01 Year (12 Months).
• Employment Status: Apprenticeship training at DRDO RCI does not guarantee permanent employment, absorption, or preferential hiring within DRDO after completion.
• Police Verification: Selected candidates must submit a valid Police Verification Certificate (from their place of residence for the past year or permanent address) at the time of joining.

Selection Architecture & Verification Process

The selection process is based on academic merit without a written exam:

Online Registration (NATS 2.0 / NAPS) -> Shortlisting Based on Academic Merit / Percentage -> Technical Interview (if conducted) -> Document Verification -> Police Verification & Final Engagement

• Academic Merit: Applications will be screened based on percentage marks/CGPA in the essential qualifying course (minimum 70% or 7.5 CGPA required).
• Communication: Shortlisted candidates will be notified regarding interview details or direct document verification schedules via their registered email address.
• Joining: Candidates must produce all original academic documents, caste certificates, medical fitness documents, and police clearance at the RCI campus in Hyderabad.

Mandatory Documents Checklist

Keep the following documents ready for online registration and verification:

• NATS 2.0 / NAPS 100% completed profile registration printout.
• Class 10th (SSC) Marksheet and Board Certificate (Proof of Date of Birth).
• Consolidated and semester-wise marksheets of the qualifying examination (ITI / Diploma / B.E. / B.Tech).
• Provisional or Original Degree / Diploma / ITI Passing Certificate.
• Valid Category / Caste Certificate (SC / ST / OBC-NCL / EWS) in the Central Government format.
• Disability Certificate (PwD) issued by an authorized Medical Board (if applicable).
• Valid Government Photo ID Proof (Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, PAN Card, or Passport).
• Police Verification Certificate (mandatory prior to final deployment).
• Recent passport-size photographs.

Step-by-Step Online Application Workflow

Applicants must submit their applications through the portal corresponding to their qualification level:

For Graduate & Diploma Candidates (Via NATS 2.0):

1. Visit the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme portal at nats.education.gov.in.
2. Complete your student enrollment and ensure your profile verification is complete.
3. Log in and navigate to “Establishment Requests” -> “Find Establishment”.
4. Search for Establishment Name: “Research Centre Imarat, DRDO” or Establishment ID: STLRAC000010.
5. Select your eligible branch/discipline and click “Apply”.

For ITI Candidates (Via NAPS Portal):

1. Visit the Apprenticeship India portal at apprenticeshipindia.gov.in.
2. Complete candidate registration and ensure 100% profile completion along with e-KYC.
3. Navigate to “Apprenticeship Opportunities”.
4. Search by Establishment Name: “RESEARCH CENTRE IMARAT” or Establishment Code: E05203600040.
5. Select your relevant ITI trade and click “Apply for this Opportunity”.

Submit your application before October 30, 2026 and save a printed copy of the submitted dashboard application for future reference.

Important Links & Establishment Codes

Resource Description	Official Link / Establishment ID
Apply for B.E./B.Tech & Diploma (NATS 2.0)	Apply on NATS Portal (Estb ID: STLRAC000010)
Apply for ITI Trades (NAPS Portal)	Apply on Apprenticeship India (Estb ID: E05203600040)
Official Notification	Click Here
DRDO Official Portal	Visit drdo.gov.in
eApply Central Apprentice Updates	Visit eApply.in

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. What is the deadline to apply for DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026?

The last date to submit online applications via the designated apprenticeship portals is October 30, 2026.

Q2. How many vacancies are announced under Advt. No. RCI/HRD/Apprenticeship/Advt/2027?

A total of 195 vacancies are available: 50 for Graduate Apprentices, 30 for Technician (Diploma) Apprentices, and 115 for ITI Trade Apprentices.

Q3. What is the minimum percentage required to be eligible?

Candidates must have secured at least 70% marks or a CGPA of 7.5 and above in their regular qualifying examination (Degree, Diploma, or ITI).

Q4. Is there an application fee for this recruitment?

No. There is no application fee (₹0/-) for any candidate category.

Q5. Where will selected apprentices be posted for training?

Selected apprentices will undergo their 1-year training at the Research Centre Imarat (RCI), DRDO, located in Hyderabad, Telangana.

Conclusion & Key Takeaways

The DRDO RCI Hyderabad Apprentice Recruitment 2026 for 195 posts provides candidates with hands-on technical training at one of India’s premier defense research laboratories. Because selection is primarily merit-based with a strict 70% or 7.5 CGPA eligibility cutoff, eligible engineering, diploma, and ITI pass-outs have a clear route to industrial experience without facing a written examination.