.webp "DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026, 195 Vacancies") |
| DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026, 195 Vacancies |
Last Updated: 05 October 2026 | Reviewed by Vijay Sah
The DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 has 195 one-year apprenticeship seats at Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad. The drive covers Graduate Apprentice, Technician Apprentice (Diploma) and Trade Apprentice (ITI) categories.
The DRDO vacancies page lists 01 November 2026 as the portal end date, while the advertisement itself says the closing date is 30 days after newspaper publication. Candidates should confirm the portal date before submitting.
Current Status: Applications are open. The portal start date is 01 October 2026 and the DRDO vacancies page lists 01 November 2026 as the end date.
Key points at a glance: 195 seats may vary; online application; Graduate and Diploma candidates use NATS 2.0, while ITI candidates use Apprenticeship India; the minimum qualification is 70% or CGPA 7.5 and above in 2022–2026.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Research Centre Imarat (RCI), DRDO |
| Post | Graduate Apprentice, Technician Apprentice (Diploma), Trade Apprentice (ITI) |
| Vacancy | 195 (may vary) |
| Mode | Online |
| Last Date | 30 days from newspaper publication; DRDO vacancies page lists 01 November 2026 |
| Fee | Not mentioned in the notification |
| Qualification | B.E./B.Tech, Diploma or ITI in the specified branches/trades, with 70% or CGPA 7.5 and above in 2022–2026 |
Overview
Research Centre Imarat (RCI), a laboratory of the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex under DRDO, has advertised 195 one-year apprentice seats at Vignyana Kancha, Hyderabad – 500 069. The advertisement is RCI/HRD/Apprenticeship/Advt/2027.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Notification Number | RCI/HRD/Apprenticeship/Advt/2027 |
| Training | One year |
| Location | Vignyana Kancha, Hyderabad – 500 069, Telangana |
| Training Act | Apprentices Act 1961, as amended in 1961, 1973, 1992, 2019 and 2025 |
| Type | Apprenticeship Training |
The advertisement does not create a claim to a DRDO job after completion of training.
Important Dates
| Event | Information |
|---|---|
| Advertisement on DRDO vacancies page | 01 October 2026 |
| Portal start date | 01 October 2026 |
| Age cut-off | 01 September 2026 |
| Qualifying exam years | 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026 |
| Last date in PDF | 30 days from publication of the advertisement in a newspaper |
| End date listed by DRDO | 01 November 2026 |
| Document verification / joining | By email to shortlisted candidates; no date printed |
The PDF does not print the newspaper issue date. From 05 October 2026, the DRDO-listed portal end date is 27 days away. Treat 01 November 2026 as the working date only after confirming it on the DRDO vacancies page.
Vacancy Details
The advertisement lists 195 seats, although the vacancy figures may vary. The three categories are Graduate Apprentice, Technician Apprentice (Diploma) and Trade Apprentice (ITI).
| Post | Vacancy |
|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentice | 50 (may vary) |
| Technician Apprentice (Diploma) | 30 (may vary) |
| Trade Apprentice (ITI) | 115 (may vary) |
| Total | 195 (may vary) |
The three listed figures add up to 195, matching the stated total.
Eligibility
Only regular candidates with 70% or CGPA 7.5 and above in the qualifying examination can apply. The accepted qualifying years are 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026.
Graduate Apprentice
B.E./B.Tech is required in ECE, Instrumentation Engineering, EEE, CSE, Mechanical, Chemical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Safety Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or Civil Engineering.
Technician Apprentice (Diploma)
A Diploma is required in ECE, Instrumentation Engineering, EEE, CSE, Mechanical, Chemical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering or Safety Engineering.
Trade Apprentice (ITI)
ITI through NCVT/SCVT is required in Fitter, Welder, Turner, Machinist, Mechanic-Diesel, Electronic-Mechanic, Electrician, COPA, Draughtsman Engineering (Mechanical) or Grinder.
Every qualification must be from an Indian institution recognised by the appropriate statutory authority. Indian nationals only.
A qualification higher than the one prescribed for the selected category is a bar. Candidates who have already completed or are undergoing apprenticeship training under any organisation are also not eligible. More than one year of work experience is another bar.
The notice also states that candidates below 18 years as on 01 September 2026, candidates with a qualifying result outside 2022–2026, and candidates below 70% or CGPA 7.5 are not eligible.
Because the advertisement names specific branches and trades, an adjacent branch should not be treated as equivalent unless RCI confirms it.
Age Limit
The candidate must not be less than 18 years of age as on 01 September 2026.
No numeric upper age limit is printed in the advertisement, and no category-wise relaxation years are printed.
Stipend / Pay
The RCI advertisement does not print a rupee stipend. It states that the stipend is as per Government norms and refers to the Gazette dated 03 September 2025.
| Gazette Category | Prescribed Minimum, First Year |
|---|---|
| Graduate apprentices or degree apprentices | ₹12,300 per month |
| Technician apprentices or diploma holder | ₹10,900 per month |
| National or State Certificate holder | ₹9,600 per month |
These figures are the prescribed minimums from the Gazette cited in the notice, not amounts printed by RCI. The engagement letter controls the amount actually paid.
For Graduate and Technician apprentices, an Aadhaar-seeded bank account is mandatory because 50% of the stipend is paid by the Board of Apprenticeship and Training (BOAT) through Direct Benefit Transfer. The advertisement does not mention the 50% split for ITI trade seats.
Application Fee
The application fee is not mentioned in the advertisement. No fee waiver or exemption is stated.
How to Apply
The correct portal depends on the apprenticeship category. Registration on a portal alone does not complete the RCI application.
| Category | Application Route |
|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentice | NATS 2.0, Enrolment ID STLRAC000010 |
| Technician Apprentice (Diploma) | NATS 2.0, Enrolment ID STLRAC000010 |
| Trade Apprentice (ITI) | Apprenticeship India, Establishment ID E05203600040 |
- Read the RCI apprentice advertisement PDF on the DRDO vacancies page.
- B.E./B.Tech and Diploma candidates should register on NATS 2.0 and apply against Enrolment ID STLRAC000010.
- ITI candidates should register on Apprenticeship India, search for RESEARCH CENTRE IMARAT and apply against Establishment ID E05203600040.
- Keep the email address and mobile number in the profile active because shortlisted candidates are contacted by email.
- Submit within the applicable newspaper-linked window. The DRDO vacancies page lists 01 November 2026 as the end date.
Graduate and Diploma seats must be applied for on NATS 2.0. ITI seats must be applied for on Apprenticeship India. Using the wrong portal does not constitute an application for the relevant category.
Selection Process
Selection is based on academic merit, with an interview as required, followed by document verification. The advertisement does not mention a written test.
- Shortlisting is based on academic merit, with an interview only if RCI requires it for the relevant seat.
- Shortlisted candidates receive communication by email.
- Documents are verified before the apprenticeship contract is created.
- The apprenticeship contract is executed on NATS or NAPS before training starts.
- Police verification and medical fitness documents are required at joining.
No interview stage is stated as mandatory for every seat. No TA/DA is paid for any stage. RCI may amend, refix, cancel or suspend the process without assigning a reason.
Documents Required
Shortlisted candidates are required to produce the documents specified for verification or joining.
- Duly filled application form
- NATS or NAPS profile printout
- 10th class mark sheet and certificate
- Consolidated or final mark sheet of the qualifying examination
- Original or provisional qualifying examination certificate
- Caste certificate, if applicable
- PwD certificate, if applicable
- Valid EWS certificate, if applicable
- Government of India photo identity card such as PAN, Voter ID or Driving Licence
- Aadhaar card
- Copy of an Aadhaar-seeded bank passbook or statement
- Medical fitness certificate issued by a Government Civil Assistant Surgeon
- Two latest passport-size photographs
- Police verification certificate at joining
The police verification certificate must cover the place of last residence for at least the past one year, or the permanent address.
Service Conditions
The apprenticeship training is for one year under the Apprentices Act 1961. Before training begins, the selected candidate must execute a contract of apprenticeship on NATS or NAPS.
The notice does not create an obligation to employ apprentices after training. Withdrawal is not allowed except for reasons beyond the candidate's control.
No hostel, quarter or transport is provided at the interview or during the apprenticeship. Legal disputes fall under the High Court at Hyderabad, Telangana.
Contact
The advertisement provides a correspondence email and postal address but does not print a recruitment phone number.
- Email: hrd.apply@gov.in
- Address: Research Centre Imarat, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex, DRDO, Vignyana Kancha, Hyderabad – 500 069
- Updates: DRDO vacancies page
Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Notification PDF | Download RCI Hyderabad Apprentice Advertisement 2027 PDF |
| DRDO vacancies page | Open the DRDO vacancies page |
| NATS 2.0 | Apply for Graduate and Diploma apprentice seats |
| Apprenticeship India | Apply for ITI trade apprentice seats |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last date for DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
The PDF says the last date is 30 days from newspaper publication. The DRDO vacancies page lists 01 November 2026 as the portal end date.
How many apprentice seats are available at RCI?
The advertisement lists 195 seats, which may vary. These include 50 Graduate Apprentice, 30 Technician Apprentice and 115 Trade Apprentice seats.
Who can apply for the RCI Graduate Apprentice posts?
B.E./B.Tech candidates in the specified branches with 70% or CGPA 7.5 and above and a qualifying year from 2022 to 2026 can apply, subject to the other conditions in the advertisement.
Which portal should Diploma candidates use?
Diploma candidates should use NATS 2.0 and apply against Enrolment ID STLRAC000010.
Which portal is used for ITI apprentice seats?
ITI candidates should use Apprenticeship India and apply against Establishment ID E05203600040 for RESEARCH CENTRE IMARAT.
Is there an application fee?
The advertisement does not mention an application fee.
What is the age limit for RCI apprenticeship?
The candidate must be at least 18 years old as on 01 September 2026. No numeric upper age limit is printed.
Does the apprenticeship guarantee a DRDO job after training?
No. The advertisement does not create a claim or obligation for employment with DRDO after the apprenticeship.
Source: Official notification
