How to Apply for DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026: 195 Vacancies

The DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026–2027 offers an apprenticeship opportunity for eligible engineering graduates, diploma holders and ITI candidates. Research Centre Imarat (RCI), a laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Hyderabad, has invited applications for apprenticeship training under the Apprentices Act.

The recruitment advertisement lists 195 indicative vacancies across Graduate Apprentice, Technician Apprentice and Trade Apprentice categories. Candidates interested in technical training at RCI should review the official notification carefully before applying through the appropriate apprenticeship portal.

DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Overview

Important Dates

Candidates should check the official recruitment page and advertisement for the applicable application deadline.

• Notification Published: 1 October 2026
• Application Start: 1 October 2026, as listed on the DRDO recruitment page
• Closing Date Listed on the Portal: 1 November 2026

The advertisement refers to a deadline calculated from publication of the notice in a newspaper. Candidates should read the PDF and verify the applicable closing date on the official DRDO page before submitting their applications.

DRDO RCI Apprentice Vacancy 2026–2027

The advertised intake is divided into three apprentice categories. The figures below are indicative because the recruitment notice states that vacancies may vary.

Educational Qualification

The required qualification depends on the apprenticeship category. Candidates must select the category matching their completed qualification and confirm that their engineering branch or ITI trade is included in the official notification.

1. Graduate Apprentice

This category is intended for eligible candidates holding a B.E. or B.Tech degree in the specified engineering disciplines.

The advertised disciplines include:

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

Only the disciplines and qualifications accepted under the official advertisement should be treated as eligible.

2. Technician Apprentice (Diploma)

Diploma candidates must hold a qualification in a discipline specified for the Technician Apprentice category.

The listed disciplines include Electronics and Communication, Instrumentation, Electrical and Electronics, Computer Science, Mechanical, Chemical, Metallurgical and Safety Engineering.

The diploma discipline list is not identical to the graduate list. Candidates should not assume that a branch accepted for graduate apprentices is automatically eligible for diploma apprenticeships.

3. Trade Apprentice (ITI)

ITI candidates can check the advertised trade list for the Trade Apprentice category. The listed trades include:

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

The notification specifies the applicable ITI and certification requirements. Candidates should verify whether their qualification and trade meet those conditions.

Age Limit and Academic Requirements

The recruitment notice specifies a minimum age of 18 years as of 1 September 2026. Candidates should read the official advertisement for the complete eligibility conditions before applying.

The reported academic requirements include:

• At least 70% marks or a CGPA of 7.5 or above in the qualifying examination.
• The qualifying examination must have been completed in an eligible year specified by the notification.
• The prescribed regular-mode study and qualification conditions must be satisfied.
• Candidates with a higher qualification than the one prescribed may be ineligible under the advertisement.
• Previous or ongoing apprenticeship training and work experience may affect eligibility under the stated rules.

Because these conditions can exclude otherwise qualified candidates, read the eligibility section of the official PDF carefully rather than relying on a short summary.

Stipend During Apprenticeship

Selected apprentices receive a stipend according to the applicable government rules and the terms of the apprenticeship programme. The recruitment advertisement refers candidates to the relevant government notification for stipend provisions.

Candidates should check the official advertisement for the applicable category-specific stipend rules. Do not assume that every category receives the same amount.

Selection Process

Selection is based on the criteria specified in the official advertisement. The recruitment information indicates academic merit as a selection basis, with an interview where required.

Candidates should keep their qualification certificates and marksheets available because the information entered during registration may be checked during subsequent stages.

Submitting an application does not guarantee selection. Candidates must meet all eligibility requirements and follow the prescribed selection procedure.

How to Apply Online for DRDO RCI Apprenticeship

The application route depends on the qualification category. Graduate and diploma candidates should use the prescribed NATS portal, while ITI candidates should follow the Apprenticeship India process specified in the notice.

1. Read the official DRDO RCI apprenticeship notification carefully.
2. Confirm that your qualification, discipline or ITI trade is listed.
3. For graduate and diploma categories, visit the NATS portal.
4. For ITI candidates, visit the Apprenticeship India portal.
5. Complete the required registration or profile details.
6. Search for Research Centre Imarat (RCI) and select the relevant apprenticeship opportunity.
7. Enter the required information and submit the application according to the portal instructions.
8. Save the application acknowledgement and registration details for future reference.

Documents to Keep Ready

Prepare the documents required by the official advertisement and application portal. Depending on your category, these may include:

• Class 10 certificate or other age proof
• Engineering degree or diploma certificate
• ITI certificate, where applicable
• Consolidated marksheets
• Apprenticeship portal registration details
• Identity proof
• Category certificate, where applicable
• Bank account details, where required
• Photograph and other documents requested by the portal

Use the official notification as the final checklist. Do not upload documents that are not requested or submit inaccurate information.

Is DRDO RCI Apprenticeship a Permanent Government Job?

No. This is an apprenticeship training opportunity, not a permanent government appointment. The programme is offered under the Apprentices Act for the period specified in the notification.

Completing apprenticeship training does not automatically guarantee permanent employment with DRDO or Research Centre Imarat. Candidates should apply with a clear understanding of the training terms.

Official Links

DRDO Official Website:
https://www.drdo.gov.in/

DRDO Vacancies Page:
View Official Recruitment Notices

NATS Portal:
https://nats.education.gov.in/

Apprenticeship India Portal:
https://www.apprenticeshipindia.gov.in/

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How many vacancies are available in DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026–2027?

The advertised intake is 195 indicative vacancies across Graduate, Technician (Diploma) and Trade (ITI) Apprentice categories. The official notice states that vacancy numbers may vary.

2. What is the last date to apply?

The DRDO recruitment page lists 1 November 2026 as the closing date. Candidates should also check the deadline wording in the official PDF before applying.

3. Can ITI candidates apply?

Yes. The advertised recruitment includes a Trade Apprentice category for specified ITI trades, subject to the eligibility conditions in the official notification.

4. Where should B.E./B.Tech and diploma candidates apply?

They should follow the NATS registration and application process prescribed in the notification and select the relevant Research Centre Imarat opportunity.

5. Where should ITI candidates apply?

ITI candidates should use the Apprenticeship India portal and follow the instructions for the relevant RCI apprenticeship opportunity.

6. Is the apprenticeship permanent employment?

No. It is a training engagement under the Apprentices Act. Completion of the programme does not guarantee a permanent DRDO job.

Conclusion

The DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026–2027 provides an opportunity for eligible engineering graduates, diploma holders and ITI candidates to undertake apprenticeship training at Research Centre Imarat in Hyderabad. The advertised intake is 195 indicative vacancies, with applications routed through the relevant apprenticeship portals.

Before applying, check the official notification for the exact eligibility requirements, discipline list, stipend provisions and closing date. Candidates should also remember that apprenticeship training is not a guarantee of permanent employment.

JobCareerMint.com recommends using official DRDO and apprenticeship portal information for final confirmation before submitting an application.