DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Apply Online for 195 Vacancies

Research Centre Imarat (RCI), a premier laboratory of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Hyderabad, has released an official recruitment advertisement (Notification No. RCI/HRD/Apprenticeship/Advt/2027). The laboratory invites online applications from eligible Indian citizens for engagement as Graduate, Technician (Diploma), and Trade (ITI) Apprentices for a duration of one year under the Apprentices Act, 1961. A total of 195 training vacancies are available across various engineering and technical trades. Eligible candidates who completed their qualifying courses between 2022 and 2026 can submit their applications online through the official NATS 2.0 and NAPS portals.

DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Overview

DRDO RCI Apprentice Jobs 2026: Important Dates

Vacancy Details

A total of 195 apprentice positions have been advertised across three major training categories. The vacancies comprise 50 Graduate Apprentice seats, 30 Technician (Diploma) Apprentice seats, and 115 ITI Trade Apprentice seats.

Education Details

• Graduate Apprentice: Regular B.E. / B.Tech degree in ECE, Instrumentation, EEE, CSE, Mechanical, Chemical, Metallurgical, Safety, Aeronautical, Aerospace, or Civil Engineering from a recognized University or Institute.

• Technician Apprentice (Diploma): Regular 3-year Diploma in ECE, Instrumentation, EEE, CSE, Mechanical, Chemical, Metallurgical, or Safety Engineering from a recognized State Board of Technical Education.

• Trade Apprentice (ITI): Passed Class 10th along with ITI in relevant trades (Fitter, Welder, Turner, Machinist, Mechanic-Diesel, Electronic-Mechanic, Electrician, COPA, Draughtsman Mechanical, or Grinder) affiliated to NCVT or SCVT.

• Academic Criteria & Passing Year: Candidates must have completed their qualifying examination in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, or 2026 as regular students with at least 70% aggregate marks or a minimum CGPA of 7.5.

• Ineligibility: Candidates with higher qualifications (e.g., Postgraduates/M.Tech for Graduate Apprentice), those with more than one year of post-qualification work experience, or candidates who have already undergone apprenticeship training elsewhere are not eligible.

Stipend

• Monthly stipend will be disbursed as per Government of India apprenticeship norms under the Apprenticeship Rules (Gazette notification dated 03 September 2025).

• For Graduate and Technician Apprentices, 50% of the stipend is paid directly through the Board of Apprenticeship and Training (BOAT) via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), requiring a seeded bank account.

• No hostel accommodation, quarters, or transport facilities are provided by RCI during the one-year training duration.

Age Limit

• Minimum Age: 18 Years as on September 01, 2026 (candidates must be born on or before 01.09.2008).

• Age Relaxation & Reservation: Reservations for SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and PwBD categories apply in accordance with the Apprentices Act, 1961 and statutory apprenticeship rules.

Selection Process

1. Academic Merit Screening / Interview: Preliminary selection is conducted based on academic merit scored in the qualifying degree, diploma, or ITI examination, or through an interview as deemed necessary by the management.

2. Document Verification: Shortlisted candidates receive an intimation via email to appear for original certificate scrutiny at RCI Hyderabad.

3. Medical Fitness & Police Verification: Shortlisted candidates must present a medical fitness certificate issued by a Government Civil Assistant Surgeon and submit a valid Police Verification Certificate from their local jurisdiction.

4. Apprenticeship Contract Execution: Final candidates execute an online apprenticeship training contract on the NATS/NAPS portal prior to formal induction.

Application Fee

• All Candidates: Nil (No application or processing fee is required).

How to Apply

• For Graduate & Technician (Diploma) Applicants:

  1. Visit the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme portal at nats.education.gov.in.

  2. Complete candidate registration and log in with your credentials.

  3. Search for the establishment name “Research Centre Imarat, DRDO” or use the Enrolment ID: STLRAC000010.

  4. Select your respective engineering discipline and submit the application.

• For ITI Trade Apprentice Applicants:

  1. Visit the Apprenticeship India portal at apprenticeshipindia.gov.in.

  2. Register and complete your 100% profile setup with educational credentials and personal identity proof.

  3. Navigate to the “Apprenticeship Opportunities” tab.

  4. Search by establishment name “RESEARCH CENTRE IMARAT” or enter Establishment ID: E05203600040.

  5. Select your specific trade and click “Apply”.

• Ensure all applications on the respective portals are completed within 30 days from the advertisement publication date.

• Keep your registered email ID and contact number active for all correspondence regarding the shortlist status and document verification schedules.

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