DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026

Research Centre Imarat (RCI), a laboratory of the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex under DRDO and the Ministry of Defence, Government of India, is recruiting apprentices for the 2027 training year. Eligible Indian citizens with the specified engineering degree, diploma or ITI qualification may apply for a one-year apprenticeship, provided they also meet the marks and other eligibility requirements.

There are 195 advertised places across graduate, diploma and ITI trade apprenticeship categories, although the notification states that vacancies may vary. Online applications are to be made through the relevant apprenticeship portal, with the deadline set at 30 days from publication of the advertisement in a newspaper; selection will be based on academic merit and/or interview as required, followed by document verification.

Important Dates

Vacancy Details

RCI has announced 195 apprenticeship vacancies in total. The notification cautions that the number of vacancies may change.

*The notification says the vacancies may vary.

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

Applicants must have the qualification relevant to the category they select: a B.E./B.Tech degree in one of the listed disciplines for Graduate Apprentice, a diploma in a listed discipline for Technician Apprentice, or an ITI certificate in one of the listed trades for Trade Apprentice. Qualifications must be from Indian institutions recognised by the appropriate statutory authority. Only regular candidates who obtained at least 70% marks or a CGPA of 7.5 or above in the relevant qualifying examination in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 or 2026 are eligible. Candidates with a higher qualification than the one required for the apprenticeship are not eligible.

Applicants who have already completed apprenticeship training, are currently undertaking apprenticeship training with any organisation, or have more than one year of work experience are also ineligible.

Age Limit

Candidates must be at least 18 years old as on 01 September 2026. The notification does not specify an upper age limit or age-relaxation provisions.

Application Fee

The notification does not specify an application fee. Applications are accepted online only; no other application mode is mentioned.

How to Apply

Applicants must register and apply through the portal for their apprenticeship category. Use the following steps:

1. For B.E./B.Tech and diploma applicants: Register on the NATS 2.0 portal at https://nats.education.gov.in.
2. Log in to NATS, find Research Centre Imarat, DRDO using establishment/enrolment ID STLRAC000010, select the relevant discipline and submit the application.
3. For ITI applicants: Register on the Apprenticeship India portal at https://apprenticeshipindia.gov.in.
4. Log in and open “Apprenticeship Opportunities.” Search for “RESEARCH CENTRE IMARAT” using establishment ID E05203600040, select the relevant trade and click “Apply.”
5. Submit the online application within 30 days of the advertisement’s publication in the newspaper. The notice says no other mode of application will be accepted.

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by email about document verification and joining. The notice lists the following documents for verification or joining: a duly completed application form; a printout of the NATS/NAPS profile; Class 10 marksheet and certificate; consolidated or final marksheet and original or provisional certificate for the qualifying examination; caste, PwD or valid EWS certificate, where applicable; a Government of India photo identity card such as PAN card, voter ID or driving licence; Aadhaar card; a copy of an Aadhaar-seeded bank passbook or statement; a medical fitness certificate from a Government Civil Assistant Surgeon; and two recent passport-size photographs. An Aadhaar-linked bank account is mandatory.

Before training begins, selected candidates must execute an apprenticeship contract on the relevant portal and provide a valid Police Verification Certificate from their last residence (covering at least the past year) or permanent address. The notification also states that apprentices will not receive hostel accommodation, quarters or transport from the establishment, either for an interview or during training. Candidates selected for training cannot withdraw except for reasons beyond their control.

Salary & Pay Scale

This is a one-year apprenticeship, not a regular salaried appointment. Stipends are payable according to Government norms. For Graduate Apprentices, the notice refers to the Gazette dated 03 September 2025; it does not give a specific stipend amount. Technician and Trade Apprentices are also paid according to Government norms. Graduate and Technician Apprentices must have an Aadhaar-seeded bank account to receive 50% of the stipend from the Board of Apprenticeship Training (BOAT) through the Direct Benefit Transfer scheme.

Selection Process

RCI will assess candidates on academic merit and may conduct an interview as required. Candidates shortlisted for consideration will be notified at the email address provided in their application. Document verification is required before the apprenticeship contract is created; an application may be rejected if the candidate’s documents do not match the prescribed qualifications. Reservation for SC, ST, OBC, PwD and EWS categories will apply under the Apprentices Act, 1961, the Apprentice Rules, 1992, and the 2019 and 2025 amendment rules. No travel or daily allowance (TA/DA) will be paid to candidates called for any selection stage, and the organisation will not correspond with candidates who are not selected.

Applicants who meet the category-specific qualification, marks, age and other conditions should complete their registration on the appropriate portal and apply within 30 days of the newspaper publication. Check the official notice for the complete terms before submitting an application.