DRDO Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for Latest Vacancies

About DRDO Careers

🏛️ Organization Overview

DRDO is the cornerstone of India’s defence technology, operating a massive network of over 50 laboratories across the country. Its mission is to empower the Indian Armed Forces with state-of-the-art weapon systems, platforms, and sensors. From the Agni and Prithvi missile series to the LCA Tejas and Arjun Main Battle Tank, DRDO's innovations are critical to national security.

The organization is headquartered at DRDO Bhawan in New Delhi but maintains a pan-India presence with major clusters in cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Dehradun. Joining DRDO means working at the frontier of high-end science, including Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, and Missile Technologies.

💼 Key Job Profiles

• Scientist B: Entry-level Group 'A' Gazetted officers responsible for core research and development projects.
• Senior Technical Assistant-B (STA-B): Provides technical support, laboratory maintenance, and assists in testing protocols.
• Technician-A: Focuses on hands-on technical tasks, equipment repair, and infrastructure management in labs.
• Junior Research Fellow (JRF): Contractual research positions for young graduates to work on specific time-bound projects.
• Admin & Allied Cadre: Covers non-technical roles like Administration, Finance, and Secretarial support.

💰 Salary & Employee Benefits

DRDO employees are compensated according to the 7th CPC Pay Matrix, ensuring a stable and lucrative financial future.

• Scientist B (Level 10): Basic Pay starts at ₹56,100, with a gross monthly salary ranging from ₹88,000 to ₹1,00,000 including allowances.
• STA-B (Level 6): Basic Pay of ₹35,400.
• Technician-A (Level 2): Basic Pay of ₹19,900.

Perks: Government-provided accommodation, Leave Travel Concession (LTC), and Comprehensive Medical Facilities (CGHS).

Allowances: Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA) up to 24% for X-class cities, and a unique Professional Update Allowance of up to ₹22,500 annually for scientists.

🎯 Selection Process

The selection process varies by the cadre:

1. Scientist B: Candidates are shortlisted based on GATE 2026 scores, followed by a Descriptive Written Test (in some disciplines) and a high-stakes Personal Interview at the RAC (Recruitment and Assessment Centre).
2. CEPTAM Entry: A two-tier Computer Based Test (CBT) followed by a Skill/Trade Test (where applicable).
3. Apprentices/JRF: Usually through direct walk-in interviews or merit-based shortlisting of academic marks.

How to Crack DRDO Exams

• Focus on Core Fundamentals: For Scientist B, the RAC Descriptive Exam tests deep conceptual clarity. Solve previous years’ IES and GATE papers to master the technical syllabus.
• Master General Awareness: For CEPTAM (STA-B/Tech-A), the Tier-I exam heavily features General Intelligence and Reasoning. Consistent practice is key to high speed.
• Interview Preparation: DRDO interviews are purely technical. Be prepared to explain your final-year project and how your engineering discipline applies to defence technologies.