DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026: 195 Apprentice Vacancies – Apply Online @ nats.education.gov.in / apprenticeshipindia.gov.in

Research Centre Imarat (RCI), DRDO – Apprentice Recruitment 2026

Research Centre Imarat (RCI), a premier laboratory under the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of Defence, Government of India, has released the Apprentice Recruitment Notification (Advt No. RCI/HRD/Apprenticeship/Advt/2027) for the engagement of 195 Apprentice Trainees across three categories: Graduate Apprentice, Technician Apprentice (Diploma), and Trade Apprentice (ITI). Engagement is strictly for a period of one year under the Apprentices Act 1961 (as amended in 1961, 1973, 1992, 2019 & 2025).

Post-Wise Vacancy & Pay Scale (Stipend)

*Vacancies may vary. The engagement period is one year and is not a permanent government appointment.

Eligibility Criteria & Educational Qualification

Age Limit

• Candidates must be not less than 18 years of age as on 01 September 2026.

Educational Qualification

• Graduate Apprentice: B.E./B.Tech in Electronics & Communication Engineering (ECE), Instrumentation Engineering, Electrical & Electronics Engineering (EEE), Computer Science Engineering (CSE), Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Safety Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or Civil Engineering.
• Technician Apprentice (Diploma): Diploma in ECE, Instrumentation Engineering, EEE, CSE, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, or Safety Engineering.
• Trade Apprentice (ITI): ITI in Fitter, Welder, Turner, Machinist, Mechanic (Diesel), Electronic Mechanic, Electrician, COPA (Computer Operator Programming Assistant), Draughtsman (Mechanical), or Grinder.

Qualifying Marks Criteria

• Regular candidates must have secured 70% marks or CGPA 7.5 and above in the qualifying examination.
• Applicable for qualifying examinations passed in the years 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026.

Disqualifying Conditions

• Candidates holding higher qualifications beyond the prescribed category are NOT eligible.
• Candidates who have already undergone or are currently undergoing apprenticeship training under any organisation are NOT eligible.
• Candidates with more than one year of work experience are NOT eligible.

Selection Process & Screening Clause

1. Academic Merit / Interview: Selection shall be based on academic merit of qualifying examination results, with interview as required, subject to satisfactory verification of documents.
2. Document Verification: Verification shall be conducted for shortlisted candidates prior to creation of contract. Any deviation or non-conformity with the desired qualification will result in rejection of candidature.
3. Shortlisting Notification: Shortlisted candidates will be informed via email at the address mentioned in the online application.
4. Contract Execution: Selected candidates must execute a contract of apprenticeship in the respective portals before commencement of training.
5. Police Verification: A valid Police Verification Certificate from the place of last residence (for at least the past one year) or permanent address must be produced at the time of joining.

Note: No TA/DA will be paid to candidates called for any stage of the selection process. RCI reserves the right to terminate apprenticeship if circumstances so warrant, without assigning any reason. The legal jurisdiction for any dispute shall be the High Court of Telangana at Hyderabad.

How to Apply – Online Registration Portals

For B.E./B.Tech and Diploma Candidates (Graduate & Technician Apprentice)

1. Register on the NATS 2.0 Portal at https://nats.education.gov.in (mandatory).
2. Log in and search for Research Centre Imarat, DRDO with Enrolment ID: STLRAC000010.
3. Select the relevant discipline and submit the application.

For ITI Trade Candidates (Trade Apprentice)

1. Register on the ApprenticeshipIndia Portal at https://apprenticeshipindia.gov.in (mandatory).
2. Log in and click on 'Apprenticeship Opportunities'.
3. Search for RESEARCH CENTRE IMARAT (Establishment ID: E05203600040).
4. Select the respective trade and click Apply.

Last Date for Receipt of Online Application: 31 October 2026 (30 days from the date of publication of the Advertisement in the newspaper).

Required Documents for Document Verification & Joining

• Duly Filled Application Form (as per portal submission)
• NATS / NAPS Portal Profile Printout
• Matriculation (10th Class) Mark Sheet and Certificate
• Consolidated / Final Mark Sheet of Qualifying Examination
• Original / Provisional Certificate of Qualifying Examination
• Valid Category / Caste Certificate (if applicable)
• Valid PWD Certificate (if applicable)
• Valid EWS Certificate (if applicable)
• Any Government-Issued Photo ID (PAN Card / Voter ID / Driving License)
• Aadhaar Card (Mandatory)
• Copy of Aadhaar-Seeded Bank Passbook / Statement
• Medical Fitness Certificate by Government Civil Assistant Surgeon
• Two Recent Passport-Size Photographs
• Valid Police Verification Certificate (as specified)

Stipend & DBT Disbursement

• Stipend for all categories is paid as per Government norms (refer Gazette dated 03/Sep/2025).
• Graduate and Technician Apprentice: It is mandatory to have an Aadhaar-seeded bank account to receive 50% of stipend from the Board of Apprenticeship and Training (BOAT) under the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme.
• No hostel accommodation, quarter, or transport is provided by RCI during the apprenticeship period.

Important Instructions for Candidates

• Candidates must ensure eligibility before applying; detailed advertisement is available on https://drdo.gov.in.
• Registration on the respective portals (NATS for Graduate/Diploma, ApprenticeshipIndia for ITI) is mandatory.
• All qualifications must be from Indian institutions recognised by the appropriate statutory authority.
• Suppression of facts at any stage will lead to disqualification.
• Apprenticeship engagement is under the Apprentices Act 1961 and there is no obligation for employment on completion of training.
• Candidates selected for training shall not withdraw except for reasons beyond their control.
• Any canvassing or personal follow-up during the selection process will lead to immediate cancellation of candidature.
• RCI reserves the right to amend, re-fix, cancel, or suspend the selection process at any time.

Frequently Asked Questions