Candidates who have recently completed an ITI, Diploma or BE/BTech qualification and are looking for an apprenticeship opportunity can check the latest recruitment drive from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
DRDO's Research Centre Imarat (RCI) has invited applications for 195 apprentice positions across different categories. The recruitment includes opportunities for Graduate Apprentices, Technician Apprentices and Trade Apprentices, giving candidates with different technical qualifications a chance to apply.
Applicants should carefully read the official recruitment notification before submitting their forms, particularly to confirm discipline-wise eligibility, educational requirements, age conditions, important dates and document requirements.
Here are the key details candidates should know about the DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026.
DRDO RCI Recruitment 2026: 195 Apprentice Vacancies
A total of 195 apprenticeship positions are included in the recruitment drive.
The vacancies have been divided into three major categories:
Graduate Apprentice – 50 posts
Technician Apprentice – 30 posts
Trade Apprentice – 115 posts
This means opportunities are available for candidates holding qualifications ranging from ITI certificates to diplomas and engineering degrees.
However, candidates should not apply based solely on their broad qualification. The required branch, discipline or trade can vary by vacancy, so applicants should match their credentials with the specific post mentioned in the official notification.
Who Can Apply for DRDO RCI Apprentice Posts?
According to the recruitment details provided, a candidate's age will be calculated as of September 1, 2026, and the minimum age required to apply is 18 years.
The recruitment information also specifies an academic requirement of at least 70% marks or 7.5 CGPA in the relevant qualification.
Educational eligibility differs according to the apprentice category.
For Graduate Apprentice positions, applicants are required to hold a BE/BTech degree in the relevant discipline from a recognised institution.
For Technician Apprentice positions, candidates should possess a diploma in the applicable engineering discipline or subject.
Those applying for Trade Apprentice vacancies should have successfully completed ITI in the relevant trade.
Applicants should verify the exact educational criteria against the official DRDO RCI notification because requirements can differ between individual disciplines and trades.
How Will Candidates Be Selected?
The selection process described for the apprenticeship recruitment is not based solely on a conventional written examination.
Candidates are expected to be shortlisted according to their academic performance in the relevant qualifying examination. Shortlisted applicants may subsequently be called for further stages of the recruitment process.
According to the provided recruitment details, the process can include shortlisting based on academic marks, an interview and document verification.
Candidates selected for the interview stage are expected to receive communication through email.
Applicants should therefore provide an active and accurate email address and mobile number while registering. They should also regularly check their inbox, including the spam or junk folder, so that an important recruitment communication is not missed.
Documents Candidates May Need
Applicants who progress to the document-verification stage will need to produce certificates supporting the information submitted in their application.
Depending on the candidate and apprentice category, these may include the Class 10 certificate, qualifying examination marksheets, educational certificates and relevant ITI, Diploma or BE/BTech credentials.
Candidates belonging to a category for which reservation or another benefit is claimed may also need to provide the appropriate valid certificate.
Other documents may include Aadhaar, PAN, disability certificate where applicable and additional identification or certificates specified by RCI.
Candidates should rely on the official notification for the definitive document checklist instead of assuming that every document listed generally will apply to every applicant.
How to Apply for DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026
The registration process differs according to the candidate's qualification and apprentice category.
Graduate and Diploma candidates are required to use the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) portal as applicable.
Candidates seeking Trade Apprentice positions on the basis of ITI qualifications need to register through the Apprenticeship India portal, subject to the instructions given in the official recruitment notice.
Applicants should complete their registration carefully and ensure that personal details, educational information, marks, contact information and supporting documents are entered correctly.
Any discrepancy between the online application and original certificates could create problems during verification.
Read the Official Notification Before Applying
Candidates interested in the 195 DRDO RCI apprentice vacancies should read the complete official advertisement before completing the application process.
The detailed notification should be treated as the final authority for information related to discipline-wise vacancies, eligibility, registration procedure, deadlines, selection rules, required certificates and other conditions.
Applicants should also avoid relying on unofficial messages circulating through social media for recruitment deadlines or eligibility information.
The DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 could offer eligible ITI, Diploma and BE/BTech candidates an opportunity to gain practical experience in a major defence research organisation. However, candidates should first confirm that they meet every applicable requirement and complete their registration through the prescribed apprenticeship portal within the official application period.
