Overview
Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex – Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of Defence has released a recruitment notification for the post of RCI Apprentice (195 (tentative; may vary) vacancies). Eligible candidates can apply online only – nats 2.0 portal (graduate/diploma) or apprenticeship india portal (iti) as per the official notification.
Key Details
- Organization
- Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex – Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of Defence
- Qualification
- • Educational qualification as per the category applied for (see vacancy table above), from an Indian Institution recognized by the appropriate statutory authority • Only regular candidates who secured 70% marks or CGPA 7.5 and above in the qualifying examination (Graduate, Diploma, or ITI trade) for the years 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, or 2026 are eligible to apply • Candidates with a higher qualification than that prescribed for the category are not eligible to apply • Candidates who have already undergone, or are currently undergoing, apprenticeship training under any organisation are not eligible • Candidates with more than 1 year of work experience are not eligible • Indian nationality required
- Vacancies
- 195 (tentative; may vary)
- Advertisement No
- RCI/HRD/Apprenticeship/Advt/2027
- Last date to apply
- 30 days from the date of publication of this advertisement in a newspaper (01 November 2026)
Important Dates
| Minimum Age Reckoning Date | 01 September 2026 |
| Last Date for Receipt of Online Application | 30 days from the date of publication of this advertisement in a newspaper (01 November 2026) |
Important Links
- Official NotificationOpen Link
Vacancy Details
50* Graduate Apprentice 30* Technician (Diploma) Apprentice 115* Trade Apprentice (ITI) Apprenticeship Category: Essential Qualification | Vacancies Graduate Apprentice: B.E./B.Tech in Electronics & Communication (ECE), Instrumentation Engg., Electrical & Electronics (EEE), Computer Science (CSE), Mechanical, Chemical Engg., Metallurgical Engg., Safety Engg., Aeronautical Engg., Aerospace Engg., or Civil Engg. | 50* Technician (Diploma) Apprentice: Diploma in ECE, Instrumentation Engg., EEE, CSE, Mechanical, Chemical Engg., Metallurgical Engg., or Safety Engg. | 30* Trade Apprentice (ITI, NCVT/SCVT affiliated): ITI pass-out in Fitter, Welder, Turner, Machinist, Mechanic-Diesel, Electronic-Mechanic, Electrician, COPA (Computer Operator & Programming Assistant), Draughtsman (Mechanical), or Grinder | 115* Total: – | 195* *Vacancies may vary. The official notification does not provide a trade-wise or discipline-wise split within each category, nor a category-wise (UR/SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD) reservation table – it only states that reservation will apply "as per provisions of the Apprentices Act 1961, Apprentice Rules 1992, and Apprenticeship (Amendment) Rules 2019 & 2025."
Eligibility
• Educational qualification as per the category applied for (see vacancy table above), from an Indian Institution recognized by the appropriate statutory authority • Only regular candidates who secured 70% marks or CGPA 7.5 and above in the qualifying examination (Graduate, Diploma, or ITI trade) for the years 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, or 2026 are eligible to apply • Candidates with a higher qualification than that prescribed for the category are not eligible to apply • Candidates who have already undergone, or are currently undergoing, apprenticeship training under any organisation are not eligible • Candidates with more than 1 year of work experience are not eligible • Indian nationality required
Age Limit
Minimum Age: Candidate should not be less than 18 years as on 01 September 2026. Not specified in the official notification: any upper age limit.
Selection Process
• Selection is based on Academic Merit / Interview as required, subject to satisfactory document verification – there is no written test • Reservation for SC/ST/OBC/PwD/EWS categories applies as per the Apprentices Act 1961, Apprentice Rules 1992, and the Apprenticeship (Amendment) Rules 2019 & 2025 • Shortlisted candidates are informed only via the e-mail ID given in the application; candidates must keep it active throughout the selection process, as RCI is not responsible for non-receipt of communication due to a changed mobile number/e-mail • Before commencement of training, selected candidates must execute a contract of apprenticeship on the respective portal (NATS/NAPS) • Selected candidates must produce a valid Police Verification Certificate (from their place of last residence for at least 1 year, or permanent address) at the time of joining Not specified in the official notification: the exact academic-merit weightage formula, interview marks, or shortlisting ratio.
How to Apply
• Before applying, ensure you fulfil all eligibility criteria as mentioned in the detailed advertisement at drdo.gov.in. • B.E./B.Tech/Diploma candidates: Register on the NATS 2.0 portal at nats.education.gov.in (mandatory). • Log in to NATS 2.0 and apply by selecting Research Centre Imarat, DRDO – Enrolment ID: STLRAC000010. • ITI Trade candidates: Register on the Apprenticeship India portal at apprenticeshipindia.gov.in (mandatory). • Log in, click "Apprenticeship Opportunities," search by Establishment Name "RESEARCH CENTRE IMARAT" (Establishment ID: E05203600040), choose your trade, and click Apply. • Submit the application within 30 days of the advertisement's publication in a newspaper. Important: Portal registration (NATS 2.0 or Apprenticeship India, as applicable to your category) is mandatory before applying. There is no separate offline or e-mail application route described for the main application itself.
Required Documents
• Duly filled application form • NATS/NAPS profile printout • 10th class mark sheet and certificate • Consolidated/final mark sheet of the qualifying examination • Original/provisional certificate of the qualifying examination • Caste certificate, if applicable • PwD certificate, if applicable • Valid EWS certificate, if applicable • Any photo ID issued by Govt. of India (PAN Card/Voter ID/Driving Licence) • Aadhaar Card (mandatory) • Copy of Aadhaar-seeded bank passbook/statement (mandatory, Aadhaar-linked account required) • Medical fitness certificate issued by a Government Civil Assistant Surgeon • Two latest passport-size photographs All documents must be carried in original and self-attested copy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the important dates for DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 - Apply Online for 195 Graduate, Technician and Trade Apprentice Posts?
Minimum Age Reckoning Date: 01 September 2026; Last Date for Receipt of Online Application: 30 days from the date of publication of this advertisement in a newspaper (01 November 2026)
What is the age limit?
Minimum Age: Candidate should not be less than 18 years as on 01 September 2026. Not specified in the official notification: any upper age limit.
What is the selection process?
• Selection is based on Academic Merit / Interview as required, subject to satisfactory document verification – there is no written test • Reservation for SC/ST/OBC/PwD/EWS categories applies as per the Apprentices Act 1961, Apprentice Rules 1992, and the Apprenticeship (Amendment) Rules 2019 & 2025 • Shortlisted candidates are informed only via the e-mail ID given in the application; candidates must keep it active throughout the selection process, as RCI is not responsible for non-receipt of communication due to a changed mobile number/e-mail • Before commencement of training, selected candidates must execute a contract of apprenticeship on the respective portal (NATS/NAPS) • Selected candidates must produce a valid Police Verification Certificate (from their place of last residence for at least 1 year, or permanent address) at the time of joining Not specified in the official notifi…