Research Centre Imarat (RCI), a premier laboratory of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex, DRDO has released the DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Notification (Advertisement Notification No. RCI/HRD/Apprenticeship/Advt/2027) for engagement of Graduate, Diploma, and ITI Trade Apprentices for a period of One year under The Apprentices Act 1961 (as amended in 1961, 1973, 1992, 2019 & 2025). Eligible Indian citizens can apply online through the respective portals within 30 days from the date of publication of the advertisement in the newspaper.
RCI invites online applications from young and meritorious Indian Nationals for the Engagement of Apprentices for the year 2027. The vacancies may vary. No other mode of application will be accepted.
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DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026
The recruitment is for 195 Apprentice vacancies across three categories — Graduate Apprentice (50), Technician Apprentice (Diploma) (30), and Trade Apprentice (ITI) (115). Candidates can check the key details of the DRDO RCI Notification 2026 in the table below.
DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Research Centre Imarat (RCI), DRDO |
| Complex | Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex |
| Ministry | Ministry of Defence, Government of India |
| Advertisement No. | RCI/HRD/Apprenticeship/Advt/2027 |
| Post | Graduate Apprentice, Technician Apprentice (Diploma), Trade Apprentice (ITI) |
| Total Vacancies | 195 |
| Engagement Period | One Year |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Registration Portal (Graduate/Diploma) | https://nats.education.gov.in |
| Registration Portal (ITI) | https://apprenticeshipindia.gov.in |
| Last Date to Apply | 30 days from publication in newspaper |
| Age Limit | Minimum 18 years as on 01.09.2026 |
| Selection Basis | Academic Merit / Interview |
| Job Location | Hyderabad, Telangana |
| Official Website | https://drdo.gov.in |
DRDO RCI Apprentice 2026 Important Dates
| Events | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | October 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | October 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 30 days from publication in newspaper |
| Document Verification / Joining | To be intimated via email |
DRDO RCI Apprentice Vacancy 2026
RCI has announced 195 vacancies across three categories. The vacancies may vary.
DRDO RCI Apprentice Vacancy 2026
| Apprenticeship Training Category | Essential Qualification | No. of Vacancies | Stipend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentice | B.E./B.Tech in ECE, Instrumentation Engg, EEE, CSE, Mechanical, Chemical Engg, Metallurgical Engg, Safety Engg, Aeronautical Engg, Aerospace Engg and Civil Engg | 50* | As per Govt norms (Refer Gazette dated 03/Sep/2025) |
| Technician Apprentice (Diploma) | Diploma in ECE, Instrumentation Engg, EEE, CSE, Mechanical, Chemical Engg, Metallurgical Engg and Safety Engg | 30* | As per Govt norms |
| Trade Apprentice (ITI) | ITI in Fitter, Welder, Turner, Machinist, Mechanic-Diesel, Electronic-Mechanic, Electrician, and COPA, Draughtsman Engg (Mech) and Grinder | 115* | As per Govt norms |
Also Read: CSIR-IITR Project Staff Recruitment 2026 Notification Out for 30 Vacancies – Apply Online
DRDO RCI Apprentice Eligibility Criteria 2026
Candidates must fulfil the prescribed age, educational qualification and other conditions as on the specified eligibility date.
Age Limit
- Candidate should not be less than 18 years of age as on 01st September 2026.
Educational Qualification
- Graduate Apprentice: B.E./B.Tech in ECE, Instrumentation Engg, EEE, CSE, Mechanical, Chemical Engg, Metallurgical Engg, Safety Engg, Aeronautical Engg, Aerospace Engg and Civil Engg.
- Technician Apprentice (Diploma): Diploma in ECE, Instrumentation Engg, EEE, CSE, Mechanical, Chemical Engg, Metallurgical Engg and Safety Engg.
- Trade Apprentice (ITI): ITI in Fitter, Welder, Turner, Machinist, Mechanic-Diesel, Electronic-Mechanic, Electrician, and COPA (Computer Operator Programming Assistant), Draughtsman Engg (Mech) and Grinder.
Eligibility Criteria
- The regular candidates who secured 70% or CGPA 7.5 and above in the qualifying examinations (Graduate, Diploma and ITI trade, for the years 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 & 2026) are only eligible to apply.
- Candidates with higher qualification are NOT eligible to apply.
- Candidates who have already undergone apprenticeship training or at present undergoing apprenticeship training under any organization are NOT eligible to apply.
- Candidates with more than one year work experience are NOT eligible to apply.
DRDO RCI Apprentice Application Form 2026
The application process for DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is through online registration on the respective portals. Candidates must register on the respective portals and apply within 30 days from the date of publication of the advertisement in the newspaper.
Registration Portals
| Category | Portal | Establishment ID |
|---|---|---|
| B.E./B.Tech/Diploma | https://nats.education.gov.in | STLRAC000010 |
| ITI Trade | https://apprenticeshipindia.gov.in | E05203600040 |
How to Apply
For B.E./B.Tech/Diploma Candidates:
- Register on NATS 2.0 portal at https://nats.education.gov.in (mandatory).
- Log in to the portal and select Research Centre Imarat, DRDO (Enrolment ID: STLRAC000010).
- Apply for the respective discipline.
For ITI Trade Candidates:
- Register on https://apprenticeshipindia.gov.in (mandatory).
- Log in to the portal and click on ‘Apprenticeship Opportunities’.
- Type ‘RESEARCH CENTRE IMARAT’ in ‘Search by Establishment Name’ (Establishment ID: E05203600040).
- Choose the respective trade and click Apply.
Last Date for Receipt of Online Application: 30 days from the date of publication of Advertisement in Newspaper.
Documents to be Carried at the Time of Document Verification / Joining
- Duly filled Application Form.
- NATS/NAPS profile printout.
- 10th class Mark sheet and certificate.
- Consolidated/Final Mark sheet of Qualifying Exam.
- Original/Provisional Certificate of Qualifying Exam.
- Caste Certificate (if applicable).
- PWD Certificate (if applicable).
- Valid EWS Certificate (if applicable).
- Any Photo ID card issued by Govt. of India like PAN Card/Voter ID/Driving License.
- Aadhaar Card (Mandatory).
- Copy of Aadhaar Seeded Bank Pass Book/Statement. [Note: It is mandatory to have Aadhaar Seeded/linked Bank account].
- Medical fitness certificate issued by a Govt Civil Assistant Surgeon.
- Two latest Passport size photographs.
DRDO RCI Apprentice Selection Process 2026
The selection process for DRDO RCI Apprentice posts is based on:
- Academic Merit / Interview – Selection will be made on the basis of Academic Merit/Interview as required, subject to satisfactory verification of the documents.
- Document Verification – Verification of documents shall be done for shortlisted candidates prior to Creation of Contract only. In case of any deviation from or non-conformity with the desired qualification, candidature of the candidate shall be rejected.
- Shortlisting – Shortlisted Candidates will be informed via E-mail mentioned in the application for correspondence.
Note:
- Reservation for SC/ST/OBC/PWD/EWS categories will be applicable as per provisions of the Apprentices Act 1961, Apprentice Rules, 1992, Apprenticeship (Amendment) Rules, 2019 & 2025.
- No TA/DA will be paid to the applicants called for any stage of the selection process.
- No correspondence shall be entertained from the candidates NOT selected for Apprenticeship training.
DRDO RCI Apprentice Stipend 2026
| Category | Stipend |
|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentice | As per Govt norms (Refer Gazette dated 03/Sep/2025) |
| Technician Apprentice (Diploma) | As per Govt norms |
| Trade Apprentice (ITI) | As per Govt norms |
Note: For Graduate & Technician Apprentice, it is mandatory to have Aadhaar Seeded Bank account to receive 50% of stipend from Board of Apprenticeship and Training (BOAT) under Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Scheme.
DRDO RCI Apprentice 2026: Important Instructions
- Before applying, candidates should ensure that they fulfil the eligibility criteria and other norms mentioned in the detailed Advertisement available on https://drdo.gov.in.
- Registration of B.E/B.Tech/Diploma candidates on NATS 2.0 portal (https://nats.education.gov.in) and ITI trade apprentices on https://apprenticeshipindia.gov.in is mandatory.
- Candidate should not be less than 18 years of age as on 01st September 2026.
- The regular candidates who secured 70% or CGPA 7.5 and above in the qualifying examinations (for the years 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 & 2026) are only eligible to apply.
- All the qualifications must be from Indian Institutions recognised by Appropriate Statutory Authority.
- Candidates with higher qualification are NOT eligible to apply.
- Suppression of facts will also lead to disqualification, at any stage of the selection process or during the apprenticeship period.
- Candidates who have already undergone apprenticeship training or at present undergoing apprenticeship training under any organization are NOT eligible to apply.
- Candidates with more than one year work experience are NOT eligible to apply.
- No TA/DA will be paid to the applicants called for any stage of the selection process.
- The apprentices will not be provided any Hostel Accommodation, Quarter and Transport by the establishment at the time of interview and also during the apprenticeship period.
- The engagement and training are strictly in compliance with the provision of the Apprenticeship Act 1961 and there is no obligation for employment of apprentices on completion of their training.
- Any canvassing or personal follow up during the process of selection of apprentice by and behalf of any candidate shall lead to immediate cancellation of candidature.
- RCI reserves the right to terminate apprenticeship if circumstances so warrant without assigning any reason thereof.
- Candidates selected for training will not be allowed to withdraw from training except for reasons which are beyond their control.
- Before commencement of training, the candidate will have to execute a contract of apprenticeship in the respective portals.
- Selected Candidates have to produce a valid Police Verification Certificate either from their place of last residence (for at least past one year) or permanent address at the time of joining.
- The Management reserves the right to amend/refix/cancel/suspend the selection process at any time during the process without assigning any reason whatsoever.
- In case of any dispute, the legal jurisdiction shall be that of the Honourable High Court, Hyderabad, Telangana.
FAQs
Is DRDO RCI Apprentice Notification 2026 released?
Yes. Research Centre Imarat (RCI), a premier laboratory of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex, DRDO released the notification (Advertisement Notification No. RCI/HRD/Apprenticeship/Advt/2027) for engagement of Graduate, Diploma, and ITI Trade Apprentices for the year 2027.
How many vacancies are announced for DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
RCI has announced 195 vacancies — Graduate Apprentice (50), Technician Apprentice (Diploma) (30), and Trade Apprentice (ITI) (115). Vacancies may vary.
What is the application mode for DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
Applications are accepted through online mode on the respective portals — NATS 2.0 portal (https://nats.education.gov.in) for B.E./B.Tech/Diploma candidates and https://apprenticeshipindia.gov.in for ITI trade candidates.
When is the last date to apply for DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
The last date for receipt of online application is 30 days from the date of publication of the Advertisement in the Newspaper.
What is the educational qualification for DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
Graduate Apprentice: B.E./B.Tech in specified engineering disciplines. Technician Apprentice: Diploma in specified engineering disciplines. Trade Apprentice: ITI in specified trades.
What is the age limit for DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
The candidate should not be less than 18 years of age as on 01st September 2026.
What is the selection process for DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
The selection process is based on Academic Merit/Interview as required, subject to satisfactory verification of the documents.
What is the stipend for DRDO RCI Apprentice?
Stipend will be paid as per Govt norms (Refer Gazette dated 03/Sep/2025). For Graduate & Technician Apprentice, it is mandatory to have Aadhaar Seeded Bank account to receive 50% of stipend from BOAT under DBT Scheme.
How to apply for DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
For B.E./B.Tech/Diploma: Register on NATS 2.0 portal (https://nats.education.gov.in), log in, select Research Centre Imarat, DRDO (Enrolment ID: STLRAC000010), and apply. For ITI Trade: Register on https://apprenticeshipindia.gov.in, log in, click on ‘Apprenticeship Opportunities’, type ‘RESEARCH CENTRE IMARAT’ (Establishment ID: E05203600040), choose the respective trade, and click Apply. Apply within 30 days from publication in newspaper.
