DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Out, Apply Online for 195 Vacancies

The DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 notification has been released by the Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, a premier laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The recruitment is for 195 Apprentice vacancies in Graduate, Technician (Diploma), and ITI Trade categories. The official advertisement, RCI/HRD/Apprenticeship/Advt/2027, was published on 1 October 2026 for apprenticeship training for the year 2027. The training will be for a period of one year under the Apprentices Act, 1961.

Eligible Indian candidates with the required B.E./B. Tech, Diploma, or ITI qualification can apply through the respective apprenticeship portals. Candidates should carefully check the qualification, percentage, age, and other conditions before applying.

DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Overview

DRDO RCI Apprentice 2026 Important Dates

The official notification was published on 1 October 2026. The last date for receipt of applications is stated as 30 days from the date of publication of the advertisement in the newspaper.

DRDO RCI Apprentice Vacancy 2026

A total of 195 tentative vacancies have been announced under three apprenticeship categories:

DRDO RCI Apprentice Eligibility Criteria 2026

Candidates must fulfil the required educational qualification, age, and other conditions before applying for the DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026. The eligibility criteria vary according to the apprenticeship category.

DRDO RCI Apprentice Educational Qualification

For Graduate Apprentices, eligible engineering disciplines include ECE, Instrumentation Engineering, EEE, CSE, Mechanical, Chemical, Metallurgical, Safety, Aeronautical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering.

DRDO RCI Apprentice Age Limit

Candidates must be at least 18 years old as on 1 September 2026. The official advertisement does not specify an upper age limit for the apprenticeship engagement.

DRDO RCI Apprentice Age Relaxation

Note: The current RCI Apprentice advertisement specifies a minimum age of 18 years but does not provide a separate category-wise upper-age relaxation table. Therefore, candidates should follow the age-related conditions mentioned in the official notification.

Important Eligibility Conditions for DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment

Candidates should also keep the following conditions in mind:

• The qualification must be from an Indian institution recognised by the appropriate statutory authority.
• Candidates with a higher qualification than the prescribed qualification are not eligible.
• Candidates who have already completed apprenticeship training are not eligible.
• Candidates who are currently undergoing apprenticeship training in any organisation cannot apply.
• Candidates having more than one year of work experience are not eligible.
• Suppression of information can lead to cancellation of candidature.
• The apprenticeship does not guarantee employment after completion of training.

DRDO RCI Apprentice Apply Online 2026 Link

Candidates can apply for the DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 through the respective apprenticeship portals. B.E./B.Tech and Diploma candidates need to use the NATS 2.0 portal, while ITI candidates have to apply through the Apprenticeship India portal.

How to Apply for DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026?

The application process is different for engineering/diploma and ITI candidates. The complete process is given below:

DRDO RCI Apprentice Selection Process 2026

The selection process for DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is based on academic merit and/or interview, as required. The key stages are:

• Candidates first need to submit their application through the respective apprenticeship portal.
• Candidates may be shortlisted based on their marks in the qualifying examination.
• An interview may be conducted wherever required.
• Shortlisted candidates have to produce the required original documents for verification.
• Selected candidates need to complete the apprenticeship contract before joining.
• Candidates who complete the selection and joining formalities will undergo the prescribed apprenticeship training.
• The official notification does not mention any written examination.
• Shortlisted candidates will be informed through the email ID provided during registration.

Documents Required for DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment

Shortlisted candidates will have to produce original and self-attested copies of the required documents during document verification/joining.

Important documents include:

• Filled application form
• NATS/NAPS profile printout
• 10th mark sheet and certificate
• Final/consolidated mark sheet of qualifying examination
• Degree/Diploma/ITI certificate or provisional certificate
• Caste certificate, if applicable
• PwD certificate, if applicable
• Valid EWS certificate, if applicable
• Government-issued photo ID
• Aadhaar Card
• Aadhaar-linked bank passbook/statement
• Medical fitness certificate
• Two recent passport-size photographs

Important Points for DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026

Before submitting the application, candidates should remember:

• A total of 195 tentative vacancies are available.
• The apprenticeship is for one year.
• B.E./B. Tech candidates must apply through NATS 2.0.
• Diploma candidates must also use NATS 2.0.
• ITI candidates must apply through Apprenticeship India.
• The minimum age is 18 years as of 1 September 2026.
• Candidates need at least 70% marks or 7.5 CGPA.
• Only qualifying examinations passed in 2022–2026 are considered.
• Candidates with more than one year of work experience cannot apply.
• Candidates who have already completed or are currently undergoing apprenticeship training are not eligible.
• There is no employment guarantee after apprenticeship training.