The Research Centre Imarat (RCI), a premier laboratory of the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) located at Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex in Hyderabad, has issued Advertisement Notification.
Applications are invited from eligible Indian nationals for a 1-year apprenticeship training covering 195 Graduate, Technician (Diploma), and Trade Apprentice (ITI) vacancies under the Apprentices Act, 1961. Candidates must submit their applications online through the NATS 2.0 or Apprenticeship India portals by November 1, 2026 (30 days from newspaper) publication).
DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Feature | Details |
| Organization | Research Centre Imarat (RCI), DRDO |
| Location | Vignyana Kancha, Hyderabad – 500 069, Telangana |
| Notification No. | RCI/HRD/Apprenticeship/Advt/2027 |
| Post Types | Graduate, Technician (Diploma), and Trade (ITI) Apprentices |
| Total Vacancies | 195 (Tentative) |
| Training Duration | 1 Year |
| Application Mode | Online via NATS 2.0 / Apprenticeship India |
| Closing Date | 30 days from newspaper publication (Approx. November 1, 2026) |
| Official Portal | drdo.gov.in |
DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Vacancy Details
A total of 195 tentative training seats are distributed across three primary apprenticeship categories:
| Category | Educational Qualification | Vacancies |
| Graduate Apprentice | B.E. / B.Tech in ECE, EEE, CSE, Mechanical, Chemical, Metallurgy, Instrumentation, Safety, Aeronautical, Aerospace, or Civil Engineering | 50 |
| Technician (Diploma) Apprentice | Diploma in ECE, EEE, CSE, Mechanical, Chemical, Metallurgy, Instrumentation, or Safety Engineering | 30 |
| Trade Apprentice (ITI) | ITI (NCVT/SCVT) in Fitter, Welder, Turner, Machinist, Mechanic-Diesel, Electronic-Mechanic, Electrician, COPA, Draughtsman (Mechanical), or Grinder | 115 |
| Total Seats | 195 |
DRDO RCI Apprentice 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must meet the following qualification requirements as of the cut-off date:
1. Educational Criteria
Qualification Year: Candidates must have passed their qualifying examination (Degree, Diploma, or ITI) in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, or 2026 as regular students.
Minimum Marks Requirement: Must have secured at least 70% marks or a CGPA of 7.5 and above in the qualifying exam.
Stream Qualifications: Degree/Diploma/ITI must be in a relevant discipline/trade from a recognized Indian university or institute.
2. Ineligibility Conditions
Candidates holding qualifications higher than the prescribed criteria (e.g., Post-Graduation/M.Tech for Graduate Apprentice posts) are ineligible.
Candidates who have already completed or are currently undergoing apprenticeship training in any organization are not eligible.
Candidates possessing more than 1 year of post-qualification job experience are ineligible.
3. Age Limit
Minimum Age: 18 Years (as on September 1, 2026).
DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
| Notification Release Date | Early October 2026 |
| Cut-off Date for Minimum Age Calculation | September 1, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | November 1, 2026 (30 Days from Newspaper Publication) |
| Selection / Verification Date | To be communicated via email/portal |
Selection Process
The selection for DRDO RCI Apprenticeship 2026 is based on merit:
- Academic Merit Shortlisting: Candidates will be shortlisted based on the marks/CGPA obtained in their qualifying Degree, Diploma, or ITI examination.
- Interview / Document Verification: Shortlisted candidates may be called for an interview or direct document verification at RCI Hyderabad.
- Final Merit List: Prepared based on academic performance and verification of original certificates.
DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 How to Apply Online
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the minimum percentage required for DRDO RCI Apprentice recruitment?
Candidates must have scored at least 70% marks or a CGPA of 7.5 or above in their qualifying exam (Degree, Diploma, or ITI) to be eligible.
How can I apply for DRDO RCI Graduate Apprentice 2026?
Engineering graduates must register on the NATS 2.0 portal (nats.education.gov.in) and search for "Research Centre Imarat" to submit their online application.
What is the age limit for DRDO RCI Apprentice recruitment?
Candidates must be at least 18 years old as of September 1, 2026. Age relaxations apply per government apprenticeship norms.
Are candidates with work experience eligible for this DRDO apprenticeship?
No, candidates with more than 1 year of work experience or those who have previously completed apprenticeship training are not eligible to apply.
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