DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 - Apply Online for 195 Graduate, Technician and Trade Apprentice Posts
RCI Apprentice 2027 Quick Summary DRDO • One-Year Engagement
Total Vacancies
195*
Organisation
Research Centre Imarat (RCI), DRDO
Location
Vignyana Kancha, Hyderabad – 500 069
Training Duration
One Year
Minimum Age
18 Years (as on 01 Sep 2026)
Application Mode
Online (NATS 2.0 / Apprenticeship India)
Last Date
30 Days from Newspaper Publication*
Selection
Academic Merit / Interview
*The official notification sets the closing date as "30 days from the date of publication of Advertisement in News Paper" rather than a fixed calendar date. Based on the notification's reference number (RCI/HRD/Apprenticeship/Advt/2027) and document metadata, the advertisement appears to have been published around early October 2026 – candidates should confirm the exact newspaper publication date and count 30 days from it, or check drdo.gov.in for the stated closing date.
Official source: Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex, DRDO, Ministry of Defence – Advertisement Notification No. RCI/HRD/Apprenticeship/Advt/2027, "Engagement of Apprentices for the Year 2027" under the Apprentices Act 1961 (as amended). Candidates must register on NATS 2.0 (nats.education.gov.in) or Apprenticeship India (apprenticeshipindia.gov.in) and apply through the respective portal.
RCI Apprentice Engagement 2027 Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex – Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of Defence |
| Advertisement No. | RCI/HRD/Apprenticeship/Advt/2027 |
| Engagement Type | One-year Apprenticeship Training under the Apprentices Act, 1961 (as amended in 1973, 1992, 2019, 2025) |
| Post/Category Names | Graduate Apprentice, Technician (Diploma) Apprentice, Trade Apprentice (ITI) |
| Total Vacancies | 195 (tentative; may vary) |
| Location | Vignyana Kancha, Hyderabad – 500 069, Telangana |
| Application Mode | Online only – NATS 2.0 portal (Graduate/Diploma) or Apprenticeship India portal (ITI) |
RCI Apprentice Engagement 2027 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| 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) |
Note: Not specified in the official notification: a fixed closing date, portal opening date, document verification date, or joining date. The notification only fixes the closing date relative to the newspaper publication date; candidates should check drdo.gov.in regularly for any dated corrigendum.
RCI Apprentice Engagement 2027 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* |
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*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."
RCI Apprentice Engagement 2027 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
RCI Apprentice Engagement 2027 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.
RCI Apprentice Engagement 2027 Stipend
Stipend is paid as per Government norms (referenced to the Gazette Notification dated 03 September 2025) – the notification does not state the exact monthly stipend figures for each category.
For Graduate and Technician (Diploma) Apprentices, it is mandatory to have an Aadhaar-seeded/linked bank account, as 50% of the stipend is paid by the Board of Apprenticeship Training (BOAT) under the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme.
RCI Apprentice Engagement 2027 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 for RCI Apprentice Engagement 2027
- 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.
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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.
Documents Required (At Document Verification/Joining)
- 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.
Important Conditions
- Document verification is done for shortlisted candidates only, prior to creation of the apprenticeship contract; any deviation from the desired qualification leads to rejection
- All qualifications must be from Indian Institutions recognized by the appropriate statutory authority
- Suppression of facts leads to disqualification at any stage of selection or during the apprenticeship period
- No TA/DA is paid to applicants called for any stage of the selection process
- Apprentices are not provided hostel accommodation, quarters, or transport by RCI, either during interview or during the apprenticeship period
- The engagement and training strictly follow the Apprentices Act 1961; there is no obligation for employment on completion of training
- Canvassing or personal follow-up for selection leads to immediate cancellation of candidature
- RCI reserves the right to terminate apprenticeship, or to amend/refix/cancel/suspend the selection process at any time, without assigning any reason; the Management's decision is final and binding, with no appeal entertained
- Selected candidates will not be allowed to withdraw from training except for reasons beyond their control, and must execute an apprenticeship contract on the respective portal before training begins
- Any legal dispute is subject to the jurisdiction of the Hon'ble High Court, Hyderabad, Telangana
RCI Apprentice Engagement 2027 Important Links
Frequently Asked Questions
How many apprentice vacancies are notified by RCI?
195 vacancies (tentative) – 50 Graduate Apprentice, 30 Technician (Diploma) Apprentice, and 115 Trade Apprentice (ITI).
What is the last date to apply?
30 days from the date this advertisement is published in a newspaper (ie 01November 2026)
What percentage of marks is required?
70% marks or CGPA 7.5 and above in the qualifying examination (Graduate, Diploma, or ITI), passed in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, or 2026.
Where do I apply?
B.E./B.Tech/Diploma candidates apply via NATS 2.0 (nats.education.gov.in); ITI trade candidates apply via Apprenticeship India (apprenticeshipindia.gov.in).
What is the minimum age?
18 years as on 1 September 2026; no upper age limit is specified.
Is there a written exam?
No. Selection is based on academic merit and/or interview, subject to document verification.
What is the stipend?
Stipend is paid as per Government norms (per the Gazette Notification dated 3 September 2025); exact figures are not stated in this notification.
Does this apprenticeship lead to a job at DRDO/RCI?
No. The engagement follows the Apprentices Act, 1961, and there is no obligation of employment on completion of training.