DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 for 195 Graduate, Diploma & ITI Apprentice Posts

The Research Centre Imarat (RCI), a premier laboratory of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has released the DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 notification under Advertisement No. RCI/HRD/Apprenticeship/Advt/2027. A total of 195 apprentice seats have been announced for the year 2027: 50 Graduate Apprentice, 30 Technician (Diploma) Apprentice and 115 Trade (ITI) Apprentice seats, for one year of training at Hyderabad.

B.E./B.Tech, Diploma and ITI pass candidates who passed in 2022 to 2026 with at least 70% marks (or 7.5 CGPA) as regular students can apply online. Graduate and Diploma candidates apply on the NATS 2.0 portal, and ITI candidates apply on the Apprenticeship India (NAPS) portal. The last date is 30 days from the publication of the advertisement in the newspaper. This article covers the DRDO RCI apprentice vacancy, eligibility, age limit, stipend, selection process and how to apply, all taken from the official notification.

Quick summary:

➤ Recruitment: DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026, Advt. No. RCI/HRD/Apprenticeship/Advt/2027

➤ Laboratory: Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex, DRDO, Hyderabad

➤ Total seats: 195 (Graduate 50, Diploma 30, ITI 115)

➤ Qualification: B.E./B.Tech, Diploma or ITI with 70% marks or 7.5 CGPA (passed 2022–2026)

➤ Minimum age: 18 years as on 1 September 2026

➤ Stipend: As per Government norms (Gazette dated 3 September 2025)

➤ Training period: 1 year

➤ Apply: Online on NATS 2.0 (Graduate/Diploma) and Apprenticeship India portal (ITI)

➤ Last date: 30 days from newspaper advertisement

➤ Selection: Academic merit / interview + document verification

Table of Contents

1. DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Overview
2. DRDO RCI Apprentice Vacancy 2026 (195 Seats)
3. DRDO RCI Apprentice Eligibility
4. DRDO RCI Apprentice Stipend
5. How to Apply
6. Selection Process and Documents
7. Important Instructions
8. FAQs
9. Important Links

DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Overview

The DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is a one-year apprenticeship training programme at Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad, under the Apprentices Act 1961 (amended in 1973, 1992, 2019 and 2025). The table below gives the key details of the DRDO Research Centre Imarat apprentice notification at a glance.

DRDO RCI Apprentice Vacancy 2026 (195 Seats)

The DRDO RCI apprentice vacancy 2026 includes 50 Graduate Apprentice seats for B.E./B.Tech holders, 30 Technician Apprentice seats for Diploma holders and 115 Trade Apprentice seats for ITI pass candidates. Category-wise DRDO RCI apprentice seats and eligible branches are given below. The number of seats may vary.

DRDO RCI Apprentice Eligibility Criteria 2026

To be eligible for the DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026, candidates must meet the marks, passing year and age conditions given in the notification. The DRDO Research Centre Imarat apprentice eligibility criteria are summarised in the table below.

• Candidates with higher qualifications are not eligible.
• Candidates who have already done, or are now doing, apprenticeship training are not eligible.
• Candidates with more than one year of work experience are not eligible.
• Reservation for SC/ST/OBC/PwD/EWS applies as per the Apprentices Act and Rules.

DRDO RCI Apprentice Stipend 2026

The DRDO RCI apprentice stipend will be paid as per Government norms. Graduate and Technician (Diploma) apprentices get 50% of the stipend from the Board of Apprenticeship Training (BOAT) under the DBT scheme, so an Aadhaar-seeded bank account is mandatory. The DRDO RCI apprentice stipend details are given below.

How to Apply for DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026

Candidates must apply online for the DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026. Graduate and Diploma candidates apply on the NATS 2.0 portal, while ITI candidates apply on the Apprenticeship India portal. The portal-wise DRDO RCI apprentice application details are given in the table below.

1. Register on the NATS 2.0 portal (Graduate/Diploma) or the Apprenticeship India portal (ITI). Registration is mandatory.
2. Graduate/Diploma: log in to nats.education.gov.in, select Research Centre Imarat, DRDO (Enrolment ID STLRAC000010) and apply.
3. ITI: log in to apprenticeshipindia.gov.in, click "Apprenticeship Opportunities", search "RESEARCH CENTRE IMARAT" under "Search by Establishment Name" (Establishment ID E05203600040), choose your trade and click Apply.
4. Apply within 30 days from the date of the newspaper advertisement.
5. Keep your email active, as shortlisted candidates will be informed by email.

DRDO RCI Apprentice Selection Process and Documents

The DRDO RCI apprentice selection process is based on academic merit and/or interview, followed by document verification. Shortlisted candidates must bring the documents listed below, in original and self-attested copy, for document verification and joining.

• Selected candidates must sign a contract of apprenticeship on the respective portal before training starts.
• A valid Police Verification Certificate is required at the time of joining.
• Selected candidates cannot withdraw from training except for reasons beyond their control.

Also read: DRDO ITR Chandipur Apprentice Recruitment 2026 for 54 Graduate & Diploma Apprentice Posts: Stipend Rs. 12,300, Eligibility, Last Date 2 November.

Important Instructions

• No TA/DA will be paid for any stage of selection.
• No hostel, quarters or transport will be provided during interview or training.
• There is no obligation of employment after the apprenticeship.
• Canvassing leads to cancellation of candidature.
• Legal jurisdiction: Hon'ble High Court, Hyderabad, Telangana.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. How many seats are there in DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026?

There are 195 seats: 50 Graduate, 30 Diploma and 115 ITI apprentice seats.

Q2. What is the minimum percentage for DRDO RCI apprentice?

70% marks or 7.5 CGPA in the qualifying exam, passed between 2022 and 2026 as a regular student.

Q3. What is the last date to apply?

30 days from the date of publication of the advertisement in the newspaper.

Q4. How do I apply for DRDO RCI ITI apprentice?

Apply on apprenticeshipindia.gov.in by searching "RESEARCH CENTRE IMARAT" (Establishment ID E05203600040).

Q5. What is the age limit?

Candidates must be at least 18 years old as on 1 September 2026.

Q6. Is the DRDO RCI apprenticeship a permanent job?

No. It is one-year training, and there is no obligation of employment after it.

DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Important Links

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