Research Centre Imarat invites applications for Graduate, Diploma and ITI Trade Apprentices; candidates with 70% marks or 7.5 CGPA can apply

Hyderabad: The Research Centre Imarat (RCI), a premier laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) under the Ministry of Defence, has invited online applications from eligible Indian nationals for engagement as apprentices for the year 2027.

The apprenticeship programme offers opportunities for Graduate Apprentices, Technician Apprentices (Diploma) and Trade Apprentices (ITI). The training will be for a period of one year.

According to the official advertisement, a total of 195 apprentice vacancies have been notified. The last date for receipt of online applications is November 1, 2026. DRDO has also listed the RCI apprenticeship advertisement on its official vacancies page, with the application window running from October 1 to November 1, 2026. 

DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2027: Vacancy Details

The vacancies are distributed across three apprenticeship categories:

• Graduate Apprentice: 50 vacancies

• Technician Apprentice (Diploma): 30 vacancies

• Trade Apprentice (ITI): 115 vacancies

• Total: 195 vacancies

The advertisement notes that the number of vacancies may vary. xn--m1b0a2bb8esed.xn--11b7cb3a6a.xn--h2brj9c 

Graduate Apprentice Vacancies

Candidates with a B.E. or B.Tech qualification in the following disciplines can apply for Graduate Apprentice positions:

• Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE)

• Instrumentation Engineering

• Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE)

• Computer Science and Engineering (CSE)

• Mechanical Engineering

• Chemical Engineering

• Metallurgical Engineering

• Safety Engineering

• Aeronautical Engineering

• Aerospace Engineering

• Civil Engineering

A total of 50 Graduate Apprentice vacancies have been advertised.

Technician Apprentice Vacancies

There are 30 Technician Apprentice vacancies for candidates holding a Diploma in:

• Electronics and Communication Engineering

• Instrumentation Engineering

• Electrical and Electronics Engineering

• Computer Science and Engineering

• Mechanical Engineering

• Chemical Engineering

• Metallurgical Engineering

• Safety Engineering

ITI Trade Apprentice Vacancies

RCI has notified 115 Trade Apprentice vacancies for candidates who have passed ITI in the following trades:

• Fitter

• Welder

• Turner

• Machinist

• Mechanic-Diesel

• Electronic-Mechanic

• Electrician

• Computer Operator and Programming Assistant (COPA)

• Draughtsman Engineering (Mechanical)

• Grinder

The ITI qualification must have the required NCVT/SCVT affiliation as specified in the advertisement. xn--m1b0a2bb8esed.xn--11b7cb3a6a.xn--h2brj9c 

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must fulfil the eligibility conditions specified by RCI before applying.

Age Limit

The candidate should be at least 18 years old as on September 1, 2026.

Minimum Marks

Only regular candidates who secured:

• 70% marks or above, or

• 7.5 CGPA or above

in their qualifying examination are eligible to apply.

The qualifying examinations must have been completed in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 or 2026 for Graduate, Diploma and ITI Trade apprenticeship categories. xn--m1b0a2bb8esed.xn--11b7cb3a6a.xn--h2brj9c 

Registration on Apprenticeship Portals

Registration on the relevant apprenticeship portal is mandatory.

For B.E./B.Tech and Diploma Candidates

Candidates must register on the NATS 2.0 portal.

They should apply by selecting Research Centre Imarat, DRDO, with:

Enrolment ID: STLRAC000010

For ITI Candidates

ITI Trade Apprentice candidates must register on the Apprenticeship India portal.

Candidates should search for Research Centre Imarat, DRDO using:

Establishment ID: E05203600040

They must then select their relevant trade and apply for the apprenticeship opportunity.

Stipend

The apprenticeship stipend will be provided as per Government norms, with the advertisement referring to the Gazette dated September 3, 2025.

For Graduate and Technician Apprentices, an Aadhaar-seeded bank account is mandatory for receiving the applicable portion of the stipend from the Board of Apprenticeship Training (BOAT) under the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme.

Selection Process

Selection will be made on the basis of academic merit and/or interview, as required, subject to satisfactory verification of documents.

Shortlisted candidates will be informed through the email address provided in their application. Candidates are advised to keep their registered email active and check it periodically until completion of the selection process. 

Documents Required

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

The documents include:

• Duly filled application form

• NATS/NAPS profile printout

• Class 10 marksheet and certificate

• Consolidated/final marksheet of the qualifying examination

• Original/provisional qualifying certificate

• Caste certificate, where applicable

• Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) certificate, where applicable

• Valid EWS certificate, where applicable

• Government-issued photo identity card

• Aadhaar Card

• Aadhaar-seeded bank passbook or bank statement

• Medical fitness certificate issued by a Government Civil Assistant Surgeon

• Two recent passport-size photographs

Candidates selected for training will also have to execute the apprenticeship contract through the respective portal before commencement of training. 

Important Conditions for Applicants

Candidates should carefully note several conditions in the official advertisement.

Candidates with higher qualifications than the required qualification are not eligible to apply. Applicants who have already undergone apprenticeship training, or are currently undergoing apprenticeship training under any organisation, are also not eligible.

Candidates with more than one year of work experience are not eligible to apply.

The advertisement also states that the apprentices will not be provided hostel accommodation, quarters or transport by RCI during the interview or apprenticeship period. No TA/DA will be paid to applicants called for any stage of the selection process. xn--m1b0a2bb8esed.xn--11b7cb3a6a.xn--h2brj9c 

Apprenticeship Does Not Guarantee Permanent Employment

The engagement is strictly governed by the Apprentices Act, 1961, and applicable amendments. Completion of the apprenticeship does not create any obligation on DRDO or RCI to provide employment to the apprentices.

Selected candidates must also produce a valid Police Verification Certificate at the time of joining. xn--m1b0a2bb8esed.xn--11b7cb3a6a.xn--h2brj9c 

DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2027: Important Date

• Advertisement published: October 1, 2026

• Application start: October 1, 2026

• Last date to apply: November 1, 2026

• Training duration: One year

The official DRDO vacancy listing confirms the application period from October 1 to November 1, 2026. DRDO 

How to Apply

Eligible candidates should complete registration on the appropriate apprenticeship portal and submit their application through the prescribed process.

B.E./B.Tech/Diploma candidates: Apply through NATS 2.0 after selecting Research Centre Imarat, DRDO, Enrolment ID STLRAC000010.

ITI candidates: Apply through Apprenticeship India by searching for Research Centre Imarat, DRDO, Establishment ID E05203600040, and selecting the relevant trade.

Candidates should complete the application process well before the November 1, 2026 deadline and ensure that all eligibility requirements and documents are correctly fulfilled.

 

FAQs

1. How many vacancies are available in DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2027?

A total of 195 vacancies have been notified: 50 Graduate Apprentice, 30 Technician Apprentice and 115 ITI Trade Apprentice vacancies.

2. What is the last date to apply for DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2027?

The last date for receipt of online applications is November 1, 2026.

3. Who is eligible for DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment?

Regular candidates who completed their qualifying Graduate, Diploma or ITI Trade examination in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 or 2026 and secured at least 70% marks or 7.5 CGPA are eligible, subject to the other conditions in the advertisement.

4. What is the age limit for DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment?

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

5. What engineering branches are eligible for Graduate Apprentice posts?

B.E./B.Tech candidates from ECE, Instrumentation Engineering, EEE, CSE, Mechanical, Chemical, Metallurgical, Safety, Aeronautical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering can apply.

6. How many ITI Apprentice vacancies are available?

There are 115 ITI Trade Apprentice vacancies.

7. Which ITI trades are included?

The notified trades include Fitter, Welder, Turner, Machinist, Mechanic-Diesel, Electronic-Mechanic, Electrician, COPA, Draughtsman Engineering (Mechanical) and Grinder.

8. Is NATS registration mandatory for B.E./B.Tech and Diploma candidates?

Yes. B.E./B.Tech and Diploma candidates must register on the NATS 2.0 portal and apply using RCI's Enrolment ID STLRAC000010.

9. Is Apprenticeship India registration required for ITI candidates?

Yes. ITI Trade candidates must register on the Apprenticeship India portal and apply for the Research Centre Imarat opportunity using Establishment ID E05203600040.

10. What is the duration of the DRDO RCI apprenticeship?

The apprenticeship training will be for one year.

11. Does completion of the apprenticeship guarantee a DRDO job?

No. The advertisement clearly states that there is no obligation for employment after completion of apprenticeship training.

12. Is accommodation provided to apprentices?

No. The advertisement states that RCI will not provide hostel accommodation, quarters or transport during the interview or apprenticeship period.

Official Source

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Research Centre Imarat — Advertisement Notification No. RCI/HRD/Apprenticeship/Advt/2027. 

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