DRDO DEAL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – Apply Online for 77 Posts
The Defence Electronics Applications Laboratory (DEAL), a Dehradun-based laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has invited online applications to engage 77 apprentices for the year 2026-27. The posts are open for Graduate, Diploma (Technician) and Trade (ITI) candidates across engineering and technical streams. This is a great chance for fresh engineering and technical job seekers to train with one of India’s top defence research labs and earn a monthly stipend of up to ₹12,300.
Applications opened on 23 June 2026, and the last date is 22 July 2026. The apprenticeship runs for one year and gives valuable hands-on exposure to defence electronics work. Please remember it is a training engagement and does not guarantee a permanent job. In this article on GovtJobsAlert.in, we explain the category-wise vacancies, eligibility, stipend, selection process and the exact steps to apply online for DRDO DEAL Apprentice 2026 through the NATS and NAPS portals.
Key Highlights – DRDO DEAL Apprentice 2026
DEAL works on advanced communication and electronics systems for India’s defence forces, so training here is a strong addition to any technical resume. Here are the quick highlights for ITI and diploma job seekers:
- Post Names: Graduate, Diploma (Technician) and Trade (ITI) Apprentices
- Total Vacancies: 77
- Stipend: ₹10,560 – ₹12,300 per month
- Job Location: Dehradun, Uttarakhand
- Last Date to Apply: 22 July 2026
Vacancy Breakdown – DRDO DEAL Apprentice 2026
The 77 positions are divided across three apprentice categories, as below.
| Apprentice Type | Stipend (₹/month) | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentice | 12,300 | 19 |
| Diploma (Technician) Apprentice | 10,900 | 8 |
| Trade (ITI) Apprentice | 10,560 | 50 |
| Total | — | 77 |
Educational Qualification
The qualification depends on the apprentice category you apply for:
- Graduate Apprentice: BE / B.Tech (or equivalent) with 60% marks in Electronics & Communication, Mechanical, Computer Science or Electrical Engineering. For the Library Science post, B.Sc with B.Lib / B.L.I.Sc.
- Diploma (Technician) Apprentice: Diploma in Engineering with 60% marks in the relevant discipline.
- Trade (ITI) Apprentice: ITI pass with an NCVT / SCVT certificate in the relevant trade (such as Electronics Mechanic, Electrician, Fitter, Machinist, COPA and more).
Candidates must have passed the qualifying exam within the last 5 years (2022 to 2026). Those who have already done an apprenticeship, or have one year or more of work experience after qualifying, are not eligible.
Age Limit
The minimum age is 18 years. The maximum age and any relaxation are governed by The Apprentices Act, 1961, the Apprentices Rules, 1992 and the NATS / NAPS guidelines — the notification does not fix a separate upper-age number. So most fresh graduates, diploma holders and ITI pass-outs from recent years can comfortably apply.
Stipend & Salary – DRDO DEAL Apprentice 2026
Apprentices receive a fixed monthly stipend (salary) as per their category, paid through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into their bank account.
- Graduate Apprentice: ₹12,300 per month
- Diploma (Technician) Apprentice: ₹10,900 per month
- Trade (ITI) Apprentice: ₹10,560 per month
For Graduate and Diploma apprentices, half the stipend is paid by DEAL and half by the Board of Apprenticeship Training (BOAT) under the DBT scheme. No accommodation, transport or medical facility is provided during training, so candidates should plan accordingly.
Selection Process – How Are DEAL Apprentices Selected?
Selection is based on academic merit and verification, with DEAL free to choose the most suitable method.
- Shortlisting based on academic merit, or a written test / interview / walk-in, depending on the number of applicants in each category and discipline.
- Document verification of all uploaded certificates.
- Final engagement is subject to satisfactory verification and signing of the one-year apprenticeship contract.
DEAL reserves the right to set its own shortlisting criteria, and reservation is applied as per the Apprentices Act and Rules.
How to Apply Online for DRDO DEAL Apprentice 2026
The mode of application depends on your category. Apply online only — no offline applications are accepted.
- Graduate and Diploma candidates: register and log in on the NATS portal, then apply against DEAL (link in Essential Links below).
- ITI candidates: register and log in on the NAPS / apprenticeshipindia portal, search for “Defence Electronics Application Laboratory” and apply.
- Fill in all details correctly and convert your CGPA into a percentage as per your institute’s norms.
- Upload scanned copies of all required documents — mark sheets from 10th onwards, ID proof and category certificates.
- Submit the application before the last date and keep a copy for your records.
Important Dates – DRDO DEAL Apprentice 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Starts | 23 June 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 22 July 2026 |
Application Fees – DRDO DEAL Apprentice 2026
There is no application fee for this apprenticeship engagement.
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| All Categories | No Fee |
Essential Links – DRDO DEAL Apprentice 2026
- Download Official Notification PDF
- Apply Online via NATS Portal (Graduate / Diploma)
- Apply Online via Apprenticeship India (ITI)
- Visit DRDO DEAL Official Notification Page
- Join WhatsApp Channel for Government Jobs
- Join Telegram Channel for Government Jobs
Training with DRDO DEAL is a valuable, paid first step for any technical fresher, even though it is not a permanent job. If you passed in the last five years, complete your NATS or NAPS registration and apply before 22 July 2026. For more apprenticeship and engineering job updates, keep visiting GovtJobsAlert.in. We wish you a bright start to your technical career!