DRDO DEBEL Bengaluru Invites Applications for Graduate Apprenticeship Training FY 2026-27
The Defence Bio-Engineering & Electromedical Laboratory (DEBEL), a premier defence laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has released Advertisement No. DEBEL/HRD/Apprentice/2026-27/01 inviting online applications for engagement of 28 Graduate Apprentices for the Financial Year 2026-27. The training will take place at DEBEL’s facility at New Thippasandra, Bengaluru, and is governed by the Apprentices Act 1961 (as amended in 1973 and 2014). If you are a fresh engineering or science graduate exploring DRDO and defence opportunities on GovtJobsAlert.in, this is a brilliant one-year window into the country’s premier defence R&D ecosystem.
Applications are accepted only through the NATS web portal (www.mhrdnats.gov.in) up to 20 May 2026. Apprentices will receive a monthly stipend of ₹12,300 and hands-on exposure to Life Support Systems, Biomedical Devices, Environmental Protection Systems and Aircrew Protective Systems — exactly the kind of indigenous defence technology India is building today. Don’t worry if this is your first apprenticeship — the section-wise guide below on GovtJobsAlert.in will walk you through eligibility, apply flow and joining timelines.
Key Highlights — DRDO DEBEL Graduate Apprentice Recruitment 2026
DEBEL, Bengaluru is one of DRDO’s top laboratories working on research and development in life support systems, biomedical equipment and aircrew protective systems. Graduate apprenticeship here is a structured one-year training programme designed to give young engineers and science graduates first-hand exposure to defence R&D. If you are a fresh engineering graduate, this apprenticeship can add significant weight to your CV.
- Recruiting Body: DRDO – Defence Bio-Engineering & Electromedical Laboratory (DEBEL)
- Advertisement No.: DEBEL/HRD/Apprentice/2026-27/01
- Post Name: Graduate Apprentice
- Total Vacancies: 28
- Duration: 1 year (from execution of Apprenticeship contract)
- Monthly Stipend: ₹12,300
- Job Location: New Thippasandra, Bengaluru – 560075, Karnataka
- Application Mode: Online only via NATS Portal (www.mhrdnats.gov.in)
- Last Date to Apply: 20 May 2026
- Tentative Date of Joining: 01 July 2026
DEBEL Graduate Apprentice 2026 Vacancy Breakdown — Discipline Wise
| Subject / Discipline | Qualification | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | BE / B.Tech | 7 |
| Electronics / ECE / E & I | BE / B.Tech | 6 |
| Computer Science / IT | BE / B.Tech / B.Sc | 3 |
| Chemical Engineering / Chemistry | BE / B.Tech / B.Sc | 4 |
| Bio-Medical Engineering | BE / B.Tech | 4 |
| Textile Engineering | BE / B.Tech | 1 |
| Library Science | B.Lib / B.L.I.Sc | 1 |
| Physics | B.Sc | 1 |
| Accounts | B.Com | 1 |
| Total | — | 28 |
The number of vacancies is tentative and may increase or decrease as per DEBEL’s requirement. Candidates applying for engineering / technical disciplines must use the NATS User ID SKABNC000035 while enrolling through the NATS portal.
DEBEL Apprentice 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
Eligibility is discipline-wise. A candidate must have completed the relevant graduation as a regular candidate from a recognised university.
- Engineering disciplines — BE / B.Tech / B.Sc in the specified subject (refer vacancy breakdown).
- Physics — B.Sc
- Library Science — B.Lib / B.L.I.Sc
- Accounts — B.Com
If you have recently completed a graduate degree and want a structured government training experience, this apprenticeship is a clean first step.
Additional Eligibility Conditions
- Candidate must be enrolled on the BOAT’s NATS web portal (www.mhrdnats.gov.in) and verified by the regional board before applying.
- Candidate should not have undergone Apprenticeship Training elsewhere previously.
- Candidate should have less than one year of work experience.
- Candidate should have passed out in 2022 or later — i.e., graduation should not be older than five years at the time of joining at DEBEL, DRDO.
- Only candidates who completed graduation as regular candidates are eligible.
What is the Stipend / Salary for DRDO DEBEL Apprentice 2026?
The Graduate Apprentice stipend is governed by the Apprentices Act 1961 (as amended) and is paid monthly for the duration of the training. Exact stipend as per the official notification is:
- Monthly Stipend: ₹12,300 (Rupees twelve thousand three hundred only)
- Duration: One year from execution of the Apprenticeship contract
Along with the stipend, the apprentice gets structured hands-on exposure to DRDO’s life-support, biomedical and aircrew protection technology — experience that is extremely valuable for a defence / R&D career.
No TA / DA will be paid for joining. Apprentices must arrange their own stay and transport in Bengaluru. Candidates who do not complete the full one-year duration will not be awarded the internship / apprenticeship certificate.
What is the Selection Process for DRDO DEBEL Apprentice 2026?
Selection is strictly on merit based on graduation percentage, followed by an interview / interaction only if required.
- A board constituted by the Director, DEBEL will scrutinise all applications received through the NATS portal.
- Candidates will be shortlisted in order of merit — primarily percentage of graduation degree.
- Interview / Interaction — may be conducted for shortlisted candidates if DEBEL considers it necessary.
- Final Selection — only successful candidates will be intimated about joining formalities; no communication will be sent to non-selected candidates.
- Antecedents Verification — character and document verification will be done again at the time of joining.
Selection does not confer any right of employment in DRDO after the apprenticeship. For ongoing preparation resources, browse our preparation strategy section on GovtJobsAlert.in.
How to Apply Online for DRDO DEBEL Apprentice 2026?
Applications are accepted only online through the NATS portal. Register first, then submit your apprenticeship request through the DEBEL user ID.
- Visit the official NATS portal: https://nats.education.gov.in/ (or www.mhrdnats.gov.in) and register as a new student.
- Complete regional board verification of your NATS profile — this is mandatory before applying.
- Log in and search for the DEBEL apprenticeship using the NATS User ID: SKABNC000035 (for technical / engineering subjects).
- Apply for the relevant discipline as per your qualification and submit the apprenticeship request online.
- Upload required documents — graduation degree / provisional certificate, marksheets, Aadhaar, photograph and signature.
- Submit the application before 20 May 2026.
- For any query related to the apprenticeship, email hrd.debel@gov.in.
Incomplete or partially filled applications will be rejected. Selection is merit-based — there is no written test; only graduation percentage (and interview, if required) count.
Important Dates — DRDO DEBEL Apprentice Recruitment 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 23 April 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 23 April 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply (via NATS) | 20 May 2026 |
| Tentative Date of Joining at DEBEL | 01 July 2026 |
| Duration of Apprenticeship | 1 year |
Application Fees — DRDO DEBEL Apprentice 2026
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| All Candidates | No application fee |
There is no application fee for DRDO DEBEL Graduate Apprenticeship 2026. The only requirement is active registration on the NATS web portal.
Essential Links — DRDO DEBEL Apprentice Recruitment 2026
- Download Official Notification PDF
- Apply Online via NATS Portal
- Visit DRDO DEBEL Official Page
- Join WhatsApp Channel for Government Jobs
- Join Telegram Channel for Government Jobs
If you are a fresh graduate in engineering, science, commerce or library science, this is a clean, zero-fee path into the DRDO ecosystem. Complete your NATS enrolment first and then submit the application well before 20 May 2026. Keep visiting GovtJobsAlert.in for more DRDO and defence recruitment updates.