DRDO RCI Hyderabad Apprentice 2027 Batch: Graduate, Technician (Diploma) & ITI Trade Apprentice Seats, Eligibility and Apply Process
Good news for young engineers and ITI pass-outs! Research Centre Imarat (RCI), a premier laboratory of DRDO in Hyderabad, has opened 195 apprentice seats for the year 2027. There are 50 Graduate Apprentice, 30 Technician Apprentice (Diploma) and 115 Trade Apprentice (ITI) seats. Training lasts one year inside a premier defence research lab, which looks strong on any CV. If you are hunting for government jobs in Telangana or simply want real lab experience after your course, read on.
The last date is 30 days from the date the advertisement appears in the newspaper. DRDO’s own vacancy page lists 1 November 2026 as the end date. Only regular candidates who passed in 2022 to 2026 with 70% or CGPA 7.5 can apply. Graduate and Diploma candidates apply on the NATS 2.0 portal, and ITI candidates on the Apprenticeship India portal. This guide from GovtJobsAlert.in covers seats, branches, conditions and the exact steps. Please read it fully before you register.
What are the Key Highlights of DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
RCI is part of the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex at Vignyana Kancha, Hyderabad. This engagement is made under the Apprentices Act 1961, as amended up to 2025. The advertisement number is in the table below.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Research Centre Imarat (RCI), DRDO, Ministry of Defence |
| Advertisement No. | RCI/HRD/Apprenticeship/Advt/2027 |
| Apprenticeship Year | 2027 |
| Total Seats | 195 (vacancies may vary) |
| Training Period | One year |
| Stipend | As per Govt norms (Gazette dated 03 September 2025) |
| Job Location | RCI, Vignyana Kancha, Hyderabad – 500 069 |
| Minimum Marks | 70% or CGPA 7.5 in the qualifying exam |
| Selection | Academic Merit / Interview as required, plus document verification |
| Last Date | 30 days from newspaper publication (DRDO page lists 1 November 2026) |
DRDO RCI Graduate, Technician (Diploma) & ITI Trade Apprentice Vacancy 2026
| Apprenticeship Category | Seats |
|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentice | 50 |
| Technician Apprentice (Diploma) | 30 |
| Trade Apprentice – ITI pass out (NCVT / SCVT) | 115 |
| Total | 195 |
The notification marks every figure with “vacancies may vary“, so the final count can change. It does not give a branch-wise or category-wise split. Reservation for SC, ST, OBC, PWD and EWS candidates applies as per the Apprentices Act 1961, the Apprentice Rules 1992 and the Apprenticeship (Amendment) Rules 2019 & 2025.
What is the Eligibility for DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
Educational Qualification
Graduate Apprentices need a B.E. / B.Tech, and Technician Apprentices need a Diploma, in one of the branches below. Notice that three branches are open only to degree holders. If you hold an engineering degree or a polytechnic diploma, find your branch here first.
| Branch | Graduate (B.E. / B.Tech) | Technician (Diploma) |
|---|---|---|
| ECE | Yes | Yes |
| Instrumentation Engg | Yes | Yes |
| EEE | Yes | Yes |
| CSE | Yes | Yes |
| Mechanical | Yes | Yes |
| Chemical Engg | Yes | Yes |
| Metallurgical Engg | Yes | Yes |
| Safety Engg | Yes | Yes |
| Aeronautical Engg | Yes | No |
| Aerospace Engg | Yes | No |
| Civil Engg | Yes | No |
Trade Apprentices need an ITI pass out (NCVT / SCVT affiliation) in one of these ten trades. More ITI government jobs are listed on our site too.
| No. | ITI Trade |
|---|---|
| 1 | Fitter |
| 2 | Welder |
| 3 | Turner |
| 4 | Machinist |
| 5 | Mechanic-Diesel |
| 6 | Electronic-Mechanic |
| 7 | Electrician |
| 8 | COPA (Computer Operator Programming Assistant) |
| 9 | Draughtsman Engg (Mech) |
| 10 | Grinder |
Marks, Passing Year and Other Conditions
| Condition | What the notification says |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian Nationals only |
| Minimum marks | 70% or CGPA 7.5 and above in the qualifying exam |
| Type of candidate | Only regular candidates are eligible |
| Passing year | 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 or 2026 |
| Institution | Indian institution recognised by the Appropriate Statutory Authority |
| Higher qualification | Candidates with higher qualification are NOT eligible |
| Earlier apprenticeship | Already done, or now doing, apprenticeship under any organisation – NOT eligible |
| Work experience | More than one year of work experience – NOT eligible |
Please read the last three rows twice. A B.Tech holder should not apply for a Diploma seat, and anyone with over a year of job experience should not apply, because the candidature can be rejected at document verification.
Age Limit
| Requirement | Age |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | 18 years as on 01 September 2026 |
| Maximum age | Not mentioned in the notification |
🎂 Not sure if you meet the age criteria? Use our free Age Calculator for Government Exams to find your exact age on the cut-off date and instantly check your eligibility — including any age relaxation you qualify for. →
The only age rule printed is the minimum of 18 years on 1 September 2026. If your birthday falls close to that date, check it carefully before you register.
What is the Salary (Stipend) for DRDO RCI Apprentice 2026?
The notification does not print a rupee amount. It says the stipend is “as per Govt norms” and refers to the Gazette dated 03 September 2025, so the figure for your category comes from that Gazette.
- Graduate and Technician (Diploma) Apprentices: 50% of the stipend is paid by the Board of Apprenticeship and Training (BOAT) under the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme.
- Aadhaar-seeded bank account: compulsory to receive that share, so link Aadhaar to your account now.
This is a training seat, not a job. The notification says there is no obligation to give employment after training. Still, a year at a DRDO missile lab adds weight to your profile.
What is the Selection Process for DRDO RCI Apprentice 2026?
| Stage | Detail |
|---|---|
| Shortlisting | Academic Merit / Interview as required |
| Document verification | Originals and self-attested copies checked before the contract is created |
| Contract of apprenticeship | Signed on the respective portal before training starts |
| Joining | Valid Police Verification Certificate needed |
Shortlisted candidates get an e-mail at the address given in the application. Keep that inbox active and check it often, because RCI is not responsible if your mobile number or e-mail changes. The management can amend, cancel or suspend the selection process at any time, and its decision is final.
The police verification certificate must be from your place of last residence (for at least the past one year) or your permanent address. Start that request early.
Which Rules Can Cancel Your Seat in DRDO RCI Apprentice 2026?
| Condition | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Document mismatch | Any deviation from the required qualification – candidature rejected |
| Suppression of facts | Disqualification at any stage, even during apprenticeship |
| Canvassing | Any canvassing or personal follow-up – immediate cancellation |
| Withdrawal | Selected candidates cannot leave training except for reasons beyond their control |
| Termination | RCI may end the apprenticeship if circumstances warrant, without giving a reason |
| Travel | No TA/DA for any stage of selection |
| Stay | No hostel, quarter or transport during interview or training |
| Not selected | No correspondence will be entertained |
| Disputes | Jurisdiction of the High Court, Hyderabad, Telangana |
Two rules need special care: the bar on higher qualification and the one-year work experience limit. If either one applies to you, please do not apply. RCI pays no TA/DA for any selection stage, so a rejection at document verification costs you.
How to Apply for DRDO RCI Apprentice 2026?
This is a two-step route: register on the right portal first, then apply to RCI from inside it. Check your eligibility in the detailed advertisement on the DRDO website before you begin.
Graduate & Technician (Diploma) Apprentice – NATS 2.0
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Register first on the NATS 2.0 portal (link in Essential Links) and complete your enrolment – registration is mandatory |
| 2 | Note your NATS login / registration details |
| 3 | Log in to NATS 2.0 and select Research Centre Imarat, DRDO (Enrolment ID: STLRAC000010) |
| 4 | Apply to RCI and save the confirmation from both steps |
ITI Trade Apprentice – Apprenticeship India Portal
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Register first on the Apprenticeship India portal (link in Essential Links) – registration is mandatory |
| 2 | Note your login / registration details |
| 3 | Log in, open ‘Apprenticeship Opportunities’ and type RESEARCH CENTRE IMARAT in ‘Search by Establishment Name’ (Establishment ID: E05203600040) |
| 4 | Choose your trade, click Apply and save the confirmation from both steps |
The notification does not mention any application fee. If shortlisted, carry your NATS / NAPS profile printout, Aadhaar card, Aadhaar-seeded bank passbook and a medical fitness certificate from a Govt Civil Assistant Surgeon, along with your marksheets. The full document list is in the notification PDF.
Use an e-mail address you check every day, because shortlisted candidates are informed by e-mail. Also make sure your portal qualification details match your marksheets. Documents are checked before the contract is created, and any deviation from the required qualification means rejection.
What are the Important Dates for DRDO RCI Apprentice 2026?
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notice published on DRDO vacancy page | 01 October 2026 |
| Online application start (DRDO page) | 01 October 2026 |
| Last date (as per notification) | 30 days from newspaper advertisement |
| End date listed on DRDO vacancy page | 01 November 2026 |
| Age reckoned on | 01 September 2026 |
| Eligible passing years | 2022 to 2026 |
What is the Application Fee for DRDO RCI Apprentice 2026?
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| All categories | No fee mentioned in the notification |
DRDO RCI Apprentice 2026 Essential Links
- Download Official Notification PDF – DRDO RCI Apprentice 2026 (Detailed Advertisement)
- Official Notification Page for DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 (DRDO Vacancy Listing)
- Register Online on NATS 2.0 for DRDO RCI Apprentice 2026 (Graduate & Technician (Diploma) Apprentice)
- Register Online on Apprenticeship India for DRDO RCI Apprentice 2026 (ITI Trade Apprentice)
- Visit DRDO RCI Apprentice Official Website
- Join WhatsApp Channel for Government Jobs
- Join Telegram Channel for Government Jobs
If you passed between 2022 and 2026 with 70% marks and have not done an apprenticeship before, this is a great chance to train at a DRDO missile lab. Register on the right portal today and apply well before the deadline, which DRDO’s page lists as 1 November 2026. Keep visiting GovtJobsAlert.in for more government job updates.