DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2027
195 Apprentice Vacancies for Graduate, Diploma and ITI Candidates at Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad
1. Introduction – DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2027
Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, has announced an apprenticeship opportunity for eligible Indian nationals for the training year 2027. RCI functions under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of Defence, and is located at the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex in Hyderabad, Telangana.
This DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment is intended for candidates who have completed relevant B.E./B.Tech programmes, diploma courses or ITI trades. The apprenticeship is for a period of one year and includes Graduate Apprentice, Technician Apprentice and Trade Apprentice categories.
Unlike a conventional permanent government job recruitment, this notification is specifically for apprenticeship training. Candidates should understand the nature of the engagement before applying. The notification also clearly states that completion of apprenticeship does not create an obligation on the establishment to provide employment.
Candidates interested in government-sector technical opportunities can also use our Government Job Age Calculator to check their age eligibility before proceeding.
2. DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2027 – Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Organisation | Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) |
| Laboratory | Research Centre Imarat (RCI) |
| Ministry | Ministry of Defence, Government of India |
| Advertisement Number | RCI/HRD/Apprenticeship/Advt/2027 |
| Training Year | 2027 |
| Training Duration | One Year |
| Total Indicative Vacancies | 195* |
| Job/Training Location | RCI, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex, Hyderabad, Telangana |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Selection Basis | Academic Merit / Interview as required |
| Minimum Age | 18 Years as on 1 September 2026 |
| Minimum Academic Requirement | 70% marks or CGPA 7.5 and above |
| Stipend | As per Government norms |
*The notification states that vacancies may vary.
Category-wise Vacancy Details
| Apprenticeship Category | Qualification | Indicative Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentice | B.E./B.Tech in ECE, Instrumentation Engineering, EEE, CSE, Mechanical, Chemical, Metallurgical, Safety, Aeronautical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering. | 50* |
| Technician Apprentice | Diploma in ECE, Instrumentation Engineering, EEE, CSE, Mechanical, Chemical, Metallurgical Engineering and Safety Engineering. | 30* |
| Trade Apprentice | ITI in Fitter, Welder, Turner, Machinist, Mechanic-Diesel, Electronic-Mechanic, Electrician, COPA, Draughtsman Engineering (Mechanical) and Grinder. | 115* |
3. DRDO RCI Apprentice Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility requirements are important because the RCI notification places restrictions not only on educational qualification but also on the year of passing, marks, age, previous apprenticeship experience and work experience.
Educational Qualification
Candidates must possess the qualification corresponding to the apprenticeship category for which they apply. Graduate candidates require a relevant B.E./B.Tech degree, Diploma candidates require the specified diploma qualification, while Trade Apprentices must have passed the relevant ITI trade with NCVT/SCVT affiliation.
Minimum Marks
The qualifying examination must relate to the years 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 or 2026, according to the notification.
Age Limit
An applicant must be at least 18 years old as on 1 September 2026. The notification should be read carefully for all applicable eligibility conditions before registration.
Other Eligibility Conditions
- All qualifications must be obtained from Indian institutions recognised by the appropriate statutory authority.
- Candidates possessing a higher qualification than the qualification prescribed for the apprenticeship are not eligible.
- Candidates who have already completed apprenticeship training are not eligible.
- Candidates currently undergoing apprenticeship training in any organisation are not eligible.
- Candidates having more than one year of work experience are not eligible.
- Suppression of material facts can result in disqualification.
Important Registration Requirement
B.E./B.Tech and Diploma candidates are required to register on the NATS 2.0 portal. ITI Trade Apprentice candidates must register through the Apprenticeship India portal.
For B.E./B.Tech/Diploma applicants, the RCI notification provides the NATS enrolment ID STLRAC000010. ITI candidates are instructed to search for Research Centre Imarat, DRDO using Establishment ID E05203600040.
4. Application Fee
The supplied RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2027 notification does not specify an application fee in the published instructions. Candidates should therefore follow only the application procedure given through the designated apprenticeship portals and verify any portal-specific instructions before submission.
Since this is an apprenticeship engagement rather than a conventional written government examination, applicants should not assume that the fee structure of other DRDO or government recruitments applies to this notification.
5. Selection Process
The selection process mentioned in the notification is primarily based on academic merit and interview, wherever required, followed by satisfactory verification of documents.
Candidates complete the required registration and application through the appropriate NATS or Apprenticeship India portal.
Eligible candidates may be shortlisted on the basis of academic merit. An interview may also be conducted where required.
Shortlisted candidates will be informed through the email address provided during application. Candidates are advised to keep the email account active and check it regularly.
Original documents and self-attested copies are required at the verification/joining stage.
Selected candidates must execute the apprenticeship contract through the applicable portal before training begins.
Documents Required at Verification/Joining
- Filled application form
- NATS/NAPS profile printout
- 10th class marksheet and certificate
- Final/consolidated marksheet of qualifying examination
- Original or provisional qualifying certificate
- Caste certificate, wherever applicable
- PwD certificate, wherever applicable
- Valid EWS certificate, wherever applicable
- Government-issued photo ID
- Aadhaar Card
- Aadhaar-seeded bank passbook/statement
- Medical fitness certificate issued by a Government Civil Assistant Surgeon
- Two recent passport-size photographs
Selected candidates must also provide a valid Police Verification Certificate from their last residence for at least one year or from their permanent address at the time of joining.
6. Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Official Advertisement Published | 1 October 2026 |
| Application Process Starts | 1 October 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 1 November 2026 |
| Apprenticeship Training | One Year |
7. Important Links
Use the following official resources for registration and verification of the recruitment information:
DRDO Official Vacancy Page NATS 2.0 Portal Apprenticeship India
Download Official RCI Notification PDF
Useful Career Resources
Candidates selected for apprenticeship may benefit from preparing their documents and interview profile in advance. Our guide on how to prepare a professional resume can be useful before applying for technical and apprenticeship opportunities.
Applicants who may be called for an interview can also review our job interview questions and answers guide for general interview preparation.
8. Exam Pattern and Syllabus
Therefore, candidates should not prepare for a conventional DRDO written examination based on an assumed syllabus for this particular apprenticeship recruitment.
What Should Candidates Prepare?
- Keep original academic certificates and marksheets ready.
- Check that the marks/CGPA entered in the application match the official records.
- Maintain an active email address for selection-related communication.
- Keep the NATS/NAPS profile printout available where applicable.
- ITI candidates should verify their trade details before submitting the application.
- Prepare for an interview if RCI requires one for the relevant category.
- Ensure the Aadhaar-linked bank account requirement is satisfied where applicable.
For students and graduates planning their next career step, our career options after graduation guide provides additional career-planning information.
9. Why This Apprenticeship Opportunity Is Different
One useful way to understand this recruitment is to look at it as a structured training opportunity rather than a permanent appointment. The notification covers three educational groups—engineering graduates, diploma holders and ITI trade candidates—allowing applicants with different technical backgrounds to participate through the relevant apprenticeship category.
Another important point is the eligibility window. The notification specifically permits regular candidates who completed the relevant qualifying examination during 2022 to 2026, provided they meet the required marks or CGPA threshold and satisfy the remaining conditions.
The location is also clearly defined: the apprenticeship is associated with Research Centre Imarat, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex, Vignyana Kancha, Hyderabad – 500069, Telangana.
10. Important Points Candidates Should Check Before Applying
- Age: You must be at least 18 years old on 1 September 2026.
- Marks: Minimum 70% or CGPA 7.5 is required in the qualifying examination.
- Passing Years: Qualifying examinations should fall within 2022–2026 as specified.
- Experience: More than one year of work experience makes a candidate ineligible.
- Previous Apprenticeship: Candidates who have already undergone or are currently undergoing apprenticeship training cannot apply.
- Higher Qualification: Candidates holding a higher qualification than the prescribed qualification are not eligible.
- Registration: B.E./B.Tech/Diploma candidates must use NATS 2.0; ITI candidates must use Apprenticeship India.
- Bank Account: Aadhaar-seeded bank account is required for the applicable BOAT DBT stipend component.
- Accommodation: RCI will not provide hostel accommodation, quarters or transport.
- Employment: Completion of apprenticeship does not guarantee employment with DRDO/RCI.
11. DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2027 – FAQ
How many vacancies are available in DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2027?
The notification indicates 195 vacancies in total: 50 Graduate Apprentice, 30 Technician Apprentice and 115 Trade Apprentice vacancies. The notification also states that vacancies may vary.
What is the DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2027 last date?
The current DRDO vacancy listing gives 1 November 2026 as the closing date for this advertisement.
Where is the DRDO RCI apprenticeship located?
The apprenticeship is associated with Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex, Vignyana Kancha, Hyderabad – 500069, Telangana.
What is the minimum age for RCI Apprentice Recruitment?
Candidates must not be below 18 years of age as on 1 September 2026.
What percentage is required for DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment?
Regular candidates must have at least 70% marks or a CGPA of 7.5 or above in the relevant qualifying Graduate, Diploma or ITI examination.
Is there a written exam for DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2027?
The notification does not prescribe a separate written examination or syllabus. It states that selection will be based on academic merit and interview, as required, followed by document verification.
Which portal should B.Tech and Diploma candidates use?
B.E./B.Tech and Diploma candidates are required to register on the NATS 2.0 portal. The notification provides RCI enrolment ID STLRAC000010 for applying through NATS.
Which portal should ITI candidates use?
ITI Trade Apprentice candidates must use the Apprenticeship India portal and search for Research Centre Imarat, DRDO. The notification gives Establishment ID E05203600040.
What stipend will DRDO RCI apprentices receive?
The notification states that the stipend will be paid according to Government norms and refers to the Gazette dated 3 September 2025. It does not state one fixed stipend amount in the advertisement itself.
Does DRDO guarantee a permanent job after apprenticeship?
No. The notification states that the apprenticeship engagement and training are under the Apprenticeship Act and that there is no obligation to employ apprentices after completion of training.
Can a candidate with previous apprenticeship experience apply?
No. The notification states that candidates who have already undergone apprenticeship training or are currently undergoing apprenticeship training under any organisation are not eligible.
Can candidates with more than one year of work experience apply?
No. Candidates with more than one year of work experience are specifically declared ineligible in the notification.
12. Conclusion
DRDO RCI Apprentice Recruitment 2027 provides one-year apprenticeship training opportunities for eligible Graduate, Diploma and ITI candidates at Research Centre Imarat in Hyderabad. The notification indicates 195 vacancies across the three apprenticeship categories, subject to variation. Candidates should pay particular attention to the 70%/7.5 CGPA requirement, qualifying-year condition, age requirement, previous apprenticeship restrictions and portal-specific registration process.
Before applying, candidates should compare their qualification and experience with every condition in the official advertisement. It is also advisable to complete the relevant portal registration early and retain copies of submitted information and supporting documents.
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