Research Centre Imarat (RCI), DRDO, has invited online applications for the engagement of 195 apprentices — Graduate, Technician (Diploma) and Trade (ITI) — for a one-year apprenticeship at Vignyana Kancha, Hyderabad; eligible candidates must register and apply via the NATS 2.0 portal (for B.E./B.Tech/Diploma) or the Apprenticeship India portal (for ITI trades) within 30 days of the advertisement’s newspaper publication (closing date noted as 01 November 2026).
Overview
The engagement is under the Apprentices Act, 1961 (as amended) for a one-year training period at RCI, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex, Ministry of Defence. The advertisement reference is RCI/HRD/Apprenticeship/Advt/2027 and the total notified vacancies are 195 (tentative).
Vacancies and Qualifications
The notification lists three apprenticeship categories with essential qualifications and tentative vacancy counts as follows.
| Apprenticeship Category | Essential Qualification | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentice | B.E./B.Tech in ECE, Instrumentation, EEE, CSE, Mechanical, Chemical, Metallurgical, Safety, Aeronautical, Aerospace, or Civil Engineering | 50* |
| Technician (Diploma) Apprentice | Diploma in ECE, Instrumentation, EEE, CSE, Mechanical, Chemical, Metallurgical, or Safety Engineering | 30* |
| Trade Apprentice (ITI) | ITI (NCVT/SCVT) pass-outs in Fitter, Welder, Turner, Machinist, Mechanic-Diesel, Electronic-Mechanic, Electrician, COPA, Draughtsman (Mechanical), or Grinder | 115* |
*Vacancies are tentative and may vary; the official notification does not provide a detailed trade-wise or reservation-wise split in the advertisement.
Eligibility and Age Limit
Candidates must meet qualification, marks, and other eligibility criteria as stated in the notification.
- Only regular candidates who secured 70% marks or CGPA 7.5 and above in the qualifying examination (Graduate, Diploma, or ITI) for the years 2022–2026 are eligible.
- Candidates with higher qualifications than prescribed, those who have already undergone or are currently undergoing apprenticeship training, and those with more than one year of work experience are not eligible.
- Applicants must be Indian nationals.
- Minimum age is 18 years as on 01 September 2026; no upper age limit is specified in the notification.
Selection and Stipend
Selection and stipend details are provided in the notification and follow Government norms and apprenticeship rules.
- Selection is based on academic merit and/or interview (no written test), subject to satisfactory document verification.
- Reservation for SC/ST/OBC/PwD/EWS will apply as per the Apprentices Act and relevant rules.
- Stipend will be paid as per Government norms referenced to the Gazette Notification dated 03 September 2025; exact monthly figures are not specified in this advertisement.
- For Graduate and Technician apprentices, having an Aadhaar-seeded/linked bank account is mandatory as 50% of the stipend is paid by the Board of Apprenticeship Training (BOAT) under DBT.
How to Apply
Applications are accepted online only; portal registration is mandatory before applying.
- B.E./B.Tech/Diploma candidates must register on NATS 2.0 at https://nats.education.gov.in/, log in and apply by selecting Research Centre Imarat, DRDO — Enrolment ID: STLRAC000010.
- ITI trade candidates must register on the Apprenticeship India portal at https://apprenticeshipindia.gov.in/, log in, go to “Apprenticeship Opportunities”, search Establishment Name “RESEARCH CENTRE IMARAT” (Establishment ID: E05203600040), select the trade and apply.
- Submit the application within 30 days of the advertisement’s newspaper publication (the notification indicates 01 November 2026 as the closing date).
Documents Required at Verification/Joining
Shortlisted candidates will undergo document verification and must produce originals and self-attested copies.
- Duly filled application form and NATS/NAPS profile printout
- 10th class mark sheet and certificate
- Consolidated/final mark sheet and original/provisional certificate of the qualifying examination
- Caste/PwD/EWS certificates, if applicable
- Any Govt. photo ID and Aadhaar Card (Aadhaar-seeded bank account copy required)
- Medical fitness certificate from a Government Civil Assistant Surgeon
- Two recent passport-size photographs
Important Conditions
The notification includes essential terms related to apprenticeship engagement, contract and conduct.
- Document verification is for shortlisted candidates only; discrepancies in qualification will cause rejection.
- No TA/DA, hostel, quarters or transport will be provided for selection or training.
- There is no obligation of employment after completion of apprenticeship training.
- Selected candidates must execute an apprenticeship contract on the respective portal before training and produce a valid Police Verification Certificate at joining.
- RCI reserves the right to amend, cancel or suspend the selection process; legal disputes are subject to the jurisdiction of the Hon’ble High Court, Hyderabad, Telangana.
Important Dates and Official Links
Candidates should consult the official notification and portals for authoritative details and any corrigendum.
- Minimum age reckoning date: 01 September 2026.
- Last date for receipt of online application: 30 days from the newspaper publication of the advertisement (notification indicates 01 November 2026).
- Official notification (PDF): https://drdo.gov.in/drdo/sites/default/files/vacancy/advtRCI01102026.pdf
- Apply for Graduate/Diploma (NATS 2.0): https://nats.education.gov.in/
- Apply for ITI trades (Apprenticeship India): https://apprenticeshipindia.gov.in/
- DRDO official website for updates and corrigenda: https://drdo.gov.in
