Advanced Centre for Energetic Materials (ACEM) has released the Apprentice Recruitment 2026 notification on 01-07-2026 at the official website drdo.gov.in. As per Notification No. ACEM/HRD/APPRENTICESHIP/2026-27 dated 01-07-2026, the application process begins from 01-07-2026 and closes on 26-07-2026. This ACEM DRDO Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is for candidates who want stable government training experience in the defense research sector.
The organization has announced 41 total vacancies, comprising Graduate Apprentice (30) and Technician Apprentice (11) posts, with the place of posting at Ambe Hill, Ojhar, Nasik. Candidates should check all details from the below article.
Read this article carefully and go through the official notification before applying. Information verified from official Advanced Centre for Energetic Materials (ACEM) notification No. ACEM/HRD/APPRENTICESHIP/2026-27 dated 01-07-2026.
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Quick Summary of Apprentice Recruitment 2026
| Category | Details |
| Organisation / Employer | Advanced Centre for Energetic Materials (ACEM), DRDO |
| Name of the Post | Graduate Apprentice, Technician Apprentice |
| Total Vacancy | 41 Posts |
| Salary / Pay Scale | ₹10,900 to ₹12,300 per month (Stipend) |
| Application Mode | Online (via Email) |
| Eligibility | B.E/B.Tech/B.Sc/B.Com/BLIS or Diploma in specified engineering fields |
| Selection Process | Merit / Interview |
| Place of Posting | Ambe Hill, Ojhar, Nasik – 422 207 |
| Government / Private / Contract | Apprenticeship Training Contract (One Year) |
| Last Date of Application | 26th July 2026 |
| Who Can Apply | 2024, 2025, and 2026 pass-outs only |
| Fresher / Experienced / Both | Fresher (Candidates with one year or more experience are ineligible) |
| Interview / Exam Date | Date will be intimated to shortlisted candidates. |
About Advanced Centre for Energetic Materials (ACEM)
The Advanced Centre for Energetic Materials (ACEM) operates as a state-of-the-art composite propellant processing facility. It functions under the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), Government of India, Ministry of Defence. Located at Ambe Hill in Ojhar, Nasik, the facility plays a role in national defense research. Candidates selected for this apprenticeship will receive one year of specialized training within a central government defense establishment. Candidates looking for more defense sector updates can check the DRDO Recruitment page.
ACEM is situated in Ambe Hill, Ojhar, which is approximately 20 to 25 kilometers from the main city of Nasik in Maharashtra. This is editorial context, not part of the official notification — confirm specifics with the hiring office. Ojhar is a prominent industrial and defense cluster, sharing its vicinity with the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) manufacturing division. Candidates traveling from Nasik city can rely on local buses or shared transit heading towards the Mumbai-Agra National Highway (NH3) to reach the Ojhar area. The official notification explicitly states that ACEM will not provide any quarters, hostel accommodations, or transportation to apprentices during the training period. Candidates from outside Nasik will need to arrange independent rental housing in nearby townships such as Ojhar town or Pimpalgaon Baswant, factoring the daily commute into their training logistics.
Important Dates
The application timeline is strictly enforced via electronic submission. ACEM will not be responsible for any loss of e-mail due to an invalid or wrong e-mail ID provided by the candidate, nor for delivery failures where emails are routed to SPAM or BULK mail folders.
| Event | Date |
| Notification Published Date | 01-07-2026 |
| Application Start Date | 01-07-2026 |
| Last Date for Receipt of Application | 26-07-2026 |
| Interview Date | Date will be intimated to shortlisted candidates. |
Vacancy Details & Salary
ACEM has allocated specific slots across multiple engineering and science disciplines. Here’s the breakdown of posts, total vacancy and salary for your reference.
| Post Name / Discipline | Total Vacancy | Pay Scale (Stipend per month) |
| Graduate Apprentice (B.E/B.Tech Chemical Engineering/Technology) | 05 | ₹12,300/- |
| Graduate Apprentice (B.E/B.Tech Mechanical Engineering) | 05 | ₹12,300/- |
| Graduate Apprentice (B.E/B.Tech Aerospace/Aeronautical) | 02 | ₹12,300/- |
| Graduate Apprentice (B.E/B.Tech/B.Sc Computer Science/Engineering) | 02 | ₹12,300/- |
| Graduate Apprentice (B.E/B.Tech Electrical/Instrumentation) | 03 | ₹12,300/- |
| Graduate Apprentice (B.E/B.Tech Electronics & Telecommunication) | 03 | ₹12,300/- |
| Graduate Apprentice (B.Sc Chemistry) | 03 | ₹12,300/- |
| Graduate Apprentice (B.Sc Physics) | 02 | ₹12,300/- |
| Graduate Apprentice (Bachelor of Commerce – B.Com) | 04 | ₹12,300/- |
| Graduate Apprentice (BLIS – Library Science) | 01 | ₹12,300/- |
| Technician Apprentice (Diploma in Mechanical Engineering) | 04 | ₹10,900/- |
| Technician Apprentice (Diploma in Chemical Engineering) | 02 | ₹10,900/- |
| Technician Apprentice (Diploma in Electrical Engineering) | 02 | ₹10,900/- |
| Technician Apprentice (Diploma in Electronics Engineering) | 02 | ₹10,900/- |
| Technician Apprentice (Diploma in Computer Science/IT/Web Designing) | 01 | ₹10,900/- |
The stipend amounts of ₹12,300 for Graduates and ₹10,900 for Diploma holders are fixed monthly allowances under the Apprenticeship Rules, as central government defense institutions do not provide standard employee pay scales for apprentices. This is editorial context, not part of the official notification — confirm specifics with the hiring office.
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for Graduate and Technician Apprentice posts include education requirements and strict pass-out year conditions. Candidates should make sure they meet all the conditions before applying.
Educational Qualification
- Candidates applying for Graduate or Technician (Diploma) posts must hold the respective B.E, B.Tech, B.Sc, B.Com, BLIS, or Diploma in the disciplines listed in the vacancy table.
- Candidates applying for engineering graduate and diploma roles must register on the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS 2.0) portal at nats.education.gov.in.
- Only fresh pass-out candidates who completed their respective courses in the years 2024, 2025, or 2026 are eligible to apply.
- Degree or Diploma holders who already possess training or job experience of one year or more after attaining their essential qualification are NOT eligible for this engagement.
- Reservation applies according to the Apprentices Act, 1961 and Apprenticeship Rules 1992. Candidates applying under SC, ST, or OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) categories must produce caste certificates in the prescribed format issued by the competent authority.
Selection Process
The Selection procedure will be decided by the Apprentice Selection Committee. ACEM retains the right to increase or decrease the number of seats for training, and can withdraw or cancel the advertisement or selection process without assigning any reason.
- Shortlisting: The committee will filter candidates based on merit or performance in an interview.
- Offer Letter Issuance: Only selected candidates will receive information through an offer letter.
- Medical & Background Verification: Selected candidates are required to submit a “MEDICAL FITNESS CERTIFICATE” and a “POLICE VERIFICATION CERTIFICATE” at the exact time of joining.
- Contract Execution: Candidates must sign and execute a one-year training contract as per the Apprentices Act, 1961.
Any suppression of facts will lead to disqualification at any stage of the selection process. Additionally, canvassing or personal follow-up intended to influence the selection process will lead to immediate cancellation of the candidate’s application.
How to Apply for ACEM DRDO Recruitment 2026
The application process is handled entirely through electronic mode. Do not send any HARD COPY of the application to the ACEM office.
- Download the official application form attached to the advertisement PDF.
- Fill out the application form strictly by typing the required details.
- Affix a recent passport-size photograph and sign the application form physically.
- Scan the filled application form along with all essential educational documents and certificates.
- It is mandatory to attach the University or College CGPA to Percentage conversion formula document adopted by the candidate’s institution.
- Combine the application form, conversion formula, and all necessary supporting documents into a single PDF format.
- Send the single PDF file through e-mail only to apprentice.acem@gov.in before 26th July 2026.
- Ensure all future correspondence is directed to apprentice.acem@gov.in, as all candidate communication will occur via email.
Documents Checklist Before You Hit Send
- Typed and signed Application Form
- Recent Passport-size Photograph affixed to form
- NATS 2.0 Registration / Enrollment Number
- Aadhar Card Number
- Category Certificate (UR / SC / ST / OBC Non-Creamy Layer) if applicable
- Educational Qualification Certificates (Diploma / Degree onwards)
- University / College CGPA to Percentage conversion formula document
How to Email a Job Application via Gmail: A Step-by-Step Guide
📩 Important Guide: Before applying for this vacancy, check out our step-by-step tutorial on How to Send a Job Application Email in Gmail (Step-by-Step with Screenshots) to make sure your resume stands out and reaches the recruiter properly.
Important Links
Candidates applying for Apprentice posts are advised to visit the important links below for the official PDF and application form:
| Resource | Link |
| Official Notification PDF | Download Notification |
| Latest Government Jobs | Explore Government Jobs |
| Official Website | drdo.gov.in |
| Apprenticeship Portal | nats.education.gov.in |
Latest Apprentice Vacancies
Should You Apply?
This recruitment is suitable for recent graduates and diploma holders from the 2024, 2025, and 2026 batches who want an initial foothold in defense sector research environments. The opportunity aligns well with candidates based in Maharashtra or those willing to relocate to the Nasik region at their own expense, given the specific training location at Ambe Hill, Ojhar.
The primary trade-off candidates face is the strict policy regarding accommodation; ACEM provides no quarters, hostel facilities, or transport. Candidates must sustain their living and daily travel costs in Ojhar or Nasik entirely out of the ₹10,900 to ₹12,300 monthly stipend.
This vacancy is not a good fit for candidates seeking permanent employment directly out of college. Completing this one-year training carries no guarantee of future retention. The establishment is under no obligation to offer subsequent employment to any apprentice after the period of apprenticeship training concludes. Based on typical central government apprentice cycles, candidates use this one-year DRDO certification to strengthen their resumes for future competitive exams or private defense contractors. This is editorial context, not part of the official notification — confirm specifics with the hiring office.
FAQs — ACEM Apprentice Recruitment 2026
What is the exact stipend for diploma holders at ACEM Nasik?
Technician Apprentice candidates holding a diploma in mechanical, chemical, electrical, electronics, or computer science fields will receive a fixed monthly stipend of ₹10,900. Graduate candidates receive ₹12,300 per month.
Does ACEM provide hostel facilities for outstation candidates?
No. The official notification explicitly mentions that apprentices will not be provided any quarters, hostel accommodations, or transportation by the establishment during their training period.
Can candidates from the 2023 batch apply for this apprenticeship?
No. Only fresh pass-out candidates who completed their respective degree or diploma courses strictly in the years 2024, 2025, or 2026 are eligible to submit applications.
Does completing this DRDO apprenticeship guarantee a permanent job?
No. Completing the one-year training contract does not guarantee retention. However, possessing a one-year DRDO apprenticeship certificate typically adds weight to a candidate’s profile when applying for future technical roles in defense PSUs like BEL or HAL. This is editorial context, not part of the official notification — confirm specifics with the hiring office.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sandeep Khati is the founder of India Job Alerts and a B.Tech in Computer Science from JGEC (2010). He started his career as a Systems Engineer at TCS and has been active in digital publishing since 2011, beginning with SearchDarjeeling.com(2011) and working as a web developer and designer at Darjeeling Informatics. Launched in April 2025, India Job Alerts is his most focused project — dedicated to publishing verified government and PSU job notifications for West Bengal, Sikkim, and All-India candidates. Every post is cross-checked against official notifications before publishing.. Know more