The Defence Research & Development Organisation’s Solid State Physics Laboratory (SSPL), Delhi has released a recruitment notification for engagement as Apprentice. As per Advertisement No. 625/HR/Apprentice/2026/M/02, dated 29 July 2026, the notification is published on SSPL’s official letterhead under the Ministry of Defence. Applications must reach SSPL by post on or before 21 August 2026. DRDO SSPL Apprentice Recruitment is for ITI, Diploma and Graduate candidates from the 2022–2026 passing batches who want apprenticeship training in a defence research laboratory.
A total of 41 apprentice seats are on offer across the ITI Apprentice, Diploma Apprentice and Graduate Apprentice categories. The notification does not give a separate vacancy count for each category — a full breakdown of what is available follows below. The place of training is SSPL, Lucknow Road, Timarpur, Delhi – 110054. Candidates should check all details in the article below.
Information verified from the official DRDO SSPL notification No. 625/HR/Apprentice/2026/M/02 dated 29 July 2026. Last verified: 31 July 2026.
The Solid State Physics Laboratory (SSPL), a DRDO laboratory under the Ministry of Defence, is recruiting 41 Apprentices (ITI, Diploma and Graduate categories) through Advertisement No. 625/HR/Apprentice/2026/M/02. The last date to submit the application is 21 August 2026. There is no online apply portal — candidates must send the filled application form by post to the Director, SSPL, Timarpur, Delhi.
Quick summary of DRDO SSPL Apprentice Recruitment 2026
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | DRDO – Solid State Physics Laboratory (SSPL), Delhi |
| Post | Apprentice (ITI / Diploma / Graduate) |
| Total Vacancy | 41 (combined; category-wise split not given in the notification) |
| Stipend | As per rules |
| Application Mode | Offline — by post only |
| Eligibility | 10th / ITI / Diploma / Graduate (First Division), per category — see eligibility table below |
| Selection Process | Application screening, credential verification, police verification after joining |
| Place of Posting | SSPL, Lucknow Road, Timarpur, Delhi – 110054 |
| Last Date | 21 August 2026 |
| Who Can Apply | ITI / Diploma / Graduate candidates who passed in 2022–2026 as regular candidates |
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About Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO)
The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) is India’s main defence research agency, working under the Ministry of Defence to develop technology for the armed forces. The Solid State Physics Laboratory (SSPL) is one of DRDO’s constituent laboratories, located on Lucknow Road, Timarpur, Delhi.
This is added context, not part of the official notification. Confirm with the hiring office: an apprenticeship at a DRDO lab gives candidates early, hands-on exposure to a government research and development environment, which can be useful experience when applying for technical roles later.
Important dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Advertisement Date | 29 July 2026 |
| Last Date to Submit Application (by post) | 21 August 2026 |
The notification does not mention a separate application start date. It states that the duly filled application, with self-attested photocopies of all relevant documents, must be submitted by post so that it reaches SSPL on or before 21 August 2026.
Also Read : AAI Kolkata Apprenticeship 2026
Vacancy details and stipend
| Apprenticeship Category | Qualification Stream | No. of Posts |
|---|---|---|
| ITI Apprentice | ITI (First Division) in Fitter, Electronics Mechanic, Electrician, Computer Operator and Programming Assistant (COPA), Machinist, or Carpenter | Included in the total of 41; category-wise split not given in the notification |
| Diploma Apprentice | Diploma (First Division) in Electrical / Mechanical / Electronics / Instrumentation / Computer Science | Included in the total of 41; category-wise split not given in the notification |
| Graduate Apprentice | Regular Graduation degree (First Division) in Physics, Chemistry, Maths or Computer Science; OR B.A./B.Com; OR B.E./B.Tech (First Division) in Electronics, Mechanical, Electrical, Communication Engineering, VLSI or Chemical Engineering from a recognised university/institution | Included in the total of 41; category-wise split not given in the notification |
| Total | 41 |
The notification adds that the number of apprenticeship seats may vary depending on the laboratory’s requirement, and that SSPL reserves the right to increase or decrease the number of seats. Reservation for SC/ST/OBC/PWD/EWS candidates applies as per the Apprentices Act, 1961, Apprentice Rules, 1992, and the Apprenticeship (Amendment) Rules, 2015.
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Eligibility (per post)
| Post | Required Qualification | Registration Required |
|---|---|---|
| ITI Apprentice | ITI (First Division) in Fitter, Electronics Mechanic, Electrician, COPA, Machinist or Carpenter, with 10th pass in First Division | Register at Apprenticeship India portal |
| Diploma Apprentice | Diploma (First Division) in Electrical / Mechanical / Electronics / Instrumentation / Computer Science, with 10th and Diploma both in First Division | Register at NATS portal |
| Graduate Apprentice | Regular Graduation degree (First Division) in Physics, Chemistry, Maths or Computer Science; OR B.A./B.Com; OR B.E./B.Tech (First Division) in Electronics, Mechanical, Electrical, Communication Engineering, VLSI or Chemical Engineering from a recognised university/institution | Register at NATS portal |
Common conditions for all three categories, as stated in the notification:
- Candidates who passed their qualifying exam (B.Sc./B.E./B.Tech/Diploma/ITI/B.A./B.Com) in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 or 2026 are eligible. Candidates who passed earlier than 2022 are not eligible.
- Only candidates who completed the qualifying examination as regular candidates are eligible.
- Non-registered candidates on the relevant portal (NATS or Apprenticeship India, as applicable) are likely to be rejected.
- Age limit: not mentioned in the official notification.
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Selection process
Selection follows a straightforward screening and verification process, not a written exam or interview, as per the notification:
- Candidates apply by sending the filled application form, with self-attested documents, by post.
- SSPL screens applications against the qualification and passing-year criteria in the notification.
- For selected candidates, educational and NATS/Apprenticeship India registration credentials are verified before the Contract of Apprenticeship is created. Any deviation or non-conformity with the required qualification leads to summary rejection of candidature.
- Selected candidates must submit a Police Verification Certificate after joining.
How to apply
- Confirm eligibility — correct qualification stream, First Division requirement, passing year between 2022 and 2026, and regular-candidate status.
- Diploma and Graduate candidates register at the NATS portal. ITI candidates register at the Apprenticeship India portal.
- Fill the application form given in the notification — name, father’s/husband’s name, date of birth, address, mobile number, email, category, NATS/NAPS enrolment number, education details and experience details (if any).
- Attach self-attested photocopies of all relevant documents and a recent passport-size photograph.
- Send the completed application by post to: Director, SSPL, Kind Attention: HRD, SSPL, DRDO, Lucknow Road, Timarpur, Delhi – 110054.
- Ensure the application reaches SSPL on or before 21 August 2026.
This is added context, not part of the official notification. Confirm with the hiring office: since this is a postal application, candidates should send it well ahead of the deadline to allow for delivery time.
For any query, candidates can contact the SSPL HRD office at 011-23903540. All official correspondence, including the offer letter for selected candidates, will be sent only through e-mail.
Documents to keep ready:
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Self-attested copies of 10th, ITI/Diploma/Graduation certificates and mark sheets
- NATS or NAPS enrolment proof
- Category certificate (GEN/OBC/SC/ST), if applicable
- Proof of address
- Experience certificates, if any
Also Read : RSP Apprentice Recruitment 2026
Important links
| Link | Details |
|---|---|
| DRDO SSPL Apprentice Notification (PDF) | Official notification, Advertisement No. 625/HR/Apprentice/2026/M/02 |
| NATS Registration Portal | Required registration for Diploma and Graduate candidates |
| Apprenticeship India Portal | Required registration for ITI candidates |
| More Apprentice Jobs on India Job Alerts | Other current apprenticeship openings |
There is no online apply-now portal for this recruitment. Applications are accepted only by post.
Should you apply?
This apprenticeship suits ITI, Diploma and Graduate candidates from the 2022–2026 passing batches who want practical experience inside a defence research laboratory, particularly those based in or able to relocate to Delhi for the training period. It is a 12-month training engagement, not a permanent job — the notification states plainly that SSPL is not obliged to offer employment to any apprentice once the training ends.
This is added context, not part of the official notification. Confirm with the hiring office: competition is likely to be high, since DRDO is a well-known organisation and the vacancy is open to eligible candidates from anywhere in India. Candidates should also weigh the practical side: SSPL does not provide government quarters, hostel accommodation or transport during training, so anyone applying from outside Delhi will need to arrange their own stay. For someone early in their career who wants applied research-lab exposure and can manage 12 months in Delhi independently, this is worth applying for. For someone looking for guaranteed long-term employment, it is a starting point, not an endpoint.
FAQs
What is the last date to apply for DRDO SSPL Apprentice 2026?
The last date to submit the application for DRDO SSPL Apprentice 2026 is 21 August 2026. Candidates must send the duly filled application form by post so that it reaches the Director, SSPL, Timarpur, Delhi, on or before this date. Online applications are not accepted for this recruitment.
How many vacancies are there in DRDO SSPL Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
DRDO SSPL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 has a total of 41 apprentice seats across the ITI Apprentice, Diploma Apprentice and Graduate Apprentice categories. The notification does not give a separate count for each category, and it states the number of seats may vary depending on the laboratory’s requirement.
What is the stipend for DRDO SSPL Apprentice 2026?
The official notification states the stipend for all three apprentice categories will be paid “as per rules,” without a fixed amount. Candidates can confirm the exact applicable stipend under the Apprentices Act, 1961, with the SSPL HRD office.
Does the DRDO SSPL apprenticeship guarantee a job after training?
No. The notification states that SSPL is not obliged to offer employment to any apprentice after the 12-month training period. This is added context, not part of the official notification. Confirm with the hiring office: many candidates still use a DRDO apprenticeship as resume-worthy, applied experience in a government research lab when applying for other technical jobs afterward.
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