PXE DRDO Apprentice 2026 — 50 Seats, Stipend ₹10,900–₹12,300

Proof & Experimental Establishment (PXE), Chandipur, an establishment under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of Defence, is taking apprentices for a one-year Apprenticeship Training programme in Graduate Apprentice (B.Tech) and Technician Apprentice (Diploma) categories. PXE DRDO Apprentice 2026 is as per Advertisement No. PXE/HRD/AT/01/2026-27 on drdo.gov.in.

There are 50 seats across both categories. The stipend is ₹12,300 a month for B.Tech trades and ₹10,900 a month for Diploma trades, for one year of training. Selection is through shortlisting on qualifying marks, followed by a written test or interview. The last date for receipt of the application is 12 October 2026. Candidates should check all details in the article below.

Information verified from the official Proof & Experimental Establishment (PXE) notice No. PXE/HRD/AT/01/2026-27.
Last verified: 23 September 2026.

Proof & Experimental Establishment (PXE), Chandipur is taking 50 apprentices under the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme, in Graduate Apprentice (B.Tech) and Technician Apprentice (Diploma) categories across eight engineering disciplines. The stipend is ₹12,300 a month for B.Tech trades and ₹10,900 a month for Diploma trades, for one year. Selection is by shortlisting on marks, then a written test or interview. Candidates must register on the NATS portal and send the filled application by post by 12 October 2026.

Quick Summary of PXE DRDO Apprentice 2026

Also Read: DRDO DIPR ITI Apprentice Recruitment 2026

Trade-wise seats and stipend

Graduate Apprentice (B.Tech) — stipend ₹12,300 a month

Technician Apprentice (Diploma) — stipend ₹10,900 a month

Total seats across both categories: 50.

Also Read: DRDO JRF Walk-in Interview on 15 October 2026

PXE DRDO Apprentice 2026 – Eligibility

Candidates need the essential qualification listed against their chosen discipline in the tables above, in the B.Tech or Diploma stream, completed through regular mode only.

The notice sets these conditions for every applicant:

• Only candidates who passed their qualifying course in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 or 2026 can apply.
• Candidates holding a post-graduation degree will not be considered.
• Candidates who have one year or more of training or job experience after getting the essential qualification will not be considered.
• Candidates belonging to SC, ST, OBC, PWD or EWS categories must produce their caste or category certificate, issued by the competent authority, at the time of document verification.

Who cannot apply

• Candidates with a post-graduation degree.
• Candidates who completed the qualification through distance or non-regular mode.
• Candidates with one year or more of relevant training or job experience after their qualification.
• Candidates who passed out before 2022 or after 2026.

Selection process

The Selection Board at PXE goes through the applications and shortlists candidates based on the percentage of marks secured in the essential qualification. Shortlisted candidates are called for a written test or interview, held at PXE, Chandipur. After the interview, selected candidates are offered a joining letter by email.

All correspondence, including the offer letter, is sent only by email. Candidates are responsible for downloading and printing their own offer letter. PXE will not be responsible for any email lost because of a wrong email ID, or delivered to a spam or bulk folder.

Also Read: DRDO CASDIC Internship 2026

PXE DRDO Apprentice 2026 – How to apply

Step 1: Register on the NATS portal

Candidates for both the Graduate Apprentice (B.Tech) and Technician Apprentice (Diploma) categories must first register on the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) portal at https://www.nats.education.gov.in. Applications from candidates who are not registered, or who give an invalid enrolment number, will be rejected.

Step 2: Apply to the establishment

1. Download the application form from www.drdo.gov.in.
2. Fill the form by typing only. A handwritten or incomplete form will be rejected.
3. Attach a recent passport-size photograph, mark sheets of the essential qualification, and the reservation certificate, if applicable.
4. Send the completed form by Speed Post or Registered Post only, addressed to:
   The Director, Proof & Experimental Establishment (PXE), Defence R&D Organisation, PO- Chandipur, Dist- Balasore, Odisha- 756025 (Kind Attn: OIC, HRDC).
5. Mention on the envelope: “Application for Engagement of Apprentices, Apprentice Category (Degree/Diploma) and Discipline/Branch.”

Last date for receipt of application: 12 October 2026.

Documents to keep ready

• NATS enrolment number
• Aadhaar number
• Mark sheets of the essential qualification
• Reservation or category certificate, if applicable
• A recent passport-size photograph

Also Read: KVIC Young Professional Recruitment 2026

Important dates

After the training period

The notice states that the offer of apprenticeship training does not give the candidate any right to a job at PXE or DRDO afterwards.

This is added context, not part of the official notice. Confirm with the official website.

Should you apply?

This drive suits fresh B.Tech or Diploma holders in electronics, mechanical, computer science, chemical, civil, electrical, cinematography or automobile engineering who passed out between 2022 and 2026 and have no post-qualification work experience. It gives one year of hands-on exposure at a DRDO test and evaluation establishment. It does not suit candidates with a postgraduate degree, distance-mode graduates, or those who already have a year or more of relevant experience, since the notice rules them out directly.

One honest trade-off: PXE does not provide accommodation or transport during the training period, and gives no travel allowance for joining or for attending the interview. Candidates travelling to Chandipur, Balasore from outside Odisha need to plan and fund that travel themselves.

Also Read: FSSAI Internship 2026

This is added context, not part of the official notice. Confirm with the official website.

Important Links

FAQs on PXE DRDO Apprentice 2026

Is there a written exam for the PXE DRDO apprentice 2026 selection?

Candidates are first shortlisted based on the percentage of marks in their essential qualification. Shortlisted candidates are then called for a written test or interview at PXE, Chandipur, before a final offer is made.

What is the stipend for PXE DRDO apprentices?

The stipend is ₹12,300 a month for Graduate Apprentice (B.Tech) trades and ₹10,900 a month for Technician Apprentice (Diploma) trades, for the full one-year training period.

Can I apply for PXE apprentice 2026 without registering on NATS?

No. Registration on the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) portal is required for both categories. Applications from candidates who are not registered, or who give an invalid enrolment number, are rejected.

Does the PXE apprenticeship lead to a job at DRDO?

The notice states that the offer of apprenticeship training does not give the candidate any right to employment at PXE or DRDO after the training ends.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I am Sandeep Khati, the founder of India Job Alerts. I hold a B.Tech in Computer Science from JGEC (2010). My career began as a Systems Engineer at TCS, and I have been active in the digital publishing space since 2011, starting with the launch of SearchDarjeeling.com and my work as a web developer and designer at Darjeeling Informatics.

Launched in April 2025, India Job Alerts is my most focused project to date. I am dedicated to publishing verified government and PSU job notifications for candidates in West Bengal, Sikkim, and across India. To guarantee accuracy, I personally cross-check every post against official notifications before publishing. Know more

Join me on social media – Facebook | LinkedIn