RCI DRDO Apprentice 2027: 195 Posts, Apply Online

RCI DRDO apprentice engagement for 2027 is open to graduate, diploma and Industrial Training Institute (ITI) candidates. Research Centre Imarat (RCI) is a laboratory of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex, under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The centre invites online applications through its notice on drdo.gov.in.

RCI has 195 vacancies, split into 50 graduate, 30 technician (diploma) and 115 ITI trade apprentice posts. Vacancies may vary. Training lasts one year; the stipend follows government norms, and selection is based on academic merit or interview, as required. Candidates must apply within 30 days of the advertisement’s newspaper publication date. Candidates should check all details in the article below.

Information verified from the official RCI notice No. RCI/HRD/Apprenticeship/Advt/2027.

Last verified: 1 October 2026.

The RCI DRDO apprentice drive covers 195 posts in graduate, diploma and ITI trade categories under the Apprentices Act 1961. Training lasts one year and the stipend follows government norms. Selection is on academic merit or interview as required. Candidates must apply within 30 days of the newspaper publication of the advertisement, through nats.education.gov.in or apprenticeshipindia.gov.in.

Quick Summary of RCI DRDO Apprentice 2027

Also Read: DRDO DIPR ITI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – 24 Posts

Category-wise seats and stipend

The RCI DRDO apprentice notice marks every seat count with an asterisk and says vacancies may vary. It refers candidates to the gazette dated 3 September 2025 for the stipend.

Graduate and technician apprentices need an Aadhaar-seeded bank account. The Board of Apprenticeship and Training (BOAT) pays 50% of their stipend through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme.

Also Read: NIT Durgapur DRDO Recruitment 2026: JRF, PA, OS Posts 

Eligibility

Qualification by category

• Graduate Apprentice: B.E. or B.Tech in Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE), Instrumentation, Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE), Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), Mechanical, Chemical, Metallurgical, Safety, Aeronautical, Aerospace or Civil Engineering.
• Technician Apprentice: Diploma in ECE, Instrumentation, EEE, CSE, Mechanical, Chemical, Metallurgical or Safety Engineering.
• Trade Apprentice: ITI with National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT) or State Council for Vocational Training (SCVT) affiliation, in Fitter, Welder, Turner, Machinist, Mechanic-Diesel, Electronic-Mechanic, Electrician, Computer Operator Programming Assistant (COPA), Draughtsman Engg (Mech) or Grinder.

Age and marks

Candidates must be at least 18 years old on 1 September 2026. Candidates can check their age on this age calculator tool.

Regular candidates need 70% marks or a CGPA of 7.5 and above in the qualifying exam. They must have passed it in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 or 2026. All qualifications must come from Indian institutions recognised by the appropriate statutory authority.

Who cannot apply

• Candidates with a higher qualification than the one listed.
• Candidates who have already finished apprenticeship training, or are doing it now under any organisation.
• Candidates with more than one year of work experience.

Selection process

The RCI DRDO apprentice selection is based on academic merit or interview as required. It is subject to satisfactory verification of documents.

Reservation follows the Apprentices Act 1961, the Apprentice Rules 1992 and the Apprenticeship (Amendment) Rules 2019 and 2025. It covers Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), Other Backwards Classes (OBC), Persons with Disability (PWD) and Economically Weaker Section (EWS) candidates.

RCI emails shortlisted candidates at the address given in the application. Candidates should check that email regularly and keep it active. RCI is not responsible for messages missed after a change of mobile number or email.

Shortlisted candidates should bring original and self-attested copies of their documents for verification or joining. Selected candidates must sign a contract of apprenticeship on the respective portal before training starts. They cannot withdraw except for reasons beyond their control.

At joining, candidates must also produce a valid police verification certificate. It can come from their last residence of at least one year or from their permanent address.

The management can amend, refix, cancel or suspend the selection process at any time, and its decision is final. Canvassing or personal follow-up by or for a candidate leads to immediate cancellation.

Also Read: DRDO CASDIC Internship 2026 – Apply by 11 October

How to apply

Candidates applying for the RCI DRDO apprentice engagement must first read the detailed advertisement on drdo.gov.in. They should confirm that they meet every norm.

Step 1: Register on the portal

1. B.E., B.Tech and Diploma candidates register on the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) 2.0 portal, nats.education.gov.in.
2. ITI trade candidates register on the apprenticeship portal, apprenticeshipindia.gov.in.

Step 2: Apply to RCI

B.E., B.Tech and Diploma candidates:

1. Log in to nats.education.gov.in.
2. Select Research Centre Imarat, DRDO, with Enrolment ID STLRAC000010.
3. Submit the application.

ITI trade candidates:

1. Log in to apprenticeshipindia.gov.in.
2. Click “Apprenticeship Opportunities”.
3. Type RESEARCH CENTRE IMARAT in “Search by Establishment Name”. The Establishment ID is E05203600040.
4. Choose the trade and click Apply.

Documents to keep ready

Shortlisted RCI DRDO apprentice candidates carry the originals and self-attested copies of these documents.

• Duly filled application form
• NATS or NAPS profile printout
• Class 10 marksheet and certificate
• Consolidated or final marksheet of the qualifying exam
• Original or provisional certificate of the qualifying exam
• Caste certificate (if applicable)
• PWD certificate (if applicable)
• Valid EWS certificate (if applicable)
• Government photo ID such as PAN Card, Voter ID or Driving Licence
• Aadhaar Card (mandatory)
• Copy of the Aadhaar-seeded bank passbook or statement
• Medical fitness certificate from a Govt Civil Assistant Surgeon
• Two latest passport-size photographs

Important dates

After the training period

The notice says the RCI DRDO apprentice engagement and training follow the Apprentices Act 1961. RCI has no obligation to employ apprentices after training ends.

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

Should you apply?

The RCI DRDO apprentice engagement suits fresh B.E., B.Tech, diploma and ITI holders who want one year of training at a defence laboratory. They must also meet the 70% marks or 7.5 CGPA rule.

It does not suit candidates who need a regular salaried post. An apprenticeship is training with a stipend, and the notice promises no job afterwards.

Candidates from North Bengal, Sikkim and the North East should plan their stay in Hyderabad. RCI provides no hostel, quarters or transport, and pays no TA or DA to candidates called for selection. Candidates should also keep their name, date of birth and trade identical on the portal, marksheets and certificates.

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

Important Links

FAQs

Is there an exam for RCI DRDO apprentice 2027?

The notice says selection is on academic merit or interview, as required. It does not announce a written exam. RCI emails shortlisted candidates, and selection remains subject to satisfactory verification of documents.

What is the stipend for RCI apprentices?

The stipend is as per government norms, with reference to the gazette dated 3 September 2025. Graduate and technician apprentices receive 50% of it from BOAT under the DBT scheme. An Aadhaar-seeded bank account is mandatory.

What is the last date to apply?

The last date is 30 days from the date the advertisement is published in the newspaper. Candidates must register on the correct portal and apply to Research Centre Imarat before that day ends.

Can I apply for the RCI DRDO apprentice post if I already did an apprenticeship?

No. Candidates who have finished apprenticeship training, or are doing it now under any organisation, cannot apply. Candidates with a higher qualification or more than one year of work experience also cannot apply.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I’m Sandeep Khati, founder of India Job Alerts. I completed my B. Tech. in Computer Science from Jalpaiguri Government Engineering College (JGEC) in 2010, then worked as a Systems Engineer at TCS. I moved into digital publishing in 2011, starting with SearchDarjeeling.com and later working as a web developer and designer at Darjeeling Informatics.

I launched India Job Alerts in April 2025. It’s my most focused project yet, built to publish verified Government and PSU job notifications for candidates in West Bengal, Sikkim, and across India. Before any post goes live, I personally check it against the official notification. Know more

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