The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released UPSC Notification 04/2026 inviting online applications for 29 vacancies for the post of Senior Administrative Officer Grade-II in the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), under the Ministry of Defence. Candidates need a Bachelor’s Degree and 3 years of administration or accounts experience to apply. The pay scale is Level-10 as per the 7th CPC. Applications are open from the 9th of May 2026 and the last date to apply online is 29th of May 2026. If you are looking for a stable central government job in administration, please read this article very carefully and go through the official notification before applying online for a complete understanding of the vacancy details.
Table of Contents
Quick Summary of DRDO Senior Administrative Officer Recruitment 2026
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of Defence |
| Name of the Post | Senior Administrative Officer Grade-II |
| Total Vacancy | 29 |
| Salary / Pay Scale | Level-10 as per 7th CPC |
| Additional Salary Benefits | Dearness Allowance, HRA, Transport Allowance, NPS as per Central Government rules |
| Application Mode | Online |
| DRDO SAO eligibility 2026 | To apply for DRDO SAO Grade-II 2026, you need a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university and 3 years of experience in administration, establishment, or accounts work. Age limit is 35 years for UR/EWS candidates as of 29th May 2026.” |
| Selection Process | Shortlisting based on application + Recruitment Test (if required) + Interview |
| Place of Posting | DRDO HQ, Ministry of Defence, New Delhi (All India Service Liability) |
| Government / Private Job | Government Sector (Central Government – Group A Gazetted, Ministerial) |
| Last Date of Online Application | 29th of May 2026 (by 6:00 PM) |
| Who Can Apply | Experienced candidates with 3+ years in admin/accounts work |
| Interview Date | To be intimated separately by UPSC |
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About DRDO
The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) is India’s premier defence technology organisation, working under the Department of Defence Research and Development, Ministry of Defence. Its mission is to make India self-reliant in defence technologies by designing, developing, and producing state-of-the-art systems for the Indian Armed Forces. DRDO operates a wide network of laboratories and establishments across India, from missile development to electronics, aeronautics, and naval research.
The Senior Administrative Officer Grade-II works directly under the Director of the respective DRDO establishment, supporting all administrative, personnel, and establishment functions. This makes it a position with real responsibility and visibility within the organisation. You can learn more about DRDO at the official website: https://www.drdo.gov.in
Important Dates
If you are planning to apply for the DRDO Senior Administrative Officer vacancy 2026, keeping an eye on these key dates is something you really should not ignore. UPSC recruitment windows are typically short — only 20 days in this case — and missing the closing date means waiting another year. Many candidates lose out simply because they delay document preparation. Start early, check your eligibility now, and do not wait for the last minute.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Opening Date for Online Application | 9th of May 2026 |
| Last Date for Submission of Online Application | 29th of May 2026 (by 6:00 PM) |
| Date for Determining Eligibility | 29th of May 2026 (Closing Date) |
| Interview / Recruitment Test Date | To be intimated separately by UPSC |
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Vacancy Details & Salary – UPSC Notification 04/2026
The DRDO SAO Grade-II recruitment 2026 under UPSC Advertisement 04/2026 offers 29 vacancies with reservation across multiple categories including UR, EWS, OBC, SC, ST, and PwBD. This is one of the largest single-post vacancy counts in this advertisement, making it a significant opportunity for experienced administration professionals across India, including candidates from cities like New Delhi, Pune, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and other locations with DRDO establishments.
| Post Name | Total Vacancies | Category-wise Breakup | Pay Scale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senior Administrative Officer Grade-II | 29 | UR-11, EWS-03, OBC-08, SC-04, ST-03 (PwBD-01 within above) | Level-10, 7th CPC (₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 approx.) |
Note: One vacancy out of 29 is reserved for PwBD candidates (Blindness/Low Vision category).
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for the Senior Administrative Officer Grade-II post in DRDO cover both education and work experience. Candidates should make sure they meet all the conditions set by UPSC before filling out the online application. The age limits differ by category, and experience in the right field is mandatory — not just a preference.
Educational Qualification:
- Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized University or Institution.
Experience:
- 3 years’ experience in administration, establishment, or accounts work.
Note: For SC/ST candidates, experience may be relaxed at the discretion of UPSC if insufficient candidates are available.
Age Limit (as of 29th of May 2026 – the closing date):
| Category | Upper Age Limit |
|---|---|
| UR / EWS | 35 years |
| OBC | 38 years |
| SC / ST | 40 years |
| PwBD | Additional 10 years relaxation over applicable category limit |
Additional Age Relaxations:
- Ex-Servicemen: 5 years relaxation (subject to conditions)
- Central/UT Government Servants: Up to 5 years (10 years for SC/ST, 8 years for OBC) with 3 years continuous service
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Selection Process – DRDO SAO Grade-II Vacancy 2026
Getting selected for the DRDO Senior Administrative Officer post through UPSC is a competitive process. UPSC may conduct a Recruitment Test before the interview if the number of applicants is large. Your performance at both stages, combined with the qualifications mentioned in your application, will determine your final selection. Candidates from across India — including those in New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, and Bengaluru — will compete for these 29 posts.
- Shortlisting – Based on information in the online application (qualifications, experience, desirable qualifications)
- Recruitment Test (RT) – May be held if applications are large in number (as per UPSC’s discretion)
- Interview / Personality Test – Shortlisted candidates will be called for an interview at UPSC, New Delhi
- Final Merit List – Based on performance in RT (if held) + Interview
Minimum Marks in Interview:
- UR: 50 out of 100
- OBC: 45 out of 100
- SC / ST / PwBD: 40 out of 100
Application Fee – UPSC DRDO SAO Recruitment 2026
The application fee for this UPSC recruitment is modest, and several categories are fully exempt. Make sure you pay through the correct online mode — fee once paid is non-refundable under any circumstances.
- General / OBC / EWS (Male): ₹25/-
- SC / ST Candidates: Nil (Exempt)
- Women Candidates (All Categories): Nil (Exempt)
- PwBD Candidates: Nil (Exempt)
Payment Mode: Online only — Visa / Master / RuPay Credit Card, Debit Card, UPI, or Internet Banking.
How to Apply for DRDO Senior Administrative Officer vacancy 2026
Applying for the DRDO Senior Administrative Officer vacancy 2026 is entirely online through the UPSC official portal. Keep your documents ready before you start — the portal does not allow edits after final submission. Candidates from all over India, including those in Leh, Kargil, Srinagar, Guwahati, Ranchi, and Visakhapatnam, can apply through the same portal.
- Visit the official UPSC Online Recruitment Application portal: https://upsconline.nic.in/ora/
- Complete Account Creation if you are a new user. Generate your Universal Registration Number (URN).
- Fill in the Common Application Form (CAF) — upload your photograph, capture a live photo, and upload your signature (three signatures on plain white paper with black ink).
- Open the Post/Vacancy Specific Module for Vacancy No. 26050408409 (DRDO SAO Grade-II).
- Fill in all details — date of birth, category, educational qualification, experience, and desirable qualifications.
- Upload all required documents: degree certificate, experience certificates in prescribed format, caste certificate (if applicable), PwBD certificate (if applicable), and any other supporting documents.
- Pay the application fee online (if applicable).
- Review all details carefully. Submit the form. Note down your Application Number for future reference.
- Take a printout of the final submitted application for records.
Important: Candidates already in regular government service must submit a declaration to their Head of Department before applying.
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Important Links at UPSC Official Website
Candidates applying for the Senior Administrative Officer post in DRDO are advised to visit these important links for downloading the official PDF and the application link provided below:
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Notification PDF | Download Official Notification PDF – UPSC Advertisement No. 04/2026 |
| Apply Online Link | Apply Online Here – UPSC ORA Portal |
| Official UPSC Website | https://upsc.gov.in |
| Certificate Proformas | Download Prescribed Certificate Formats |
| UPSC Helpline | 011-24041001 / 011-40303444 |
FAQs – DRDO SAO UPSC Recruitment 2026
1. What is the exact salary for the DRDO SAO Grade-II post?
The pay is at Level-10 of the 7th Pay Commission Pay Matrix, which starts at approximately ₹56,100 per month as basic pay. In addition, you will receive Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and Transport Allowance as applicable under Central Government rules. The NPS (National Pension System) applies from 1st of January 2004 onwards for new recruits.
2. Is the DRDO SAO post a permanent or contractual job?
This is a permanent post under General Central Service. There is a probation period of one year. After successful completion of probation, the appointment becomes permanent.
3. Can candidates outside New Delhi apply, and where will they be posted?
Yes, candidates from anywhere in India — including those from Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, and Bengaluru — can apply. The headquarters is DRDO HQ, Ministry of Defence, New Delhi, but the post carries All India Service Liability, meaning you could be posted to any DRDO establishment across the country.
4. What documents are required at the time of UPSC interview for this post?
You will need the printout of your online application, original and self-attested copies of your degree certificate, experience certificates in the prescribed proforma (signed by your employer on official letterhead), caste certificate (if applicable), PwBD certificate (if applicable), and Matriculation certificate for proof of date of birth. Note: experience on part-time, daily wages, or guest faculty basis will not be counted.
5. What happens if I submit wrong information in the UPSC online application?
Submitting wrong or false information can lead to rejection of candidature through computer-based shortlisting, or permanent debarment from all UPSC examinations and Central Government employment. UPSC verifies all claims at the interview stage. Always fill in accurate details, and do not guess or overstate your experience or qualifications.
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