DRDO CEPTAM 11 STA and Technician Result 2026
Job Description
Eligibility
How to Apply
Overview
DRDO CEPTAM 11 (Centre for Personnel Talent Management) recruits Scientific Technical Assistants (STA-A) and Technician-A positions across various DRDO laboratories and establishments throughout India. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducts this all-India recruitment exam to fill 764 vacancies in technical and scientific support roles. Selected candidates will work in defence research laboratories supporting scientists and engineers in cutting-edge defence technology projects. CEPTAM exams are conducted periodically, and CEPTAM 11 is the eleventh iteration of this recruitment drive. This is a prestigious opportunity to serve the nation in the defence research sector with excellent job security and career growth prospects.
Important Dates
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | January 2026 (Expected) |
| Application Start Date | January 2026 |
| Application Last Date | February 2026 |
| Fee Payment Last Date | February 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | March 2026 |
| Tier-I Exam Date | April 2026 |
| Tier-I Result Date | May 2026 |
| Tier-II Exam Date | June 2026 |
| Final Result Date | August 2026 |
Note: Exact dates will be announced in the official notification
Vacancy Details
Vacancy Distribution (Typical / Indicative)
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| UR (Unreserved) | 344 |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 206 |
| SC (Scheduled Caste) | 115 |
| ST (Scheduled Tribe) | 57 |
| EWS (Economically Weaker Section) | 42 |
| Total | 764 |
Vacancy distribution across STA-A and Technician-A posts in various disciplines including Electronics, Mechanical, Computer Science, Civil, and Chemical
Eligibility
Educational Qualification
For STA-A Posts:
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Technology (B.E/B.Tech) in relevant discipline from AICTE approved institute OR
- Bachelor's degree in Science (B.Sc) with relevant specialization from recognized university
- First Division (60% marks or equivalent CGPA) required for B.E/B.Tech
- Minimum 65% marks required for B.Sc candidates
For Technician-A Posts:
- Diploma in Engineering/Technology in relevant discipline from AICTE approved institute OR
- 10+2 with Science subjects plus ITI in relevant trade
- Minimum 60% marks in qualifying examination
Age Limit
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 18 years |
| Maximum Age | 28 years (as on closing date) |
Age Relaxation:
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 years |
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| PwBD (UR) | 10 years |
| PwBD (OBC) | 13 years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 15 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 3 years after deduction of military service |
| DRDO Employees (Departmental) | 5 years (up to 40 years for UR, 45 years for SC/ST) |
Nationality
Applicant must be:
- A Citizen of India, OR
- A subject of Nepal, OR
- A subject of Bhutan, OR
- A Tibetan Refugee who came to India before 1st January 1962 with intention of permanent settlement, OR
- A person of Indian origin migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia and Vietnam with intention of permanent settlement in India
How to Apply
How to Apply
- Visit Official Portal: Go to DRDO official website at www.drdo.gov.in or RAC portal at www.rac.gov.in
- Registration: Click on CEPTAM 11 notification link and register with valid email ID and mobile number
- Fill Application Form: Complete personal details, educational qualifications, category information, and upload photograph and signature
- Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of photograph (size: 10-40 KB), signature (size: 5-20 KB), and relevant certificates in prescribed format (JPG/JPEG only)
- Pay Application Fee: Pay the requisite fee through online mode (Net Banking/Credit Card/Debit Card/UPI)
- Submit Application: Review all details carefully and submit the application form
- Save Confirmation: Take printout of application confirmation page and fee payment receipt for future reference
- Note Registration ID: Save Registration Number and Password for future login and admit card download
Application Fees
| Category | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| UR/OBC/EWS (Male) | ₹100/- |
| SC/ST/PwBD/Women/Ex-Servicemen | NIL (No Fee) |
Fee payment through online mode only. No other mode accepted. Fee is non-refundable under any circumstances.
Selection Process
Selection Stages
- Tier-I Examination (Computer Based Test): Objective type multiple choice questions covering General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, General Engineering/Science subjects as per post applied. This is a screening test to shortlist candidates for Tier-II.
- Tier-II Examination (Computer Based Test): Advanced level objective examination on core technical subjects related to specific discipline/trade. Only candidates qualifying Tier-I will be called for Tier-II.
- Skill Test/Trade Test: For Technician-A posts, candidates will undergo practical skill test/trade test in relevant trade to assess hands-on technical competency. For STA-A posts, this may be waived depending on the discipline.
- Document Verification: Shortlisted candidates based on Tier-II and Skill Test performance will be called for document verification. Original certificates of educational qualification, age proof, caste certificate, PwBD certificate (if applicable) will be verified.
- Medical Examination: Candidates qualifying document verification will undergo medical examination as per DRDO medical standards. Fitness certificate from authorized medical board is mandatory.
- Final Merit List: Final selection will be based on combined performance in Tier-II examination and Skill Test (where applicable), subject to qualifying all stages and medical fitness.
Exam Pattern
Tier-I Examination Pattern
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 20 | 20 | 90 minutes (total) |
| General Awareness | 20 | 20 | |
| General Engineering/General Science | 60 | 60 | |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 90 minutes |
Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer
Qualifying Marks: UR/EWS - 33%, OBC - 30%, SC/ST - 25%
---
Tier-II Examination Pattern
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical/Trade Subject (Part A) | 60 | 120 | 120 minutes (total) |
| Engineering Drawing/Technical Drawing | 20 | 40 | |
| Professional Knowledge | 20 | 40 | |
| Total | 100 | 200 | 120 minutes |
Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer
Qualifying Marks: UR/EWS - 40%, OBC - 36%, SC/ST - 30%
All questions are multiple choice objective type. Tier-II is discipline/trade specific and covers advanced technical topics.
Syllabus
Tier-I Syllabus
General Intelligence & Reasoning
- Analogies and Similarities
- Spatial Visualization and Spatial Orientation
- Problem Solving and Analysis
- Decision Making and Judgment
- Visual Memory, Discrimination and Observation
- Relationship Concepts
- Arithmetical Reasoning and Numerical Operations
- Verbal and Figure Classification
- Arithmetic Number Series
- Non-verbal Series and Coding-Decoding
General Awareness
- Current Affairs (National and International)
- Indian History, Culture and Geography
- Indian Polity and Constitution
- Economic and Social Development
- General Science and Scientific Research
- Environmental Issues and Climate Change
- Sports and Awards
- Books and Authors
- Defence and DRDO Achievements
General Engineering (for B.E/B.Tech candidates)
- Engineering Mathematics: Calculus, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Probability and Statistics
- Core Discipline Topics: Based on specialization - Electronics, Mechanical, Civil, Computer Science, Chemical, Electrical Engineering fundamentals
- Engineering Mechanics: Statics, Dynamics, Strength of Materials
- Basic Electrical and Electronics: Circuit Theory, Digital Electronics, Microprocessors
General Science (for B.Sc/Diploma candidates)
- Physics: Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Optics, Electromagnetism
- Chemistry: Organic, Inorganic, Physical Chemistry basics
- Mathematics: Algebra, Trigonometry, Calculus, Statistics
- Computer Fundamentals: Hardware, Software, Programming basics
Tier-II Syllabus (Discipline-Specific)
Electronics & Communication Engineering
- Electronic Devices and Circuits
- Analog and Digital Electronics
- Network Theory and Circuit Analysis
- Signals and Systems
- Communication Systems
- Microprocessors and Microcontrollers
- Digital Signal Processing
- Control Systems
- Electromagnetic Theory
- VLSI Design basics
Mechanical Engineering
- Engineering Mechanics and Strength of Materials
- Theory of Machines and Vibrations
- Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer
- Fluid Mechanics and Machinery
- Manufacturing Processes and Technology
- Metrology and Quality Control
- Industrial Engineering and Production Planning
- Material Science and Metallurgy
- CAD/CAM and Automation
- Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
Computer Science & IT
- Programming in C, C++, Java
- Data Structures and Algorithms
- Database Management Systems
- Operating Systems
- Computer Networks and Security
- Software Engineering
- Web Technologies
- Computer Organization and Architecture
- Theory of Computation
- Compiler Design basics
Civil Engineering
- Building Materials and Construction Technology
- Surveying and Geomatics
- Structural Analysis and Design
- Geotechnical Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Water Resources Engineering
- Transportation Engineering
- Estimation and Costing
- Construction Planning and Management
Electrical Engineering
- Electrical Circuits and Measurements
- Electrical Machines (DC and AC)
- Power Systems and Protection
- Control Systems and Automation
- Electrical Installation and Maintenance
- Power Electronics
- Energy Conservation and Management
- Illumination and Batteries
Engineering Drawing (All Disciplines)
- Orthographic Projections
- Isometric and Perspective Views
- Sectional Views
- Development of Surfaces
- Geometrical Constructions
- Symbols and Conventions
- Reading Engineering Drawings
- CAD fundamentals
Salary
Salary Structure (Typical / Indicative)
| Component | STA-A | Technician-A |
|---|---|---|
| Pay Level | Level 6 (35400-112400) | Level 5 (29200-92300) |
| Starting Basic Pay | ₹35,400/- | ₹29,200/- |
| Dearness Allowance (DA @ 50%) | ₹17,700/- | ₹14,600/- |
| House Rent Allowance (HRA @ 24%) | ₹8,496/- | ₹7,008/- |
| Transport Allowance | ₹3,600/- | ₹3,600/- |
| Other Allowances | ₹2,500/- | ₹2,000/- |
| Gross Monthly Salary | ₹67,696/- | ₹56,408/- |
| Estimated In-Hand Salary | ₹55,000 - 58,000/- | ₹46,000 - 49,000/- |
Additional Benefits:
- Medical facilities for self and dependents
- Leave Travel Concession (LTC)
- Children Education Allowance
- Contributory Provident Fund and Gratuity
- Group Insurance and Pension (New Pension Scheme)
- Canteen facilities and subsidized accommodation (subject to availability)
Salary figures are indicative and based on 7th Pay Commission. DA rates are revised twice a year. HRA varies by city classification (X=24%, Y=16%, Z=8%). In-hand salary is after deductions like GPF, NPS, Income Tax.
Career Growth
DRDO offers excellent career progression opportunities with well-defined promotion channels. STA-A personnel can get promoted to STA-B (Level 7) after 4-5 years, and further to Senior Technical Assistant positions. Technician-A can advance to Technician-B and Senior Technician grades. Outstanding performers may also get opportunities for higher studies sponsorship and lateral entry into scientific cadres through internal assessments. Annual performance appraisals and skill development training programs support continuous career advancement.
Admit Card
Admit cards for DRDO CEPTAM 11 will be released approximately 10-15 days before the Tier-I examination on the official DRDO recruitment portal. Candidates must download their admit card using Registration Number and Date of Birth/Password. The admit card contains exam centre details, reporting time, important instructions, and candidate's photograph and signature. No physical admit card will be sent by post. Candidates must carry a printout of the admit card along with valid photo ID proof (Aadhar/PAN/Driving License/Voter ID) to the examination centre.
Result
Tier-I results will be declared within 3-4 weeks of examination on the official DRDO portal. Shortlisted candidates for Tier-II will be announced along with exam schedule. Tier-II results and skill test scores will be published separately. Final merit list will be prepared based on Tier-II performance and displayed on the website. Candidates can check their results using Registration Number. Score cards can be downloaded from the portal. Selected candidates will receive appointment letters through registered email and post.
Expected Cutoff
DRDO CEPTAM cutoff marks vary by category and post. For Tier-I, typical qualifying cutoffs range from 25-35 marks out of 100 (25% for SC/ST, 30% for OBC, 33% for UR). Tier-II cutoffs are higher, typically 60-80 marks out of 200 for UR candidates. Category-wise expected cutoffs: UR/EWS: 75-85 marks, OBC: 68-75 marks, SC/ST: 55-65 marks in Tier-II. Actual cutoffs depend on difficulty level, number of vacancies per discipline, and candidate performance. STA-A posts generally have higher cutoffs than Technician-A posts.
Exam Centres
Examination Centres
North India: Delhi, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Lucknow, Dehradun, Jammu, Shimla, Meerut, Prayagraj, Varanasi
South India: Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Visakhapatnam, Mysuru, Coimbatore, Madurai, Vijayawada
East India: Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Ranchi, Patna, Siliguri, Rourkela, Jamshedpur, Durgapur
West India: Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Surat, Nagpur, Indore, Vadodara, Nashik, Aurangabad, Rajkot
Northeast India: Guwahati, Shillong, Agartala, Imphal, Aizawl, Dibrugarh, Itanagar
Candidates can select 3 exam city preferences during application. Final allotment depends on availability and administrative feasibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the educational qualification required for DRDO CEPTAM 11 STA and Technician posts?
For STA-A posts, candidates need B.E/B.Tech (60% marks) or B.Sc (65% marks) in relevant discipline. For Technician-A posts, Diploma in Engineering (60% marks) or 10+2 Science with ITI in relevant trade is required. All qualifications must be from AICTE approved/recognized institutes.
What is the application fee for DRDO CEPTAM 11 examination?
The application fee is ₹100 for UR/OBC/EWS male candidates. SC/ST/PwBD/Women/Ex-Servicemen candidates are exempted from paying any fee. Payment must be made online through Net Banking, Credit/Debit Card or UPI only.
How many vacancies are available in DRDO CEPTAM 11 recruitment?
A total of 764 vacancies are advertised for STA-A and Technician-A posts across various disciplines including Electronics, Mechanical, Computer Science, Civil, and Chemical Engineering. The vacancy distribution is subject to change based on organizational requirements.
What is the salary for DRDO STA and Technician posts?
STA-A posts carry Pay Level 6 with starting basic pay of ₹35,400 and gross salary around ₹67,000 per month. Technician-A posts are in Pay Level 5 with starting basic pay of ₹29,200 and gross salary around ₹56,000 per month. Additional benefits include DA, HRA, medical facilities, and pension.
How many attempts are allowed for DRDO CEPTAM examination?
There is no restriction on the number of attempts for DRDO CEPTAM exams. Candidates can apply multiple times as long as they satisfy the age criteria on the closing date of application. The upper age limit is 28 years with relaxations for reserved categories.
Is there negative marking in DRDO CEPTAM 11 exam?
Yes, negative marking of 0.25 marks is applicable for each wrong answer in both Tier-I and Tier-II examinations. Unanswered questions carry no penalty. Candidates should attempt questions carefully to maximize their score and avoid excessive negative marking.
What is the mode of application for DRDO CEPTAM 11?
Application for DRDO CEPTAM 11 is accepted only through ONLINE mode via the official DRDO recruitment portal (www.drdo.gov.in or www.rac.gov.in). No offline applications are accepted. Candidates must register, fill form, upload documents, pay fee online and submit electronically.
What are the stages of selection in DRDO CEPTAM 11 recruitment?
The selection process consists of Tier-I CBT (screening test), Tier-II CBT (main examination), Skill/Trade Test (for Technician posts), Document Verification, and Medical Examination. Final merit list is prepared based on Tier-II and Skill Test performance, subject to qualifying all stages.