DRDO CEPTAM 11 STA and Technician Tier-2 Admit Card

DRDO CEPTAM 11 (Centre for Personnel Talent Management) is a recruitment drive conducted by the Defence Research and Development Organisation for selecting candidates for Senior Technical Assistant (STA) and Technician positions across various DRDO laboratories and establishments pan-India. The Tier-2 examination is the second stage of selection after candidates qualify the Tier-1 exam. This recruitment falls under the Ministry of Defence and offers Group C technical positions in India's premier defence research organisation. Selected candidates will work in cutting-edge defence technology projects across disciplines like electronics, mechanical, computer science, and other technical domains. DRDO conducts CEPTAM drives periodically to fill technical manpower requirements across its 50+ laboratories nationwide.

Important Dates

Vacancy Breakdown (Typical / Indicative)

Note: Vacancies include both STA and Technician-A posts across various disciplines and DRDO centres. Actual numbers vary by CEPTAM cycle.

Educational Qualification

For Senior Technical Assistant (STA):

• B.E./B.Tech or equivalent degree in relevant engineering discipline (Electronics, Mechanical, Computer Science, Electrical, Chemical, Civil, etc.) from a recognized university
• OR Master's degree in Science with relevant specialization
• Minimum 60% marks (50% for SC/ST candidates)

For Technician-A:

• 3-year Diploma in Engineering in relevant discipline from a recognized board
• OR ITI (2 years) with National Apprenticeship Certificate in relevant trade
• Minimum 60% marks (50% for SC/ST candidates)

Age Limit

Typical / Indicative Age Criteria:

Age Relaxation:

Age calculated as on the closing date of online application.

Nationality

• Candidate must be a citizen of India
• Certificate of Indian nationality required at document verification stage

Application Process

1. Visit the official DRDO CEPTAM recruitment portal at www.drdo.gov.in or ceptam.drdo.in
2. Click on the "CEPTAM 11 Recruitment" notification link on the homepage
3. Read the detailed notification and eligibility criteria carefully
4. Click on "New Registration" and provide basic details (name, email, mobile number) to generate Registration ID
5. Login using Registration ID and password to complete the application form
6. Fill in personal details, educational qualifications, category, post preference, and exam centre choice
7. Upload scanned copies of recent photograph (JPG format, 10-50 KB) and signature (JPG format, 5-20 KB)
8. Preview the filled application form and verify all entered information
9. Proceed to payment gateway and pay the application fee using Debit Card/Credit Card/Net Banking/UPI
10. Submit the application and download the confirmation page for future reference
11. Take a printout of the application form for record purposes

Application Fees

No fee will be refunded under any circumstances. Payment gateway charges are additional.

Selection Process

1. Tier-1 Examination (Computer-Based Test): Objective-type multiple-choice test covering General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, General English, and Quantitative Aptitude/Mathematics. This is a screening test to shortlist candidates for Tier-2.

1. Tier-2 Examination (Computer-Based Test): Trade-specific technical paper based on the candidate's educational qualification and discipline. Contains objective MCQs on core subjects relevant to the applied post (Engineering subjects for STA, Diploma subjects for Technician).

1. Skill Test/Practical Test: Candidates qualifying Tier-2 may be called for hands-on skill assessment or practical examination to test their technical competency and proficiency in their trade/discipline.

1. Document Verification: Shortlisted candidates undergo thorough verification of educational certificates, caste/category certificates, age proof, and other testimonials. Any discrepancy leads to disqualification.

1. Medical Examination: Final selected candidates must pass a comprehensive medical fitness test as per DRDO medical standards. Specific physical standards apply based on the nature of work.

1. Final Merit List: Based on combined performance in Tier-2 exam and skill test (if applicable), final merit list is prepared category-wise and candidates are allocated to DRDO centres based on merit and preference.

Tier-1 Exam Pattern (Screening Test)

Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer.

Tier-2 Exam Pattern (Main Examination)

Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer.

Tier-2 contains subject-specific technical questions based on candidate's qualification (B.Tech/Diploma/ITI) and applied discipline. Questions are of graduate/diploma level standard covering core subjects of the respective engineering branch.

Tier-1 Syllabus (Common for All)

General Intelligence & Reasoning

• Analogies and similarities
• Differences and classifications
• Space visualization and spatial orientation
• Problem-solving and analysis
• Judgment and decision making
• Visual memory and discrimination
• Observation, relationship concepts
• Arithmetical reasoning and figural classification
• Arithmetic number series
• Non-verbal series, coding-decoding

General Awareness

• Current affairs (national and international)
• Indian history, culture, and freedom movement
• Indian geography and world geography
• Indian polity and Constitution
• Economic and scientific developments
• Sports, awards, and honours
• Books and authors
• Important days and events
• General science and everyday observations

General English

• Vocabulary and synonyms/antonyms
• Grammar (tenses, articles, prepositions, conjunctions)
• Sentence structure and error detection
• Fill in the blanks
• Comprehension passages
• Idioms and phrases
• One-word substitution
• Active and passive voice
• Direct and indirect speech

Quantitative Aptitude/Mathematics

• Number systems and simplification
• Decimals, fractions, LCM, HCF
• Ratio and proportion
• Percentage and averages
• Profit and loss
• Simple and compound interest
• Time and work, time and distance
• Mensuration (area, volume)
• Data interpretation (tables, bar graphs, pie charts)
• Basic algebra and trigonometry

Tier-2 Technical Syllabus (Discipline-Specific)

For Electronics & Communication Engineering (STA)

• Network theory and circuit analysis
• Electronic devices and circuits
• Analog and digital electronics
• Signals and systems
• Control systems
• Communication systems (analog and digital)
• Electromagnetic theory and transmission lines
• Microprocessors and microcontrollers
• Digital signal processing
• VLSI design basics

For Mechanical Engineering (STA)

• Engineering mechanics and strength of materials
• Theory of machines and machine design
• Thermodynamics and heat transfer
• Fluid mechanics and machinery
• Manufacturing processes and technology
• Industrial engineering and operations research
• Engineering materials and metallurgy
• CAD/CAM and automation
• Refrigeration and air conditioning
• Power plant engineering

For Computer Science & Engineering (STA)

• Programming in C, C++, and data structures
• Database management systems
• Operating systems
• Computer networks and network security
• Computer organization and architecture
• Software engineering
• Theory of computation and automata
• Compiler design
• Algorithms and complexity analysis
• Web technologies and digital logic

For Diploma (Technician-A)

• Core subjects as per diploma curriculum in respective branch
• Applied mathematics and engineering drawing
• Workshop practices and measurements
• Trade-specific theory and practical knowledge
• Basic electrical/electronics fundamentals
• Safety procedures and industrial practices

Syllabus varies by discipline. Above are representative topics for major branches.

Salary Structure (Typical / Indicative)

7th Pay Commission pay structure applicable. In-hand salary after deductions (GPF, NPS, Income Tax). Additional benefits include medical facilities, LTC, annual increments of 3%, pension benefits, canteen facilities, and access to DRDO guest houses.

DRDO offers excellent career progression opportunities with clearly defined promotion ladders. Technician-A can be promoted to Technician-B (Level 4) and further to Senior Technician (Level 5) based on experience and performance. STA positions see promotions to Technical Officer (Level 7), Senior Technical Officer (Level 10), and potentially Scientist positions through departmental exams or exceptional contribution. Regular training programs, skill development workshops, and exposure to cutting-edge defence research projects enhance professional growth throughout the career.

The Tier-2 admit card is released approximately 7-10 days before the scheduled examination date on the official DRDO CEPTAM portal. Candidates who qualify Tier-1 examination can download their Tier-2 admit card by logging into the portal using their Registration ID and password. The admit card contains important details including candidate's photograph, exam centre address, reporting time, examination date and shift, and important instructions. Candidates must bring a printed copy of the admit card along with valid photo ID proof (Aadhar/PAN/Driving License/Voter ID) to the examination centre for entry.

Tier-1 results are typically declared 4-6 weeks after the examination, with category-wise cutoff marks published on the official website. Qualified candidates' roll numbers are made available for download. Tier-2 results are announced approximately 6-8 weeks after the Tier-2 exam, followed by skill test results and final merit list. Candidates can check their results by entering their roll number or registration ID on the DRDO CEPTAM portal. Score cards showing section-wise marks and overall percentile are available for download, and final selection list indicates allocated DRDO laboratory/centre based on merit and preference.

Tier-1 cutoff marks typically range between 35-45 marks out of 80 for unreserved candidates, with variations based on difficulty level and number of applicants. Category-wise, SC/ST cutoffs are usually 8-12 marks lower, while OBC cutoffs are 3-5 marks below UR cutoff. Tier-2 technical paper cutoffs are generally higher, ranging from 50-65 marks out of 100 for UR category, as it involves discipline-specific knowledge. Final selection depends on combined merit in Tier-2 and skill test performance, with cutoffs varying significantly across different disciplines and DRDO centres based on vacancy availability and candidate pool quality.

North: Delhi NCR, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Lucknow, Dehradun, Jammu, Shimla, Patna

South: Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram, Visakhapatnam, Mysuru, Coimbatore, Kochi

East: Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Ranchi, Guwahati, Siliguri, Cuttack

West: Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Surat, Nagpur, Nashik, Indore, Vadodara

Northeast: Guwahati, Shillong, Imphal, Agartala

Exam centres are subject to availability and DRDO's discretion. Candidates can choose up to 3 preferred centres during application. Final allotment depends on availability and administrative feasibility.