DRDO RCI Apprentice Online Form 2026

DRDO Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad invites applications for 195 Apprentice positions under the Apprentices Act 1961. RCI is a premier DRDO laboratory engaged in design and development of missile systems for Indian Armed Forces. This apprenticeship provides hands-on training in various technical trades including Fitter, Electrician, Electronics Mechanic, Computer Operator and Programming Assistant (COPA), and Machinist. Successfully completing the apprenticeship enhances employability in both public and private sector technical positions. The training period is typically one year and apprentices receive a monthly stipend as per government norms.

Important Dates

Vacancy Distribution (Typical / Indicative)

Educational Qualification

• For ITI Trades (Fitter, Electrician, Electronics Mechanic, Machinist): Candidates must have passed 10th class (SSC/Matriculation) and possess a valid ITI certificate in the relevant trade from NCVT/SCVT recognized institute.
• For COPA Trade: Candidates must have passed 10th class and possess ITI certificate in Computer Operator and Programming Assistant (COPA) trade.
• General Requirement: The ITI certificate must be in the specific trade for which candidate is applying.

Age Limit

Typical Age Criteria:

Age Relaxation by Category:

Age is calculated as on the closing date of application.

Nationality

Candidate must be a citizen of India.

How to Apply

1. Visit the official DRDO RCI website (www.rcilab.in) or the designated recruitment portal.
2. Click on the "Apprentice Recruitment 2026" notification link under Careers/Recruitment section.
3. Read the detailed notification carefully and check eligibility criteria.
4. Click on "Apply Online" button to start the registration process.
5. Complete Part-I registration by providing basic details (name, email, mobile number) and create login credentials.
6. Login using credentials and fill the online application form with personal details, educational qualifications, category, trade preference.
7. Upload scanned copies of required documents: photograph (50KB, JPG format), signature (20KB), 10th marksheet, ITI certificate, category certificate (if applicable), ID proof.
8. Pay the application fee online through net banking, debit/credit card, or UPI.
9. Submit the completed application form and note down the registration number.
10. Take a printout of the submitted application for future reference.

Application Fees

Selection Stages

1. Scrutiny of Applications: All submitted applications are screened for eligibility based on educational qualifications, age, category certificates and completeness of documentation.

1. Merit List Preparation: Candidates are shortlisted based on merit calculated from 10th standard marks (50% weightage) and ITI final marks (50% weightage) in the relevant trade.

1. Document Verification: Shortlisted candidates are called for physical verification of original certificates including 10th marksheet, ITI certificate, category certificate, identity proof, and recent photographs.

1. Medical Examination: Selected candidates undergo medical fitness examination to ensure they are physically fit to undergo apprenticeship training in the respective trade.

1. Final Selection & Offer: Based on merit, document verification and medical fitness, final selection list is prepared and engagement letters are issued to selected apprentices for joining the one-year training programme.

Selection Based on Merit (No Written Exam - Typical Pattern)

For DRDO RCI Apprentice recruitment, selection is typically done through merit-based shortlisting rather than a written examination. Merit is calculated as follows:

Note: In some years, DRDO RCI may conduct a written test or skill test. If conducted, the pattern would be:

Written Test Pattern (If Applicable)

Negative Marking: Typically 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer if written test is conducted.

Syllabus for DRDO RCI Apprentice (Typical / Indicative)

General Intelligence & Reasoning

• Analogies and similarities
• Differences and classifications
• Space visualization and spatial orientation
• Problem solving and analysis
• Decision making and judgement
• Visual memory, discrimination and observation
• Relationship concepts
• Arithmetical reasoning
• Verbal and figure classification
• Non-verbal series and coding-decoding

Numerical Ability

• Number systems and simplification
• Decimals and fractions
• LCM and HCF
• Ratio and proportion
• Percentage and averages
• Profit and loss
• Discount and simple/compound interest
• Time and work
• Time and distance
• Tables and graphs interpretation

General Awareness

• Current affairs (national and international)
• Indian history and freedom movement
• Indian polity and constitution
• Geography of India
• Economic and social development
• General science and scientific research
• Sports and awards
• DRDO - organization, laboratories and achievements
• Defence systems and recent developments

Trade Specific Technical Knowledge

#### For Fitter Trade

• Engineering drawing and blueprint reading
• Hand tools and measuring instruments
• Fitting operations: filing, chipping, sawing, drilling
• Workshop safety practices
• Materials and properties
• Lathe and milling basics

#### For Electrician Trade

• Basic electrical circuits and laws
• AC/DC fundamentals
• Electrical machines and transformers
• Domestic wiring and industrial wiring
• Electrical safety and earthing
• Measuring instruments and testing

#### For Electronics Mechanic Trade

• Electronic components and devices
• Analog and digital electronics
• Circuit analysis and design
• Communication systems basics
• Microprocessors fundamentals
• PCB assembly and soldering
• Testing and troubleshooting

#### For COPA (Computer Operator and Programming Assistant)

• Computer fundamentals and operating systems
• MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Internet and email usage
• Programming basics (C, C++, HTML)
• Database management basics
• Computer hardware and networking

#### For Machinist Trade

• Lathe operations and turning
• Milling and drilling operations
• Workshop calculations
• Engineering materials
• Measurement and precision tools
• Machine maintenance and safety

Stipend & Benefits (Typical / Indicative)

Note: The stipend amount is revised periodically as per Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship guidelines. Apprentices are not regular employees and do not receive DA, HRA or other regular allowances. Upon successful completion of apprenticeship, candidates receive a certificate recognized across India and become eligible for regular employment opportunities in DRDO and other organizations.

Upon successful completion of the one-year apprenticeship training at DRDO RCI, candidates receive a National Apprenticeship Certificate issued by NCVT which is recognized across India and enhances employability significantly. While apprenticeship does not guarantee regular employment at DRDO, it provides valuable practical experience and preferred consideration when DRDO conducts regular recruitment drives for technical staff positions. Many apprentices secure employment in DRDO laboratories, defence PSUs, or private sector manufacturing and technical organizations based on their apprenticeship credentials.

Admit cards for DRDO RCI Apprentice selection process (if written test/skill test is conducted) are typically released 7-10 days before the examination date on the official RCI website. Candidates must download their admit card by logging into the recruitment portal using their registration number and password. The admit card contains important details including exam centre address, reporting time, examination date, candidate's photograph and important instructions to be followed on exam day.

The merit list / result for DRDO RCI Apprentice recruitment is generally declared 4-6 weeks after the document verification process or written test (if conducted). Results are published on the official DRDO RCI website (www.rcilab.in) under the recruitment section. Selected candidates' names with registration numbers are displayed category-wise and trade-wise. Candidates can also check their individual selection status by logging into the recruitment portal using their credentials.

Cutoff marks for DRDO RCI Apprentice positions vary based on the number of applicants, difficulty level, and reserved category. Typically, merit is calculated based on combined percentage of 10th and ITI marks. Expected merit percentage ranges: General category 75-85%, OBC 70-80%, SC 65-75%, ST 60-70%. These are indicative figures and actual cutoffs vary by trade specialization with popular trades like Electronics Mechanic and COPA having higher cutoffs compared to Fitter or Machinist trades.

Examination Centres (Indicative)

South: Hyderabad (Primary Centre - RCI Campus), Bengaluru, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada

North: Delhi, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Lucknow

East: Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Patna

West: Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad

Northeast: Guwahati

Note: The primary examination/document verification centre is typically DRDO RCI campus in Hyderabad. However, depending on the number of applications, additional centres in nearby cities may be arranged.