DRDO Scientist (C, D, E) Recruitment 2026 | Apply Online for 33 Posts Vacancy

DRDO Scientist Recruitment 2026: DEFENCE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION (DRDO) RECRUITMENT & ASSESSMENT CENTRE (RAC) LUCKNOW ROAD, TIMARPUR, DELHI – 110054, has released a notification for the recruitment of Scientist –C, D, E) in DRDO.

RAC invites online recruitment applications through the RAC website (https://rac.gov.in) for the following posts of Scientist E, Scientist D, and Scientist C in the DRDS cadre and other Encadered posts in the DRDS cadre on a regular basis under the Lateral Recruitment Scheme.

DRDO Announces 34 Scientist Vacancies

The latest recruitment notification includes vacancies under both the regular DRDS cadre and encadred posts. The vacancies are distributed across various scientific and engineering domains, including Electronics, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Oceanography, Mathematics, Remote Sensing, Physiology, Pharmacology, and Electrical Engineering.

According to the notification, DRDO is recruiting:

• Scientist ‘E’ – 2 posts
• Scientist ‘D’ – 11 posts
• Scientist ‘C’ – 20 posts

These positions are intended for experienced professionals who have already established themselves in research, design, development, manufacturing, testing, simulation, or advanced scientific applications relevant to national defence and strategic technologies.

Salary Structure

Selected candidates will receive salaries under the 7th Central Pay Commission.

In addition to the basic pay, candidates will be entitled to various allowances and benefits as applicable to central government employees.

High-Demand Disciplines Included for DRDO Scientist Recruitment

One of the most notable aspects of this recruitment is the wide range of specialized fields covered.

DRDO is seeking professionals with expertise in areas such as:

• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
• Deep Learning and Data Processing
• Signal Processing and Image Processing
• FPGA and VLSI Design
• Aerospace Systems
• Missile and Propulsion Technologies
• Radar and Microwave Engineering
• High Performance Computing
• Optical and Photonics Systems
• Oceanographic Research
• Geospatial Technologies and Remote Sensing
• Radiation Safety
• Ballistics and Weapon Systems
• High Energy Materials and Explosives
• Power Systems and Electrical Engineering

The recruitment reflects DRDO’s growing focus on advanced technologies that are shaping the future of defence and national security.

Also Read: Rajarambapu Institute of Technology Announces Walk-In Interviews for Faculty and R&D Positions

Educational Qualification

Applicants must possess a First Division Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Technology or a First Division Master’s Degree in the relevant discipline from a recognized university.

For institutions where division criteria are not specified, 60% marks will be considered equivalent to First Division. In cases involving CGPA, candidates must provide the university’s conversion formula.

Experience Criteria

Unlike entry-level recruitments, this DRDO notification is specifically designed for experienced professionals.

The minimum experience requirement varies according to the post:

• Scientist ‘C’ – Minimum 3 years
• Scientist ‘D’ – Minimum 7 years
• Scientist ‘E’ – Minimum 11 years

The experience must be relevant to the discipline and should have been acquired after obtaining the essential qualification.

Age Limit

The upper age limits prescribed by DRDO are:

• Scientist ‘C’ – Up to 35 years
• Scientist ‘D’ and Scientist ‘E’ – Up to 45 years

Eligible candidates under applicable government norms may receive age relaxation. However, the maximum age after relaxation cannot exceed 56 years.

Application Process for the Recruitment of DRDO Scientist (C, D, E):

As described above for different posts, the applicants should ensure that they satisfy the eligibility criteria (in respect of age, essential qualification, experience) as on the closing date of advertisement i.e., 19 June 2026 (1600 hrs.). The date for determining the eligibility of all candidates in every respect shall be the prescribed Closing Date.

1. Candidates are required to first register online at the RAC website (https://rac.gov.in) to fill the online application form.
2. On successful registration, the candidates may log in and submit the online application before the closing date of the advertisement to avoid last-minute network congestion.
3. While filling in the experience details in the application form, candidates are advised not to divulge any information related to his/her work experience that is confidential by his/her present or previous employer. RAC shall not be held responsible at any stage for the revelation of the given information in any form through any means.
4. While filling the personal details in the application form, candidate shall ensure that the candidate’s name and parents’ names are filled correctly as mentioned in the Date of Birth proof (e.g. Original Name as Anil Kumar Sharma in Birth Certificate but AK Sharma/Anil K Sharma/ Sharma AK printed in the attached documents) to be treated as name mismatch for which notarized affidavit is to be submitted at the time of filling the online application.
5. Candidates desirous of applying for more than one post must apply separately for each post. In such a case, please mention the item no. (nos.) of all other posts where you have applied/intend to apply, along with the order of preference for all items in case of final selection against multiple items.

6. Applicants are advised not to change their registered mobile number or Email as vital information regarding their eligibility/shortlisting/selection status will be intimated through Email / SMS.

7. The applicants are advised to fill in/ upload documents for all their particulars carefully in the online application. The candidate must preview the application along with the uploaded certificates/documents before final submission. Only locked/finalised applications in all respects shall be considered. No corrections in the data/application will be allowed, and no document will be accepted once the application is finally submitted/locked.

Application Fee & Mode Of Payment:

General, OBC, and EWS male candidates are required to pay a non-refundable, non-transferable application fee of Rs. 100/- (Rs. One Hundred only) payable online only. There is no application fee for SC/ST/Divyang and Women candidates.

Screening/ Shortlisting:

Screening of received applications will be carried out at multiple stages, including:

• Administrative Screening will be carried out for verification of identity, age, essential & higher qualifications, length of suitable experience, and availability of CCA Declaration(wherever applicable) at the initial stage.
• For all Administratively Eligible applications, Technical Screening (may be at two levels, if required) will be carried out for verification of the suitability of experience possessed by the candidates with the experience requirements advertised against each vacancy. Administratively screened applications will be shortlisted for further selection process in the Predefined Ratio* by holding a Meeting of Technical Screening Committee (an independent body), including Technical Experts from Industry/ Academia/ DRDO (other than RAC) under Biodata-based Technical Screening at Level-1 by adopting any one or more of the following methods:

1. 1. 1. Relevance of suitable experience with respect to the. advertised QRs against each vacancy
      2. Relevance of Desirable/Higher Qualifications
      3. Any other criteria suggested by the Technical Screening Committee

• After Technical Screening at Level-1, in case the number of candidates shortlisted for Final Personal Interview in accordance with any of the above-mentioned methods is large, then further shortlisting may be carried out by conducting Technical Screening at Level-2, i.e., Preliminary Online Interview of short duration (10-15 minutes).