DRDO Scientist Recruitment 2026 - Apply Online for 33 Vacancies

Quick Highlights - DRDO Scientist Vacancy 2026

• Organisation: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), RAC
• Advertisement No.: Advt. No. 157
• Post Names: Scientist E, Scientist D, Scientist C
• Total Vacancies: 33
• Application Mode: Online
• Last Date for DRDO Scientist Recruitment 2026: 19 June 2026 (up to 1600 hrs.)
• Official Website: rac.gov.in

Important Dates

Application Fee

Fee must be paid online only. It is non-refundable and non-transferable.

DRDO Scientist Vacancy 2026 - Post-Wise Details

Vacancies are divided into Regular posts in DRDS Cadre and Encadered posts in DRDS Cadre. All posts are Unreserved (General category). PwD/Divyang candidates may apply for posts marked accordingly.

Scientist E - Regular DRDS Cadre (1 Vacancy)

Scientist D - Regular DRDS Cadre (7 Vacancies)

Scientist C - Regular DRDS Cadre (17 Vacancies)

Encadered Posts - Scientist E (1 Vacancy)

Encadered Posts - Scientist D (4 Vacancies)

Encadered Posts - Scientist C (3 Vacancies)

Total Vacancies: 33 (Scientist E: 2 | Scientist D: 11 | Scientist C: 20)

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

• Scientist C and D (Engineering disciplines): At least First Division Bachelor's Degree in Engineering / Technology in the relevant discipline from a recognised university. Where a university does not award first division, 60% marks is treated as equivalent.
• Scientist C and D (Science disciplines): At least First Division Master's Degree in the relevant science subject from a recognised university.
• Scientist E: At least First Division Bachelor's Degree in Engineering / Technology in the relevant discipline from a recognised university.
• CGPA of 6.75 on a 10-point scale is treated as equivalent to 60% as per AICTE guidelines.
• No rounding off of marks is permitted.

Experience Requirements

Important: Experience is counted only after passing the essential qualification. Any experience below Pay Level 10 (7th CPC) or equivalent will not be considered. Part-time, daily wage, trainee, or guest faculty experience is not counted.

Age Limit

Age Relaxation

• Divyang / PwD candidates: Up to 10 years
• Serving Civilian Central Government Employees (with 3+ years continuous regular service in same/allied cadre): Up to 5 years
• Ex-Servicemen: As per rules in force
• Note: Maximum age including any relaxation shall not exceed 56 years.

Nationality

Only Indian Nationals are eligible to apply.

Weightage for Higher Qualification

• Post Graduate Degree in Engineering: 2 years weightage
• Post Graduate Degree in Medicine / Physiology (medical posts only): 3 years weightage
• Doctorate Degree in Science: 3 years weightage
• Doctorate Degree (PhD) in Pharmacy: 3 years weightage
• Doctorate Degree in Engineering: 4 years weightage

Note: Weightage is not automatic. It depends on the relevance of the higher qualification to the advertised post requirements.

Selection Process

The DRDO Scientist Recruitment 2026 selection involves the following stages:

• Stage 1 - Administrative Screening: Verification of identity, age, essential qualifications, experience, and CCA Declaration (wherever applicable).
• Stage 2 - Technical Screening Level-1: Biodata-based shortlisting by a Technical Screening Committee. Criteria include relevance of experience to advertised requirements, higher qualification relevance, or other criteria suggested by the committee. Up to 24 candidates per vacancy (48 for two vacancies) are shortlisted.
• Stage 3 - Technical Screening Level-2 (if required): Preliminary Online Interview of 10-15 minutes duration. Up to 12 candidates per vacancy (24 for two vacancies) are shortlisted for the Final Interview.
• Stage 4 - Final Personal Interview: Conducted in-person only at RAC, Delhi. Candidates must score a minimum of 75 out of 100 marks in the Final Personal Interview to be considered for selection. No online interview option is available at this stage.

The final selection is based purely on merit in the Final Personal Interview. All decisions on eligibility and selection are final.

How to Apply for DRDO Scientist Recruitment 2026

1. Visit the official RAC website at rac.gov.in on your browser.
2. Click on the 'New Registration' or 'Register' option and complete your online registration by entering your basic details including name, email ID, and mobile number.
3. After successful registration, login to your account using your credentials.
4. Select the post (Scientist C, D, or E) and the specific item number you wish to apply for. If applying for multiple posts, submit separate applications for each.
5. Fill in all required details including personal information, educational qualifications, and work experience. Ensure your name matches your Date of Birth proof exactly.
6. Upload all required documents: passport size photograph (max 30 KB), signature (max 30 KB), Date of Birth proof, degree certificates with mark sheets, experience certificates, salary proofs, and CCA Declaration (if applicable). Each document must not exceed 500 KB.
7. Pay the application fee of Rs. 100 online if you belong to the General, OBC, or EWS male category. SC/ST/PwD and Women candidates are exempted from the fee.
8. Preview the complete application and all uploaded documents carefully, then lock/finalise and submit the application before 19 June 2026 (1600 hrs.). Take a printout of the submitted application for future reference.

Documents Required for Application

• Date of Birth proof (Matriculation / High School Certificate / Birth Certificate)
• Recent passport size colour photograph (max 30 KB)
• Scanned signature (max 30 KB)
• Degree certificates and mark sheets for essential and higher qualifications
• Fellowship proofs with start and end dates (if applicable)
• All experience certificates with start and end dates, appointment letters, salary slips, promotion orders, and Form 16A
• CCA Declaration (for serving government / PSU employees)
• Caste / disability certificate for SC/ST/PwD (for fee waiver)
• Release certificate for retired Armed Forces personnel (if applicable)
• Notarised affidavit in case of name mismatch in documents

Important: All documents must be legible, self-attested where required, and not password protected. Maximum file size per document is 500 KB.

Career Progression at DRDO

DRDO offers one of the most structured career growth paths among Indian government organisations. Under its Flexible Complimenting Scheme (FCS), promotions to higher levels are delinked from vacancy availability. Scientists are assessed periodically on merit, enabling meritorious candidates to rise in the hierarchy without waiting for posts to fall vacant. Selected candidates will have the liability to serve anywhere in India, including remote and field area locations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the total number of vacancies in DRDO Scientist Recruitment 2026?

DRDO has announced a total of 33 vacancies under Advt. No. 157. This includes 2 vacancies for Scientist E, 11 for Scientist D, and 20 for Scientist C across regular DRDS cadre and encadered posts.

Q2. What is the last date to apply for DRDO Scientist Recruitment 2026?

The last date to submit the online application for DRDO Scientist Recruitment 2026 is 19 June 2026 up to 1600 hrs. Applications must be submitted through the RAC website at rac.gov.in before this deadline.

Q3. What is the application fee for DRDO Scientist Recruitment 2026?

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

Q4. What is the age limit for DRDO Scientist C and Scientist D/E posts?

For Scientist D and Scientist E posts, the upper age limit is 45 years as on the closing date. For Scientist C posts, the upper age limit is 35 years. Age relaxation of up to 10 years is available for PwD candidates and up to 5 years for serving Central Government employees with at least 3 years of continuous regular service.

Q5. What is the selection process for DRDO Scientist Recruitment 2026?

Selection involves multiple stages: Administrative Screening to verify eligibility, Technical Screening at Level-1 (biodata-based shortlisting), an optional Preliminary Online Interview at Level-2 (10-15 minutes), and a Final Personal Interview in-person at RAC Delhi. Candidates must score a minimum of 75 out of 100 marks in the Final Personal Interview to be considered for selection.

Q6. Which disciplines can apply for DRDO Scientist Recruitment 2026?

Vacancies are open across multiple disciplines including Electronics and Communication Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics/Photonics/Optics, Electrical Engineering, Oceanography, Mathematics, Pharmacology, Physiology, and Remote Sensing/GIS/Geoinformatics.

Q7. What is the salary for DRDO Scientist posts as per 7th CPC?

Scientist C receives a basic pay of Rs. 67,700 at Level 11 of the 7th CPC. Scientist D receives Rs. 78,800 at Level 12. Scientist E receives Rs. 1,23,100 at Level 13. DRDO also offers career progression under its Flexible Complimenting Scheme (FCS) where promotion is delinked from vacancy availability.

Q8. Can serving government employees apply for DRDO Scientist Recruitment 2026?

Yes, serving government and PSU employees can apply but must upload a signed CCA (Cadre Controlling Authority) Declaration at the time of application. They must also produce a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their CCA at the time of the Final Personal Interview. Failure to produce the NOC will result in cancellation of candidature.

Disclaimer

This article is based on the official notification (Advt. No. 157) published by DRDO RAC. Candidates are advised to visit the official website rac.gov.in for the latest and most accurate information before applying. VacancyPage is not responsible for any discrepancy in the information provided.