DRDO ITR Apprentice Recruitment 2026: 54 Vacancies, Eligibility, Stipend and Offline Application

The Graduate Apprentice category has 32 posts and requires a B.E. or B.Tech in one of the disciplines named in the notification. Candidates with a B.E. or B.Tech in a discipline outside that list should check the notification before walking in, since the list of accepted streams is not reproduced in the Job Details available here.

The Technician (Diploma) Apprentice category has 22 posts and requires a diploma in one of the specified disciplines. A diploma holder cannot apply under the graduate category, and a graduate cannot apply under the technician category unless the notification explicitly allows it. Choose the category that matches your highest completed qualification and confirm that the qualification is complete on the date you attend.

• Graduate Apprentice: Stipend of ₹12,300 per month.
• Technician (Diploma) Apprentice: Stipend of ₹10,900 per month.
• Application fee: ₹0 for General and SC/ST candidates.

These are apprenticeship stipends under the Apprentices Act. They are not regular salary, so no NPS, PF, DA, or HRA is deducted. The stipend is paid in full, subject only to income tax if it applies to you. The notification does not state that apprentices will be absorbed into regular DRDO posts, so do not treat this as a route to a permanent job unless the official notification says so. Use the salary calculator to compare the stipend with private-sector entry offers, and weigh the training value and any certificate issued at the end of the apprenticeship against your current options.

The Job Details do not specify the timeline for document verification, any medical examination, or the joining date. Apprentices who are selected should expect to complete formalities at the venue or as instructed in the notification, and should keep their originals ready for verification. Confirm whether a medical examination is part of the process, and whether the training is delivered at the ITR facility in Odisha or at another establishment, by reading the official notification.

The stipend is paid during the apprenticeship period, and the notification should state its duration and any terms for completion. Plan your timeline around the apprenticeship period rather than assuming a fixed start date, since the application start date is also not specified in the Job Details.

DRDO is the research and development arm of the Ministry of Defence in India, working under the Department of Defence Research and Development. It was established in 1958 and runs a network of laboratories and establishments across the country, covering areas such as missiles, aeronautics, electronics, armaments, and naval systems.

DRDO is a government body with a long record of defence technology development, which makes it a credible employer for technical apprentices. Its test ranges, including the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Odisha named in this recruitment, are part of its experimental and testing infrastructure, which gives apprentices hands-on exposure to real engineering work.

The notification does not list day-to-day duties for either category. In general, apprentices at a DRDO establishment work alongside engineers, scientists, and technicians on assigned technical tasks, learning practical skills in testing, fabrication, instrumentation, or software support depending on their discipline and posting. Graduate apprentices are expected to handle more design and analysis work, while diploma apprentices are expected to focus on hands-on technical support.

Check the official notification for whether the role is field-based or desk-based, what tools or equipment are used, the reporting structure, and whether a uniform is required, since these details are not stated in the Job Details.