DRDO DEAL Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 77 Posts

📅 Posted: 23/06/2026 📝 Updated: 23/06/2026

Total Vacancy77

SalaryStipend (₹10,560 - ₹12,300) [Approx. ₹10.5k-12.3k/Month]

LocationAll India

Last Date23/07/2026

Short Information: Hello candidates. Defence Electronics Applications Laboratory (DEAL) under DRDO has issued the official notification for the engagement of Apprentices for the 2026-27 batch. They are hiring for a total of 77 Posts, covering Graduate, Diploma, and ITI apprenticeship levels. For fresh graduates and diploma holders who have passed their exams between 2022 and 2026, working at a premier defense R&D organization is a highly valuable step for building technical expertise. The stipend offered ranges from ₹10,560 to ₹12,300 per month, depending on the qualification level, which includes a DBT contribution. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you can apply online from 23 June 2026 up to 23 July 2026. Candidates must carefully note that this requires prior registration on the NATS 2.0 portal for degree and diploma holders, and on the NAPS portal for ITI pass-outs. Since the selection can be based on academic merit, written test, or a walk-in interview, ensuring your documents and profiles are 100% complete is crucial. Make sure your Aadhar is seeded to your bank account for the DBT stipend processing. Review the official DEAL DRDO Apprentice notification carefully to verify your specific trade requirements before submitting your application. Working inside a cutting-edge laboratory provides an unmatched environment to observe sophisticated electronics and communication protocols. Ensure you upload all your recent semester mark sheets accurately to secure your spot in the merit list.

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📅 Dates & Fees 📦 Vacancy 💰 Salary 🎯 Selection 📝 Pattern 🏃 Physical 📏 Standards 📖 Syllabus ❓ FAQs 🔗 Important Links

DRDO DEAL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 2026Important Dates

Notification Released	23/06/2026
Application Begin	23/06/2026
Last Date to Apply	23/07/2026
Pay Exam Fee Last Date	N/A
Exam Date	To be notified

DRDO DEAL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 2026Application Fee

Gen / OBC	₹0
SC / ST / Women	₹0

Payment: N/A (No Fee)

DRDO DEAL Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 77 PostsVacancy Details & Age Limit

Age Limit: Minimum 18 Years (Max age as per Apprenticeship Act 1961)

(As per Apprenticeship Rules 1992 and NATS 2.0/NAPS Guidelines.)

Post Name	Total Post	Eligibility
Graduate Apprentice	19	B.E./B.Tech in ECE/Mech/CSE/Electrical OR B.Sc (PCM/PCB) with B.Lib.Sc with 60% marks.
Diploma Apprentice	08	Diploma in Engineering (ECE/Mech/CSE/Electrical) with 60% marks.
ITI Apprentice	50	ITI pass & NCVT/SCVT Certificate in relevant trades (Electronics, Fitter, COPA, etc.).
Total Vacancy	77
Note: Vacancies are provisional and subject to change by DRDO DEAL.

DRDO DEAL Apprentice Recruitment 2026Eligibility Criteria

Candidate must be an Indian National.
Must have passed the qualifying exam as a regular candidate within the last 5 years (2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 & 2026).
Candidates possessing higher qualifications than the required criteria are NOT eligible.
Candidates who already have 1 year of job experience or have completed any apprenticeship training previously are strictly ineligible.

DRDO DEAL Apprentice Recruitment 2026Pay Scale / Salary Structure

Post Name	Salary Level
Graduate Apprentice	₹12,300/- per month
Diploma Apprentice	₹10,900/- per month
ITI Apprentice	₹10,560/- per month

DRDO DEAL Apprentice Recruitment 2026Selection Process Steps

Academic Merit Shortlisting
Written Test (If Applicable)
Personal Interview / Walk-in Interview
Document Verification & Medical Examination

DRDO DEAL Apprentice Recruitment 2026Detailed Exam Pattern

Recruitment Details: Exam Overview (Tentative)

Mode: Primarily Selection via Merit/Interview. Offline (OMR Based) test if applications are high.
Negative Marking: No negative marking mentioned in official notification.
Duration: To be notified.

Recruitment Table: Expected Written Exam Details (If Conducted)

Subject	Questions	Marks
Technical Trade/Discipline	50	50
General Awareness & Aptitude	50	50
Total	100	100

Recruitment Table: Medical Standards

Category	Requirement
All Candidates	Certificate of Physical Fitness issued by authorized Government Medical Officer as per Apprentices Act 1961.

Recruitment Table: Job Profile by Post

Post Name	Primary Responsibilities
Graduate Apprentice	Assisting scientists in R&D projects, software development, electronic circuit design, and testing complex defense communication equipment.
Diploma Apprentice	Supporting laboratory experiments, maintaining electronics equipment, managing mechanical drafting, and assisting in system integration setups.
ITI Apprentice	Handling day-to-day workshop tasks, operating CNC/lathe machines, electrical wiring, ICT system maintenance, and component soldering.

DRDO DEAL Apprentice Recruitment 2026Subject-wise Syllabus Topics

Since selection is largely based on academic merit, a detailed written syllabus is not provided. If a test is conducted, questions will be based on the core engineering/ITI curriculum.

📚 Core Discipline (Engg/ITI)

Questions directly related to the applicant's stream (Electronics, Mechanical, Computer Science, Fitter, Machinist, etc.)

📚 General Aptitude

Basic Mathematics
Reasoning
General Knowledge

DRDO DEAL Apprentice Recruitment 2026How to Apply

For Graduate & Diploma: Visit NATS 2.0 Portal (nats.education.gov.in) and register.
For ITI: Visit NAPS Portal (apprenticeshipindia.gov.in) and register.
Complete your profile and search for Establishment Code 'NUKDDC000015' (NATS) or 'E01160500005' (NAPS) under Defence Electronics Application Laboratory.
Apply against the relevant advertised vacancies before the closing date (30 days from publication).
Keep a printed and ink-signed copy of your online application and profile for document verification.

Recruitment Note: About Defence Electronics Applications Laboratory (DEAL)

Defence Electronics Applications Laboratory (DEAL) is a premier establishment under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of Defence, Government of India. Located in Dehradun, DEAL specializes in the research and development of advanced communication systems, surveillance technologies, and electronics applications critical for the Indian Armed Forces. The laboratory has played a vital role in developing state-of-the-art secure communication networks, satellite communication systems, and imagery technologies. Working as an apprentice at DEAL exposes young professionals to cutting-edge defense technology, rigorous R&D workflows, and a highly disciplined engineering environment, making it a highly respected starting point for technical careers in India.

Recruitment Note: Benefits & Perks Beyond Stipend

While this is a one-year apprenticeship training contract rather than a permanent role, candidates gain immense value beyond the monthly stipend. Apprentices at DRDO DEAL receive hands-on training under elite defense scientists. Although standard allowances like HRA, PF, or LTC are not applicable to apprentices, the training provides invaluable real-world exposure to defense-grade electronics and communication systems. Apprentices also get access to government medical facilities during working hours for emergencies. The experience certificate earned from DRDO holds significant weightage in future job applications for both PSU and private sector technical roles.

Recruitment Note: Contract and Employment Policy

The selected candidate must execute a strict contract for a ONE-YEAR training period. Apprentices must clearly understand that completion of this training does NOT guarantee any permanent, temporary, or contractual employment within DEAL or DRDO. Selected candidates are bound to follow the Indian Official Secret Act, 1923, and all IT rules applicable to the Ministry of Defence.

DRDO DEAL Apprentice Recruitment 2026Important Official Links

Apply Online (Graduate / Diploma – NATS 2.0) Application Window: 23/06/2026 to 23/07/2026	Click Here ↗
Apply Online (ITI – NAPS Portal) Application Window: 23/06/2026 to 23/07/2026	Click Here ↗
Download Notification Advt No. DEAL/HRD/Apprenticeship/2026-27	Click Here ↗
Official Website	Click Here ↗

Disclaimer Information provided here is for quick reference. Verify all details on the official website before taking action.

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Quick Overview

🚀 Recruitment Overview

Quick Summary of the Notification

Organization	DRDO DEAL
Post Name	Apprentice
Total Vacancy	77
Salary	Stipend (₹10,560 - ₹12,300) [Approx. ₹10.5k-12.3k/Month]
Job Location	All India
Apply Mode	Online
Last Date	23/07/2026
Official Website	Visit Website ↗

💡 Expert Tip

Here is an insider strategy from TopOnlineForm to secure your application. Many applications are rejected right at the start because candidates fail to properly link their profiles on the NATS 2.0 or NAPS portals. Ensure your Aadhar is seeded with your active bank account; otherwise, the DBT portion of your stipend will fail. Also, remember that candidates with higher qualifications than required, or those who passed before 2022, are strictly ineligible. Cross-check your percentage calculation—if your university uses a CGPA system, strictly use the official conversion formula provided by your university during document verification. Keep your NATS/NAPS signed profile copy ready as it is mandatory during joining.

Common Questions (FAQs)

Q.1 What is the in-hand salary for Apprentice? ▼

Ans: The post is an apprenticeship training role, not a regular salaried job. Candidates will receive a fixed monthly stipend. Graduate Apprentices receive ₹12,300, Diploma Apprentices receive ₹10,900, and ITI Apprentices receive ₹10,560 per month through a Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme.

Q.2 What is the last date to apply online? ▼

Ans: The last date to apply online for the DRDO DEAL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is approximately 23 July 2026, which is exactly 30 days from the publication date of the official advertisement on the DRDO website.

Q.3 Is there any negative marking in the exam? ▼

Ans: Since the selection is primarily based on academic merit, written test, or interview, there is no negative marking mentioned in the official notification. Further details will be shared by DRDO if a formal written exam is scheduled.

Q.4 What is the age limit for UR Category? ▼

Ans: The minimum age requirement is 18 years for all candidates. The maximum age limit and applicable category relaxations are strictly governed by the Apprentices Act 1961 and the NATS 2.0 / NAPS guidelines.

Q.5 How to download the DRDO DEAL Notification PDF? ▼

Ans: You can download the official DEAL DRDO Apprentice Notification PDF from the DRDO official website under the careers or vacancies section, or download it directly using the direct link provided in the important links section above.

Q.6 What is the educational qualification required for Apprentice? ▼

Ans: Graduate apprentices need a B.E/B.Tech/B.Sc/B.Lib. Diploma apprentices require an Engineering Diploma. ITI apprentices must have a relevant ITI pass certificate. All qualifications must be completed between the years 2022 and 2026.

Q.7 What is the selection process for Apprentice? ▼

Ans: The selection process involves shortlisting applications based on academic merit, which may be followed by a written test, a personal interview, or a walk-in interview. Final selection requires successful document verification and medical fitness approval.

Q.8 Is Apprentice a permanent government job? ▼

Ans: No, this is strictly a one-year apprenticeship training program under the Apprentices Act 1961. DRDO does not offer or guarantee any permanent, temporary, or contractual employment after the completion of the training period.