DRDO Scientist Recruitment 2026 — RAC Direct Recruitment: Complete Guide for Engineers and Scientists
If building India’s defence technology from the inside is your ambition, DRDO’s Scientist Recruitment 2026 via RAC is the opportunity you have been waiting for. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) — India’s premier defence R&D agency — has announced direct recruitment for Scientist E, Scientist D, and Scientist C posts across more than 30 engineering and science disciplines through its Recruitment and Assessment Centre (RAC).
This is a lateral entry recruitment — meaning experienced engineers and scientists from industry, academia, or other government organisations can directly join DRDO at mid and senior levels. With a closing date of 26 June 2026 and online applications open at rac.gov.in, here is everything you need to apply with confidence.
About DRDO — India’s Defence Research Powerhouse
DRDO is the R&D wing of the Ministry of Defence, Government of India. Established in 1958, DRDO has grown into a network of 50+ laboratories and establishments working on cutting-edge technologies including missiles, aeronautics, electronics, armaments, combat vehicles, naval systems, life sciences, and advanced materials. DRDO’s flagship programmes include the Agni missile series, Tejas fighter jet, Arjun tank, Akash air defence system, and DRDO’s recent work on hypersonic technology and directed energy weapons.
A career at DRDO is not just a job — it is a mission. Scientists at DRDO work on classified national security projects with access to world-class infrastructure, research funding, and collaboration with IITs, IISc, and global defence laboratories.
DRDO Scientist Recruitment 2026 — Vacancy Details
The RAC Advt. No. 157 covers three scientist grades with vacancies across multiple technical disciplines. Here is the grade-wise summary:
| Grade | Basic Pay | Pay Level (7th CPC) | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scientist E | Rs. 1,23,100/- | Level 13 | 01 |
| Scientist D | Rs. 78,800/- | Level 12 | 07 |
| Scientist C | Rs. 67,700/- | Level 11 | 17 |
Scientist E — Discipline and Vacancy
| Item No. | Discipline | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Electronics & Communication Engineering | 01 |
Scientist D — Disciplines and Vacancies
| Item No. | Discipline | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Computer Science & Engineering | 01 |
| 3 | Aeronautical / Aerospace Engineering | 01 |
| 4 | Mechanical Engineering | 01 |
| 5 | Physics / Photonics / Optics & Opto-Electronics | 01 |
| 6 | Chemical Engineering | 01 |
| 7 | Chemical Engineering (Process) | 01 |
| 8 | Mechanical Engineering (Solid Propulsion) | 01 |
Scientist C — Disciplines and Vacancies
| Item No. | Discipline | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Electronics & Communication Engineering | 01 |
| 10 | Electronics & Communication Engineering (Signal Processing / FPGA) | 01 |
| 11 | Electronics & Communication Engineering (Telecom) | 01 |
| 12 | Computer Science & Engineering (AI / ML) | 01 |
| 13 | Electronics Engineering / VLSI / Embedded | 01 |
| 14 | Electronics & Communication Engineering (Communication) | 01 |
| 15 | Computer Science & Engineering (HPC / ML) | 02 |
| 16 | Electronics Engineering (Antenna / Photonics / 5G) | 02 |
| 17 | Oceanography / Physical Oceanography | 01 |
| 18 | Mathematics / Applied Mathematics | 01 |
| 19 | Chemical Engineering (High Energy Materials) | 01 |
| 20 | Physiology | 01 |
| 21 | Electrical Engineering | 01 |
| 22 | Pharmacology | 01 |
| 23 | Remote Sensing / GIS / Geoinformatics | 01 |
DRDO Scientist 2026 — Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
- Scientist C: First Division Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering / Technology in the relevant discipline from a recognised university, with minimum 3 years of post-qualification research or design experience
- Scientist D: First Division Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering / Technology with minimum 7 years of experience in research or design in the relevant field
- Scientist E: First Division Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering / Technology with minimum 11 years of relevant research or design experience
- Post Graduate / Doctorate degrees in Engineering or Science attract weightage in experience calculation as per DRDO policy
Age Limit (as on closing date — 26 June 2026)
| Grade | Maximum Age |
|---|---|
| Scientist D / E | 45 years |
| Scientist C | 35 years |
Age relaxation of up to 10 years is available for Divyang / PwD candidates as per Government of India rules.
DRDO Scientist Salary 2026 — Pay, Allowances and Perks
| Grade | Basic Pay | Pay Level | Approximate Gross (incl. DA, HRA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scientist C | ₹67,700/- | Level 11 | ₹1.1 – 1.3 Lakh/month |
| Scientist D | ₹78,800/- | Level 12 | ₹1.3 – 1.55 Lakh/month |
| Scientist E | ₹1,23,100/- | Level 13 | ₹1.9 – 2.2 Lakh/month |
In addition to salary, DRDO scientists receive research allowance, transport allowance, children’s education allowance, medical coverage under CGHS, LTC, and access to DRDO township / government accommodation where applicable. Scientists selected as JRF / SRF during fellowship also become eligible for PhD registration during tenure.
Selection Process — DRDO RAC Scientist 2026
- Administrative Screening: Applications screened for eligibility at initial stage
- Technical Screening (Level 1 / Level 2): Based on bio-data, desirable qualifications, relevance of experience, and publications / patents
- Preliminary Online Interview: Short-duration online interaction (10–15 minutes) for further shortlisting
- Final Personal Interview: In-person interview at RAC, Delhi by a Selection Board (independent body including DRDO and external technical experts)
- Candidates must score minimum 75 out of 100 in the Final Personal Interview to be considered for selection
How to Apply for DRDO Scientist Recruitment 2026
- Step 1: Visit rac.gov.in and register for online application
- Step 2: Select Advt. No. 157 and choose the relevant post / discipline
- Step 3: Fill in all personal, educational, and experience details accurately
- Step 4: Upload all required documents — degree certificates, experience proofs, salary slips, and CCA declaration if applicable
- Step 5: Pay the application fee of Rs. 100/- online (SC / ST / Divyang / Women candidates are exempted)
- Step 6: Submit before 26 June 2026 (1600 hrs) — no extensions will be granted
Closing Date: 26 June 2026 at 1600 hrs. Apply only through the official RAC portal.
👉 rac.gov.in — Apply Online Now
Frequently Asked Questions — DRDO Scientist Recruitment 2026
Q1. What is the last date to apply for DRDO Scientist Recruitment 2026?
The closing date for online applications under Advt. No. 157 is 26 June 2026 at 1600 hours. No applications will be accepted after this deadline.
Q2. Is DRDO Scientist recruitment 2026 open for freshers?
No. This is a lateral entry recruitment requiring post-qualification experience — minimum 3 years for Scientist C, 7 years for Scientist D, and 11 years for Scientist E. Fresh graduates are not eligible for this particular advertisement.
Q3. What is the salary of a DRDO Scientist C?
DRDO Scientist C draws a basic pay of Rs. 67,700/- at Pay Level 11 (7th CPC). Including DA, HRA, transport allowance and other perks, the gross monthly salary is approximately Rs. 1.1 to 1.3 lakh per month depending on the city of posting.
Q4. What disciplines are covered under DRDO RAC Advt. No. 157?
The advertisement covers over 20 disciplines including Electronics & Communication Engineering, Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Pharmacology, Mathematics, Physiology, Oceanography, Remote Sensing, and more.
Q5. Is there an application fee for DRDO Scientist 2026?
Yes. The application fee is Rs. 100/- payable online. SC / ST / Divyang (PwD) / Women candidates are exempted from payment of the application fee.
Q6. Can candidates working in private sector apply for DRDO Scientist 2026?
Yes. Private sector professionals are eligible to apply. However, candidates working in PSUs or Government-promoted organisations must obtain an NOC from their Cadre Controlling Authority and produce it at the time of the Final Personal Interview.
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