DRDO DEAL Apprentice Recruitment 2026: 77 Vacancies, Eligibility & Apply Now
The Defence Electronics Applications Laboratory (DEAL), Dehradun, has officially released the DRDO DEAL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 notification. This recruitment drive aims to fill 77 vacancies for Graduate, Diploma, and ITI apprentices. Interested and eligible Indian nationals can submit their applications through the designated government portals to undergo one-year apprenticeship training.
| Organization | Defence Electronics Applications Laboratory (DEAL), DRDO |
| Total Posts | 77 Vacancies |
| Notification Date | 23 June 2026 |
| Application Mode | Online (NATS 2.0 / NAPS Portal) |
| Training Duration | One Year |
| Official Website | drdo.gov.in |
Eligibility Criteria for DRDO DEAL Apprentice Recruitment 2026
To be eligible for the DRDO DEAL Apprentice Recruitment 2026, candidates must meet specific educational and age requirements. The selection is based on the Apprentices Act-1961 and the rules framed thereunder. Applicants must ensure they hold the required degree or diploma from a recognized university or board with a minimum of 60% aggregate marks.
| Category | Educational Qualification Requirement |
|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentice | B.E./B.Tech or equivalent in relevant discipline with 60% marks. |
| Diploma Apprentice | Diploma in Engineering in relevant field with 60% marks. |
| ITI Apprentice | ITI pass certificate from NCVT/SCVT in respective trade. |
Regarding the age limit, all applicants must be at least 18 years of age as of the notification date. While the notification does not specify a rigid upper age cap, relaxation is provided in accordance with the Apprentices Act-1961 and NATS/NAPS guidelines. Candidates belonging to reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC/PwD) will receive the standard age relaxation as per Government of India norms.
Vacancy Details / Post-wise Breakdown
| Post Name/Discipline | Total Vacancies | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Electronics & Communication Engg. | As per Notification | Graduate/Diploma |
| Mechanical Engineering | As per Notification | Graduate/Diploma |
| Computer Science & Engineering | As per Notification | Graduate/Diploma |
| Electrical Engineering | As per Notification | Graduate/Diploma |
| Library Science | As per Notification | Graduate |
| Various ITI Trades | As per Notification | ITI Pass |
Application Fee Details
The DRDO DEAL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 does not impose any application fee for the candidates. This initiative is part of the government's effort to promote skill development, ensuring that the application process remains accessible to all meritorious students across India.
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General/OBC | ₹ 0 |
| SC/ST/PwD | ₹ 0 |
How to Apply Online for DRDO DEAL Apprentice Recruitment 2026
- Step 1: Visit the official NATS 2.0 or NAPS portal as specified in the official notification.
- Step 2: If you are a new user, complete the registration process using your Aadhar-linked mobile number and email ID.
- Step 3: Log in to your candidate dashboard using your credentials.
- Step 4: Search for "Defence Electronics Applications Laboratory" using the establishment code: E01160500005.
- Step 5: Select the relevant apprenticeship opportunity based on your trade or engineering discipline.
- Step 6: Fill in the required academic and personal details, ensuring all information matches your certificates.
- Step 7: Upload the necessary documents, including your educational mark sheets and identity proof.
- Step 8: Submit the application and take a printout of the final submission for future reference.
Selection Procedure
The selection procedure for the DRDO DEAL Apprentice recruitment is designed to identify the most meritorious candidates. The process is multi-staged and ensures transparency.
- Shortlisting: Candidates are initially shortlisted based on their academic merit (percentage of marks obtained in the qualifying examination).
- Written Test/Interview: Depending on the number of applications received, the laboratory may conduct a written test or a personal interview to evaluate the technical knowledge of the applicants.
- Document Verification: Shortlisted candidates must present their original documents, including degree/diploma/ITI certificates, for verification.
- Contract Approval: The final engagement is subject to the online approval of the apprenticeship contract by the competent authority.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 23 June 2026 |
| Application Submission | Ongoing as per official portal |
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❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The official notification specifies a total of 77 vacancies for Graduate, Diploma, and ITI apprentices at the Defence Electronics Applications Laboratory.
No, there is no application fee required for the DRDO DEAL Apprentice recruitment. The application process is completely free of cost.
Candidates must have a degree or diploma in the relevant engineering discipline or an ITI certificate in the respective trade with at least 60% marks.
The minimum age for application is 18 years. There is no specific upper age limit mentioned, but relaxations are governed by the Apprentices Act-1961.
Selection is based on academic merit, written tests, or personal interviews, followed by a mandatory document verification process.
🎯 Key Takeaways
- 77 total apprenticeship positions available at DEAL, Dehradun.
- Open for Graduate, Diploma, and ITI qualified candidates.
- Applications are managed through the NATS 2.0 and NAPS portals.
- Selection process involves academic merit and potential written/interview rounds.
- Monthly stipend provided as per government norms under the DBT scheme.