DRDO RAC Recruitment 2026 : The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) through its Recruitment & Assessment Centre (RAC) has officially released the DRDO RAC Recruitment 2026 Notification (Advt. No. 157) in the Employment News edition dated 30 May – 5 June 2026. DRDO has announced 36 vacancies for the positions of Scientist ‘E’, Scientist ‘D’, and Scientist ‘C’ in the Defence Research & Development Service (DRDS) cadre on a regular basis under the Lateral Recruitment Scheme. Interested and eligible candidates can apply online from the RAC website until 19th June 2026 (1600 hrs.).
DRDO RAC Recruitment 2026 Notification
The DRDO RAC Recruitment 2026 Notification PDF is provided below for candidates’ reference. This PDF contains complete details about vacancies, eligibility criteria, application process, important dates, and selection methodology. Aspirants can refer to it to ensure they meet all requirements before applying. The notification also includes instructions for online registration, document upload, experience verification, and pay equivalence criteria.
[Download DRDO RAC Recruitment 2026 Notification PDF]
DRDO RAC Recruitment 2026: Overview
The DRDO RAC Recruitment 2026 provides an excellent opportunity for experienced scientists and engineers to join India’s premier defence research organization under the Ministry of Defence. Below is a detailed overview with all key information for aspirants.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) – Recruitment & Assessment Centre (RAC) |
| Post Name | Scientist ‘E’, Scientist ‘D’, Scientist ‘C’ (DRDS Cadre) |
| Vacancies | 36 (Regular Basis – Lateral Recruitment) |
| Advertisement No. | 157 |
| Notification Date | 30th May 2026 (Employment News) |
| Closing Date for Online Application | 19th June 2026 (1600 hrs.) |
| Mode of Application | Online through RAC website only |
| Selection Process | Administrative Screening → Technical Screening (Level-1) → Preliminary Online Interview (Level-2, if required) → Final Personal Interview (in-person) |
| Basic Pay (7th CPC) | Scientist ‘C’: ₹67,700/- (Level 11); Scientist ‘D’: ₹78,800/- (Level 12); Scientist ‘E’: ₹1,23,100/- (Level 13) |
| Official Website | https://rac.gov.in |
| Eligibility | First Class B.E./B.Tech or First Class M.Sc. in relevant discipline + required experience |
| Age Limit | Scientist ‘C’: 35 years; Scientist ‘D/E’: 45 years (as on closing date) |
| Application Fee | ₹100 for Gen/OBC/EWS Male; Nil for SC/ST/Divyang/Women |
DRDO RAC Vacancy 2026
The DRDO RAC Recruitment 2026 includes a total of 36 vacancies across Scientist ‘E’, Scientist ‘D’, and Scientist ‘C’ levels in various disciplines. All mentioned vacancies are Unreserved (UR). Below is the detailed post-wise and discipline-wise breakup.
Scientist ‘E’
| Item No. | Subject/Discipline | No. of Vacancies | Experience Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Electronics & Communication Engineering | 01 | Min. 11 years |
| 24 | Mechanical Production/Production & Industrial Engineering/Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering | 01 | Min. 11 years |
Scientist ‘D’
| Item No. | Subject/Discipline | No. of Vacancies | Experience Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Computer Science & Engineering | 01 | Min. 7 years |
| 3 | Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering | 01 | Min. 7 years |
| 4 | Mechanical Engineering | 01 | Min. 7 years |
| 5 | Physics/Photonics/Optics & Opto-Electronics/Engineering Physics | 01 | Min. 7 years |
| 6 | Chemical Engineering | 01 | Min. 7 years |
| 7 | Chemical Engineering | 01 | Min. 7 years |
| 8 | Mechanical Engineering | 01 | Min. 7 years |
| 25 | Mechanical Production/Production & Industrial Engineering/Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineering | 01 | Min. 7 years |
| 26 | Electronics & Telecommunication/Electronics & Communication/Electronics & Electrical Communication Engineering | 01 | Min. 7 years |
| 27 | Physics/Radiation Physics | 01 | Min. 7 years |
| 28 | Mechanical Engineering | 01 | Min. 7 years |
Scientist ‘C’
| Item No. | Subject/Discipline | No. of Vacancies | Experience Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Electronics & Communication Engineering | 01 | Min. 3 years |
| 10 | Electronics & Communication Engineering | 01 | Min. 3 years |
| 11 | Electronics & Communication Engineering | 01 | Min. 3 years |
| 12 | Computer Science & Engineering | 01 | Min. 3 years |
| 13 | Electronics Engineering/Electronics & Communication Engineering | 01 | Min. 3 years |
| 14 | Electronics & Communication Engineering | 01 | Min. 3 years |
| 15 | Computer Science & Engineering | 02 | Min. 3 years |
| 16 | Electronics Engineering/Electronics & Communication Engineering | 01 | Min. 3 years |
| 17 | Oceanography/Physical Oceanography | 01 | Min. 3 years |
| 18 | Mathematics/Mathematics & Computing/Mathematical Science/Applied Mathematics | 01 | Min. 3 years |
| 19 | Chemical Engineering | 01 | Min. 3 years |
| 20 | Physiology | 01 | Min. 3 years |
| 21 | Electrical Engineering | 01 | Min. 3 years |
| 22 | Pharmacology | 01 | Min. 3 years |
| 23 | Remote Sensing/Remote Sensing & GIS/Geoinformatics/Geomatics/Civil | 01 | Min. 3 years |
| 29 | Physics | 02 | Min. 3 years |
| 30 | Electronics & Communication Engineering/Mechanical Engineering | 01 | Min. 3 years |
DRDO RAC Apply Online 2026
The DRDO RAC Apply Online 2026 process is open for all eligible candidates. Aspirants must fill and submit the online application through the official RAC website only. No other mode of application will be accepted. Candidates are advised to read the notification carefully before applying.
How to Apply for DRDO RAC Recruitment 2026?
Candidates applying for the DRDO RAC Recruitment 2026 must complete the online application process before the closing date. A valid personal email ID and mobile number are mandatory, as all communications including interview calls will be sent via email/SMS.
| Step | Procedure |
|---|---|
| 1 | Visit the official RAC website: https://rac.gov.in |
| 2 | Click on the link for “Online Registration” for Advt. No. 157 |
| 3 | Register by providing basic details (name, mobile number, email ID) |
| 4 | After successful registration, login with the generated credentials |
| 5 | Fill the online application form carefully with personal, educational, and experience details |
| 6 | Upload scanned copies of photograph, signature, and all required documents (certificates, mark sheets, experience proofs, pay slips, etc.) |
| 7 | Candidates applying for more than one post must apply separately for each post and mention the order of preference for all items |
| 8 | Preview the complete application and verify all details before final submission |
| 9 | Pay the application fee (if applicable) online |
| 10 | Lock and submit the application. No correction will be allowed after final submission |
| 11 | Download and retain a copy of the submitted online application (PDF format) for future reference |
Application Fee
| Category of Applicant | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS (Male) | ₹100 (Non-refundable, non-transferable, payable online only) |
| SC / ST / Divyang (PwBD) / Women (All categories) | NIL |
DRDO RAC Eligibility 2026
Candidates must meet the following age, educational qualification, and experience criteria as on the closing date i.e. 19th June 2026 (1600 hrs.).
Age Limit:
| Post | Upper Age Limit |
|---|---|
| Scientist ‘C’ | Not exceeding 35 years |
| Scientist ‘D’ & Scientist ‘E’ | Not exceeding 45 years |
Age Relaxation:
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| Divyang/PwBD candidates | Up to 10 years |
| Serving Central Government Civilian Employees (with at least 3 years continuous regular service in same line/allied cadres) | Up to 5 years |
| Ex-Servicemen (including Ex-ECOs/SSCOs) | As per rules in vogue |
| Note: Maximum age shall not exceed 56 years including any age relaxation |
Educational Qualification:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum Qualification | At least First Class Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering/Technology in the relevant discipline OR at least First Class Master’s Degree in the relevant discipline from a recognized University |
| First Class Definition | 60% marks (if university has no definition). For CGPA: 6.75 on a 10-point scale as per AICTE guidelines |
| No Rounding Off | 59.99% will NOT be considered as 60% |
| Higher Qualification Weightage | M.E./M.Tech = 2 years weightage; Ph.D. (Science) = 3 years; Ph.D. (Engineering) = 4 years; Ph.D. (Pharmacy) = 3 years; MD (Physiology) = 3 years (treated as research experience, subject to relevance) |
Work Experience Requirements (as on closing date):
| Post | Minimum Experience |
|---|---|
| Scientist ‘E’ | 11 years in research/design/development in the relevant field |
| Scientist ‘D’ | 7 years in research/design/development/production in the relevant field |
| Scientist ‘C’ | 3 years in research/design/development in the relevant field |
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DRDO RAC Selection Process 2026
The selection process for DRDO RAC Recruitment 2026 consists of multiple stages:
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Stage 1: Administrative Screening | Verification of identity, age, essential & higher qualifications, length of suitable experience, and availability of CCA Declaration (wherever applicable). |
| Stage 2: Technical Screening (Level-1) | Bio-data based technical screening by an independent Technical Screening Committee (including experts from industry/academia/DRDO) based on: (a) Relevance of suitable experience, (b) Relevance of desirable/higher qualification, (c) Any other criteria suggested by the Committee. |
| Stage 3: Preliminary Online Interview (Level-2 – if required) | If the number of candidates shortlisted is large, a short-duration (10-15 minutes) online interview may be conducted. Predefined ratio: For 1 post – up to 24 candidates; For 2 posts – up to 48 candidates. |
| Stage 4: Final Personal Interview (In-person only) | Shortlisted candidates must appear in-person before the Selection Board at RAC, Delhi. No online or any other mode will be permitted. Minimum qualifying marks: 75% (75 out of 100). Final selection based purely on merit of marks scored in the Final Personal Interview. |
DRDO RAC Salary / Remuneration 2026
Selected Scientists will be appointed on a regular basis in the Defence Research & Development Service (DRDS) cadre with attractive 7th CPC pay levels and excellent career progression under the Flexible Complimenting Scheme (FCS), wherein promotion to higher levels is delinked from availability of vacancy.
| Post | 7th CPC Pay Level | Basic Pay (₹ per month) |
|---|---|---|
| Scientist ‘C’ | Level 11 | ₹67,700/- |
| Scientist ‘D’ | Level 12 | ₹78,800/- |
| Scientist ‘E’ | Level 13 | ₹1,23,100/- |
Additional Benefits: Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Transport Allowance, Medical Facilities, Leave Travel Concession (LTC), Gratuity, Pension (as per Govt. rules), and other allowances as applicable to Central Government employees.
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Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date (Employment News) | 30th May 2026 |
| Closing Date for Online Application | 19th June 2026 (1600 hrs.) |
| Cut-off Date for Eligibility (Age, Qualification, Experience) | 19th June 2026 (1600 hrs.) |
FAQs
Q1. What is the last date to apply for DRDO RAC Recruitment 2026?
Ans: The last date for submission of online applications is 19th June 2026 up to 1600 hrs. Candidates should apply well before the deadline to avoid last-minute network congestion.
Q2. How can I apply for DRDO RAC Recruitment 2026?
Ans: Candidates must apply online only through the official RAC website (https://rac.gov.in). No offline or other mode of application will be accepted.
Q3. How many vacancies are there in DRDO RAC Recruitment 2026?
Ans: A total of 36 vacancies – 02 for Scientist ‘E’, 11 for Scientist ‘D’, and 23 for Scientist ‘C’ (all Unreserved).
Q4. What is the eligibility for DRDO RAC Recruitment 2026?
Ans: Candidates must have a First Class (60%) B.E./B.Tech or First Class M.Sc. in the relevant discipline with the required experience (3/7/11 years depending on the post). Age limit: 35 years for Scientist ‘C’, 45 years for Scientist ‘D/E’ (as on 19.06.2026).
Q5. Is there an application fee for DRDO RAC Recruitment 2026?
Ans: Yes, ₹100 for General/OBC/EWS male candidates. No fee for SC/ST/Divyang (PwBD) and Women candidates.
Q6. What is the selection process for DRDO RAC Recruitment 2026?
Ans: Selection involves Administrative Screening → Technical Screening (Level-1) → Preliminary Online Interview (Level-2, if required) → Final Personal Interview (in-person) . Candidates must score minimum 75% in the Final Interview for selection.
Q7. What is the salary for DRDO Scientists?
Ans: Scientist ‘C’ – ₹67,700/- (Level 11); Scientist ‘D’ – ₹78,800/- (Level 12); Scientist ‘E’ – ₹1,23,100/- (Level 13) plus all Central Government allowances.
Q8. Can I apply for more than one post?
Ans: Yes, candidates desirous of applying for more than one post must apply separately for each post and mention the order of preference for all items in case of final selection against multiple items.