DRDO RAC Scientist Recruitment 2026. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) through its prestigious Recruitment & Assessment Centre (RAC) has released Advertisement No. 157 for the recruitment of Scientist ‘C’, Scientist ‘D’, and Scientist ‘E’ posts under the Defence Research & Development Service (DRDS) cadre. A total of 33 vacancies have been announced for experienced engineers, scientists, researchers, and technical professionals across various disciplines. This recruitment offers an excellent opportunity to contribute to India’s defence research and technological advancement while enjoying attractive salary packages and Central Government benefits.

Recruitment Details

Organization: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)

Recruiting Authority: Recruitment and Assessment Centre

Advertisement Number: 157

Post Names:

Scientist ‘E’
Scientist ‘D’
Scientist ‘C’

Total Vacancies: 33 Posts

Job Type: Central Government Permanent Job

Application Mode: Online

Job Location: DRDO Laboratories and Establishments across India

Pay Level: Level 11 to Level 13 under 7th CPC Pay Matrix

This recruitment is being conducted through DRDO’s lateral recruitment scheme to attract experienced professionals in engineering, science, medical, and specialized technical disciplines. Selected candidates will work on cutting-edge defence technologies, strategic research projects, aerospace systems, electronics, cyber security, weapon systems, artificial intelligence, and advanced scientific research programs.

Vacancies

The total 33 vacancies are distributed among Scientist C, Scientist D, and Scientist E positions.

Post Name	Vacancies
Scientist ‘E’	2
Scientist ‘D’	11
Scientist ‘C’	20
Total	33

Scientist ‘E’ Disciplines

Electronics & Communication Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Production Engineering
Aerospace Engineering

Scientist ‘D’ Disciplines

Computer Science & Engineering
Aeronautical Engineering
Aerospace Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Physics
Photonics
Optics
Chemical Engineering
Electronics & Telecommunication
Radiation Physics

Scientist ‘C’ Disciplines

Electronics & Communication Engineering
Computer Science Engineering
Oceanography
Mathematics
Applied Mathematics
Physiology
Electrical Engineering
Pharmacology
Remote Sensing
GIS
Civil Engineering
Medical Physics
Radiological Physics
Mechanical Engineering

Vacancy distribution may vary according to specific disciplines and categories as mentioned in the official notification. Candidates are advised to carefully review the official advertisement before submitting their applications.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must satisfy educational qualifications as well as relevant professional experience requirements.

Educational Qualification

Scientist ‘E’

First Class Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Technology in the relevant discipline from a recognized university.
Minimum 11 years of relevant post-qualification experience.

Scientist ‘D’

First Class Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering/Technology or M.Sc. in the relevant discipline.
Minimum 7 years of relevant post-qualification experience.

Scientist ‘C’

First Class Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering/Technology, M.Sc., M.Pharm, MBBS/MD, or equivalent qualification in the relevant field.
Minimum 3 years of relevant post-qualification experience.

Additional Requirements

Candidates should possess:

Strong technical expertise in the concerned discipline.
Research and development experience.
Industrial, academic, laboratory, or government organization experience as applicable.
Publications, patents, project management experience, and leadership skills may be considered advantageous during evaluation

Age Limits and Relaxations

The upper age limit is calculated as on the closing date of application submission.

Post	Maximum Age
Scientist ‘E’	45 Years
Scientist ‘D’	45 Years
Scientist ‘C’	35 Years

Age Relaxation

Age relaxation is applicable as per Government of India rules:

PwBD Candidates: Up to 10 years
Central Government Employees: Up to 5 years
Ex-Servicemen: As per Government norms
Other reserved categories: As applicable under Government regulations

The maximum age after all relaxations shall generally not exceed 56 years.

Salary and Benefits

DRDO offers one of the most attractive salary structures among scientific government organizations in India.

Post	Pay Level	Basic Pay
Scientist ‘E’	Level 13	₹1,23,100 – ₹2,15,900
Scientist ‘D’	Level 12	₹78,800 – ₹2,09,200
Scientist ‘C’	Level 11	₹67,700 – ₹2,08,700

Additional Benefits

Selected candidates will receive:

Dearness Allowance (DA)
House Rent Allowance (HRA)
Transport Allowance (TA)
National Pension System (NPS)
Leave Travel Concession (LTC)
Medical Facilities
Children’s Education Allowance
Professional Development Opportunities
Government Accommodation (subject to availability)
Group Insurance Benefits
Flexible Complementing Scheme (FCS) for career advancement

Scientists in DRDO enjoy excellent career progression opportunities, exposure to advanced research projects, and opportunities to work with India’s premier defence technology programs

Selection Process

The recruitment process consists of multiple stages designed to identify highly qualified scientific professionals.

Stage 1: Administrative Screening

Applications received online will be scrutinized based on eligibility, educational qualifications, and experience.

Stage 2: Technical Screening

Expert committees evaluate:

Academic credentials
Research contributions
Technical expertise
Project experience
Publications and patents

Stage 3: Personal Interview

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a personal interview.

The interview may assess:

Subject knowledge
Technical competence
Leadership capabilities
Research aptitude
Problem-solving skills
Communication skills

Final Selection

The final merit list will be prepared based on performance in the screening and interview stages.

Candidates must secure the prescribed qualifying marks in the interview for consideration in the final selection process

Important Dates

Event	Date
Notification Release Date	30 May 2026
Online Application Start Date	30 May 2026
Online Application Closing Date	19 June 2026 (04:00 PM)
Interview Date	To Be Announced

Candidates should complete the application process well before the closing date to avoid last-minute technical issues

Application Instructions

Interested and eligible candidates can apply online by following these steps:

Step 1

Visit the official RAC website.

Step 2

Open the DRDO RAC Scientist Recruitment 2026 notification.

Step 3

Read all eligibility conditions carefully.

Step 4

Step 5

Fill in personal, educational, and professional details accurately.

Step 6

Upload:

Passport-size photograph
Signature
Educational certificates
Experience certificates
Category certificates (if applicable)

Step 7

Pay the application fee if applicable.

Step 8

Submit the application form.

Step 9

Download and print the submitted application for future reference

Application Fee

Category	Fee
General/OBC/EWS	₹100
SC/ST	Exempted
PwBD	Exempted
Women Candidates	Exempted

Fee payment must be completed through the prescribed online mode

Apply Online & Official Website

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Apply Online

Officical Website

Important Instruction

Read the official notification thoroughly before applying.
Ensure that all educational and experience qualifications are fulfilled.
Keep scanned copies of required documents ready before starting the application process.
Provide only valid and active email ID and mobile number.
Incomplete applications may be rejected.
Applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.
Candidates should regularly visit the RAC website for updates regarding screening results and interview schedules.
Any false information may result in cancellation of candidature.
Original documents will be verified during the recruitment process.
Preserve the application number and printout until the recruitment process is completed.

DRDO RAC Scientist Recruitment 2026 – Apply Online for 33 Scientist C, D & E Posts