DRDO CEPTAM-11 STA-B & Technician-A Recruitment 2025 — 764 Vacancies

DRDO is hiring 764 posts — 561 Senior Technical Assistant-B (STA-B) and 203 Technician-A — under CEPTAM-11, the flagship technical cadre recruitment of the Defence Research and Development Organisation. If you have a Diploma in Engineering (for STA-B) or a 10th pass with ITI certificate (for Technician-A), this is your chance to work in India's premier defence research agency. Salary starts from Rs. 19,900 per month (Tech-A) to Rs. 35,400 per month (STA-B) under the 7th Central Pay Commission. The original application window has closed but the overall recruitment cycle runs through 31 December 2026.

DRDO CEPTAM-11 STA-B and Technician-A Recruitment 2025 — 764 Posts

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), through its Centre for Personnel Talent Management (CEPTAM), has notified 764 vacancies for the posts of Senior Technical Assistant-B (STA-B) and Technician-A under Advertisement No. CEPTAM-11. These are permanent Group B and Group C posts in the DRDO Technical Cadre (DRTC) with postings across DRDO laboratories and establishments spread throughout India. 561 STA-B posts span 17 engineering and science disciplines, while 203 Technician-A posts cover 16 ITI trades. Selected candidates are initially appointed on probation for two years and serve anywhere in India as per organisational need.

Vacancy Breakdown

Senior Technical Assistant-B (STA-B) — 561 Posts

Technician-A (Tech-A) — 203 Posts

• COPA (Computer Operator & Programming Assistant): 52 posts
• Electrician: 30 posts
• Electronics: 31 posts
• Fitter: 25 posts
• Welder: 11 posts
• Machinist: 12 posts
• Mechanic (Motor Vehicle): 7 posts
• Draughtsman (Mechanical): 6 posts
• Turner: 8 posts
• Carpenter: 4 posts
• Sheet Metal Worker: 3 posts
• Photographer: 5 posts
• Book Binder: 3 posts
• CNC Operator: 3 posts
• Optical Worker: 2 posts
• Surveyor: 1 post

Who Can Apply?

For Senior Technical Assistant-B (STA-B) — Post Codes 0101 to 0117:

• You must have a Diploma in the relevant Engineering/Technology discipline (minimum one year duration) recognised by AICTE — for engineering post codes (0101, 0102, 0104–0108, 0110–0111, 0114–0115).
• For Science disciplines (Chemistry, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology — post codes 0103, 0109, 0113, 0116, 0117): you need a B.Sc. degree in the relevant subject from a recognised university or institute.
• For Library Science (post code 0112): Degree or Diploma or Post Graduate Degree in Library Science or Library and Information Science from a recognised university or technical board.
• For Computer Science & Engineering (post code 0105): Diploma in Computer Engineering or Technology or Computer Science or Information Technology recognised by AICTE. Note: Courses by DOEACC or BCA or MCA are NOT eligible.
• Important: Candidates possessing higher qualifications — Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy, Bachelor of Technology, Bachelor of Engineering Degrees — are NOT eligible for STA-B posts on the crucial date of eligibility.

For Technician-A (Tech-A) — Post Codes 0201 to 0216:

• You must have passed Class X (10th) or equivalent from a recognised Board or Institute.
• You also need a Certificate from a recognised ITI in the relevant trade (e.g., COPA, Electrician, Electronics, Fitter, Welder, etc.).
• Note: If your ITI does not award certificates in the required trade, a certificate of minimum one-year duration from a recognised institution, National Trade Certificate, or National Apprenticeship Certificate in the required trade are also eligible.
• Important: Candidates with Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy, Bachelor of Technology, or Bachelor of Engineering Degrees are NOT considered for Technician-A. However, candidates with Diploma or Bachelor's Degree in Science may apply for Tech-A if they meet the ITI qualification requirement.

Age Limit

• You must be between 18 and 28 years of age as on 01 January 2026 (crucial date of eligibility).
• Date of birth is taken as per your 10th/Matriculation Certificate.
• Age Relaxation:
  • OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 3 years
  • SC/ST: 5 years
  • PwBD + UR: 10 years
  • PwBD + OBC-NCL: 13 years
  • PwBD + SC/ST: 15 years
  • Departmental candidates (3 years continuous Central Govt service) — STA-B: 5 years
  • Departmental candidates (3 years continuous Central Govt service) — Tech-A: up to 40 years
  • Departmental candidates (SC/ST) — Tech-A: up to 45 years
  • Ex-Servicemen: Period of military service plus 3 years
  • Widows/Divorced women (Tech-A posts): up to 35 years (up to 40 years for SC/ST)
  • Meritorious Sportspersons (Tech-A): 5 years (10 years for SC/ST)

Salary

• STA-B: Pay Matrix Level 6 — Rs. 35,400 per month (entry pay), going up to Rs. 1,12,400 as per 7th Central Pay Commission.
• Technician-A: Pay Matrix Level 2 — Rs. 19,900 per month (entry pay), going up to Rs. 63,200.
• You will also get DA, HRA, Transport Allowance, medical facilities, CSD facility, children education allowance, and other allowances as per Central Government rules.
• Promotion is done under merit-based Limited Flexible Complementing Scheme (LFCS) of DRDO.

Application Fee

• STA-B — General / OBC / EWS / MSP: Rs. 250 (non-refundable) + Rs. 500 (refundable) = Rs. 750 total
• STA-B — Women / SC / ST / PwBD / Ex-Servicemen: Nil (non-refundable) + Rs. 500 (refundable) = Rs. 500 total
• Technician-A — General / OBC / EWS / MSP: Rs. 100 (non-refundable) + Rs. 500 (refundable) = Rs. 600 total
• Technician-A — Women / SC / ST / PwBD / Ex-Servicemen: Nil (non-refundable) + Rs. 500 (refundable) = Rs. 500 total
• Note: The Rs. 500 refundable fee will be refunded only to candidates who appear in Tier-I exam.
• Payment mode: Online only (credit card / debit card / net banking / UPI)

Selection Process

For STA-B:

1. Tier-I CBT (Screening): 150 questions for 150 marks in 120 minutes. Subjects: General Science (40), General English (30), Quantitative Aptitude/General Maths (40), General Intelligence & Reasoning (40). Negative marking of 0.25 marks per wrong answer. Minimum qualifying marks: 40% for UR/OBC/EWS and 35% for SC/ST/PwBD.
2. Tier-II CBT (Provisional Selection): Part I — Personality Test (20 minutes, not counted in merit). Part II — Subject-specific test: 120 questions for 120 marks in 120 minutes. Negative marking of 0.25 marks per wrong answer. Shortlisting ratio for Tier-II: 1:10 (vacancies to candidates).
3. Preliminary Document Scrutiny: Done before Tier-II result announcement based on documents uploaded during application.
4. Document Verification: At the concerned DRDO Lab/Estt/Unit after provisional selection.

For Technician-A:

1. Tier-I CBT (Screening): Same as STA-B — 150 questions for 150 marks in 120 minutes. Same subjects and negative marking. Shortlisting ratio for Tier-II: 1:15.
2. Tier-II CBT: Part I — Personality Test (20 minutes, not counted). Part II — Subject-specific: 120 questions for 120 marks in 90 minutes. Shortlisting ratio for Trade Test: 1:8.
3. Trade Test (Qualifying): Practical test at ITI level specific to the trade/discipline of post code. Duration varies by trade (mentioned on admit card). Minimum qualifying marks: 50% for UR/OBC/EWS and 45% for SC/ST/PwBD. DRDO apprentices who completed apprenticeship within last 2 years are exempt from Trade Test.
4. Preliminary Document Scrutiny and Document Verification at concerned DRDO Lab/Estt/Unit.

How to Apply

1. Go to the official DRDO website at drdo.gov.in and click on "Offerings" then "Vacancies".
2. Find the CEPTAM-11 advertisement and click "Click here to apply".
3. Register and fill in the online application form carefully.
4. Upload your recent colour photograph (JPEG format), scanned signature (JPEG format), and all required EQR certificates.
5. Upload your Class X certificate (for age proof) and reservation/relaxation certificates (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD/MSP/ESM) as applicable.
6. Provide your bank account details for the refundable fee refund.
7. Pay the application fee online (credit card / debit card / net banking / UPI).
8. Submit the application and take a printout for future reference.
9. No printed application is required to be sent to CEPTAM.

Important Dates

• Notification / Short Advertisement Date: 4 December 2025
• Online Application Start Date: 11 December 2025
• Closing Date for Online Application: 1 January 2026, 23:55 Hours
• Last Date for Application Fee Payment: 2 January 2026, 23:55 Hours
• Correction Window: 4 January 2026 to 6 January 2026, 23:55 Hours
• Crucial Date of Eligibility: 1 January 2026
• Tier-I CBT Exam: Announced (March 2026 onwards — check DRDO website)
• Admit Card Download: 2-3 days before exam — available at drdo.gov.in
• Recruitment Cycle End Date: 31 December 2026

• Assist scientists and senior technical staff in research, development, testing, and evaluation of defence systems and technologies
• Operate and maintain laboratory equipment, instruments, and machinery as assigned by the laboratory
• Prepare technical reports, data sheets, and documentation related to experiments and projects
• Handle specialised tasks in your discipline — electronics assembly, mechanical fabrication, computer operations, chemical analysis, etc.
• Follow safety protocols and quality standards during all laboratory and workshop activities
• Support senior staff during field trials, testing campaigns, and demonstrations of defence systems
• Maintain records of materials, equipment calibration, and maintenance logs
• Work in multiple DRDO labs and establishments across India as per posting requirements