DRDO NSTL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 — 42 Vacancies

About This Job

DRDO's Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam is hiring 42 Apprentices — 10 Graduate Apprentices (B.Tech/B.E.), 10 Technician Apprentices (Diploma), and 22 Technician Vocational Apprentices (ITI). If you have completed your B.E./B.Tech, Diploma, or ITI in 2023, 2024, or 2025, you can apply online through the NATS or NAPS portal. The last date to apply is 25 May 2026. The training period is 1 year with a stipend as per Government norms.

DRDO NSTL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 - 42 Posts

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), through its premier laboratory Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam, has released advertisement NSTL/APPRENTICESHIP/01/2026 for engagement of 42 apprentices under the Apprentices Act 1961 (as amended in 1973 and 2014). This is a one-year skill-building programme across engineering, diploma, and ITI streams, ideal for freshers who passed in 2023, 2024, or 2025. The training will give you hands-on experience in a top defence research laboratory of the country.

Vacancy Breakdown

Graduate Apprentices (B.Tech / B.E.) — 10 posts

• Mechanical Engineering
• Computer Science Engineering
• Electronics & Communication Engineering (ECE)
• Electrical & Electronics Engineering (EEE)

Technician Apprentices (Diploma) — 10 posts

• Computer Science Engineering
• EEE
• Mechanical Engineering
• Electronics & Instrumentation
• DCCP

Technician Vocational Apprentices (ITI) — 22 posts

• Photographer / Digital Photographer
• Electrician
• Electronics
• Fitter
• Diesel / Motor Mechanic
• Computer Operator and Programming Asst (COPA)
• Stenographer and Secretarial Asst

Reservation for SC/ST/OBC categories applies as per the Apprentices Act 1961 and Apprenticeship (Amendment) Rules 2019.

Who Can Apply?

• Indian Nationals only
• Graduate Apprentice: B.E. / B.Tech in the relevant discipline from a recognised Indian institution
• Technician Apprentice: Diploma in the relevant discipline from a recognised Indian institution
• Technician Vocational Apprentice: ITI in the relevant trade from a recognised Indian institution
• You must have passed in 2023, 2024 or 2025 only
• Candidates with postgraduate qualifications are NOT eligible
• You must not have already done apprenticeship training under any organisation
• You must not have more than 1 year of work experience
• Mandatory registration: B.E./B.Tech and Diploma candidates on nats.education.gov.in (NATS 2.0); ITI candidates on apprenticeshipindia.gov.in (NAPS)

Age Limit

• You should not be less than 18 years of age as on the closing date of application
• No upper age limit specified in the notification

Stipend

• Stipend will be paid as per Government of India norms for apprentices under the Apprentices Act
• For reference, the standard apprentice stipend rates are: Graduate Apprentice Rs. 9,000/month, Diploma Apprentice Rs. 8,000/month, ITI Apprentice as per the trade norms
• The stipend is paid through Direct Beneficiary Transfer (DBT); your bank account should be linked with your Aadhaar Card

Selection Process

Selection will be based on the following, as required:

1. Academic Merit: Marks obtained in the qualifying examination (CGPA must be converted to percentage)
2. Written Test or Interview: NSTL may conduct one or both
3. Document Verification: All originals must be produced at the time of joining
4. Police Verification: A valid Police Verification Certificate must be submitted at joining

No TA/DA is paid for any stage of selection. Verification of credentials is done before contract creation, and any deviation leads to summary rejection.

How to Apply

1. Register on the relevant portal — B.E./B.Tech and Diploma candidates on nats.education.gov.in (NATS 2.0), ITI candidates on apprenticeshipindia.gov.in (NAPS).
2. Apply online for the NSTL apprentice opening through the portal.
3. Fill in the prescribed proforma (Annexure-A) with all correct details.
4. Email the scanned copy of the application along with mandatory documents to admin2.dept.nstl@gov.in.
5. Convert any CGPA to percentage as per your university norms before submission.
6. Submit before 25 May 2026. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
7. Carry the signed printout of the application along with original documents at the time of joining at NSTL Visakhapatnam.

Important Dates

• Notification Date: 17 April 2026
• Last Date to Apply: 25 May 2026
• Training Duration: 12 months from execution of the Contract of Apprenticeship
• Selection Schedule: Will be intimated to shortlisted candidates by email

• Undergo structured one-year apprenticeship training in your assigned trade/discipline at NSTL Visakhapatnam
• Work alongside DRDO scientists and technical staff on naval science and technology projects
• Follow the Apprentices Act 1961 training schedule and complete all prescribed modules
• Maintain attendance, training records and submit periodic progress reports
• Operate and assist with laboratory equipment, electrical/electronic systems, mechanical workshops, or computer/clerical work as per your trade
• Adhere to NSTL safety, security and confidentiality protocols at all times
• Appear for the All India Trade Test or NATS exit assessment after training completion