DRDO RAC Chairperson Recruitment 2026

DRDO's Recruitment and Assessment Centre (RAC) is looking for 1 Chairperson to head its scientist recruitment and assessment functions. If you are an eminent retired or serving Scientist, Technologist, Academician, or Civil Servant at the level of Secretary to the Government of India, you can apply. Your filled biodata must reach RAC within 30 days of publication of this advertisement in Employment News. The post carries a fixed pay of Rs. 2,25,000 per month under Pay Level 17.

Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) - Chairperson, Recruitment and Assessment Centre (RAC), Advertisement No. 158

The Recruitment and Assessment Centre (RAC) is an independent, self-accounting unit of DRDO under the Ministry of Defence that handles recruitment, assessment, and training of DRDO scientists on a regular basis, and extends similar selection services to the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and other allied agencies. RAC was set up on 23 July 1985, after DRDO was granted exemption from the purview of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). This is a senior leadership appointment on re-employment/contract basis, not a mass recruitment drive — RAC needs a proven, senior figure to head its selection activities with objectivity and confidentiality, so that all stakeholders — from candidates to DRDO labs — trust the process.

As Chairperson, you will be mainly responsible for formulating policies related to the recruitment and assessment of DRDO and ADA Scientists, and for guiding the organisation to ensure fairness and confidentiality in every selection activity RAC runs.

DRDO runs mission-mode projects across missiles, electronics, life sciences, naval systems, vehicles and armaments, aeronautics, and many other engineering and technology areas — and RAC is the body that supplies these labs with qualified scientific manpower. Beyond appointing a Chairperson, RAC also independently manages Direct Recruitment to the post of Scientist B, where candidates need a valid GATE score in the relevant discipline (Engineering Sciences, Life Sciences, or Humanities and Social Sciences). To keep this system transparent and credible, RAC engages eminent outside experts from academic institutes, scientific organisations, and industry — people who can judge not just a candidate's technical competence, but also their personal attributes, managerial skills, attitude, and aptitude. As Chairperson, you would lead and coordinate this entire ecosystem of experts and selection committees.

Who Can Apply?

• Eligibility: Eminent retired or serving persons — Scientists, Technologists, Academicians, or Civil Servants — at the level of Secretary to the Government of India (Pay Level 17 of the 7th CPC, Pay Rs. 2,25,000) can apply.
• Undertaking: You must submit a written undertaking along with your biodata that you will join the post if selected. Biodata submitted without this undertaking will be rejected outright.

Salary

• The Chairperson draws a fixed pay of Rs. 2,25,000 per month under Level 17 of the Pay Matrix (7th CPC) — the same level as a Secretary to the Government of India.
• Detailed pay and perks information is available in the official "Pay & Perks" document published alongside this advertisement on the RAC website.

Selection Process (No Written Exam)

The Chairperson is appointed through re-employment on contract — there is no written exam. Selection happens in these steps:

1. Biodata Screening: RAC and the Government of India review your track record and biodata.
2. Search-cum-Selection Committee: A high-level committee appointed by the Government of India, following DoPT instructions, considers candidates for the post — including names beyond those who applied.
3. Approval: The final selection needs approval from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).

If selected, you will be appointed for 3 years or until you turn 65 years of age, whichever is earlier.

How to Apply

1. Download the biodata format from rac.gov.in.
2. Fill in the biodata form completely and attach a signed undertaking that you will join the post if selected.
3. Send your filled biodata by Speed Post to The Director, Recruitment and Assessment Centre, Lucknow Road, Timarpur, Delhi – 110054.
4. Make sure it reaches RAC within 30 days of the publication of this advertisement in Employment News.

For any queries, email director.rac@gov.in.

Note: rac.gov.in is the only official website for this recruitment. RAC is not responsible for any misinformation on other websites or hyperlinks using its name.

Important Dates

• Advertisement Number: 158
• Closing Date: Within 30 days of publication in Employment News (expected around 9 September 2026)

• Formulate policies for recruitment and assessment of DRDO and ADA Scientists
• Guide RAC's selection committees to ensure fairness and objectivity
• Maintain confidentiality across all recruitment and assessment activities
• Oversee the selection process for Scientist-level posts across DRDO labs
• Coordinate with the Ministry of Defence and Search-cum-Selection Committees
• Represent RAC in policy discussions on scientific manpower recruitment
• Ensure recruitment services extended to ADA and allied agencies run smoothly