DRDO ACEM Apprentice Recruitment 2026 for Graduate & Technician Apprentice Posts
🔄 Last Updated: 03 July 2026
Advanced Centre for Energetic Materials (ACEM), a premier laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has invited applications for engagement of Graduate and Technician Apprentices for the year 2026-27 under the Apprentices Act, 1961. A total of 41 apprenticeship vacancies have been announced in various engineering and general disciplines. Eligible fresh pass-out candidates who completed their qualifying examination during 2024, 2025 or 2026 can apply by submitting the prescribed application form through email on or before 26 July 2026.
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Main Information Eligibility Vacancy Details Selection Procedure Salary Structure Application Fees Important Links Important Instructions Required Documents FAQs| Recruitment Name | DRDO ACEM Apprentice Recruitment 2026 |
| Organisation | Advanced Centre for Energetic Materials (ACEM), DRDO |
| Advertisement No. | ACEM/HRD/APPRENTICESHIP/2026-27 |
| Post Name | Graduate Apprentice & Technician Apprentice |
| Total Vacancies | 41 |
| Application Mode | Email (Single PDF) |
| Training Duration | 1 Year |
| Last Date to Apply | 26 July 2026 |
| Job Location | Ojhar, Nashik, Maharashtra |
| Official Website | https://www.drdo.gov.in |
| Post | Educational Qualification |
| Graduate Apprentice - Chemical Engineering / Chemical Technology | B.E./B.Tech. in Chemical Engineering or Chemical Technology from a recognized University/Institution. |
| Graduate Apprentice - Mechanical Engineering | B.E./B.Tech. in Mechanical Engineering from a recognized University/Institution. |
| Graduate Apprentice - Aerospace / Aeronautical Engineering | B.E./B.Tech. in Aerospace Engineering or Aeronautical Engineering from a recognized University/Institution. |
| Graduate Apprentice - Computer & Information Science / Computer Engineering / B.Sc. Computer Science | B.E./B.Tech. in Computer & Information Science, Computer Engineering or B.Sc. in Computer Science from a recognized University/Institution. |
| Graduate Apprentice - Electrical / Electrical & Instrumentation Engineering | B.E./B.Tech. in Electrical Engineering or Electrical & Instrumentation Engineering from a recognized University/Institution. |
| Graduate Apprentice - Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering | B.E./B.Tech. in Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering from a recognized University/Institution. |
| Graduate Apprentice - B.Sc. Chemistry | Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) from a recognized University. |
| Graduate Apprentice - B.Sc. Physics | Bachelor of Science (Physics) from a recognized University. |
| Graduate Apprentice - Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) | Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) from a recognized University. |
| Graduate Apprentice - BLIS (Library Science) | Bachelor of Library & Information Science (BLIS) from a recognized University. |
| Technician Apprentice | Diploma in the relevant Engineering discipline from a recognized Institution. |
| Eligibility Conditions | Only fresh pass-out candidates who completed the prescribed Degree/Diploma during 2024, 2025 or 2026 are eligible. Candidates having one year or more of training/job experience after obtaining the essential qualification are not eligible. |
| NATS Registration | Candidates applying for Graduate Apprentice and Technician Apprentice posts must register on the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS 2.0) Portal before applying. |
Fresh pass-out candidates who completed Degree or Diploma in the relevant discipline during 2024, 2025 or 2026 are eligible to apply for apprenticeship training.
| Particular | Details |
| Mode of Selection | Selection will be decided by the Apprentice Selection Committee on the basis of Merit and/or Interview. |
| Merit Preparation | Candidates will be shortlisted based on their academic merit as decided by the Apprentice Selection Committee. |
| Interview | Shortlisted candidates may be called for Interview, if required by the Selection Committee. |
| Document Verification | Selected candidates must produce original educational certificates, category certificates, NATS registration details and other supporting documents during verification. |
| Medical Fitness | Selected candidates must submit a Medical Fitness Certificate at the time of joining. |
| Police Verification | Selected candidates must submit a Police Verification Certificate before joining the apprenticeship training. |
| Training Period | Selected candidates will undergo one year of apprenticeship training under the Apprentices Act, 1961. |
| Final Selection | Final selection will be based on merit/interview, document verification and fulfillment of all eligibility conditions prescribed by ACEM, DRDO. |
Selection will be based on merit and/or interview as decided by the Apprentice Selection Committee.
| Post | Vacancies |
| Graduate Apprentice - Chemical Engineering / Chemical Technology | 5 |
| Graduate Apprentice - Mechanical Engineering | 5 |
| Graduate Apprentice - Aerospace / Aeronautical Engineering | 2 |
| Graduate Apprentice - Computer & Information Science / Computer Engineering / B.Sc. Computer Science | 2 |
| Graduate Apprentice - Electrical / Electrical & Instrumentation Engineering | 3 |
| Graduate Apprentice - Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering | 3 |
| Graduate Apprentice - B.Sc. Chemistry | 3 |
| Graduate Apprentice - B.Sc. Physics | 2 |
| Graduate Apprentice - Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) | 4 |
| Graduate Apprentice - BLIS (Library Science) | 1 |
| Technician Apprentice - Mechanical Engineering | 4 |
| Technician Apprentice - Chemical Engineering | 2 |
| Technician Apprentice - Electrical Engineering | 2 |
| Technician Apprentice - Electronics Engineering | 2 |
| Technician Apprentice - Computer Science / Computer Science & Information Technology / Web Designing | 1 |
| Grand Total | 41 |
DRDO ACEM has announced 41 Apprentice vacancies comprising 30 Graduate Apprentices and 11 Technician (Diploma) Apprentices in various engineering and general disciplines.
| Category | Age Limit |
| Minimum Age | As per Apprentices Act, 1961 |
| Maximum Age | As per Apprentices Act, 1961 and Apprenticeship Rules |
| Age Relaxation | Reservation and age relaxation for SC/ST/OBC candidates will be applicable as per the Apprentices Act, 1961 and Apprenticeship Rules, as amended from time to time. |
| Stage 1 | Screening of Applications |
| Stage 2 | Preparation of Merit List |
| Stage 3 | Interview (if conducted by the Apprentice Selection Committee) |
| Stage 4 | Document Verification |
| Stage 5 | Medical Fitness & Police Verification |
| Stage 6 | Final Engagement as Apprentice |
Selection will be made on the basis of merit and/or interview conducted by the Apprentice Selection Committee.
| Apprentice Category | Monthly Stipend |
| Graduate Apprentice | ₹12,300 |
| Technician Apprentice (Diploma) | ₹10,900 |
| Training Duration | One Year |
| Other Benefits | Apprentices will receive stipend and apprenticeship training benefits as admissible under the Apprentices Act, 1961. No regular employment will be offered after completion of the apprenticeship. |
Graduate Apprentices will receive a monthly stipend of ₹12,300, while Technician Apprentices will receive ₹10,900 per month.
| Category | Application Fee |
| All Categories | Nil |
| Mode of Application | Online (Application Form to be sent through E-mail in Single PDF Format) |
| Mode of Payment | Not Applicable |
| Refund | Not Applicable |
No application fee has been prescribed in the official notification.
| Application Mode | Candidates should fill the prescribed application form, affix a recent passport-size photograph, sign the form and send the scanned application along with all required documents in a single PDF through e-mail only to apprentice.acem@gov.in. |
| Application Submission | Hard copy of the application should not be sent. Only applications received through the prescribed e-mail mode will be considered. |
| Last Date | The completed application must reach the prescribed e-mail address on or before 26 July 2026. |
| NATS Registration | Graduate and Technician Apprentice candidates must register on the NATS 2.0 Portal before applying. |
| Eligibility | Only fresh pass-out candidates who completed the qualifying Degree/Diploma during 2024, 2025 or 2026 are eligible to apply. |
| Experience | Candidates having one year or more of training or job experience after acquiring the prescribed qualification are not eligible. |
| Reservation | Reservation for SC, ST and OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates will be applicable as per the Apprentices Act, 1961 and Apprenticeship Rules. |
| Joining Requirements | Selected candidates must submit Medical Fitness Certificate and Police Verification Certificate at the time of joining. |
| Employment | Completion of apprenticeship training will not confer any right to regular employment in ACEM/DRDO. |
| Communication | All correspondence regarding the recruitment process will be made through e-mail only. |
| Final Decision | ACEM reserves the right to increase or decrease vacancies, cancel the advertisement or modify the selection process without assigning any reason. |
Candidates should submit the prescribed application form along with supporting documents in a single PDF through email before the last date.
| Document | Purpose |
| Filled Application Form | Application Submission |
| Recent Passport Size Photograph | Application Form |
| Scanned Signature | Application Form |
| Degree / Diploma Certificates | Educational Qualification Verification |
| Semester / Year-wise Mark Sheets | Educational Qualification Verification |
| CGPA to Percentage Conversion Formula | Verification of Academic Percentage |
| NATS 2.0 Registration Certificate | Apprenticeship Eligibility Verification |
| Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL), if applicable | Reservation Benefit |
| Aadhaar Card | Identity Verification |
| Medical Fitness Certificate | Required at the Time of Joining |
| Police Verification Certificate | Required at the Time of Joining |
| Other Supporting Documents | Eligibility Verification |
Candidates should submit the filled application form, passport-size photograph, educational certificates, CGPA conversion formula, category certificate and other supporting documents.
| Official Notification PDF | Click Here |
| Application Form | Click Here |
| DRDO Official Website | Click Here |
| NATS 2.0 Registration | Click Here |
| What is DRDO ACEM Apprentice Recruitment 2026? | DRDO Advanced Centre for Energetic Materials (ACEM), Nashik has invited applications for engagement of 41 Graduate and Technician Apprentices for one year under the Apprentices Act, 1961. |
| How many vacancies are available under DRDO ACEM Apprentice Recruitment 2026? | A total of 41 vacancies have been announced, comprising 30 Graduate Apprentice posts and 11 Technician (Diploma) Apprentice posts. |
| What is the last date to apply for DRDO ACEM Apprentice Recruitment 2026? | The last date for submission of the application through e-mail is 26 July 2026. |
| Who is eligible to apply? | Fresh pass-out candidates who completed the prescribed Degree or Diploma during 2024, 2025 or 2026 and satisfy all eligibility conditions mentioned in the notification are eligible to apply. |
| Is NATS registration mandatory? | Yes. Candidates applying for Graduate Apprentice and Technician Apprentice posts must register on the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS 2.0) Portal before submitting the application. |
| What is the selection process for DRDO ACEM Apprentice Recruitment 2026? | Selection will be decided by the Apprentice Selection Committee on the basis of merit and/or interview. |
| What stipend is provided during apprenticeship training? | Graduate Apprentices will receive ₹12,300 per month, while Technician (Diploma) Apprentices will receive ₹10,900 per month. |
| Is there any application fee? | No. The official notification has not prescribed any application fee for any category of candidates. |
| Will apprentices be offered permanent employment after completion of training? | No. Completion of apprenticeship training does not guarantee or confer any right to regular employment in ACEM or DRDO. |
| How should the application be submitted? | Candidates must send the filled application form along with all required supporting documents in a single PDF file through e-mail to apprentice.acem@gov.in before the closing date. |
