DRDO Apprentice Recruitment 2026: SSPL ITI, Diploma Apply Now

DRDO Apprentice Recruitment 2026: The Solid State Physics Laboratory (SSPL) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has invited applications for apprenticeship training for the 2026 to 27 session. Eligible candidates from ITI, Diploma and Graduate backgrounds can apply for the apprenticeship opportunities.

The SSPL recruitment drive is being conducted for candidates who meet the prescribed educational and registration requirements. The training is scheduled for a period of 12 months at the SSPL facility in Timarpur, Delhi.

Candidates interested in the DRDO SSPL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 should note that the application process is offline. The completed application form and supporting documents must reach the SSPL office by August 21, 2026. Candidates should send their applications well before the deadline because only applications received by the last date are considered.

The detailed notification and prescribed application format are available through the official DRDO website.

DRDO SSPL Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Highlights

DRDO SSPL Apprentice Vacancy 2026

The apprenticeship programme has opportunities under three categories. These include ITI Apprentice, Diploma Apprentice and Graduate Apprentice.

A total of 41 Diploma Apprentice positions have been specified in the notification. The ITI and Graduate Apprentice engagement is listed separately based on trade and discipline.

Candidates should note that the number of available apprenticeship slots may change. SSPL has the authority to increase or reduce the intake depending on its requirements and other conditions at the time of selection.

Who Can Apply for DRDO Apprentice Recruitment 2026?

The eligibility requirements vary according to the apprenticeship category. Candidates should check their qualification carefully before submitting the application.

DRDO ITI Apprentice Eligibility

Candidates applying for ITI apprenticeship should have passed Class 10 and possess a First Division ITI certificate in one of the prescribed trades.

Eligible trades include:

• Fitter

• Electronics Mechanic

• Electrician

• Computer Operator and Programming Assistant, COPA

• Machinist

• Carpenter

DRDO Diploma Apprentice Eligibility

Candidates applying for Diploma Apprentice positions should have:

• A First Division Diploma in Electrical Engineering

• Mechanical Engineering

• Electronics Engineering

• Instrumentation Engineering

• Computer Science Engineering

Candidates should also have passed Class 10 with First Division.

DRDO Graduate Apprentice Eligibility

Candidates with a First Division degree in the prescribed disciplines can apply for Graduate Apprentice positions.

Eligible qualifications include:

• BSc in Physics

• BSc in Chemistry

• BSc in Mathematics

• BSc in Computer Science

• BA

• BCom

• BE or BTech in Electronics Engineering

• Mechanical Engineering

• Electrical Engineering

• Communication Engineering

• VLSI

• Chemical Engineering

The qualifying degree or diploma should be obtained from a recognised university or institution.

DRDO Apprentice Eligibility Criteria 2026

Apart from educational qualifications, candidates must fulfil certain additional conditions.

Passing Year

Candidates must have completed their qualifying ITI, Diploma or Degree during 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 or 2026.

Candidates who completed the qualifying course before 2022 are not eligible for this apprenticeship recruitment.

Regular Course Requirement

The required ITI, Diploma or Degree must have been completed through the regular mode.

Candidates who obtained their qualifying qualification through distance, correspondence or part time mode are not eligible.

Portal Registration

Registration on the relevant apprenticeship portal is compulsory before applying.

Candidates applying for Diploma and Graduate Apprentices need to register on the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme, NATS portal.

Candidates applying for ITI Apprenticeship need to register on the Apprenticeship India portal.

Applicants should complete the required registration before sending the application to SSPL.

Reservation

Reservation and relaxation for eligible categories including SC, ST, OBC, PwD and EWS candidates will be provided according to the applicable provisions of the Apprentices Act, 1961, Apprenticeship Rules, 1992 and Apprenticeship Amendment Rules, 2015.

DRDO Apprentice Training and Stipend 2026

Selected candidates will undergo 12 months of apprenticeship training at the Solid State Physics Laboratory in Timarpur, Delhi.

The SSPL is a DRDO laboratory involved in research and development related to areas including semiconductor devices, microwave components and solid state materials for defence applications.

Apprentices will receive a monthly stipend according to the applicable government rules for their respective apprenticeship category.

Candidates should check the official notification for the latest stipend provisions applicable to their category.

DRDO Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Application Process

The application process for the SSPL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is offline. Candidates do not have to submit the final application through an online application portal.

Before sending the form, candidates must complete registration on the applicable apprenticeship portal.

Steps to Apply for DRDO SSPL Apprentice Recruitment 2026

Step 1: Visit the official DRDO website and download the detailed apprenticeship notification and prescribed application format.

Step 2: Complete registration on the NATS portal if applying for Diploma or Graduate Apprentices. ITI candidates should register on the Apprenticeship India portal.

Step 3: Fill out the application form carefully as per the instructions provided in the notification.

Step 4: Attach the required self attested documents with the application form. These may include educational certificates, mark sheets, identity proof, category certificate and proof of apprenticeship portal registration.

Step 5: Place the completed application and documents in an envelope and send it to the SSPL address.

Step 6: Make sure the application reaches SSPL on or before August 21, 2026.

Candidates should not wait until the last date to send the application. Since the application has to reach the laboratory by the deadline, the date on which the application is posted does not count as the date of submission.

DRDO SSPL Apprentice 2026 Application Address

Candidates should send their completed application to:

Director, SSPL
Kind Attention: HRD
Solid State Physics Laboratory, DRDO
Lucknow Road, Timarpur
Delhi 110054

Candidates should write the required details clearly on the envelope as specified in the official notification.

Documents Required for DRDO Apprentice Application

Candidates should keep the required documents ready before sending the application.

These may include:

• Educational qualification certificates

• Mark sheets

• ITI certificate, wherever applicable

• Diploma certificate, wherever applicable

• Degree certificate, wherever applicable

• Identity proof

• Category certificate, if applicable

• NATS registration proof

• Apprenticeship India registration proof, wherever applicable

• Other documents mentioned in the notification

Candidates should verify the official notification before finalising the document set.

Important Points for DRDO SSPL Apprentice Recruitment 2026

Candidates should keep the following points in mind before applying:

• The apprenticeship training period is 12 months.

• The application must reach SSPL by August 21, 2026.

• The application process is offline.

• NATS registration is required for Diploma and Graduate Apprentice applicants.

• Apprenticeship India registration is required for ITI applicants.

• Only eligible passing years from 2022 to 2026 are considered.

• Distance, correspondence and part time qualifications are not accepted.

• Candidates should provide an active email address because recruitment related communication and offer letters are sent through email.

• Selected candidates have to submit a Police Verification Certificate after joining.

• Candidates should retain a copy of the completed application and supporting documents for their records.

Does DRDO Apprenticeship Guarantee a Government Job?

No. Completing the DRDO SSPL apprenticeship does not guarantee permanent employment with DRDO, SSPL or any other government organisation.

The apprenticeship is intended to provide practical training and work exposure in a professional research and development environment. Candidates should therefore consider it as a training opportunity rather than a direct government job appointment.

For ITI, Diploma and Graduate candidates looking to gain practical experience after completing their qualification, the apprenticeship can provide exposure to a specialised technical and research environment.

What After Applying for DRDO SSPL Apprentice Recruitment 2026?

After submitting the application, candidates should regularly check the official DRDO website and the email address provided in their application.

Selected candidates will receive further communication through the prescribed mode. Candidates should also keep their original certificates and other required documents ready for verification or joining formalities.

SSPL may revise the number of apprenticeship positions depending on its requirements. The laboratory also reserves the right to increase, reduce or cancel the available slots or the recruitment process as per the terms of the notification.