The Centre for Personnel Talent Management (CEPTAM), the recruitment wing of DRDO under the Ministry of Defence, is currently running CEPTAM-11 for 764 posts of Senior Technical Assistant-B (STA-B) and Technician-A under the DRDO Technical Cadre (DRTC). Applications closed in January 2026, both Tier-I and Tier-II CBTs stand conducted, and candidates now await the Tier-II result and Trade Test schedule. The next Admin & Allied (A&A)/MTS advertisement is still awaited, so interested aspirants should keep a close watch on the official website.
DRDO CEPTAM Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Recruiting Body | Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), through CEPTAM |
|---|---|
| Post Name | Senior Technical Assistant-B (STA-B) and Technician-A (DRTC cadre) |
| Category | Central Government Defence Jobs (Group B/C) |
| Total Vacancies | 764 (561 STA-B + 203 Technician-A) |
| Job Location | DRDO labs/establishments across India |
| Application Mode | Online only |
| Official Website | www.drdo.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Short Notification Released | 04 December 2025 |
| Detailed Advertisement & Application Start | 11 December 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | 01 January 2026, later extended to 11 January 2026 |
| Application Correction Window | 04 to 06 January 2026 (as per original schedule) |
| Tier-I CBT (Screening) | Conducted in March 2026 |
| Tier-I Result | 25 May 2026 |
| Tier-II CBT | 15 June 2026 (conducted) |
| Tier-II Result / Trade Test | To be announced on the official website (expected) |
The crucial date of eligibility was 01 January 2026; the Tier-II answer key challenge window opened in June 2026.
Vacancy Details
Of the 764 vacancies, 561 are for STA-B (Pay Level-6) and 203 for Technician-A (Pay Level-2), spread across dozens of post codes. On the STA-B side, Mechanical Engineering alone carries 127 posts, with sizeable numbers in Electronics, Computer Science, Chemistry and Physics. Among Technician-A trades, COPA is the largest with 52 posts, followed by Electrician, Fitter, CNC Operator, Carpenter and Draughtsman (Mechanical). Kindly note that CEPTAM-11 covers only the technical (DRTC) cadre — the separate advertisement for Admin & Allied posts (Administrative Assistant, Store Assistant, Security Assistant, Stenographer, MTS etc.) has not been released yet.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
STA-B requires a B.Sc. degree or a three-year Engineering Diploma in the subject prescribed against the post code. Technician-A requires Class 10th (Matriculation) pass plus an ITI certificate in the relevant trade. A detail most aspirants miss: candidates holding higher qualifications such as B.E., B.Tech, M.Sc. or Ph.D. on the crucial date are not eligible, and those whose final result was awaited on 01 January 2026 were also ineligible.
Age Limit
The age limit is 18 to 28 years as on 01 January 2026. Upper age relaxation applies as per Government of India rules: 3 years for OBC-NCL, 5 years for SC/ST, 10 to 15 years for PwBD (by category combination), service period plus 3 years for Ex-Servicemen, and up to 35 years (40 for SC/ST) for widows/divorced women for Tech-A posts. Departmental candidates with three years of continuous central service get relaxation up to 40-45 years for Tech-A.
Application Fee
CEPTAM follows a unique refundable-fee model:
| Post | Category | Non-Refundable | Refundable | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STA-B | UR/OBC/EWS/MSP | Rs 250 | Rs 500 | Rs 750 |
| Technician-A | UR/OBC/EWS/MSP | Rs 100 | Rs 500 | Rs 600 |
| Both Posts | Women/SC/ST/PwBD/Ex-Servicemen | Nil | Rs 500 | Rs 500 |
The Rs 500 refundable portion is returned only to candidates who actually appear in Tier-I, credited to the bank account given in the application form.
Salary / Pay Scale
STA-B carries Pay Matrix Level-6 (Rs 35,400 – Rs 1,12,400) under the 7th CPC — an excellent package for a diploma/B.Sc.-level entry post. With DA, HRA and Transport Allowance, the in-hand salary is roughly Rs 55,000 to Rs 65,000 per month depending on the posting city. Technician-A sits in Pay Level-2 (Rs 19,900 – Rs 63,200), roughly Rs 30,000 to Rs 36,000 in hand. DRTC posts are also covered under the merit-based Limited Flexible Complementing Scheme (LFCS), which offers faster promotions than typical Group B/C cadres.
Selection Process
STA-B selection has two stages: Tier-I CBT (screening) and Tier-II CBT (provisional selection). Technician-A has an additional ITI-level Trade Test (per DGT syllabus), qualifying in nature — minimum 50% for UR/OBC/EWS, 45% for SC/ST/PwBD. Merit is prepared solely on Part II (subject-specific test) of Tier-II; the 20-minute Personality Test is not counted. Scores may be normalised. Provisionally selected candidates then face document verification and medical examination.
Exam Pattern & Syllabus Highlights
Tier-I (common to both posts): 150 questions, 150 marks, 120 minutes — General Science (40), General English (30), Quantitative Aptitude/Maths (40) and General Intelligence & Reasoning (40). Tier-II Part II is subject-specific: 120 questions for 120 marks — 120 minutes for STA-B, 90 minutes for Technician-A. Each question carries 1 mark with 0.25 negative marking. Qualifying marks are 40% for UR/OBC/EWS and 35% for SC/ST/PwBD. A crucial point: the CBT is section-wise time-bound — once a section’s time expires it locks automatically and cannot be revisited. The paper is bilingual (Hindi and English), and the Tier-II syllabus follows the educational qualification of each post code.
How to Apply Online
CEPTAM-11 applications are closed; the same process will apply for the upcoming A&A/MTS cycle:
- Visit the official DRDO website and open the Careers/CEPTAM section.
- Register with a valid email ID and mobile number.
- Fill in personal, educational and post-code details carefully — date of birth must match your 10th certificate.
- Upload photograph, signature and requisite certificates in the prescribed format.
- Enter correct bank account details (needed for the Rs 500 fee refund).
- Pay the fee online and submit before the last date to apply.
- Download and print the confirmation page from https://www.drdo.gov.in.
Admit Card & Result
CEPTAM intimates the examination city roughly ten days before the exam; the admit card can be downloaded 2-3 days prior from the DRDO website — it is never sent by post. Carry a printed admit card (preferably colour), two passport-size photographs and a valid original photo ID. Results appear as PDF lists/scorecards on the official website: the Tier-I result came on 25 May 2026, and the Tier-II result plus Trade Test schedule will be uploaded on drdo.gov.in as per the official notification.
Preparation Tips & Document Checklist
Since sections lock after their time expires, practise full-length mocks with strict sectional timing — leaving General English for “later” is not an option. For Tier-I, NCERT-level science (Classes 9-10) and previous CEPTAM papers are the best sources. Technician-A candidates awaiting the Trade Test should revise DGT/NIMI trade theory and workshop practice, since it checks practical skills at ITI level. Documents to keep ready: 10th certificate (for date of birth), final ITI/Diploma/B.Sc. certificates with all marksheets, caste/EWS/PwBD certificates in the prescribed central government format, ESM discharge book (if applicable), photo ID and photographs — originals plus self-attested photocopies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the DRDO CEPTAM-11 application window still open?
No. The last date to apply was extended to 11 January 2026 and the window is closed. The recruitment is now at the Tier-II result/Trade Test stage.
Can B.E./B.Tech or M.Sc. holders apply for STA-B or Technician-A?
No. The advertisement clearly states that candidates with higher qualifications like B.E., B.Tech, M.Sc. or Ph.D. on the crucial date shall not be considered.
Is there negative marking in the CEPTAM exam?
Yes — 0.25 marks are deducted for every wrong answer in Tier-I and Tier-II (Part II).
Is the Trade Test compulsory for Technician-A?
Yes. It is qualifying — at least 50% (UR/OBC/EWS) or 45% (SC/ST/PwBD) is needed, though its marks are not added to the merit list.
When will the CEPTAM Admin & Allied (A&A) notification come?
The next A&A/MTS advertisement has not been released yet. Aspirants should check drdo.gov.in regularly, as CEPTAM publishes all notices only there.
Important Links
Official Website / Apply Online
Disclaimer: The details above are compiled from the official CEPTAM-11 advertisement and reputable employment news sources. Schedules, vacancies and rules can change through corrigenda. Candidates are advised to verify every detail on the official DRDO website (www.drdo.gov.in) before applying or acting on any information.