DRDO RAC Scientist Recruitment 2026

1. Important Dates & Registration Schedule

Candidates must complete all submission steps before the designated server lock. Eligibility boundaries will be verified strictly against the closing date.

2. Grade-Wise Vacancy & Core Pay Scales

All advertised openings belong to the regular DRDS cadre and provide career progression under the vacancy-delinked Flexible Complementing Scheme (FCS).

3. Post-Wise Discipline Allocation

The 33 vacancies are divided across item codes, mapping out specific technical specializations required by the research wings.

4. Academic & Higher Qualification Weightage

UPSC frameworks map rigorous testing criteria to select candidates holding excellent professional aggregate marks.

Mandatory Academic Standards

• Possession of at least a First Division Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering/Technology or a First Division Master’s Degree in the relevant science discipline from a recognized university is mandatory.
• Where an institution does not define a first-class boundary, an aggregate mark score of 60% or a CGPA/CPI of 6.75 on a 10-point scale (as per AICTE guidelines) will be treated as the baseline equivalent. No rounding off of percentage parameters is permitted.

Higher Qualification Experience Weightage

Advanced degrees can be equated directly to equivalent years of core research experience, provided the qualification has been acquired before the closing timeline:

• Post Graduate Qualification in Engineering (M.E. / M.Tech): Counts as 2 years of experience weightage.
• Post Graduate Degree in Medicine / Physiology: Counts as 3 years of experience weightage.
• Doctorate Degree in Science / Pharmacy (Ph.D.): Counts as 3 years of experience weightage.
• Doctorate Degree in Engineering (Ph.D.): Counts as 4 years of experience weightage.
• Note: In the case of overlapping timelines, study periods and job experience terms cannot be counted simultaneously. The weightage remains subject to the assessment of technical relevance to DRDO.

5. Mandated Experience Length & Age Limits

Since recruitment operates under a lateral model, matching lengths of post-qualification executive experience are required.

Important Age Relaxation Rules: The upper age boundary is relaxable up to 10 years for Divyang/PwD candidates. It is relaxable up to 5 years for regular Civilian Central Government Employees with at least 3 years of continuous service in allied lines. For Scientist 'C' and above, category-based reservation relaxations do not apply to upper age limits. The absolute maximum age limit across all relaxations shall not exceed 56 years.

6. Application Fee Parameters

Processing fees must be cleared through online payment gateways before the submission lock.

• General, OBC, and EWS Male Candidates: A non-refundable, non-transferable application fee of Rs. 100/- (Rupees One Hundred only) applies.
• SC, ST, Divyang (PwBD), and All Women Candidates: Completely Exempted from paying the application fee.

7. Multi-Stage Screening & Interview Process

Selection is governed by a thorough verification system executed by independent expert screening panels.

• Administrative Screening: Initial filtering to verify identity logs, age limits, validity of engineering degrees, and verification of the Cadre Controlling Authority (CCA) declaration. If a minimum of 6 eligible candidates per post is not secured, the item may face cancellation.
• Technical Screening (Level-1): An independent board evaluates candidate bio-data, checking experience logs against specific advertised requirements and higher qualifications to short-list profiles in predefined ratios.
• Technical Screening (Level-2 - Optional): If short-listed candidate counts remain high, a short Preliminary Online Interview (10–15 minutes duration) will be executed to filter candidates down.
• Final Personal Interview: Short-listed candidates must appear in person before the final selection board at RAC Delhi. No online configurations will be permitted for the final round.
• Final Selection Criteria: The final merit panel ranking is generated solely on the basis of marks scored in the Final Personal Interview. To qualify for selection, a candidate must score a minimum of 75% marks (75 out of 100) in the interview.

8. Step-by-Step Online Registration Process

Applications must be locked digitally through the centralized RAC web interface. Hard copies or email drafts are invalid.

1. Log directly onto the official Recruitment & Assessment Centre portal at https://rac.gov.in.
2. Complete the initial registration process to establish your candidate account login credentials.
3. Fill out your personal details meticulously. Ensure names align perfectly with your matriculation records to avoid name mismatch rejection. If variations exist, keep a notarized affidavit ready.
4. Upload essential eligibility proofs (each file capped at 500 KB, clear, legible, and unencrypted):
   • Self-attested Matriculation or High School Certificate as formal proof of Date of Birth (DOB).
   • A recent color passport-size photograph (max 30 KB) and a scanned signature copy (max 30 KB).
   • Self-attested degree transcripts and semester mark sheets validating your essential first-class baseline education.
   • Comprehensive experience certificates issued exclusively by competent institutional desk heads (Admin/HR Head, Director, Principal, or Dean) clearly specifying designation, pay scale, and detailed areas of work. Experience proofs signed by division or project heads are invalid.
5. CCA Declaration for In-Service Candidates: Government or PSU employees must upload a signed declaration confirming they have informed their parent body in writing. They must present a formal No Objection Certificate (NOC) at the time of the final interview.
6. Pay the Rs. 100/- application fee online (if applicable) and preview all inputs before clicking the final submission lock. Retain a physical printout of the generated PDF file for tracking.

9. Important Links

10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)