DRDO HEMRL Graduate Apprentice Recruitment 2026 for 50 Posts, Apply Offline
DRDO HEMRL Graduate Apprentice Recruitment 2026 - 50 Vacancies Across 12 Disciplines
Ever thought about kicking off your career inside one of India's premier defence research labs? The High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), Pune, operating under DRDO and the Ministry of Defence, has announced 50 Graduate Apprentice positions for the 2026-27 cycle. This isn't just another apprenticeship - it is a foot in the door at an institution that shapes India's defence capabilities.
If you have completed your degree in the last five years and you are at least 18 years old, this is genuinely worth your time. And here is the best part - there is no application fee. None at all.
DRDO HEMRL Graduate Apprentice 2026 - Overview
- Authority: High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), DRDO, Ministry of Defence
- Post Name: Graduate Apprentice (BE/B.Tech/General Stream)
- Total Vacancies: 50
- Advt No: HEMRL/HRD/APPRENTICE/2026-27/01
- Application Mode: Offline (after NATS 2.0 registration)
- Stipend: Rs. 15,000/- per month (all disciplines)
- Training Duration: 1 Year
- Application Fee: NIL
- Last Date to Apply:
- Location: Sutarwadi, Pune, Maharashtra
Important Dates
Tip: Do not wait until the last week. NATS 2.0 registration can take a day or two to process, and you do not want to scramble at the deadline. Register early, apply early.
- Notification Released:
- NATS 2.0 Registration Opens:
- Last Date for Online Application (NATS 2.0):
- Last Date for Submission of Hard Copy: (or as per official notification)
- Merit List / Selection: To be announced on the official website
Vacancy Details - 50 Posts Across 12 Disciplines
Here is the complete breakdown. Notice how Chemical Engineering and Chemistry together account for nearly 40% of the total seats - HEMRL's focus on energetic materials research is clearly reflected in the recruitment. But there is something for CS folks, electrical engineers, commerce graduates, and even BBA candidates.
- Chemical Engineering: 10 Posts
- Mechanical Engineering: 8 Posts
- Aerospace Engineering: 2 Posts
- Computer Science and Engineering: 5 Posts
- Electrical Engineering: 2 Posts
- Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering: 3 Posts
- Civil Engineering: 2 Posts
- Chemistry: 9 Posts
- BA (Bachelor of Arts): 3 Posts
- B.Com (Bachelor of Commerce): 3 Posts
- BLIS (Bachelor of Library and Information Science): 2 Posts
- BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration): 1 Post
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
- For Engineering disciplines: B.E./B.Tech in the relevant branch from a recognized university
- For Chemistry: B.Sc in Chemistry from a recognized university
- For BA/B.Com/BLIS/BBA: Relevant degree from a recognized university
- Candidates must have passed in the last 5 years ( to )
- Final year students who will complete their degree by the time of joining may also apply
Age Limit
- Minimum Age: 18 years as on the last date of application
- Maximum Age: Refer to the official notification for category-wise upper age relaxation
- Age relaxation applicable for SC/ST/OBC/PwD candidates as per government norms
What does "relevant discipline" actually mean? If you have a B.Tech in Chemical Engineering, you apply for the Chemical Engineering apprentice post - not for Mechanical or CS. Stay in your lane. HEMRL is particular about this.
Stipend and Training Duration
- Monthly Stipend: Rs. 15,000/- (Fifteen Thousand Rupees Only)
- Applicable to: All 12 disciplines uniformly
- Training Period: 1 Year (12 months)
- The stipend is fixed and non-negotiable
- No other allowances or benefits beyond the stipend are mentioned in the notification
- After completion of training, candidates may seek opportunities elsewhere or look for openings at DRDO labs (though apprenticeship does not guarantee absorption)
Rs. 15,000 per month for a year-long stint at a DRDO lab is not a fortune, but consider this - you are gaining hands-on experience at one of India's top defence research facilities. The exposure, the network, the resume value? That is worth far more than the monthly figure suggests.
Selection Process
HEMRL does not run a conventional competitive exam. The selection is merit-based, which means your academic record carries serious weight. Here is what to expect:
- Merit-Based Selection: Based on academic performance in the qualifying degree
- Written Test: May be conducted depending on the number of applications received
- Interview: Shortlisted candidates may be called for an in-person or online interview
- Combination Method: HEMRL reserves the right to use any combination of the above (academic merit + written test + interview) to arrive at the final list
- Document Verification: Original documents must be produced at the time of joining
Important: Keep all your original documents ready - mark sheets, degree certificate, caste certificate (if applicable), NATS 2.0 registration printout. Verification is strict at DRDO establishments.
How to Apply - Step-by-Step Process
This is an offline application process, but it starts with online registration on the NATS 2.0 portal. Do not skip that step - your application will not be considered without NATS registration.
Step 1: Register on NATS 2.0 Portal
- Visit the official NATS 2.0 portal at nats.india.skill.gov.in
- Create your account with valid details
- Complete your profile and upload required documents
- Note down your NATS enrollment number
Step 2: Apply to HEMRL
- Download the application form from the HEMRL/DRDO website (drdo.gov.in)
- Fill in the form completely and accurately
- Attach self-attested copies of all required documents
- Send the completed application by post to the address below
Step 3: Send by Post
Address your application to:
Ministry of Defence, DRDO,
Sutarwadi, Pashan,
Pune - 411021
Maharashtra
Reminder: The application must reach HEMRL by . Do not wait for the last postal date. Send it at least 5-7 days in advance to account for postal delays.
Documents Required
Keep these documents handy before you start filling the application form. HEMRL is strict about documentation - missing even one item could mean your application gets rejected outright.
- NATS 2.0 Registration printout and enrollment number
- Completed application form (downloaded from DRDO/HEMRL website)
- Self-attested copies of all educational mark sheets and certificates
- Degree certificate or provisional degree certificate
- Date of birth proof (10th mark sheet or birth certificate)
- Caste certificate (SC/ST/OBC) if applicable, issued by competent authority
- Non-creamy layer certificate (for OBC candidates)
- PwD certificate (if applicable)
- Recent passport-size photographs (as specified in the application form)
- Any other document mentioned in the official notification
Pro Tip: Make photocopies of everything before you send the application. Keep a complete set with you for reference during the selection process and interview stage.
Important Instructions
Before you hit the post office, read these carefully. These are not suggestions - they are requirements. Ignore them at your own risk.
- Candidates must register on the NATS 2.0 portal before applying to HEMRL. Applications without NATS registration will be rejected.
- Only offline applications sent by post will be accepted. No email or hand-delivery applications.
- The application must be addressed to The Director, HEMRL, Sutarwadi, Pune - 411021.
- All certificates and documents must be genuine and verifiable. Fake documents lead to immediate disqualification and possible legal action.
- The apprenticeship is for training purposes only. It does not guarantee permanent employment at DRDO or any government department.
- Candidates already undergoing apprenticeship elsewhere are not eligible to apply.
- HEMRL reserves the right to cancel or modify the recruitment without assigning any reason.
- Canvassing in any form will result in immediate disqualification.
- In case of any discrepancy, the decision of the Director, HEMRL will be final and binding.
- For any queries, contact HEMRL directly through the official website drdo.gov.in.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last date to apply for DRDO HEMRL Graduate Apprentice 2026?
The last date to submit the offline application is . The application must reach HEMRL by this date. Register on the NATS 2.0 portal before this deadline.
Is there any application fee for this recruitment?
No. There is absolutely no application fee for the DRDO HEMRL Graduate Apprentice Recruitment 2026. The entire application process is free of charge.
Can I apply if I passed my degree more than 5 years ago?
No. You must have passed your qualifying degree between and . Candidates who completed their degree before 2022 are not eligible for this recruitment.
What is the stipend amount for the apprenticeship?
All selected candidates across all 12 disciplines will receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 15,000/- (Fifteen Thousand Rupees) for the 1-year training period.
Can B.Com or BA candidates apply for this recruitment?
Yes. HEMRL has dedicated vacancies for BA (3 posts), B.Com (3 posts), BLIS (2 posts), and BBA (1 post) candidates. These fall under the general stream apprentice category.
Is NATS 2.0 registration mandatory?
Yes, absolutely. You must register on the NATS 2.0 portal (nats.india.skill.gov.in) before applying. Applications without NATS enrollment number will not be considered.
Does this apprenticeship guarantee a job at DRDO?
No. The apprenticeship is purely a training program. It does not guarantee permanent employment at DRDO or any government department. However, the experience and exposure can be valuable for future career prospects.
Official Links
- DRDO Official Website: drdo.gov.in
- NATS 2.0 Portal: nats.india.skill.gov.in
- HEMRL Website: drdo.gov.in/labs-and-centres/hi
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