DRDO Recruitment through GATE 2026- The Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO) has issued the DRDO recruitment notification on the official website, rac.gov.in. Candidates can check the notification DRDO recruitment through GATE 2026 on this page. The DRDO 2026 recruitment registration link is expected to begin in June 2026. Before applying, candidates must carefully review the eligibility criteria. The selection process includes three steps: shortlisting through GATE scores, a descriptive exam, and a personal interview. Direct recruitment for the Scientist ‘B’ post will be based on GATE 2026 scores, followed by a written test and interview. Candidates with a valid GATE score are eligible to apply for DRDO Scientist B recruitment 2026.
As per the official schedule, the GATE 2026 results will be declared tentatively on March 19. GATE 2026 scores will be valid for three years from the date of announcement.
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There are certain positions in DRDO recruitment through GATE where no written examination will be conducted and selection will be based on GATE 2026 score and personal interview. Read the full article on Recruitment by DRDO through GATE 2026 for more details.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has issued the recruitment for Scientist B through GATE 2026 notification online. Candidates interested in applying for DRDO recruitment through the exam must fill out the GATE application form and qualify for the exam with a valid score. Details regarding the start date of the application process for DRDO Scientist B recruitment through GATE and other information will be available soon on the official website.
The detailed advertisement, including eligibility criteria, is published in the recruitment notification as well as on the RAC website, www.rac.gov.in.
Particulars | Details |
Name of the PSU | Defence Research & Development Organization |
Available Post | Scientist ‘B’ |
Number of Vacancies | Part I - (On basis of GATE Score + Written Test + Interview) Part II - (On basis of GATE Score + Interview) |
Release of application form | June 2026 |
Final date to submit the application form | July 2026 |
Selection Process | Based on valid GATE score and personal interview |
Mode of application | Online |
Check Official Notification of DRDO Recruitment Through GATE for Scientist B
Candidates are required to meet some conditions which will be set up by the authorities to participate in the recruitment process. If the criteria are not met, then the candidates will be disqualified. The eligibility criteria of DRDO recruitment through GATE 2026 is given below:
Candidates should be of Indian nationality.
Unreserved category candidates should not be over 28 years of age. Similarly, OBC category candidates should not be over 31 years and SC/ST category candidates should not be over 33 years of age.
PwD (HH) and PwD(OH) candidates will be given relaxation of upto 10 years in marked disciplines.
The upper age limit is relaxable up to 5 years for serving Central Civilian Govt. employees working in posts which are in the same line or allied cadres only if a relationship could be established that the service already rendered in a particular post will be useful for the efficient discharge of the duties of the advertised posts.
Ex-servicemen including Ex SSCOs/ECOs as per rules in vogue can also enjoy age relaxation.
Part I | Part II |
Category I: Should have the requisite Essential Qualification (EQ) along with a valid GATE qualification. OR Category II: Should possess the required Essential Qualification (EQ) from IITs/NITs with minimum aggregate 80% marks. | The candidates should have the required Essential Qualification (EQ) along with valid GATE qualification. |
Part I - Recruitment on the basis of GATE scores, descriptive examination and personal interview
Subject/Discipline | Number of Posts | Details of Essential Qualification (EQ) & GATE | Equivalent acceptable subjects of Degree |
35 | Essential Qualification(EQ)# Should have at least First Class Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Technology in Electronics & Communication Engg from a recognized university or equivalent. One of the following additional requirements also has to be met:
| 1. Electronics & Communication Engg 2. Electronics Engg 3. Electronics & Computer Engg 4. Electronics & Control Engg. 5. Electronics & Communication System Engg 6. Electronics & Instrumentation Engg 7. Electronics & Tele- Communication Engg 8. Electronics & Telematics Engg 9. Industrial Electronics Engg 10. TeleCommunication Engg 11. Telecommunication & Information Tech 12. Applied Electronics & Instrumentation Engg 13. Electronics & Electrical Communication Engg 14. Electrical with Communication Engg 15. Radio Physics & Electronics 16. Electrical Engg 17. Electrical & Electronics Engg 18. Electronics & Communication Engg (Avionics) | |
33 | Essential Qualification(EQ)# Should have at least First Class Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Technology in Mechanical Engg from a recognized university or equivalent. One of the following additional requirements also has to be met:
| 1. Mechanical Engg 2. Mechanical & Automation Engg 3. Mechanical & Production Engg | |
29 | Essential Qualification(EQ)# Should have at least First Class Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Technology in Computer Science & Engg from a recognized university or equivalent. One of the following additional requirements also has to be met:
| 1. Computer Science/ Engg/ Technology 2. Computer Science and Engg./Technology 3. Computer Science/Engg & Info Tech 4. Computer Science & System Engg 5. Software Engg/ Technology 6. Computer Science & Automation Engg/ Tech 7. Information Technology 8. Computer Science/Technology & Informatics Engg/ Tech 9. Information Science & Engg/Technology 10. Computer & Communication Engg 11. Computer Networking |
Part II: Recruitment on the basis of valid GATE score and personal interview
Subject/Discipline | Number of Posts | Details of Essential Qualification (EQ) & GATE | Equivalent acceptable subjects of Degree |
6 | Essential Qualification At least First Class Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Technology in Electrical Engg from a recognized university or equivalent. GATE Qualification: Valid GATE score in Electrical Engg [Paper code: EE] | 1. Electrical Engg 2. Electrical Power System Engg 3. Electrical & Electronics Engg 4. Electrical & Renewable Energy Engg 5. Power Engg 6. Power Electronics Engg 7. Electronics & Electrical Communications Engg 8. Electrical with Communication Engg | |
Material Science & Engg/ Engg * | 4 | Essential Qualification: At least First Class Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Technology in Metallurgy from a recognized university or equivalent. GATE Qualification: Valid GATE score in Metallurgical Engineering [Paper code: MT] | 1. Metallurgy & Material Tech 2. Metallurgy/Metallurgical Engg 3. Materials Engg 4. Material Science & Engg 5. Material Science & Metallurgical Engg |
4 | Essential Qualification: At least First Class Master’s Degree in Physics from a recognised university or equivalent. GATE Qualification: Valid GATE score in Physics [Paper code: PH] | 1. Physics 2. Physics (Electronics) 3. Applied Physics 4. Solid State Physics 5. Computational Physics 6. Engineering Physics 7. Physics & Electronics | |
3 | Essential Qualification: At least First Class Master’s Degree in Chemistry from a recognised university or equivalent. GATE Qualification: Valid GATE score in Chemistry [Paper code: CY] | 1. Chemistry 2. Organic Chemistry 3. Inorganic Chemistry 4. Analytical Chemistry 5. Physical Chemistry 6. Applied Chemistry | |
3 | Essential Qualification: At least First Class Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Technology in Chemical Engg from a recognized university or equivalent. GATE Qualification: Valid GATE score in Chemical Engineering [Paper code: CH] | 1. Chemical Engg 2. Chemical Technology 3. Chemical Plant Engg 4. Applied Chemical & Polymer Technology 5. Polymer Science & Chemical Technology 6. Chemical Science & Technology | |
5 | Essential Qualification: At least First Class Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Technology in Aeronautical Engg from a recognized university or equivalent. GATE Qualification: Valid GATE score in Aerospace Engineering [Paper code: AE] | 1. Aeronautical Engg 2. Aerospace Engg 3. Aerospace Engg (Avionics) | |
Mathematics* | 2 | Essential Qualification: At least First Class (condition of First class does not apply to DST posts) Master’s Degree in Mathematics from a recognised university or equivalent. GATE Qualification: Valid GATE score in Mathematics [Paper code: MA] | 1. Mathematics 2. Applied Mathematics 3. Mathematics & Computing |
1 | Essential Qualification: At least First Class Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Technology in Civil Engg from a recognized university or equivalent. GATE Qualification: Valid GATE score in Civil Engineering [Paper code: CE] | 1. Civil Engg 2. Civil & Structural Engg 3. Civil & Environmental Engg 4. Civil & Rural Engg 5. Civil & Water Management Engg 6. Civil & Infrastructure Engg 7. Construction Engg & Management |
Documents | Specifications |
Self attested certificates/testimonials regarding Date of Birth (Matriculation /High School Certificate or Birth Certificate issued by appropriate local authority) Essential and Higher qualification along with mark‐sheets, caste, EWS status, ex‐servicemen, employment etc. | Maximum file size of each attachment should not exceed 500KB and it must be legible when a print out is taken Each certificate must be in PDF, jpeg or jpg formats. They must not be password protected. |
Recent passport size colour photograph | Size not exceeding 30 KB; resolution of 110 x 140 pixels |
Scanned sample of candidate’s signature | Size not exceeding 30 KB; resolution of 110 x 140 pixels |
Valid GATE score card | in PDF, jpeg or jpg format and file size should be less than 500 KB |
Go to the official website (rac.gov.in) or direct link provided above.
Candidates will have to register by submitting their details such as name, email address, mobile number. A password also has to be generated.
Personal, academic and contact details have to be submitted. For descriptive exam, two choices of centres also have to be selected.
The required documents have to be scanned and uploaded.
Candidates will also have to pay the required application fee.
The application form has to be submitted and the acknowledgement slip has to be printed out for future use.
Application Fee - Rs. 100 (no application fee for SC/ST/PwD and women candidates)
The exam will be descriptive in nature and will consist of two papers.
Each paper will be of 300 marks each and held in pen and paper based mode.
The exam will be conducted in two sessions of duration of three hours each.
The syllabus is available in the website and is similar to Engineering Services Examination (Mains) in the relevant discipline conducted by UPSC.
The exam will be held at DRDO centres in seven cities (Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kanpur, Kolkata, and Pune). If the need arises, then other city centres will also be added.
Only the shortlisted candidates will be able to download their admit card in online mode.
Candidates will be shortlisted on the basis of GATE scores and/or descriptive examination and they need to clear the DRDO GATE cutoff. Personal interview performance will also be taken into consideration.
Selection of candidates will be restricted to the number of vacancies in order of merit.
The final result will be declared in online mode.
For Part I - 80% weightage will be given to the descriptive examination and 20% weightage to personal interview.
For Part II - 80% weightage will be given to the GATE scores and 20% weightage to personal interview
Pay Scale: Level-10 (7th CPC) of the Pay Matrix (Rs. 56,100/-) in specific disciplines and categories. Total emoluments (inclusive of HRA and all other allowances) at the time of joining will be approximately Rs. 80,000/- p.m. at the present metro city rate.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The authority will announce the DRDO 2026 recruitment application dates online.
Yes, DRDO recruits scientists, mostly at the entry level (Scientist 'B'), through GATE every year.
Candidates generally need to score above 890 to be considered for selection in DRDO.
Yes, candidates can join DRDO without GATE, as some vacancies are filled through exams conducted by DRDO itself, independent of GATE scores.
While DRDO offers fellowships, these are available for a limited period and do not guarantee regular employment in DRDO.
No. All of the candidates need to have a valid GATE score to be eligible for the recruitment process.
There are certain posts for which selection is based on written test and interview while some posts have only interview.
The application fee is Rs. 100. However, SC/ST/PwD and women candidates are exempted from the application fee.
Yes, DRDO offers various vacancies for respective designations through GATE exam.
Apart from valid GATE score, candidates will also have to undergo a test and qualified ones will be allowed for participating in the interview.
On Question asked by student community
Hello,
The link to the question paper is attached here. You can access the question papers along with the answer key on the careers360 website. Careers360 also provides students with preparation tips that will help them in preparing and the mock test and analyse their in-depth performance.
https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/last-15-years-gate-papers-solutions
Thank you.
Hello,
Here is a link for the sample papers for GATE Exam with DA subjects. Tap on the link given below to open it:
Thankyou.
Hello aspirant,
If you missed the correction window for GATE 2026, the portal will not allow changes right now. Usually, IIT opens a correction period only once. Since you need to change your surname, the best option is to contact the GATE organizing institute through their official support email or
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