The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), India's premier defence research agency, has officially released the notification for the DRDO RAC Scientist Recruitment 2026. Through its Recruitment and Assessment Centre (RAC), the organisation is inviting applications from highly qualified engineering and science professionals for 33 vacancies across Scientist C, Scientist D, and Scientist E posts under the Lateral Recruitment Scheme.
This is a golden opportunity for experienced professionals to join India's defence research ecosystem and contribute to cutting-edge technologies aimed at strengthening national security and promoting self-reliance under the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. DRDO offers scientists the chance to work on advanced technologies, collaborate with leading experts, and contribute directly to the country's strategic and technological advancement.
The online application process commenced on 30 May 2026 and will remain open until 19 June 2026 (4:00 PM). Eligible candidates are advised to apply well before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical issues.
| Organization | Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) – Recruitment & Assessment Centre (RAC) |
|---|---|
| Post Name | Scientist C / Scientist D / Scientist E |
| Total Vacancies | 33 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Advertisement No. | 157 |
| Scheme | Lateral Recruitment Scheme |
| Official Website | rac.gov.in |
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Official Notification Release Date | 30 May 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 30 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 19 June 2026 (4:00 PM) |
| Last Date (as per Employment News) | 26 June 2026 |
| Eligibility Cut-off Date | 19 June 2026 |
| Interview / Selection Date | To be notified |
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹ 100/- |
| SC / ST | Exempted (NIL) |
| PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities) | Exempted (NIL) |
| Women Candidates | Exempted (NIL) |
Payment modes: Online payment through the RAC recruitment portal.
| Post | Maximum Age |
|---|---|
| Scientist C | 35 Years |
| Scientist D | 45 Years |
| Scientist E | 45 Years |
Age Relaxation: SC/ST – 5 years, OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) – 3 years, PwBD – 10 years. Age relaxation is applicable as per Government of India norms.
A total of 33 vacancies have been announced across three Scientist grades.
| Post Name | Vacancies | Pay Level | Basic Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scientist C | 20 | Level 11 | ₹ 67,700/- |
| Scientist D | 11 | Level 12 | ₹ 78,800/- |
| Scientist E | 2 | Level 13 | ₹ 1,23,100/- |
| Total | 33 |
The vacancies are available across multiple engineering and scientific disciplines, including:
Candidates must possess First Division (minimum 60% marks or equivalent CGPA) in their qualifying degree.
| Post | Required Qualification |
|---|---|
| Scientist C | B.E./B.Tech/M.Sc./M.E./M.Tech in the relevant discipline |
| Scientist D | Master's Degree or equivalent in the relevant Engineering or Science discipline |
| Scientist E | Master's Degree (Ph.D. preferred) in the relevant discipline |
| Post | Experience Required |
|---|---|
| Scientist C | Minimum 3 years of relevant post-qualification experience |
| Scientist D | Minimum 7 years of relevant post-qualification experience |
| Scientist E | Minimum 11 years of relevant post-qualification experience |
Note: The required experience will be counted after obtaining the prescribed qualification. Experience gained during Ph.D. or equivalent research may be counted as per the official notification.
Must be an Indian citizen.
The selection is a multi-stage process:
| Stage | Process | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Administrative Screening | Initial screening of applications based on eligibility criteria |
| Stage 2 | Technical Screening – Level I | Evaluation of technical qualifications and experience |
| Stage 3 | Technical Screening – Level II | In-depth technical assessment (if required) |
| Stage 4 | Personal Interview | Final selection round (in-person at RAC, Delhi) |
| Stage 5 | Merit-Based Selection | Final selection based on interview performance |
Selected candidates will be appointed on a regular permanent basis under the Lateral Recruitment Scheme with attractive pay scales under the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC).
| Post | Pay Level | Basic Pay | Approx. In-hand Salary (with allowances) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scientist C | Level 11 | ₹ 67,700/- | ₹ 85,000 – ₹ 1,00,000+ |
| Scientist D | Level 12 | ₹ 78,800/- | ₹ 1,00,000 – ₹ 1,20,000+ |
| Scientist E | Level 13 | ₹ 1,23,100/- | ₹ 1,50,000 – ₹ 1,80,000+ |
The application process is entirely online. Follow these steps to submit your application successfully:
Ans: The last date to submit the online application is 19 June 2026 (4:00 PM). As per the Employment News, the date is 26 June 2026, but candidates are advised to follow the RAC notification deadline.
Ans: Candidates must possess First Division (60% marks or equivalent CGPA) in B.E./B.Tech/M.Sc./M.E./M.Tech in the relevant discipline. For Scientist E, a Ph.D. is preferred.
Ans: The selection process includes Administrative Screening, Technical Screening (Level I & II), and Personal Interview. Candidates must secure 75% marks in the final interview for selection.
Ans: The pay scale varies by post: Scientist C – ₹67,700 (Level 11), Scientist D – ₹78,800 (Level 12), and Scientist E – ₹1,23,100 (Level 13) per month, plus allowances.
Ans: General/OBC/EWS candidates are required to pay ₹100/-. SC, ST, PwBD, and Women candidates are exempted from paying any fee.
Ans: The maximum age limit for Scientist C is 35 years. For Scientist D and Scientist E, it is 45 years. Age relaxation is available for reserved categories.
Ans: Candidates applying for Scientist D must have a minimum of 7 years of relevant post-qualification experience.
Ans: Yes. Selected candidates will be appointed on a regular permanent basis under the DRDO/DRDS cadre through the Lateral Recruitment Scheme.
Ans: No. This recruitment is for experienced professionals only. Freshers may apply for Scientist B recruitment, which is expected to be announced separately in July 2026.
Ans: The official notification PDF (Advt. No. 157) is available on the RAC website at rac.gov.in or can be downloaded directly from this link.