DRDO RAC Scientist Recruitment 2026: Apply for 33 Scientist C, D, and E Posts
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Recruitment & Assessment Centre (RAC) — Defence Research & Development Service (DRDS)
Age Eligibility & DOB Range for Scientist C, Scientist D, Scientist E
Cut-off Date: 19 Jun 2026 — Candidates must be between 18 to 27 years (General category). Category-wise relaxation and exact DOB boundaries are shown below.
| Category | Min Age | Max Age | Relaxation | DOB Must Be Between |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | 18 yrs | 27 yrs | — | 20 Jun 1999 to 19 Jun 2008 |
| EWS | 18 yrs | 27 yrs | — | 20 Jun 1999 to 19 Jun 2008 |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 18 yrs | 30 yrs | +3 yrs | 20 Jun 1996 to 19 Jun 2008 |
| SC (Scheduled Caste) | 18 yrs | 32 yrs | +5 yrs | 20 Jun 1994 to 19 Jun 2008 |
| ST (Scheduled Tribe) | 18 yrs | 32 yrs | +5 yrs | 20 Jun 1994 to 19 Jun 2008 |
| PwD (General) | 18 yrs | 37 yrs | +10 yrs | 20 Jun 1989 to 19 Jun 2008 |
Check Your Age Eligibility — Interactive Calculator
Prescribed Age: 18–27 Years (As on 19 Jun 2026)
Expected In-Hand Salary for Scientist C, Scientist D, Scientist E — Pay Level 11 (Grade Pay ₹6,600)
This post carries Pay Level 11 (Grade Pay ₹6,600) under the 7th Central Pay Commission with entry-level basic pay of ₹67,700/month. Below is the estimated monthly in-hand salary across all three city classifications (DA at 50% included).
| Component | X-City (Metro) | Y-City (Town) | Z-City (Rural) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Pay | ₹67,700 | ₹67,700 | ₹67,700 |
| Dearness Allowance (50%) | ₹33,850 | ₹33,850 | ₹33,850 |
| HRA | ₹20,310 (30%) | ₹13,540 (20%) | ₹6,770 (10%) |
| Transport Allowance (+ DA) | ₹10,800 | ₹5,400 | ₹5,400 |
| Gross Monthly Pay | ₹132,660 | ₹120,490 | ₹113,720 |
| Total Deductions (NPS, CGHS, etc.) | −₹11,125 | −₹11,125 | −₹11,125 |
| ✨ Estimated In-Hand Salary | ₹121,535 | ₹109,365 | ₹102,595 |
Estimates based on 7th CPC Pay Matrix with current DA rate (50%). Actual salary may vary based on posting location, additional allowances, and individual deductions. Use the interactive calculator below for detailed city-wise breakdown.
7th Pay Commission In-Hand Salary Explainer
Pay Level 11 (Grade Pay ₹6,600) • Starting Basic: ₹67,700/month
Executive Summary & Key Facts
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Recruitment & Assessment Centre (RAC) has issued an official recruitment notification for Scientist C, Scientist D, Scientist E, announcing a total of 33 vacancies located in All India. The online application window opens on 30 May 2026 and closes on 19 June 2026. To be eligible, applicants must hold First Division B.E./B.Tech, M.Sc., M.Pharmacy, or equivalent and be within the prescribed age limit of Refer to official notification, with category relaxation applicable as per government guidelines. Selected candidates will receive an approved pay scale of Rs. 67,700 - Rs. 1,23,100. The selection procedure comprises Administrative Screening, Technical Screening, and Personal Interview. For complete guidelines, syllabus breakdown, and official notification PDF, refer to the verified information below on ApplySarkariJob.
📅 Scientist C, Scientist D, Scientist E - Important Dates & Schedule
| Application Start | 30 May 2026 |
|---|---|
| Last Date to Apply |
19 Jun 2026
|
📋 Scientist C, Scientist D, Scientist E - Eligibility Criteria & Vacancy Overview
| Post Name | Scientist C, Scientist D, Scientist E |
|---|---|
| Total Vacancies | 33 |
| Qualification | First Division B.E./B.Tech, M.Sc., M.Pharmacy, or equivalent |
| Age Limit | Refer to official notification |
| Salary | Rs. 67,700 - Rs. 1,23,100 |
| Application Fee | Refer to official notification |
| Selection Process | Administrative Screening, Technical Screening, and Personal Interview |
📝 Scientist C, Scientist D, Scientist E - Detailed Notification Guide
Overview of DRDO RAC Scientist Recruitment 2026
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Recruitment & Assessment Centre (RAC) has issued Advertisement No. 157 for the direct lateral recruitment of 33 Scientists. These positions are categorized under Scientist C, Scientist D, and Scientist E, falling under the Defence Research & Development Service (DRDS) cadre and encadered posts. This is a regular, permanent government employment opportunity.
Important Dates for DRDO RAC 2026 Recruitment
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Start Date | 30 May 2026 |
| Application Closing Date | 19 June 2026 (16:00 Hours) |
| Eligibility Cut-off Date | 19 June 2026 |
Vacancy and Pay Scale Details
Selected candidates will be placed in the 7th CPC Pay Matrix as follows:
| Post Name | Basic Pay (Per Month) | Pay Level | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scientist E | Rs. 1,23,100 | Level 13 | 2 |
| Scientist D | Rs. 78,800 | Level 12 | 12 |
| Scientist C | Rs. 67,700 | Level 11 | 19 |
Eligibility Criteria for DRDO Scientist Posts
- Nationality: Only Indian nationals are eligible to apply.
- Academic Requirements: Candidates must hold a First Division Bachelor's degree (B.E./B.Tech) in engineering, or a First Division Master's degree in Science, Pharmacy, or equivalent, depending on the specific discipline.
- Experience: Applicants must possess relevant research, design, or development experience ranging from 3 to 11 years, as specified in the official notification for each discipline.
- Definition of First Division: A minimum of 60% marks is required. For candidates with a CGPA system, 6.75 on a 10-point scale is considered equivalent.
Selection Process
The selection process for these posts consists of the following stages:
- Administrative Screening: Verification of documents and eligibility against the stated requirements.
- Technical Screening: Assessment of technical domain knowledge (Level 1 and Level 2, as applicable).
- Personal Interview: Candidates must appear in person at RAC, Delhi. A minimum score of 75% marks is mandatory in the final interview for selection.
Application Procedure
Applications must be submitted exclusively through the official RAC recruitment portal. Candidates should prepare scanned copies of all required educational and experience certificates before starting the online application. Ensure that the 'First Division' requirement is strictly met as per the provided definitions to avoid summary rejection of the application.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the age relaxation for DRDO RAC recruitment?
Age limits and relaxations are governed by the specific rules for the DRDS cadre as mentioned in the detailed advertisement available on the official RAC website.
Can I apply for multiple posts?
Candidates must ensure they meet the specific discipline and experience criteria for each individual item number as listed in the notification. Multiple applications for different posts are subject to the portal's functionality and individual eligibility per post.