DRDO Recruitment 2026 Notification Out – Welcome to Govt Selection, your most trusted portal for the latest and most accurate government job updates. If you are a serving government official looking for a prestigious career progression in India’s premier defense research agency, we have an exciting update for you. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), under the Ministry of Defence, has officially released a comprehensive notification for the recruitment of 188 specialized administrative and financial posts for the year 2026.
This recruitment drive is primarily being conducted on a Deputation Basis, aimed at filling crucial vacancies such as Accounts Officer, Private Secretary, Senior Administrative Officer, and Store Officer across various DRDO laboratories and headquarters nationwide.
Unlike many modern recruitments, the application mode for this specific DRDO drive is strictly Offline. Interested and eligible officers working under the Central Government, State Governments, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), or Autonomous Bodies must forward their applications through the proper channel within 60 days of the advertisement’s publication in the Employment News.
DRDO Recruitment 2026 – Quick Overview
Before we dive into the complex eligibility and offline application procedures, let us look at the fundamental highlights of this recruitment drive.
| Recruitment Highlights | Important Details |
| Organization Name | Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) |
| Ministry | Ministry of Defence, Government of India |
| Name of the Posts | Accounts Officer, Private Secretary, Admin Officer, Store Officer |
| Total Number of Vacancies | 188 Posts |
| Type of Employment | Deputation Basis |
| Application Mode | Offline Only (Through Proper Channel) |
| Job Location | Anywhere in India (DRDO Labs/Establishments) |
| Official Website Portal | www.drdo.gov.in |
Important Dates and Application Timeline -DRDO Recruitment 2026 Notification Out
For offline applications, tracking the timeline is critical because postal delays are common. Candidates must ensure their applications reach the DRDO headquarters well before the deadline.
| Important Events | Official Deadlines |
| Release of Official Notification | Expected in March/April 2026 |
| Publication in Employment News | To be notified |
| Start Date to Send Offline Application | From the date of publication in Employment News |
| Last Date to Receive Application at DRDO | Within 60 Days from the date of publication in Employment News |
| Date of Interview / Interaction | To be intimated individually to shortlisted candidates |
Vacancy Details (Post-Wise Breakdown) – DRDO Recruitment 2026 Notification Out
DRDO has announced a massive 188 vacancies for administrative and financial operations. The tentative distribution of these posts is detailed in the box below:
| Name of the Post | Tentative Number of Vacancies |
| Senior Administrative Officer Grade-I & II | 45 Posts |
| Senior Accounts Officer | 25 Posts |
| Accounts Officer | 48 Posts |
| Private Secretary | 40 Posts |
| Store Officer | 30 Posts |
| Grand Total | 188 Posts |
Eligibility Criteria (Education & Deputation Experience) – DRDO Recruitment 2026 Notification Out
Since this recruitment is on a deputation basis, fresh graduates are not eligible. Only officers currently holding analogous posts in the parent cadre or department can apply.
| Name of the Post | Specific Eligibility & Experience Required |
| Accounts Officer | Officers under Central/State Govt holding analogous posts on a regular basis; OR with 3-5 years of regular service in Pay Level 7/8. Must possess a Bachelor’s Degree. Pass in Subordinate Accounts Service (SAS) exam or equivalent, or training in Cash and Accounts work is highly desirable. |
| Private Secretary | Officers holding analogous posts in the parent cadre; OR holding the post of Personal Assistant (PA) with 5 years of regular service in Level 7. Must possess a Bachelor’s Degree and excellent dictation/typing speed in English/Hindi. |
| Senior Admin Officer | Officers holding analogous administrative posts on a regular basis; OR with 5 years of regular service in Level 10. Degree from a recognized university and extensive experience in establishment, administration, and personnel management. |
| Store Officer | Officers holding analogous posts; OR with 3 years in Level 7. Bachelor’s degree required along with 3 years of experience in handling stores, inventory management, and material procurement in a Govt organization. |
Age Limit Criteria for Deputation – DRDO Recruitment 2026 Notification Out
The age criteria for deputation posts differ significantly from direct recruitment.
| Criteria | Age Limit Details |
| Maximum Age Limit | The maximum age limit for appointment by deputation shall not exceed 56 years as of the closing date of receipt of applications. |
| Age Relaxation | Not applicable, as the maximum age limit is fixed uniformly for all deputation appointments under Central Govt rules. |
Salary Structure and Pay Scale (7th CPC)
Officers selected for these posts will draw salaries as per the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) Pay Matrix. They will also be eligible for Deputation (Duty) Allowance as per DoPT guidelines.
| Name of the Post | Pay Scale (7th CPC Pay Matrix) |
| Senior Admin/Accounts Officer | Level 11 (Rs. 67,700 – Rs. 2,08,700) |
| Accounts Officer | Level 8 / 10 (Varies based on grade) |
| Private Secretary | Level 8 (Rs. 47,600 – Rs. 1,51,100) |
| Store Officer | Level 8 (Rs. 47,600 – Rs. 1,51,100) |
Mandatory Documents for Offline Application – DRDO Recruitment 2026 Notification Out
When applying through the proper channel, the parent department must forward the application along with several mandatory administrative documents. Applications missing any of these documents will be summarily rejected.
- Bio-Data / Curriculum Vitae (CV) Proforma: Duly filled and signed by the candidate and countersigned by the Employer.
- APAR Dossiers: Attested copies of the Annual Performance Appraisal Reports (APARs) for the last 5 years.
- Vigilance Clearance Certificate: Certifying that no disciplinary or criminal proceedings are pending or contemplated against the officer.
- Integrity Certificate: Issued by an officer not below the rank of Deputy Secretary.
- Major/Minor Penalty Statement: A statement showing the major or minor penalties imposed on the officer during the last 10 years (if none, a ‘Nil’ certificate is required).
- Cadre Clearance: Approval from the parent department relieving the officer in case of selection.
How to Apply Offline for DRDO Recruitment 2026? – DRDO Recruitment 2026 Notification Out
The application process is strictly offline. Candidates must follow these steps carefully to ensure their application is processed without errors.
Step 1: Visit the official DRDO website at www.drdo.gov.in.
Step 2: Navigate to the “Careers” or “What’s New” section on the homepage.
Step 3: Look for the notification titled “Filling up of various Administrative and Allied Cadre posts in DRDO on Deputation Basis – 2026”.
Step 4: Download the official notification PDF. At the end of the PDF, you will find the Bio-Data / Application Proforma (Annexure-I).
Step 5: Take a clear printout of the Application Proforma on A4 size paper.
Step 6: Fill in all your details (Personal, Educational, and Service particulars) meticulously in block letters. Attach a recent passport-size photograph.
Step 7: Submit the filled application to your Parent Department/Cadre Controlling Authority.
Step 8: The Cadre Controlling Authority must verify the details, attach the necessary certificates (Vigilance, APARs, Integrity), and place them in a secure envelope.
Step 9: Superscribe the envelope clearly in bold letters: “APPLICATION FOR THE POST OF [Insert Post Name] ON DEPUTATION BASIS”.
Step 10: Send the complete application package via Speed Post or Registered Post to the following address:
Deputy Director, Dte of Personnel (Pers-AA1),
Room No. 266, 2nd Floor, DRDO Bhawan,
New Delhi – 110105.
Selection Process for Deputation Posts
The selection process for deputation vacancies in DRDO does not involve a written examination.
- Screening of Applications: A screening committee will review the Bio-Data and APARs of all applicants.
- Shortlisting: Based on experience, grading in APARs, and suitability for the role, candidates will be shortlisted.
- Personal Interaction/Interview: Shortlisted officers will be called for a personal interaction or interview at DRDO Headquarters, New Delhi. The final selection will be based on the officer’s service record and performance in the interaction.
Important Links Section – DRDO Recruitment 2026 Notification Out
| Important | Links |
|---|---|
| Official Notification PDF | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
| Join WhatsApp Channel | Click Here |
| View Results | Click Here |
| Join Telegram Channel | Click Here |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the last date to submit the offline application for DRDO Recruitment 2026?
Ans: The offline application, forwarded through the proper channel, must reach the DRDO Bhawan within 60 days from the date of publication of the advertisement in the Employment News.
Q2: Can fresh graduates apply for the Accounts Officer or Private Secretary posts?
Ans: No. These 188 vacancies are strictly to be filled on a Deputation Basis. Only serving Central/State Government, PSU, or Autonomous Body officers holding analogous posts are eligible to apply.
Q3: Is there any application fee for this recruitment?
Ans: No, there is no application fee required to apply for deputation posts in DRDO.
Q4: Where should I send my offline application form?
Ans: The application must be forwarded by your parent department to: Deputy Director, Dte of Personnel (Pers-AA1), Room No. 266, 2nd Floor, DRDO Bhawan, New Delhi – 110105.
Q5: What is the maximum age limit for applying?
Ans: The maximum age limit for appointment on a deputation basis shall not exceed 56 years as of the closing date of the application.
Q6: What documents must my parent department send along with my application?
Ans: The parent department must forward your Bio-Data, attested APARs of the last 5 years, Vigilance Clearance, Integrity Certificate, and a statement of Major/Minor penalties imposed over the last 10 years.
Q7: Will there be a written exam for the Private Secretary post?
Ans: No, there is no written exam for deputation appointments. Selection is based on the screening of service records (APARs) and a personal interview/interaction.
Q8: Can I send an advance copy of my application directly to DRDO?
Ans: Yes, candidates can send an advance copy of the application directly to DRDO to meet the deadline. However, the official candidature will only be considered when the original application is routed through the proper channel with all required clearances.
DRDO Recruitment 2026 Notification Out
