Proof & Experimental Establishment (PXE), Chandipur, under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of Defence, has invited applications for engagement of Apprentices for a one-year Apprenticeship Training programme.
The recruitment is being conducted under Advt. No. PXE/HRD/AT/01/2026-27 for Graduate Apprentices with B.Tech qualifications and Technician Apprentices with Diploma qualifications in various engineering disciplines. A total of 50 apprenticeship vacancies are available.
Eligible candidates are required to download the prescribed application form, type the required details, and send the completed application through Speed Post/Registered Post only. The last date for receipt of applications is 12 October 2026.
Official Notification PDF: DRDO PXE Apprentice Recruitment 2026
DRDO PXE Apprentice Recruitment 2026 - Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) |
| Establishment | Proof & Experimental Establishment (PXE), Chandipur |
| Advertisement No. | PXE/HRD/AT/01/2026-27 |
| Post/Training | Graduate Apprentice and Technician Apprentice |
| Total Vacancies | 50 |
| Graduate Apprentice | 15 |
| Technician Apprentice | 35 |
| Training Period | 1 Year |
| Qualification | B.Tech / Diploma in the relevant discipline |
| Stipend | Rs. 12,300/- per month for Graduate Apprentice; Rs. 10,900/- per month for Technician Apprentice |
| Application Mode | Offline through Speed Post/Registered Post |
| Last Date | 12 October 2026 |
| Selection Process | Shortlisting based on percentage of marks, followed by Written Test/Interview |
| Job/Training Location | PXE, Chandipur, Balasore, Odisha |
DRDO PXE Apprentice Vacancy 2026
The 50 vacancies are divided between Graduate Apprentice and Technician Apprentice categories.
Graduate Apprentice (B.Tech) Vacancies
| Discipline / Branch | Essential Qualification | Vacancies | Stipend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electronics & Communication | B.Tech in Electronics & Communication Engineering | 4 | Rs. 12,300/- per month |
| Mechanical | B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering | 4 | Rs. 12,300/- per month |
| Computer Science | B.Tech in Computer Science & Engineering | 5 | Rs. 12,300/- per month |
| Chemical | B.Tech in Chemical Engineering | 2 | Rs. 12,300/- per month |
| Total | - | 15 | - |
Technician Apprentice (Diploma) Vacancies
| Discipline / Branch | Essential Qualification | Vacancies | Stipend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil | Diploma in Civil Engineering | 10 | Rs. 10,900/- per month |
| Computer Science | Diploma in Computer Science Engineering | 5 | Rs. 10,900/- per month |
| Electronics & Communication | Diploma in Electronics & Communication Engineering | 5 | Rs. 10,900/- per month |
| Mechanical | Diploma in Mechanical Engineering | 8 | Rs. 10,900/- per month |
| Chemical | Diploma in Chemical Engineering | 1 | Rs. 10,900/- per month |
| Electrical | Diploma in Electrical Engineering | 2 | Rs. 10,900/- per month |
| Cinematography | Diploma in Cinematography Engineering | 2 | Rs. 10,900/- per month |
| Automobile | Diploma in Automobile Engineering | 2 | Rs. 10,900/- per month |
| Total | - | 35 | - |
DRDO PXE Apprentice Eligibility 2026
The essential qualification depends on the apprenticeship category and discipline selected by the candidate.
Graduate Apprentice
Candidates applying for Graduate Apprentice positions must possess a B.Tech degree in the relevant engineering discipline mentioned in the vacancy table.
Technician Apprentice
Candidates applying for Technician Apprentice positions must possess a Diploma in the relevant engineering discipline mentioned in the advertisement.
Who Can Apply for DRDO PXE Apprenticeship?
The advertisement specifies several conditions that candidates must satisfy in addition to possessing the required qualification.
- Only candidates who passed their respective courses in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 or 2026 are eligible.
- The essential qualification must have been obtained through regular mode.
- Candidates must register on the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) portal.
- Applications from non-registered candidates or candidates having an invalid NATS Enrollment Number will be rejected.
- Candidates possessing post-graduation degrees will not be considered for selection.
- Graduate/Diploma holders who have undergone training or employment for one year or more after acquiring the essential qualification will not be considered.
NATS Registration Requirement
Applicants for both Graduate Apprentice (BE/B.Tech) and Technician Apprentice (Diploma) categories are required to register on the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) portal.
The advertisement specifically states that applications from candidates who are not registered or who have an invalid Enrollment Number will be rejected.
Candidates should therefore ensure that their NATS registration and Enrollment Number are valid before submitting the apprenticeship application.
DRDO PXE Apprentice Stipend
| Apprentice Category | Monthly Stipend |
|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentice (B.Tech) | Rs. 12,300/- |
| Technician Apprentice (Diploma) | Rs. 10,900/- |
The apprenticeship training will be for a period of one year.
Selection Process for DRDO PXE Apprentice Recruitment
The selection process begins with scrutiny of applications by the PXE Selection Board.
- Applications will be reviewed by the Selection Board of PXE.
- Candidates will be shortlisted based on the percentage of marks secured in the essential qualification.
- Shortlisted candidates will be called for a Written Test/Interview.
- The Written Test/Interview will be conducted at PXE, Chandipur.
- Selected candidates will receive the joining/offer letter through email only.
The advertisement does not specify a separate examination syllabus or written-test pattern.
How to Apply for DRDO PXE Apprentice Recruitment 2026
Candidates must apply using the prescribed application form available through the DRDO website.
- Download the apprenticeship application form from the DRDO website.
- Register on the NATS portal and ensure that the Enrollment Number is valid.
- Fill in the application form by typing only.
- Select the applicable Apprentice Category and Discipline/Branch.
- Enter the NATS Enrollment Number and other required personal details.
- Provide educational qualification details and percentage of marks.
- Attach the required marksheets and reservation certificate, if applicable.
- Affix a recent passport-size photograph.
- Sign the application form.
- Send the completed application through Speed Post/Registered Post only.
Application Sending Address
The completed application should be addressed to:
The Director
Proof & Experimental Establishment (PXE)
Defence R&D Organisation
PO- Chandipur
District - Balasore
Odisha - 756025
Kind Attn.: OIC, HRDC
Candidates must clearly mention the following on the envelope:
"Application for Engagement of Apprentices, Apprentice Category (Degree/Diploma) and Discipline/Branch ............"
Handwritten application forms will be rejected. The application must be completed by typing the required information.
Documents Required with the Application
The application form specifies the following documents/enclosures:
- Mark sheets of the essential qualification.
- Reservation certificate, if applicable.
- Recent passport-size photograph affixed to the application form.
The application form requires candidates to provide details of their HSC/10th, 12th, Diploma and B.Tech qualifications, including Board/University, discipline/subjects, year of passing, class/division, maximum marks, marks secured and percentage of marks.
Reservation
Reservation for eligible categories will be applied according to the provisions of the Apprenticeship Act, 1961 and Apprenticeship Rules, 1992, as amended from time to time.
Candidates belonging to SC, ST, OBC, PWD and EWS categories are required to produce the relevant caste/category certificates issued by the competent authority at the time of document verification.
Important Instructions for DRDO PXE Apprentice Applicants
- Only candidates who passed the qualifying course during 2022 to 2026 are eligible.
- The essential qualification must have been obtained through regular mode.
- Post-graduation degree holders are not eligible for selection under this advertisement.
- Candidates with one year or more of training or job experience after acquiring the essential qualification are not eligible.
- NATS registration is mandatory.
- Applications from candidates with invalid or missing NATS Enrollment Numbers will be rejected.
- Handwritten applications will not be accepted.
- Incomplete application forms will be rejected.
- All correspondence, including the offer letter, will be communicated through email only.
- Candidates are responsible for downloading and printing their offer letter.
- PXE will not be responsible for emails lost because of an incorrect email ID or delivery to the SPAM/Bulk Mail folder.
- PXE may increase or decrease the number of apprenticeship vacancies.
- Canvassing or personal follow-up intended to influence the selection process will result in cancellation of candidature.
- PXE may withdraw or cancel the advertisement/selection process if circumstances warrant.
- No accommodation or transport will be provided by PXE during the training period.
- No TA/DA will be provided for joining or attending the interview.
DRDO PXE Apprentice Recruitment 2026 - Important Date
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Last Date for Receipt of Application | 12 October 2026 |
Details Mentioned in the Application Form
The prescribed application form on page 3 of the advertisement requires candidates to provide their name, apprentice category, discipline/branch, NATS Enrollment Number, Aadhaar number, father's name, nationality, date of birth, gender, reservation category, contact details, email ID and present/permanent addresses.
The form also contains an educational qualification table covering HSC/10th, 12th, Diploma and B.Tech. Candidates have to provide their Board/University, discipline/subjects, year of passing, class/division, maximum marks, marks secured and percentage of marks. The form ends with a declaration and a list of enclosures. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
