Notification Highlights
Important Examination & Application Dates
| Recruitment Event / Milestone | Official Date / Schedule |
|---|---|
| Official Advertisement Issued | 30 September 2026 |
| Online Application Portal Active | 30 September 2026 |
| Last Date for Online Submission | 15 December 2026 (23:59 Hrs) |
| Shortlisted Candidates List | January 2027 |
| Personal Interviews at RAC Delhi | February – March 2027 |
7th CPC Salary Structure & In-Hand Arithmetic
Monthly compensation breakdown based on Central Government pay matrices (Inputs: 01 October 2026 (7th CPC Level 10 Defence Pay Matrix)):
| Salary Component / Allowance | Monthly Amount (₹) | Calculation Basis / Statutory Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Pay | ₹56,100 | Starting entry pay in prescribed 7th CPC matrix cell |
| Dearness Allowance (DA) | ₹28,050 | Calculated at 50% of Basic Pay |
| House Rent Allowance (HRA) | ₹15,147 | Class-X city rate (27%) |
| Transport Allowance (TPTA) | ₹7,200 | Higher TPTA cities + DA on TPTA |
| Gross Monthly Emoluments | ₹1,06,497 | Sum of Basic + DA + HRA + Allowances |
| NPS Employee Contribution (10%) | -₹8,415 | 10% of (Basic Pay + Dearness Allowance) |
| Estimated Net In-Hand Monthly Pay | ₹97,282 | Credited directly to employee bank account |
Scientists receive Professional Update Allowance (₹22,500/yr), Children Education Allowance, subsidized defence campus housing, and comprehensive medical cover.
Examination Pattern, Subjects & Negative Marking
Detailed section-wise question distribution, marks allocation, and penalty rules:
| Subject / Test Module | Questions | Max Marks | Duration | Negative Marking Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Item 1 Disciplines: Shortlisting via Valid GATE Score | 65 | 100 | 3 Hours (GATE Benchmark) | 80% weightage given to GATE score in final merit |
| Technical Personal Interview (RAC Board, Delhi) | 1 | 100 | 45–60 Minutes in-depth technical board viva | Min 70% qualifying cutoff for UR (60% for SC/ST) |
Official Examination Syllabus & Section-Wise Topics
Curated subject topics based on official recruitment notifications and past pattern distribution:
- Electronics & Communication: Semiconductor Devices, Analog Circuits, Digital Systems, Control Engineering, Microwave & Antennas, Radar Principles
- Mechanical Engineering: Fluid Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, Machine Design, Kinematics, Manufacturing Processes, Aerodynamics
- Computer Science: Algorithms, Data Structures, Operating Systems, Cryptography, Cybersecurity, Embedded Systems, Machine Learning
- Undergraduate Project Defense, Domain Engineering Problem Solving, Defense Technology Fundamentals, Experimental Research Aptitude
Previous Cycle Qualifying Cut-Off Benchmarks
Historical normalized qualifying marks across reservation categories to gauge target scores and safe attempt targets:
| Cycle / Exam Stage | General (UR) | OBC-NCL | EWS | SC | ST | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 RAC Item-1 Mechanical/Electronics | 72.50 | 66.25 | 64.00 | 58.00 | 54.50 | 100 |
| 2023 RAC Item-1 GATE Score Normalized | 69.00 | 63.50 | 61.25 | 55.00 | 52.00 | 100 |
| 2022 RAC Recruitment Cycle | 66.75 | 61.00 | 59.50 | 53.25 | 50.00 | 100 |
Profile Match & Application Advisory
- First-Class engineering graduates (B.E./B.Tech) or postgraduates in Science/Technology holding a valid GATE score (2024, 2025, or 2026) in relevant discipline.
- Candidates seeking Level 10 Scientist B defence research careers in DRDO premier laboratories (starting basic ₹56,100 + DA + HRA).
- Candidates without a valid GATE score or those scoring below First Class standards as prescribed by the university.
- Candidates exceeding 28 years of age (UR) as on the application deadline, unless eligible for category relaxations.
Common Application Mistakes & Scrutiny Pitfalls
- Submitting expired or unauthenticated GATE scorecards during RAC registration.
- Failing to convert CGPA into percentage using the exact approved university formula.
- Leaving mandatory project/thesis summary sections blank in the RAC portal.
Documents to Keep Ready Before Applying
- Valid GATE Scorecard PDF (2024, 2025, or 2026 cycle)
- First-Class Engineering Degree Certificate and marks transcript
- Matriculation Certificate for Date of Birth proof
- Equivalence Certificate if engineering degree nomenclature differs from advertised discipline
- Central Government format Caste/Category certificate
Strategic Examination Preparation Blueprint
Actionable study guidelines, speed drills, and score defense tactics curated by GovIndiaNews editorial board:
Combine academic preparation with daily physical conditioning (1600m running, push-ups, chin-ups) to maintain high PFT readiness.
Develop strong English language command and current affairs articulation for the 5-day Services Selection Board (SSB) interview.
Practice speed mathematics formulas for NDA/CDS: focus on trigonometry, matrices, coordinate geometry, and calculus shortcuts.
Review military organization hierarchy, gallantry decorations, and current geopolitical developments for the General Knowledge paper.
Maintain consistent sleep and hydration habits to ensure peak mental clarity during prolonged written examination sessions.
Interactive Candidate Utilities Suite
Statutory software calculators and document specification checkers for this notification
Frequently Asked Questions (Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO))
Is a separate written examination conducted for DRDO Scientist B under Item 1?
No. For disciplines listed under Item 1, candidates are shortlisted directly based on valid GATE scores in a 1:5 ratio per vacancy, followed by an in-person technical personal interview conducted at RAC, Delhi.
Can candidates appearing in the final semester apply for DRDO RAC?
Candidates must possess their final degree or provisional degree certificate along with consolidated marksheets on or before the closing date of application (15 December 2026).
What is the minimum qualifying score in the technical personal interview?
Candidates must secure at least 70% marks (60% for SC/ST/PwBD) in the personal interview to be considered eligible for final selection, regardless of their GATE score ranking.
What is the starting salary and allowances of a DRDO Scientist B?
Under 7th CPC Level 10, the starting basic pay is ₹56,100, leading to a monthly gross of approx ₹1,06,497 and net in-hand take-home of ₹97,282 in Class-X cities (Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad) plus annual Professional Update Allowance and medical cover.
Primary Gazette Source Notice
Notice Title: DRDO Recruitment & Assessment Centre (RAC) Portal
Verified on: 02 Oct 2026
This notice was audited by the GovIndiaNews Editorial Desk against primary gazette releases and official portal bulletins. Review sign-off conducted under our transparent Fact-Checking Policy. Found a discrepancy? Submit a notice revision via our public Corrections Desk.