DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation)
Govt · core branches incl. ECE, ME, EE, CH, CE· Updated
DRDO hires fresh engineers as Scientist 'B' through its Recruitment and Assessment Centre (RAC): in the latest fresher advertisement (Advt 156, 2025), candidates were shortlisted 1:10 on GATE score and called for a personal interview, with final merit 80% GATE score and 20% interview. RAC has said future cycles may also use a written test.
Who can apply
- At least first-class BE/B.Tech in the advertised discipline (e.g. Electronics, Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Civil); final-semester students could apply
- Valid GATE score in the matching paper (Advt 156 accepted GATE 2023, 2024 or 2025)
- Age not above 35 (UR/EWS), 38 (OBC-NCL) or 40 (SC/ST) on the closing date, with 10 more years for PwBD (Advt 156)
Through GATE (EC, ME, CS, EE, CH, CE, MT)
Advt 156: GATE score shortlists 1:10 for interview and counts 80% of final merit (interview 20%). RAC says later cycles may add a written test. [source]
Key facts
- Pay
- Level 10 (7th CPC) of the pay matrix, basic pay ₹56,100 [source]
- Advt 156 vacancies
- 152 advertised: 127 DRDO, 9 ADA, 16 encadred posts [source]
- Advt 156 vacancies after addendum (reported)
- 155 [source]
- Interview qualifying marks
- 70% for UR; 60% for EWS/OBC/SC/ST/PwBD [source]
- Future cycles (RAC public notice)
- Scientist 'B' hiring to be based on valid GATE score and/or written test / interview [source]
What DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) asks — practise by section
Biggest topics to practise
Electronics & Comm. engineering: interview questions · core companies that hire · jobs through GATE
Interview process
- 1Online applicationApply on rac.gov.in with your GATE score; degree branch and GATE paper must match the discipline. No fee for SC/ST, PwBD and women.
- 2GATE-score shortlistingShortlisted discipline-wise and category-wise in the ratio 1:10 on GATE score (Advt 156). No written test in that cycle.
- 3Personal interviewAt Delhi or another RAC-chosen venue. GATE score is verified on screen. You need at least 70% (UR) or 60% (EWS/OBC/SC/ST/PwBD) in the interview.
- 4Final merit and appointmentMerit = 80% GATE score + 20% interview marks; appointment subject to the Group A technical medical exam and character verification.
About DRDO hiring
Does DRDO recruit Scientist B through GATE?
Yes. In Advt 156 (2025) RAC shortlisted candidates 1:10 on a valid GATE 2023, 2024 or 2025 score in the matching paper and selected them on 80% GATE score plus 20% personal interview.
Is there a written exam for DRDO Scientist B?
Not in Advt 156: selection was GATE score plus personal interview. RAC's public notice on GATE for Scientist 'B' says future hiring will use GATE score and/or a written test or interview, so read each advertisement for the route.
What is the salary of a DRDO Scientist B?
Scientist 'B' is in Level 10 of the 7th CPC pay matrix with a basic pay of ₹56,100 a month, plus admissible allowances.
Sources
- RAC, DRDO - Advertisement No. 156: Scientist 'B' (PDF)
- RAC, DRDO - Public notice: valid GATE score for Scientist 'B' recruitment
- PW - DRDO Scientist B Recruitment 2025 (Advt 156)
Checked on 25 Sep 2026. Recruitment rules change each cycle — confirm dates and eligibility in the official notification.