DRDO ACEM Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is now open, and it’s a genuine opportunity for fresh graduates and diploma holders to get a foot inside India’s premier defence research ecosystem. The Advanced Centre for Energetic Materials (ACEM), a laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of Defence, has released Advertisement No. ACEM/HRD/APPRENTICESHIP/2026-27, inviting applications for 41 apprenticeship vacancies — 30 Graduate Apprentice and 11 Technician Apprentice posts. Applications must reach ACEM by email on or before 26th July 2026.
If you passed out in 2024, 2025, or 2026 and have never held a job or completed a year of training before, this is exactly the kind of entry-level opportunity worth applying for. Below, we’ve covered everything from vacancy breakup and stipend to the exact email-based application process — plus a few practical tips the official notification doesn’t spell out.
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Table of Contents
DRDO ACEM Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – Quick Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Advanced Centre for Energetic Materials (ACEM), DRDO |
| Ministry | Ministry of Defence, Government of India |
| Advertisement Number | ACEM/HRD/APPRENTICESHIP/2026-27 |
| Total Vacancies | 41 (30 Graduate Apprentice + 11 Technician Apprentice) |
| Purpose | One-year apprenticeship training under the Apprentices Act, 1961 |
| Application Mode | Email only (apprentice.acem@gov.in) |
| Last Date to Apply | 26 July 2026 |
| Selection Process | Merit / Interview by the Apprentice Selection Committee |
| Training Duration | One year |
| Training Location | Ambe Hill, Ojhar, Nasik – 422207 |
| Official Website | drdo.gov.in |
What is ACEM and Why This Apprenticeship Matters
ACEM stands for the Advanced Centre for Energetic Materials — a specialised DRDO laboratory that works on propellants, explosives, and high-energy materials used in India’s defence systems. An apprenticeship here isn’t just a stipend-paying training slot; it’s hands-on exposure to a niche, high-precision area of defence R&D that very few civilian employers offer at the entry level. For a fresh B.Tech, B.Sc., B.Com, or diploma holder, a year of certified training at a DRDO lab adds real weight to a resume — whether the next step is a PSU job, a government exam, or higher studies.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Released | 1 July 2026 |
| Last Date for Receipt of Application | 26 July 2026 |
⚠️ Pro Tip: Since applications go only through email and NATS 2.0 registration takes a day or two to process, don’t wait until the last week. A last-minute email that bounces due to file size limits or a missing attachment could cost you the seat.
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Join NowDRDO ACEM Apprentice Vacancy 2026 – Discipline-Wise Breakup
Graduate Apprentice (BE/B.Tech/B.Sc/B.Com/BLIS)
| Essential Qualification | Vacancy |
|---|---|
| B.E./B.Tech. in Chemical Engineering / Chemical Technology | 05 |
| B.E./B.Tech. in Mechanical Engineering | 05 |
| B.E./B.Tech. in Aerospace/Aeronautical Engineering | 02 |
| B.E./B.Tech. in Computer & Information Science/Computer Engineering/B.Sc. Computer Science | 02 |
| B.E./B.Tech. in Electrical/Electrical & Instrumentation Engineering | 03 |
| B.E./B.Tech. in Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering | 03 |
| B.Sc. Chemistry | 03 |
| B.Sc. Physics | 02 |
| Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) | 04 |
| BLIS (Library Science) | 01 |
| Total | 30 |
Technician Apprentice (Diploma)
| Essential Qualification | Vacancy |
|---|---|
| Diploma in Mechanical Engineering | 04 |
| Diploma in Chemical Engineering | 02 |
| Diploma in Electrical Engineering | 02 |
| Diploma in Electronics Engineering | 02 |
| Diploma in Computer Science/Computer Science & IT/Web Designing | 01 |
| Total | 11 |
💡 Pro Tip: Notice that Chemical and Mechanical disciplines carry the highest vacancy count (5 each on the graduate side, 4 on the technician side). If your degree matches these streams, your odds of selection are comparatively better simply due to seat availability — factor that in in case you’re eligible under more than one discipline through a dual qualification.
📌 Also Read: NPCIL Trade Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – Complete Guide
DRDO ACEM Apprentice 2026 Eligibility Criteria
| Eligibility Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | As per discipline — BE/B.Tech/B.Sc/B.Com/BLIS for Graduate Apprentice; Diploma for Technician Apprentice |
| Passing Year | Only fresh pass-outs of 2024, 2025 or 2026 |
| Prior Experience | Not eligible if you have 1 year or more of training/job experience after your qualifying degree |
| NATS Registration | Mandatory registration on the NATS 2.0 portal before applying |
| Category Certificates | SC/ST/OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates must submit caste certificates in the prescribed format |
The “fresh pass-out only” clause is stricter than it looks. If you graduated in 2023 and have since done even a short one-year training stint or held a job, you will not qualify — this scheme is designed specifically for candidates who haven’t yet had a formal work exposure.
DRDO ACEM Apprentice 2026 Stipend
| Apprentice Category | Monthly Stipend |
|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentice (BE/B.Tech/General Stream) | ₹12,300 |
| Technician Apprentice (Diploma) | ₹10,900 |
These stipend rates are set as per the Apprentices Act, 1961, and are broadly in line with what other DRDO labs and defence PSUs offer their graduate and technician apprentices. Keep in mind that ACEM does not provide hostel accommodation, quarters, or transport during the training year — so if you’re relocating to Nasik for this, factor local living costs into your stipend planning before applying.
DRDO ACEM Apprentice 2026 Selection Process
| Step | Stage | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | Application Screening | Verification of eligibility, qualification and documents |
| Step 2 | Merit / Interview | Final selection by the Apprentice Selection Committee |
| Step 3 | Offer Letter | Sent only to selected candidates |
Unlike large-scale written-exam recruitments, this is a document-and-merit-driven process. That makes your academic percentage and the accuracy of your application paperwork the single biggest factor in getting shortlisted — there’s no exam to “make up” for a weak application.
📌 Also Read: HPCL Graduate Apprentice Recruitment 2026
How to Apply for DRDO ACEM Apprentice Recruitment 2026
There is no online application portal for this recruitment — everything happens over email. Follow these steps carefully:
- Register yourself on the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS 2.0) portal at nats.education.gov.in.
- Download the application form attached to the official notification and fill it by typing — handwritten forms are not accepted.
- Take a printout, affix a recent passport-size photograph, and sign it.
- Attach all supporting documents, including your CGPA-to-percentage conversion certificate from your university or college — this is compulsory if your degree was graded on a CGPA scale rather than percentage.
- Merge the signed application form and every supporting document into a single PDF file.
- Email the PDF to apprentice.acem@gov.in.
- Do not send a physical/hard copy — only the email submission counts.
⚠️ Many applicants lose out simply by forgetting the CGPA-conversion document. If your marksheet shows a CGPA instead of a percentage, get the official conversion formula/certificate from your institution before you start compiling your PDF — a missing document can get your entire application rejected at the screening stage itself.
📌 Also Read: Latest Government Job Notifications 2026
Documents Checklist Before You Apply
- Filled and signed application form (typed, not handwritten)
- Passport-size photograph affixed on the form
- Educational qualification certificates and mark sheets
- CGPA-to-percentage conversion certificate (if applicable)
- Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL, in the prescribed format, if applicable)
- Proof of NATS 2.0 registration
- Valid ID proof (Aadhaar/PAN/Voter ID)
Keeping this checklist handy before you start scanning documents will save you from last-minute panic close to the 26 July 2026 deadline.
Important Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Notification PDF | Download Here |
| NATS 2.0 Registration Portal | nats.education.gov.in |
| Application Email ID | apprentice.acem@gov.in |
| Official DRDO Website | drdo.gov.in |
📌 Also Read: Defence Jobs – Latest Vacancies
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Is DRDO ACEM Apprentice Recruitment Notification 2026 released?
Yes, ACEM has released the notification for 41 apprentice vacancies (30 Graduate + 11 Technician) for the 2026-27 apprenticeship cycle.
Q2. What is the mode of application for DRDO ACEM Apprentice 2026?
Applications are accepted only via email at apprentice.acem@gov.in, submitted as a single PDF. There is no online portal and no hard-copy submission.
Q3. What is the last date to apply for DRDO ACEM Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
The last date for receipt of application is 26 July 2026.
Q4. What is the stipend for DRDO ACEM Apprentice 2026?
Graduate Apprentices receive ₹12,300 per month, and Technician Apprentices (Diploma) receive ₹10,900 per month.
Q5. Who is eligible to apply for DRDO ACEM Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
Only fresh pass-outs of 2024, 2025, and 2026 who meet the discipline-wise qualification, have registered on NATS 2.0, and have no prior training/job experience of one year or more are eligible.
Q6. What is the selection process for DRDO ACEM Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
Selection is made by the Apprentice Selection Committee on the basis of merit and interview — there is no written exam.
Q7. Will DRDO ACEM provide accommodation to apprentices during training?
No. ACEM does not provide hostel accommodation, quarters, or transport to apprentices during the one-year training period.
Summing Up…
DRDO ACEM Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is a compact but valuable opportunity — 41 seats across ten graduate disciplines and five technician trades, at one of DRDO’s specialised energetic-materials labs. If you’re a fresh 2024, 2025, or 2026 pass-out with no prior work experience, this is worth applying for well before the 26 July 2026 deadline. Register on NATS 2.0 today, get your documents — especially the CGPA conversion certificate — in order, and send in your application early rather than waiting for the last date. For more apprenticeship and defence PSU openings, bookmark govtserviceinfo.com and join our Telegram channel for instant alerts.
Disclaimer: All information in this article has been sourced from the official recruitment notification published by the Advanced Centre for Energetic Materials (ACEM), DRDO. GovtServiceInfo.com is not a recruiting authority and does not accept job applications. We strongly recommend reading the full official notification before applying and verifying all details — especially dates, eligibility, and the application procedure — directly from the official website. We are not responsible for any changes made by the recruiting authority after the date of publication.
