Defence Electronics Applications Laboratory (DEAL), Dehradun has released a big notification for apprenticeship training under the Apprentices Act 1961 and Apprentice Rules 1992. This is a great opportunity for students who have completed their ITI, Diploma, or Graduation and want to gain real work experience in a top government defence lab.
DEAL is a premier R&D (Research & Development) lab working under DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation), Ministry of Defence, Government of India. Every year, DEAL offers apprenticeship training to fresh candidates so they can learn and grow in a professional environment.
Quick Overview Table
| Organisation | Defence Electronics Applications Laboratory (DEAL) |
| Under | DRDO, Ministry of Defence, Govt. of India |
| Location | Dehradun – 248001 |
| Advertisement No. | DEAL/HRD/Apprenticeship/2026-27 |
| Date of Advertisement | 23 June 2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 77 (19 Graduate + 8 Diploma + 50 ITI) |
| Training Duration | 1 Year |
| Application Mode | Online Only |
| Last Date to Apply | 30 days from publication on DRDO website |
| Official Website | https://drdo.gov.in |
Total Vacancies at a Glance
| Graduate Apprentices | 19 |
| Diploma Apprentices | 08 |
| ITI Apprentices | 50 |
| Grand Total | 77 |
Graduate Apprentice Vacancies (Post Code G-1 to G-5)
| Post Code | Discipline / Trade | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| G-1 | Electronics & Communication Engineering | — |
| G-2 | Mechanical Engineering | — |
| G-3 | Computer Science & Engineering | — |
| G-4 | Electrical Engineering | — |
| G-5 | Library Science | — |
| Total | 19 |
Qualification Required: B.E. / B.Tech or equivalent with 60% marks in relevant discipline. (For G-5 Library Science: B.Sc. (PCM/PCB) + B.Lib. / B.L.I.Sc. with 60% marks in each degree)
Monthly Stipend: Rs. 12,300/- per month (50% paid by DEAL + 50% from BOAT under DBT scheme)
Diploma Apprentice Vacancies (Post Code D-1 to D-4)
| Post Code | Discipline / Trade | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| D-1 | Electronics & Communication Engineering | — |
| D-2 | Mechanical Engineering | — |
| D-3 | Computer Science / Engineering | — |
| D-4 | Electrical Engineering | — |
| Total | 08 |
Qualification Required: Diploma in Engineering / Technology or equivalent with 60% marks in relevant discipline.
Monthly Stipend: Rs. 10,900/- per month (50% paid by DEAL + 50% from BOAT under DBT scheme)
ITI Apprentice Vacancies (Post Code I-1 to I-21)
| Post Code | Trade |
|---|---|
| I-1 | Electronics Mechanic |
| I-2 | Information and Communication Technology System Maintenance (ICTSM) |
| I-3 | Mechanic Auto Electrical and Electronics |
| I-4 | Mechanic-Cum-Operator Electronics Communication System |
| I-5 | Electrician |
| I-6 | Fitter |
| I-7 | Machinist |
| I-8 | Machinist (Grinder) |
| I-9 | Turner |
| I-10 | Instrument Mechanic |
| I-11 | Mechanic (Motor Vehicle) |
| I-12 | Mechanic Diesel |
| I-13 | Mechanic Communication Equipment Maintenance |
| I-14 | Draughtsman (Mechanical) |
| I-15 | Computer Operator and Programming Assistant (COPA) |
| I-16 | Library Assistant |
| I-17 | Stenographer |
| I-18 | Electroplater |
| I-19 | Sheet Metal Worker |
| I-20 | Wireman |
| I-21 | Lineman |
| Total | 50 vacancies |
Qualification Required: ITI pass with NCVT / SCVT Certificate in the relevant trade.
Monthly Stipend: Rs. 10,560/- per month
Eligibility Criteria – Who Can Apply?
Read the eligibility rules carefully before applying. Missing even one condition can get your application rejected.
1. Nationality: Only Indian citizens can apply.
2. Educational Qualification: Must be as per the table above, from a recognised Board or University.
3. Year of Passing: You must have passed your qualifying exam in the last 5 years — that is, in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, or 2026 only.
4. Result Must Be Declared: If your exam result has not come out before the last date of application, you are NOT eligible to apply.
5. Regular Student Only: You must have studied as a regular candidate (not distance or correspondence) to be eligible.
6. No Higher Qualification: If you have a higher qualification than what is required for the post, you cannot apply. For example, a B.Tech graduate cannot apply for an ITI post.
7. Age Limit: Minimum age is 18 years. For maximum age limit and age relaxation, rules of Apprentices Act 1961, Apprentice Rules 1992, and NATS 2.0 / NAPS guidelines will be followed.
8. No Previous Apprenticeship: If you have already done apprenticeship training at any organisation, or if you are currently doing one, you are NOT eligible. Also, if you have 1 year or more of work experience after completing your qualification, you cannot apply.
9. PwBD Candidates: Persons with Benchmark Disability can apply only for the trades specified under Apprenticeship Rules 1992.
Stipend Summary Table
| Level | Monthly Stipend |
|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentice | Rs. 12,300/- per month |
| Diploma Apprentice | Rs. 10,900/- per month |
| ITI Apprentice | Rs. 10,560/- per month |
Note: 50% of the stipend is paid by DEAL and 50% is paid by BOAT (Board of Apprenticeship Training) under the DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) scheme. This means the money will come directly to your bank account.
How to Apply – Step by Step
For Graduate and Diploma Candidates
- Go to the NATS 2.0 portal: https://nats.education.gov.in
- Register yourself on the portal.
- Login using your credentials.
- Search for DEAL using the DEAL ID: NUKDDC000015
- Apply for the relevant vacancy.
For ITI Candidates
- Go to the NAPS portal: https://www.apprenticeshipindia.gov.in
- Register yourself on the portal.
- Login to the portal.
- Go to My Opportunities → All Opportunities → Filter → Search by Establishment
- Search for “Defence Electronics Application Laboratory”
- Apply for the relevant opportunity.
Important Dates
| Advertisement Date | 23 June 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 30 days from publication on https://drdo.gov.in/drdo/en/offerings/vacancies |
Check the DRDO official website to know the exact last date since it depends on when the advertisement is published there.
Selection Process
The selection of candidates will be done based on one or more of the following methods:
- Academic Merit (marks in qualifying exam)
- Written Test
- Interview / Walk-in Interview
- Combination of the above
The final selection depends on satisfactory document verification.
Important points:
- DEAL has the right to use its own shortlisting method.
- Just meeting the minimum eligibility does NOT guarantee selection.
- The Director, DEAL can increase or decrease the number of vacancies or cancel the process at any time without giving any reason.
- Reservation rules will apply as per Apprentices Act 1961 and Apprentice Rules 1992.
- Any kind of influence or recommendation will lead to immediate disqualification.
Documents Required at the Time of Document Verification
Bring originals + one set of self-attested photocopies:
- Ink-signed printout of your online application
- NATS 2.0 / NAPS profile signed copy
- Mark sheets and certificates from Class 10 up to your qualifying exam (10th, 12th, BSc, B.E./B.Tech, Diploma, or ITI as applicable)
- Aadhaar Card / Photo ID Proof and Address Proof
- Two recent passport-size colour photographs
- SC/ST/OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) / PwBD / EWS certificate (if applicable)
Documents Required at the Time of Joining
Bring originals + one set of self-attested photocopies:
- Valid Police Verification Certificate from your last residence and permanent address
- Certificate of Physical Fitness from an authorised Medical Officer of any Government Hospital
- Undertaking for adherence to the Indian Official Secrets Act, 1923
- Undertaking to follow IT Rules & Regulations of the Ministry of Defence
- Aadhaar-seeded Bank Account details for DBT Stipend (Passbook front page or cancelled cheque)
- Three recent passport-size colour photographs
- Any other documents as communicated at the time of selection
DRDO DEAL Apprentice – Important Links
- Official Notification PDF: Click Here
- Apply Online (Graduate / Diploma – NATS 2.0): Click Here
- Apply Online (ITI – NAPS Portal): Click Here
- Official Website: Click Here
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is DEAL Apprenticeship 2026-27?
DEAL (Defence Electronics Applications Laboratory), a DRDO lab under the Ministry of Defence, has invited online applications for 77 apprenticeship training posts under the Apprentices Act 1961. The training is for 1 year and covers Graduate, Diploma, and ITI level candidates.
What is the total number of vacancies in DEAL Apprenticeship 2026-27?
There are a total of 77 vacancies — 19 for Graduate Apprentices, 8 for Diploma Apprentices, and 50 for ITI Apprentices.
What is the stipend for DEAL Apprentices?
Graduate Apprentices get Rs. 12,300/- per month, Diploma Apprentices get Rs. 10,900/- per month, and ITI Apprentices get Rs. 10,560/- per month. The stipend is paid through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Who is eligible to apply for DEAL Apprenticeship 2026-27?
Only Indian citizens who have passed their qualifying exam (B.E./B.Tech for Graduate, Diploma in Engineering for Diploma, or ITI certificate for ITI posts) with 60% marks from a recognised institution in the last 5 years (2022–2026) are eligible. Minimum age is 18 years.
What is the last date to apply for DEAL Apprenticeship 2026-27?
The last date is 30 days from the date the advertisement is published on the official DRDO website: https://drdo.gov.in/drdo/en/offerings/vacancies
How can Graduate or Diploma candidates apply?
Graduate and Diploma candidates must register and apply online through the NATS 2.0 portal at https://nats.education.gov.in using DEAL ID: NUKDDC000015.
How can ITI candidates apply?
ITI candidates must register and apply through the NAPS portal at https://www.apprenticeshipindia.gov.in using DEAL’s Establishment Code: E01160500005.
Will there be a written exam for selection?
Selection may be done through academic merit, written test, interview, walk-in interview, or a combination. It depends on the number of applications received and the vacancies available.
Is there any job guarantee after the apprenticeship?
No. Completing the DEAL apprenticeship does not guarantee any job (permanent, temporary, or contractual) at DEAL or DRDO. Apprentices cannot claim employment after training.
Can candidates who passed their exam in 2021 apply?
No. Only candidates who passed their qualifying exam in the last 5 years — 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, or 2026 — are eligible. Those who passed in 2021 or earlier are not eligible.
Can I apply if I have already done an apprenticeship somewhere else?
No. If you have already completed or are currently undergoing apprenticeship training at any organisation, you are not eligible. Similarly, if you have 1 year or more of work experience after your qualifying exam, you cannot apply.
What is the duration of the apprenticeship training?
The training duration is 1 year, starting from the date the apprenticeship contract is signed.
Will TA/DA or accommodation be provided during training?
No. DEAL does not provide any TA/DA, accommodation, transport, or medical facilities during the selection process or the training period.
For the latest updates, always check the official DRDO website: https://drdo.gov.in