DRDO HEMRL Apprentice Recruitment 2026

The High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), Pune, a premier R&D establishment under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of Defence, Government of India, has released Advertisement No. HEMRL/HRD/APPRENTICE/2026-27/01 for engagement of Graduate Apprentices for one-year apprenticeship training.

A total of 50 Graduate Apprentice positions are available across Engineering, Science, Commerce, Arts, Library Science and Management disciplines. Selected candidates will undergo 1 year of apprenticeship training at HEMRL, Pune and will receive a stipend of ₹15,000 per month.

This is a valuable opportunity for fresh graduates who want to gain practical exposure in a DRDO defence research establishment and build experience through the Apprentices Act, 1961.

Recruitment Overview

About HEMRL

The High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) is one of DRDO's premier research establishments located in Pune. The laboratory is involved in defence-related research and development and works under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India.

HEMRL conducts R&D in areas including high-energy materials, propellants, pyrotechnics, polymeric materials and related defence technologies.

Vacancy Details

The notification specifies 50 total Graduate Apprentice vacancies. Category-wise reservation will be applied according to the applicable rules.

Educational Qualification

Candidates must possess the relevant qualification from a recognized Board/University.

Eligible qualifications include:

Engineering

• B.E./B.Tech in Chemical Engineering
• B.E./B.Tech in Chemical Technology
• B.E./B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering
• B.E./B.Tech in Aerospace Engineering
• B.E./B.Tech in Aeronautical Engineering
• B.E./B.Tech in Computer & Information Science
• B.E./B.Tech in Computer Engineering
• B.E./B.Tech in Electrical Engineering
• B.E./B.Tech in Electrical & Instrumentation Engineering
• B.E./B.Tech in Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering
• B.E./B.Tech in Civil Engineering

Science

• B.Sc. Computer Science
• B.Sc. Chemistry

General / Other Streams

• B.A.
• B.Com
• BLIS / Library Science
• BBA

Important Eligibility Conditions

Candidates must carefully note the following conditions:

Passing Year

Only candidates who passed the qualifying examination during the last five years are eligible:

2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 or 2026.

Candidates who passed before 2022 are not eligible.

Regular Candidates

Only candidates who completed the qualifying examination as regular students are eligible.

Higher Qualification

Candidates possessing a higher qualification than the prescribed qualification are not eligible.

Result Status

Candidates whose qualifying examination results have not been declared/are not available by the last date of application are not eligible.

Previous Apprenticeship / Experience

Candidates who have already undergone apprenticeship training after obtaining the required qualification, are currently undergoing apprenticeship training, or have one year or more of job experience after obtaining the essential qualification are not eligible.

Age Limit

Minimum Age: 18 Years

The maximum age limit and applicable relaxation will be as per:

• Apprentices Act, 1961
• Apprentices Rules, 1992
• NATS 2.0 Guidelines

Stipend

Selected Graduate Apprentices will receive:

₹15,000 per month

The apprenticeship will be for a period of one year.

Training Duration

Duration: 1 Year

Selected candidates will be required to execute an apprenticeship training contract for one year under the Apprentices Act, 1961 and Apprentices Rules, 1992.

NATS Registration

Degree candidates are required to register on the:

NATS 2.0 Portal

After completing NATS registration, candidates must download/fill the prescribed application form available through the DRDO vacancies section and submit the application offline.

Application Mode

Offline Application Only

HEMRL has clearly stated that only offline applications will be accepted.

Candidates must ensure that their completed application reaches HEMRL on or before the last date. Incomplete, incorrect or late applications will be rejected.

How to Apply

Step 1

Register on the NATS 2.0 portal.

Step 2

Download the prescribed HEMRL Apprentice application form from the DRDO vacancies section.

Step 3

Fill in all required details, including the percentage obtained in the qualifying examination.

Step 4

If your university awards CGPA, convert it into percentage according to your university's prescribed conversion rules.

Step 5

Attach the required supporting documents.

Step 6

Send the completed application by post so that it reaches HEMRL by 28 August 2026.

Application Address

The Director
Kind Attention: HRD, HEMRL, Pune
High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL)
Ministry of Defence, DRDO
Sutarwadi, Pashan
Pune – 411021
Maharashtra

Selection Process

Depending upon the vacancies and discipline, HEMRL may select candidates through:

• Academic merit
• Written test
• Interview
• Walk-in interview
• Combination of the above

Selection will be subject to satisfactory document verification. HEMRL also reserves the right to determine its own shortlisting criteria and is not required to shortlist every candidate who meets the minimum eligibility requirements.

Important Date

Important Instructions

• Only Indian Nationals are eligible.
• Qualifying examination must have been passed in 2022–2026.
• Only regular candidates are eligible.
• Higher-qualified candidates are not eligible.
• NATS 2.0 registration is required for degree candidates.
• Only offline applications will be accepted.
• Applications received after 28 August 2026 will be rejected.
• Candidates must mention their qualifying examination marks in percentage.
• CGPA must be converted to percentage according to university norms.
• Previous apprenticeship training or one year or more of post-qualification employment makes a candidate ineligible.
• Selected candidates must execute a one-year apprenticeship contract.
• Reservation will be applicable according to prevailing rules.

Why Apply for DRDO HEMRL Apprenticeship?

The HEMRL apprenticeship gives fresh graduates an opportunity to gain practical experience in a premier DRDO research and development establishment. It can be useful for candidates seeking exposure to defence R&D, engineering, science, technology and government research environments.

The opportunity is also particularly relevant for B.Com, B.A., BBA and Library Science graduates, as these disciplines are included in the Graduate Apprentice intake.

Official Notification

DRDO HEMRL Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Official Notification PDF