DRDO STA (Senior Technical Assistant) Eligibility Criteria 2026

The educational standards for the DRDO STA-B recruitment are stringent, requiring technical excellence. Generally, candidates must possess a B.Sc. degree in the relevant subject or a three-year Diploma in Engineering, Technology, or Computer Science from an AICTE-recognized institution. For degree holders, the core subject must have been studied for at least two years during their B.Sc. program. Candidates must note that higher degrees such as B.E., B.Tech., M.Sc., or PhD are explicitly noted as not accepted or not equivalent for these specific technical roles. Each post-code carries specific requirement variations. For instance, those in Mechanical Engineering require a diploma in Mechanical, Production, or Automobile engineering, while those in Library Science require a Bachelor’s degree in Science combined with a one-year diploma in Library Science. The Computer Science post requires a degree in Computer Science or a relevant Diploma; notably, degrees from non-traditional sources like DOEACC or BCA/MCA programs are often excluded from eligibility. Applicants are responsible for verifying that their specific degree or diploma matches the AICTE/Government criteria listed in the table provided in the official notification.

The age criteria for the DRDO STA-B recruitment are strictly defined to ensure a balanced workforce composition. The candidate must be at least 18 years of age and not exceed 28 years of age. These limits are calculated as of the crucial date specified in the official CEPTAM-11 notification. Applicants are required to provide valid government-issued documentation to prove their age, as it will be verified during the recruitment process. Age relaxation policies are implemented in accordance with Government of India regulations, allowing candidates from various categories to compete for positions even if they slightly exceed the general age ceiling. It is essential for all applicants to verify their age against these official parameters to avoid disqualification.

The selection methodology for the DRDO STA-B (CEPTAM-11) is rigorous and designed to test both academic proficiency and core logical aptitude. The process is comprised of two distinct, Computer-Based Test (CBT) stages. The Tier-I stage functions as a primary screening examination, where candidates are evaluated on basic aptitude subjects. The main objective of this stage is to filter candidates for the final round. Following the Tier-I exam, a merit-based list is prepared, and candidates are shortlisted in a specific ratio of 1:8, meaning for every single vacancy, eight candidates are selected for the next stage based on their performance in the Tier-I test. This screening ensures that only candidates with the required basic competence proceed to the more specialized Tier-II phase. The Tier-II CBT is the final selection stage, where questions are directly mapped to the technical subject of the candidate’s respective post-code, ensuring that the selected personnel possess the advanced skills necessary for the job. Both tiers use objective-type questions and are available in both Hindi and English. There is no negative marking, and normalization might be applied to ensure equity across different exam batches.

• SC/ST: As per standard government rules.
• OBC: As per standard government rules.
• PwBD: As per standard government rules.
• Ex-Servicemen: As per standard government rules.
• Departmental Candidates: As per standard government rules.
• Note: Detailed category-specific relaxation durations are provided in the official notification released by the conducting authority. Candidates belonging to these categories must possess relevant, valid certificates issued by competent authorities at the time of document verification.