DRDO CEPTAM 2026: Exam Dates, Eligibility & Syllabus
The DRDO CEPTAM 2026 exam is conducted by the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) to recruit technical, administrative, and allied non-gazetted staff. The selection process generally includes a multi-stage Computer Based Test (CBT), starting with a screening test followed by selection or trade tests depending on the specific post. The Tier-1 syllabus usually corresponds to Class 10–12 level topics, whereas Tier-2 is tailored to the requirements of the post.
Key highlights of DRDO CEPTAM recruitment: Candidates who are pursuing or have completed degrees in engineering, technology, science, architecture, or humanities are eligible to apply. There is no fixed upper age limit for most posts. The application window typically opens a few months before the exam, and admit cards are released around 1–2 weeks prior to the test. Salary packages vary by role and generally range from about ₹18,000 to over ₹1,12,000 depending on the pay level.
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CEPTAM 2026 exam highlights
Notification & Applications: Expected to open online in late 2025 or early 2026.
Exam Mode: Computer-based test available in both English and Hindi.
Tier 1: Screening examination with multiple-choice questions; duration ranges from 90 to 120 minutes.
Tier 2: Conducted as a qualifying or merit-determining stage.
Eligibility & Posts: Varies by educational background, from 10th pass to graduates.
Cut-off Criteria: Minimum qualifying marks differ based on category.
DRDO CEPTAM 2026 Dates
DRDO CEPTAM 2026 dates have not been officially released yet. The notification is anticipated around late 2025 or early 2026, after which the online application process will begin on the official website, drdo.gov.in.
Expected Schedule (Tentative)
Notification Announcement: Between December 2025 and January 2026
Application Period: Likely to remain open for 20–30 days after the notification
Tier 1 Examination: Expected in June–July 2026
Tier 2 Examination: Likely in late 2026, typically 1–2 months after Tier 1 results
Admit cards are generally issued 10–15 days before each exam, and results are published shortly after each stage. Candidates should visit the official DRDO portal regularly for updates, as previous cycles such as CEPTAM 10 followed a similar timeline.
DRDO CEPTAM 2026 Syllabus
The DRDO CEPTAM 2026 syllabus is divided into two tiers. Tier 1 covers general subjects, while Tier 2 focuses on trade-specific topics. Tier 1 usually includes four main sections: General Awareness, General Intelligence & Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Language. Tier 2 changes depending on the post and includes technical subjects relevant to the role.
Tier 1 Syllabus
General Awareness: Current Affairs, Indian Constitution, Economic Science, Awards and Honors, Defence Awareness, and Static GK.
General Intelligence & Reasoning: Analogies, Series, Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Direction Sense, Ranking, Calendar & Clock, Syllogism, Decision Making, and Visual Reasoning.
Quantitative Aptitude: Time and Work, Simple & Compound Interest, Averages, Mixtures, Permutation & Combination, Probability, Algebra, Geometry, and Arithmetic topics.
English Language: Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, Grammar (Tenses, Prepositions, Sentence Arrangement), Cloze Tests, Error Spotting, and Spelling.
Tier 2 Syllabus
Tier 2 is post-specific and includes technical subjects such as Chemical Technology, Heat Transfer, Mass Transfer, Electric Circuits, Electrical Machines, and other trade-related topics depending on the chosen post.
Exam Pattern
Tier 1 is an objective, computer-based test consisting of approximately 120 questions distributed across all sections. All questions carry equal marks, and there is no negative marking. The exam duration is usually 90 minutes.
DRDO CEPTAM 2026 Admit Card
The DRDO CEPTAM 2026 admit card is usually released around 10–15 days before the exam. For the current recruitment cycle, the exact release date has not yet been announced, but it will be made available on the official DRDO website. Candidates can download the admit card online by logging in with their user ID and password or date of birth. It will contain essential details such as the exam date, time, venue, personal information, and important exam-day guidelines. A printed copy of the admit card, along with a valid government-issued ID, must be carried to the exam center.
DRDO CEPTAM 2026 Cutoff
The cutoff marks for DRDO CEPTAM 2026 have not been announced yet, as the official notification and examinations are still awaited. Applications are expected to begin soon.
Previous Cutoff Trends
Past DRDO CEPTAM cutoffs help indicate likely trends for 2026. In earlier recruitment cycles—such as CEPTAM 2015 for STA-B posts—Tier 1 cutoffs for the UR category ranged from 70 (Mathematics) to 113 (Electrical Engineering). Cutoffs for SC/ST/OBC categories were generally 5–20 marks lower, depending on the post.
Notable 2015 cutoffs:
Chemical Engineering: UR 87, SC 80, ST 70, OBC 82
Mechanical Engineering: UR 108, SC 96, ST 84, OBC 104
Computer Science: UR 83, SC 74, ST 74, OBC 78
In DRDO CEPTAM 10 (2022–23) for STA-B Tier 1, the cutoffs were:
Chemical Engineering: 89.97 (UR)
Computer Science: 96.76 (UR)
Minimum Qualifying Marks
To qualify, candidates must secure:
40% for UR/OBC/EWS
35% for SC/ST
These qualifying scores are separate from the merit-based final cutoff.
Expected Cutoff for 2026
Cutoffs depend on factors like the number of vacancies, category, post, and exam difficulty. For competitive branches such as Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, aiming 10–20 marks higher than previous UR cutoffs is advisable.
DRDO CEPTAM FAQs
The salary for CEPTAM (Central Electronics Limited Technical Assistant/CEPTAM posts under DRDO/other organizations) typically falls under the Level 6 or Level 7 of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix, depending on the post and grade. This means the basic pay ranges from approximately ₹35,400 to ₹44,900 per month, excluding allowances like HRA, DA, and other benefits. With allowances, the total monthly salary can go up to ₹45,000–₹50,000 or more. Pay may vary slightly based on the department and city of posting.
Yes, DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) is a government organization under the Ministry of Defence, India. Jobs at DRDO are considered government jobs, offering positions for scientists, engineers, technicians, and administrative staff. Employees receive benefits like government pay scales, allowances, job security, and pension, similar to other central government roles. Recruitment is usually through exams, interviews, or through the Scientists Recruitment Board (DRDO-SRB) and portals like UPSC or official DRDO notifications.
Yes, CEPTAM (Central Electronics Limited Technical Assistance Mission) recruitment exam is generally conducted every year by CEE (Centre for Electronics Engineering) under DRDO for various technical and administrative posts. However, the exact timing and number of vacancies may vary each year based on organizational requirements. Candidates are advised to regularly check the official DRDO/CEPTAM website for notifications and updates, as there can be occasional delays or gaps depending on recruitment needs.
Yes, you can apply for some DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) exams without a GATE score, but it depends on the specific recruitment. DRDO recruits scientists and engineers through multiple schemes: for Scientist ‘B’ positions, candidates can be selected either through GATE scores or via direct recruitment based on educational qualifications like a B.E./B.Tech/M.Sc in relevant fields. Certain specialized projects or positions may also have their own eligibility criteria, allowing candidates to apply without GATE. However, having a GATE score often improves chances and sometimes is mandatory for specific posts
The training period for DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) personnel varies depending on the entry scheme. For DRDO Scientist/Engineer positions, fresh recruits typically undergo an initial induction and orientation training of 6–12 months, which includes theoretical knowledge, laboratory work, and project-based learning at various DRDO laboratories. Additionally, specialized training programs, workshops, and on-the-job training continue throughout their careers to keep personnel updated with advanced defense technologies and research methodologies