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Defence | DRDO

DRDO CEPTAM-11 (Technical) CEPTAM-11

Technical recruitment by DRDO under CEPTAM-11 for Senior Technical Assistant-B and Technician-A posts, decided by tiered computer-based tests and a trade test for Technician-A.

Result awaited5 stages1 free mock test

Overview

Conducting body
DRDOwww.drdo.gov.in
Age limit
18 to 28 years
Application fee
₹500 to ₹750
Vacancies
764
First stage duration
2 hr
Negative marking
1/4 mark per wrong answer

DRDO Centre for Personnel Talent Management (CEPTAM-11) — Senior Technical Assistant-B and Technician-A is conducted by Defence Research and Development Organisation. Selection runs through 5 stages: Tier-I CBT (Screening Test), Tier-II CBT — STA-B (Subject-specific test), Tier-II CBT — Technician-A (Subject-specific test), Trade Test — Technician-A, Document Verification.

  1. Apply online for the relevant Technician-A or STA-B post code on the DRDO CEPTAM portal.
  2. Sit Tier-I CBT (150 questions, common screening sections).
  3. Shortlisted candidates sit Tier-II — subject-specific CBT for STA-B, or Tier-II CBT plus trade test for Technician-A.
  4. Complete document verification.
  5. Final merit and appointment follow the notification's weightage rules.

Important dates

Important dates
EventDateStatus
Notification and online application

Applications were accepted on the DRDO CEPTAM portal; the fee-payment deadline was 3 January and correction window 4–6 January 2026.

11 Dec 2025 - 1 Jan 2026Closed
Tier-I CBT (screening)

Tier-I was conducted on 23 March 2026 for both STA-B and Technician-A post codes.

23 Mar 2026Closed
Tier-II CBT (STA-B subject test / Technician-A trade shortlisting)

DRDO scheduled Tier-II CBT for shortlisted candidates on 15 June 2026.

15 Jun 2026Closed
Trade test (Technician-A)

Qualifying trade test at ITI level for Technician-A candidates who cleared Tier-II shortlisting. Schedule varies by trade.

To be announcedNot announced
Final result

Final results for CEPTAM-11 were awaited as of 14 September 2026. Watch the DRDO CEPTAM portal for merit lists and cut-offs.

To be announcedNot announced

Eligibility

Educational qualification

Open toITI / DiplomaGraduate

Technician-A: passed Class 10 and holds a valid ITI certificate in the trade relevant to the post code applied for. Senior Technical Assistant-B: passed a three-year diploma in the relevant engineering discipline, or a B.Sc. degree in the subject specified for the post code, as listed in the notification.

Technician-A is the Class 10 plus ITI entry route (listed under iti-diploma because ITI is the qualifying credential). STA-B opens to diploma holders and to B.Sc. graduates depending on the post code — check the notification for subject-wise requirements and age relaxations.

Age

18 to 28 years as on As stated in the CEPTAM-11 notification (typically 18 to 28 years, with relaxations for reserved categories).

Upper age relaxation

  • SC and ST+5 years
  • OBC (non-creamy layer)+3 years
  • PwBD+10 years

Nationality

A candidate must be one of the following:

  • A citizen of India

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Application fee

CategoryFee
STA-B — UR, OBC, EWS and meritorious sportspersons

Rs 250 non-refundable application fee plus Rs 500 refundable fee. The Rs 500 component is refunded only to candidates who appear in Tier-I.

₹750
Technician-A — General, OBC, EWS and meritorious sportspersons

Rs 100 non-refundable application fee plus Rs 500 refundable fee. The Rs 500 component is refunded only to candidates who appear in Tier-I.

₹600
Women, SC, ST, PwBD and eligible Ex-servicemen

Exempt from the non-refundable application fee; the Rs 500 refundable component is returned only after appearing in Tier-I.

₹500

Exam pattern

Stage by stage structure with question counts, marks, timing and the marking scheme.

Stage 1: Tier-I CBT (Screening Test)

Computer based test
SectionQuestionsMarks
General Science4040
General English3030
Quantitative Aptitude / General Maths4040
General Intelligence and Reasoning4040
Total150150

Duration: 2 hr|Negative marking: 1/4 mark per wrong answer

  • 150 questions for 150 marks in 120 minutes — common screening content for all post codes.
  • Tier-I is qualifying for shortlisting to Tier-II; marks may contribute to final merit as stated in the notification.
  • Completed in March 2026 for the CEPTAM-11 cycle.

Stage 2: Tier-II CBT — STA-B (Subject-specific test)

Computer based test
SectionQuestionsMarks
Subject-specific test (Part II)120120
Total120120

Duration: 2 hr|Negative marking: 1/4 mark per wrong answer

  • For Senior Technical Assistant-B: Tier-II Part I is a qualifying personality test; Part II is a subject-specific CBT.
  • Minimum qualifying marks: 40% for UR, OBC and EWS; 35% for SC, ST and PwBD in Part II.
  • Completed earlier in 2026 for shortlisted STA-B candidates.

Stage 3: Tier-II CBT — Technician-A (Subject-specific test)

Computer based test
SectionQuestionsMarks
Subject-specific test (Part II)120120
Total120120

Duration: 1 hr 30 min|Negative marking: 1/4 mark per wrong answer

  • Technician-A Tier-II Part II is a 120-question subject-specific CBT used for provisional shortlisting to the trade test.
  • Minimum qualifying marks: 40% for UR, OBC and EWS; 35% for SC, ST and PwBD.

Stage 4: Trade Test — Technician-A

Skill testQualifying only

Duration: Varies|Negative marking: None

  • Trade test is qualifying at ITI level (minimum 50% for UR, OBC and EWS; 45% for SC, ST and PwBD).
  • Duration varies by trade and is stated on the admit card.

Stage 5: Document Verification

Pen and paperQualifying only

Duration: Varies|Negative marking: None

  • Original certificates verified against the application before final appointment.
  • Final merit lists were awaited as of September 2026.

Syllabus

Every subject in the paper, topic by topic. Open a subject for its weightage in this exam, the full topic list and the mock tests, practice sets and notes that cover it.

General Science

  • Physics, chemistry and biology fundamentals
  • Everyday science and applications
  • Environment and general scientific awareness
  • Tier-II STA-B: diploma or B.Sc. level subject topics per post code
General Science guide & weightage →

English Language

  • Reading comprehension and vocabulary
  • Grammar, tenses and sentence correction
  • Synonyms, antonyms and idioms
  • Error spotting and fill in the blanks
English Language guide & weightage →

Quantitative Aptitude

  • Number system, percentage and ratio
  • Profit and loss, simple and compound interest
  • Time and work, time, speed and distance
  • Mensuration, algebra and data interpretation basics
Quantitative Aptitude guide & weightage →

General Intelligence & Reasoning

  • Analogies, classification and series
  • Coding-decoding and blood relations
  • Directions, puzzles and seating arrangement
  • Non-verbal and analytical reasoning
General Intelligence & Reasoning guide & weightage →

How to apply

  1. Register on the DRDO CEPTAM portal

    Create an account on the official CEPTAM recruitment website linked from drdo.gov.in and complete your profile.

  2. Apply for the post code

    Select Technician-A or STA-B post codes you qualify for, fill the form and upload certificates to the stated specifications.

  3. Pay the fee and download admit cards

    Pay online where applicable and download Tier-I and Tier-II admit cards when released on the portal.

Documents to keep ready

  • Class 10 marksheet and certificate (Technician-A) or diploma/B.Sc. certificates (STA-B)
  • ITI certificate and marksheet in the relevant trade (Technician-A)
  • Category certificate (SC, ST, OBC, EWS, PwBD) where applicable
  • Photo identity proof and recent photograph matching the upload

Salary and job profile

Pay and allowances

Pay scale:
As per DRDO rules for Technician-A (Group C) and Senior Technical Assistant-B (Group B non-gazetted)
Initial basic pay:
To be announced
Approximate in-hand:
To be announced

Allowances

  • Dearness Allowance revised periodically
  • House Rent Allowance or government accommodation where applicable

Perks

  • Central government service benefits
  • Opportunity to work in DRDO laboratories and establishments

Pay scales and allowances are declared in the CEPTAM-11 notification. Confirm exact figures from drdo.gov.in.

What the job involves

  • Technician-A: assist in technical operations, maintenance and laboratory support at ITI skill level.
  • Senior Technical Assistant-B: support research, testing and technical operations at diploma or B.Sc. level under DRDO scientists and engineers.
  • Postings at DRDO labs and establishments across India.

Free mock tests

Written to this exam's pattern, with the same interface, sectional locking and marking scheme you will face on exam day.

  • DRDO CEPTAM-11 Tier-I: 16-question practice mock

    16 questions | 20 min

    Start

How to prepare for DRDO CEPTAM-11 (Technical)

  • Tier-I common sections carry equal weight across science, English, maths and reasoning — divide preparation time evenly.
  • Practise 150 questions in 120 minutes to match Tier-I pacing; accuracy matters because of 0.25 negative marking.
  • STA-B candidates must revise diploma or B.Sc. subject topics for Tier-II Part II.
  • Technician-A candidates should keep ITI trade skills sharp for the qualifying trade test after Tier-II.
  • Track drdo.gov.in and the CEPTAM portal for result announcements and document verification schedules.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Technician-A and STA-B?

Technician-A requires Class 10 plus ITI in the relevant trade and includes a qualifying trade test. STA-B requires a diploma or B.Sc. in the subject specified for the post code and is selected through Tier-I and Tier-II CBT.

How many vacancies were advertised in CEPTAM-11?

764 posts — 561 Senior Technical Assistant-B and 203 Technician-A — as stated in the official notification.

Is there negative marking in Tier-I?

Yes. Each Tier-I question carries 1 mark and 0.25 marks are deducted for a wrong answer.

What is the current status of CEPTAM-11?

Tier-I and Tier-II CBT stages were completed earlier in 2026. Final results and merit lists were awaited as of 14 September 2026; confirm on the DRDO CEPTAM portal.

Last verified 14 September 2026(11 days ago, by editorial)

Not yet confirmed for this cycle: 3, 4 and status. Where we have a figure from previous cycles we show it and label it as expected; where we do not, the page says "to be announced". Check the official source below before you rely on any of it.

Official sources

Found something out of date? Tell us and we will correct it, citing the source.