Recruitment and Assessment Centre (RAC), a DRDO organisation under the Ministry of Defence undertakes nine major mission mode programmes related to recruitment, assessment, training & research of DRDS scientists making it one of the largest centres for scientific manpower recruitment in India.
The primary responsibilities of RAC are :
o Recruitment of Scientists (Gazetted Group 'A') in DRDO
o Assessments of Scientists of DRDO for promotion to the next higher grades
o Selection of candidates for higher study courses (M.E/ M.Tech/ M.Sc Engg) under Research & Training Scheme of DRDO and Post Graduate Training schemes of Army, Navy and Air Force.
These programmes include
• Scientist Entry Test (SET)
• Campus Selection from almost 28 National Institutes including IITs, NITs & IISc, IT BHU, Central Universities etc, direct recruitments at entry and lateral levels
• ROSSA (Registration of Students with Scholastic Aptitude)
• Adhoc scientist appointment scheme for NRIs
• Assessment of scientists working in DRDO institutions under Flexible Complimenting Scheme
Various Career Opportunities through RAC
Recruitment
Every year RAC recruits Scientists in DRDS mostly at entry level (Scientist 'B'). Depending on the requirements in specialized areas of research & development, limited number of scientists are also recruited in higher grades (Scientist 'C' to Scientist 'G'). Scientists are inducted in Science/Engineering category and Medical/ Veterinary Science category
Scientists in Science/Engineering category
Essential Qualifications
At least first class Master's Degree in Science Subjects, Mathematics or Psychology or First Class Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or Technology or Metallurgy from a recognised University or equivalent.
Experience of at least 3 years for Scientist 'C', 7 years for Scientist 'D', 10 years for Scientist 'E', 13 years for Scientist 'F' and 15 years for Scientist 'G' in research/ design/ development or production in the required area.
Desirable qualifications
• Knowledge of Chinese, French, German, Japanese or Russian
• Doctorate degree in Science, Mathematics or Psychology or Master's degree in Engineering or Technology or Metallurgy in the subject concerned (applicable for Scientist 'C' & above).
Experience in Years:
• Scientist 'B': Nil
• Scientist 'C': 3
• Scientist 'D': 7
• Scientist 'E': 10
• Scientist 'F': 13
• Scientist 'G': 15
Essential qualifications
• A medical qualification Or A dental qualification Or A Bachelor's Degree in Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry (BVSc&AH)
• Completion of compulsory rotating Internship.
• Post-graduate degree and (applicable for Scientist 'C' & above) experience of at least 3 years for Scientist 'C', 7 years for Scientist 'D', 10 years for Scientist 'E', 13 years for Scientist 'F' and 15 years for Scientist 'G' in practical & administrative field and also in the required field of medical relief, medical research, medical education or public health organisation.
Age Limit
• For Scientist `B': not exceeding 28 years
• For Scientist `C': not exceeding 35 years
• For Scientist `D' and Scientist 'E': not exceeding 45 years
• For Scientist 'F' and 'G': not exceeding 50 years.
The upper age limit is relaxable upto 5 years in case of Scheduled Caste/ Scheduled Tribe candidates and 3 years for Other Backward Communities (OBC)
Assessment
Assessment Boards for promotion of DRDS Scientists in the grades 'B'/'C'/'D'/'E' to next higher grade are held during mid April- mid June at locations of major concentration of DRDO Labs/ Estts. viz Bangalore, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Pune.
Procedure for Interview
After the Scientist enters the Board Room, the Chairperson reviews the Bio-data, and, then invites the Scientist to make a brief presentation (10-15 minutes) of the achievements and the future plans of action. The Scientist is required to highlight only personal contributions and achievements. After the presentation all the members of the Board are requested to interact with the Scientist turn-wise.
The Assessment Board, which consists of carefully selected Departmental and External Experts can help converge to a satisfactory judgment.
Gold Medal
Recently, RAC has introduced a scheme to honour the meritorious scientist in the assessment by awarding a Gold Medal (20 gm) to each of Scientist B, C, D, and E securing minimum 90% marks from each member of the assessment board.
The main job functions of scientists in DRDO
o Basic Research
o Design and Development of Components/ Materials/ Systems/ Software/ Products
o Simulation and Modelling of Process/ Systems
o Testing and Quality Assurance
o Technical Services
o R&D Management
o Other activities related to Advancement of Science and Technology
Selection for Post-Graduate Courses
Selection of candidates to be sponsored by DRDO for pursuing ME/ MTech/ Ph.D Courses under the Research & Training (R & T) scheme of DRDO is done by RAC. The number of vacancies in different disciplines and institutes/universities where ME/MTech courses are to be conducted are announced for every academic year. A minimum 3 yrs. service in DRDO as on 30th June is required for these courses.
The selection interviews for the Ph. D/ MS (by Research) through External Registration programme are conducted at DIAT, Pune. The candidates should have a minimum of 5 years continuous service in DRDO for Ph.D and 2 years continuous service in DRDO for MS on 01 January of the relevant year.
RAC also conducts interviews for selection of candidates for ME/MTech courses under Post Graduate Training (PGT) scheme for Army, Navy and Air Force personnel.
The interviews for R&T/ PGT Scheme are conducted in April every year.
Scientist Entry Test (SET)
DRDO SET is conducted on all India bases on 1st Sunday of September every year for Scientists 'B'. DRDO SET exam is of three hours duration consisting of two sections viz. Section 'A' of 100 questions and Section 'B' of 50 questions to test the candidate's ability in analytical and qualitative skills, current affairs and general awareness.
DRDO SET is conducted in Engineering Subjects such as Aero, Civil, Electrical, Chemical, Computer, Electronics/Electronics & Communication, Instrumentation, Mechanical, Metallurgy etc and Science subjects such as Chemistry, Physics and Maths/ Operations Research/ Statistics etc.
The advertisement generally appears during the month of April / May every year.
Registration of Students with Scholastic Aptitude (ROSSA)
RAC advertises for the post of Scientist 'C' through Registration of Students with Scholastic Aptitude (ROSSA) for the fresh PhD scholars. Fresh PhD scholars are holders of the post-graduation in science subjects including Mathematics or Psychology or graduation in Engineering or Medical Sciences.
Talent Search from reputed Institutions (Campus Selection Scheme for Indian Nationals only)
DRDO conducts Campus Selection in all institutions having intake through IIT system, IISc Bangalore, National Institutes of Technology(Regional Engineering Colleges) and Central Universities viz. Delhi University (DCE, NSIT), Aligarh Muslim University, Jamia Millia Islamia University, Allahabad Univesity, Tezpur University, North Eastern Hill University(Shillong, Meghalaya) . Depending on the requirements every year, selection is made in different subjects normally during July-December.
Directly as Scientist 'B'
Eligibility:
Final year/ pre-final year student of BE/BTech/BSc (Engineering) who have cleared all papers and secured First Class or equivalent CGPA (with minimum 65% marks(7.25 CGPA) for UR or 60% marks(6.75 CGPA) for SC/ST/OBC or equivalent) in aggregate up to the last semester are called for interview in their respective disciplines. The equivalent CGPA is as per AICTE norms. Relaxation is given to SC/ST/OBC/PH candidates as per Govt. of India regulation/rules in vogue. Selection letters are issued to the highly meritorious candidates in Electronic, Mechanical and Computer Science field on the spot as recommended by the Campus Selection Committee.
Through Aeronautical Research & Development Board (ARDB) Fellowship
Eligibility:
Aeronautical Research & Development Board (ARDB) offers fellowship to BE/BTech and ME/ MTech candidates of Aeronautical Engineering in the various institutes of national fame, i.e., IITs, MIT Chennai, PEC Chandigarh.
The ARDB scholars are inducted at Scientist B level into DRDO on completion of their degree programme. The scholars were finally interviewed by RAC during their final semester of their BE/BTech or ME/MTech degree and selected provisionally subject to completion of necessary prescribed formalities for appointment to Group A post of Govt. of India with field service liabilities.
Amount of Fellowship:
A grant of Rs. 3,000/- per month and Rs. 2,500/- per year for purchase of books for BE/BTech students and Rs. 6,000/- per month and Rs. 3,500/- per year for purchase of books for ME/M.Tech students is given.
Lateral Entry
RAC recruits Scientists in middle & senior grades (Scientist 'C' to Scientist 'G') to meet the requirement of scientific manpower having specialized experience in areas of interest to DRDO.
This includes recruitment of Scientists 'B' posts for subjects which are not covered in Scientist Entry Test (SET). These advertisements are issued during the second and last quarter of the calendar year.
Talent Search from reputed Institutions (Campus Selection Scheme for Indian Nationals only)
DRDO conducts Campus Selection in all institutions having intake through IIT system, IISc Bangalore, National Institutes of Technology(Regional Engineering Colleges) and Central Universities viz. Delhi University (DCE, NSIT), Aligarh Muslim University, Jamia Millia Islamia University, Allahabad Univesity, Tezpur University, North Eastern Hill University(Shillong, Meghalaya) . Depending on the requirements every year, selection is made in different subjects normally during July-December.
Programmes Schedule
RAC Activity Calendar/Schedule
| Sl. No. | Programme | Schedule | |||||
| 1 | Adhoc Appointments (NRI s) through Video Conferencing (Quarterly) Vacancies from DHRD | 31 Mar, 30 Jun, 30 Sep, 31 Dec 28 Feb, 31 May, 31 Aug, 30 Nov | |||||
| | | | |||||
| 2 | R&T/ PGT (M.Tech Sponsored Programme of DRDO/ SERVICES) ·Allocation of Seats from DHRD & receipt of Applications ·Interviews ·Result & Recommendations to DHRD | 01 Jan- 28 Feb 20 Apr 30 Apr | |||||
| | | | |||||
| 3 | Assessment through Interview (Scientist 'B', 'C', 'D' & 'E') ·Eligibility list from DOP (HQ) ·Vigilance clearance and sealed cover (DOP) ·Interviews ·Recommendations to DOP ·Result by DoP |
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| | Peer Review (Scientist 'F' onwards) ·Receipt of eligible scientists (DOP) ·Receipt of Biodata ·Peer Committee Meeting ·Recommendations to DOP ·Result by DOP: For Sc. ‘F’ to ‘G’ For Sc. ‘G’ to ‘H’ & ‘H’ to ‘DS’ |
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| 4 | Lateral Entry ·Release of vacancies (DHRD) ·Reservation Breakup (DOP) ·Advertisement ·Shortlisting ·Interviews ·Result & Recommendations to DOP ·Issue of Letter for Medical Examination by DOP |
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| 5 | ROSSA (Advt., processing, interviews & result) Vacancies from DHRD |
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| 6 | Campus Selection Release of vacancies from DHRD Reservation Breakup (DOP) Phase I: Interviews for all NITs, IISc, IT BHU, ISM Dhanbad and Central Universities Result & Recommendations to DOP | Ist week of June 10 Jun 01 Jul – 30 Nov | |||||
| | Phase II: Interviews at all IITs and others if any Result & Recommendations to DOP Posting Letters by DOP | 01 Dec – 15 Feb 28 Feb | |||||
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| 7 | LDCE (Departmental Exam) ·Release of vacancies (DHRD) ·Written Exam ·Interviews ·Results and Recommendations to DOP |
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| 8 | SET (Scientist Entry Test) ·Release of vacancies (DHRD) ·Reservation Breakup (DOP) ·Advertisement ·All ·Interviews ·Compilation & Recommendations to DOP ·Posting Letters by DOP | 15 Mar 30 Mar 30 Apr 1st Sunday of Sep 01 Nov – 15 Dec 31 Dec |
Pay Scales for Scientists at various levels
| Grade | Pay Band Rs. | Grade Pay Rs. | Initial Pay in Pay Band Rs. |
| Scientist 'B' | 15,600-39,100/- | 5400/- | 15,600/- |
| Scientist 'C' | 15,600-39,100/- | 6600/- | 18,750/- |
| Scientist 'D' | 15,600-39,100/- | 7600/- | 21,900/- |
| Scientist 'E' | 37,400-67,000/- | 8700/- | 37,400/- |
| Scientist 'F' | 37,400-67,000/- | 8900/- | 40,200/- |
| Scientist 'G' | 37,400-67,000/- | 10,000/- | 43,000/- |
| Scientist 'H' (Outstanding Scientist) | 67,000-79,000/- | --- | 67,000/- |
| 75,500-80,000/- (HAG+Scale) | --- | --- | |
| Secretary DD R&D, DG R&D and Scientific Adviser to Raksha Mantri (SA to RM) | 80,000 (fixed) | --- | --- |
In addition to the Pay and Grade Pay, DRDS scientists are entitled to get House Rent Allowance upto 30% of Pay (Pay+grade pay) in case of non-availability of Government accommodation and other allowances viz, DA, Transport etc as admissible to Central Government employees.
Performance Related Incentive Scheme (PRIS)
As per recommendations of the 6th CPC DRDO has implemented the PRIS by way of granting variable increments to meritorious scientists on their promotion to next higher grade based on their performance in the lower grade.
Perquisites like Leave Travel Concession, Medical facilities, Advances for PCs/Conveyance/House Building are also admissible as per government rules. In addition, DRDS Scientists are also eligible for grant of amount equivalent to two increments in the grades of Scientist 'C' to 'F' and Special Pay of Rs. 4000/- to Scientist 'G' per month; Professional update allowance of Rs 10,000/- (for Scientist 'B' , 'C' and 'D'), Rs 20,000/- (for Scientist 'E' and Scientist 'F') Rs 30,000/- (for Scientist G onwards) per annum and reimbursement of expenditures on newspapers/periodicals also admissible in accordance with provisions of relevant Rules.
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