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Careers for Engineers in DRDO

Engineering students upon completion of their degree look for a job with fat salary in IT and corporate sectors. However, they can also make an excellent career by joining in the defence services. A job in the defence services offers not only handsome package, but also job satisfaction, social status, quality of life, variety and adventure, for which many so-called techies crave for.

Here is an analysis on the career opportunities in the Defence services for engineering students, who completed their degree as well as who are in their final year of study:

Career as Engineer in Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
DRDO, the prime research and development body for Indian defense sector, needs scientific manpower and its Recruitment and Assessment Centre (RAC) fulfills this objective. The responsibilities of RAC include conducting Scientists’ Entry Test (SET) for engineering graduates and postgraduates in science, recruitment of PhD candidates (in science and technology subjects) through Registration of Students with Scholastic Aptitude (ROSSA) scheme and campus selection from almost 28 National institutes including IITs, NITs, IISc, IIT-BHU and Central Universities.

Here are the details:

DRDO Scientists’ Entry Test (DRDO SET)
DRDO SET is conducted by RAC for engineering graduates and M.Sc. degree holders in various science disciplines, generally in the month of September, for direct recruitment of Scientists of B’ grade. The notification is released generally during the month of April/May every year is advertised through DRDO/RAC websites (www.drdo.gov.in & www.rac.gov.in) and The Employment News.

The test is conducted in engineering and science subjects such as Aeronautical, Civil, Electrical, Chemical, Computer, Electronics/Electronics and Communications, Instrumentation, Mechanical, Metallurgy, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Operations Research and Statistics, among others.

Exam structure:
DRDO SET exam is of three hours duration consisting of two sections viz. Section 'A' of 100 questions to test the candidate's knowledge in the subject of their BE/ B.Tech. or M.Sc. degrees and Section 'B' of 50 questions to test the candidate's ability in analytical and qualitative skills, current affairs and general awareness.

Recruitment from reputed Institutions
The RAC conducts campus selection for the DRDO in premier institutions such as IITs, IISc Bangalore, National Institutes of Technology (NITs) and central universities viz. Delhi University (DCE, NSIT), Aligarh Muslim University, Jamia Millia Islamia University, Allahabad University, Tezpur University and North Eastern Hill University, Shillong.

Depending on the requirements, selection is made in different subjects normally between July and December. The Selection letters are issued to the meritorious candidates in Electronic, Mechanical and Computer Science subjects on the spot.

Eligibility:
Final year/ pre-final year students of BE/B.Tech./B.Sc. (Engineering) who have cleared all papers and secured first class or equivalent CGPA (with minimum 65% marks (7.25 CGPA) in case of OC candidates and 60% marks (6.75 CGPA) in case of SC/ST/OBC candidates, up to the final semester, are called for interview in their respective disciplines. The CGPA is calculated as per the AICTE norms. Relaxation is available to SC/ST/OBC/PH candidates as per Govt. of India regulation/rules in vogue.

ROSSA scheme for fresh PhD scholars
Fresh PhD scholars in science engineering and medical subjects are recruited by RAC for s Scientist 'C' grade positions through the Registration of Students with Scholastic Aptitude (ROSSA) scheme. Fresh PhD scholars those who have pursued the studies up to the PhD level without a break of not more than two academic years after the post-graduation are eligible to apply for this scheme.

For more details, visit rac.gov.in or drdo.gov.in
Published date : 01 Aug 2013 05:26PM

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