The Recruitment & Assessment Centre (RAC) was set up on July 23, 1985 after the DRDO was exempted from the purview of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).  The RAC is engaged in a wide range of activities related to recruitment, assessment and training of scientists in the DRDO system.

The various modes of recruitment every year are through SET (Scientists Entry Test), Campus Selection, Lateral Induction of Scientists for higher posts, Adhoc Recruitments for NRI’s, Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE), Registration of Students with Scholastic Aptitude (ROSSA), Deputation and Absorption of Scientists / Service officers.

Also the assessment for promotions of the scientists to the next higher grade is carried out every year for scientists completing a specific period of residency in a particular grade under Flexible Complementing Scheme (FCS) of DRDO. These activities require varied organisational skills from RAC officers and staff.

Scientist Entry Test

RAC advertises on the DRDO website (www.drdo.org and rac.drdo.gov.in) and The Employment News for Direct Recruitment of Scientists 'B'.  Where the number of applications received in response to an advertisement is large, it is not possible to interview all the candidates.

RAC may, therefore, restrict the number of candidates for interview to a reasonable limit on the basis of qualifications/experience/ achievements higher than that of the minimum prescribed in the advertisement or by conducting a screening test named DRDO Scientists Entry Test (DRDO SET). 

DRDO SET is conducted on all India basis on the 1st Sunday of September every year. 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/ BTech (for Engineering discipline) or MSc ( for Science Discipline) and Section 'B' of 50 questions to test the candidate's ability in analytical and qualitative skills, current affairs and general awareness to test the aptitude and scientific knowledge required for Applied Research and Development.

Based upon the organisation's requirements, 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.

Details of eligible candidates, examination schedule, result of the exam, schedule of interviews and list of selected candidates are made available on the DRDO website.

In cases, where very few vacancies are available, no SET exam is conducted and the individuals are directly called for the interview. The advertisement generally appears during the month of April / May every year.

Lateral Entry

RAC also recruits scientists in middle and senior grades (Scientist 'C' to Scientist 'G') to meet the requirement of scientific manpower having specialised experience in areas of interest to DRDO.

The advertisement also includes Scientists 'B' posts for subjects which are not covered in Scientist Entry Test (SET). These advertisements are issued during the last quarter of the calendar year.

Talent Search Scheme

DRDO conducts Campus Selection in all institutions having intake through IIT system, IISc Bangalore and National Institutes of Technology/Regional Engineering Colleges.

Depending on the requirements every year, selection is made in different subjects normally during July-November. The students who are in the VII semester of their BE / BTech or BSc Engineering course are considered and the interview boards are conducted in the respective institute.

The appointment letters are issued across the table there and then. There is another scheme under the Aeronautical Recruitment and Development Board (AR&DB) in which the candidates are sponsored for ME / MTech programme in Aeronautical Engineering with the  Scholarship Scheme at IIT Kharagpur, IIT Madras and MIT Chennai. Candidates in their final year are interviewed for their selection under this scheme.

Talent Search Scheme (for NRIs)
    
The adhoc appointment is considered for such NRI scientists who would have returned  to the country during preceding six months time, and who are not holding any position in India. Also, such NRIs who may be planning to return to the country would also be considered.
 
This mode of induction is applicable when it is not feasible to conduct formal interviews in the near future and is normally restricted to outstanding Non Resident Indian Citizens for the posts of Scientist 'C' to 'G'.

Selection Procedure

Candidate desirous of availing this scheme canvisit the DRDO Labs on the website and send the application in the prescribed format to the Director of the Lab (refer http://www.drdo.com/ for the contacts of respective lab Directors) with matching area of work.

The Lab Director sends his recommendation to Director RAC along with application of the candidate. In case of multiple Labs with matching areas of work, the application should be sent to Director RAC who will obtain recommendation of the concerned Lab Directors. Director RAC convenes meeting of the Empowered Committee on completion of preparatory action.

Registration of Students with Scholastic Aptitude (ROSSA)  

Every year RAC advertises for Registration by  Fresh PhD scholars. Fresh young PhD scholars are those who have pursued the studies up to the PhD level without any break of  not more than two academic years after the post-graduation in Science subjects including Mathematics or Psychology or graduation in Engineering or Medical Sciences.

In case of their prima facie suitability, based on their research work and the specific requirements of the various labs of the DRDO, short listed registered scholars may be called for interview in the grade of scientist C' (subject to their meeting the eligibility criteria) after receipt of documentary proof from them of having awarded PhD upto the closing date of the advertisement.

The Selection Board may, if considered appropriate, recommend the scholars with some advance increments also.
Deputation and Absorption in DRDO (DRDS Cadre)

Permanent absorption of Service Officers in DRDO in DRDS Cadre is carried out for Officers on tenure basis as well as permanently seconded officers in DRDO.