DEFENCE RESEARCH &

DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION
Ministry of Defence, Govt. of India

Registration of Students with Scholastic Aptitude

(ROSSA)
Due to Administrative reasons, presently no recruitments under ROSSA scheme are
being carried out.
RAC advertises for the post of Scientist 'C' through Registration of Students with Scholastic
Aptitude (ROSSA) for the fresh PhD scholars. Fresh PhD scholars 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 are eligible for ROSSA.
Only such candidates who have passed the Engineering/Medical examination at graduate
level or Science/Psychology/Mathematics at Post Graduate level, in First Division(no
division is necessary for medical disciplines) may apply in the prescribed format. The
application may be downloaded from RAC Website (www.rac.gov.in) . Candidates may also
apply online through our website. 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 are called for interview (subject to meeting their eligibility criteria) on
receipt of documentary proof from them of having awarded PhD upto the closing date as
given in the advertisement.
The Selection Board may, if considered appropriate, recommend the scholars with some
advance increments also. The cut off date for determining age would be closing date as per
the advertisement. All other aspects of Government employment would be followed as usual

Scientist Entry Test (SET)

Due to administrative reasons, DRDO SET is not being conducted. However, candidates
are advised to refer RAC and DRDO website regularly for the updates.
RAC advertises through DRDO/RAC Website (www.drdo.gov.in & www.rac.gov.in) & "The
Employment News" for Direct Recruitment of Scientists 'B'. The prescribed Essential
Qualification as mentioned in the advertisement are bare minimum and mere possession of
same does not entitle candidates to be called for interview. In case the number of applications
received in response to an advertisement is large, it may not be 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, whenever required, is conducted on all India basis in the month of September,
depending on the requirements, in order to provide equal opportunity to all students from
different educational institutions in view of the increasingly wide variation in the marking
pattern of different educational institutions in the country. 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 Engg discipline) or MSc ( for Science
Discipline) and Section 'B' of 50 questions to 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 & Development. Based on 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. These subjects are specified in the advertisement. DRDO
SET exam is conducted only for those subjects where vacancies are sizable in number.
Details of eligible candidates, examination schedule, result of the exam, schedule of
interviews and list of selected candidates are made available from time to time on
DRDO/RAC Website (www.drdo.gov.in & www.rac.gov.in)
In cases, where very few vacancies are available, no SET exam is conducted and the
individuals after shortlisting are directly called for the interview. The advertisement generally
appears during the month of April / May every year.
Lateral Entry

Recruitment of Scientists in middle & senior grades (Scientist 'C' to Scientist 'H') based on
qualification and experience in specialized fields relevant to DRDO is covered under this
category of recruitment. RAC issues advertisement from time to time through RAC and

DRDO websites & "The Employment News" to meet the requirement of scientific manpower
having specialized experience in areas of interest to DRDO.
The advertisement also includes Scientist 'B' posts in scientific and engineering subjects of
relevance to DRDO, which are not covered under Scientist Entry Test (SET). These
advertisements are issued during the second and last quarter of the calendar year.
The candidates under this category of selection need not have to appear for the written test.
The candidates are short-listed for interview based on their academic merit. The selection of
scientists is based on their performance ranking in the selection interviews.
Talent Search Scheme (exclusively for NRIs)
Application Form

Adhoc Appointment of Scientists (for Non Resident Indians only)

1. The provision of appointing scientists on adhoc basis is a measure to reduce the

response-time and get the talented manpower inducted in the organization on a fast
track.
2. The adhoc appointment is considered for such NRI scientists who would have
returned to the country during preceding six months time, and be not holding any
position in India. Also such NRIs who may be planning to return to the country, or
who may be desirous of returning to the country would also be considered.
3. The candidate for adhoc appointment should have minimum three years continuous
residency abroad for higher study and/or relevant job experience, preferably related to
R&D. He/She should have acquired higher degree/qualification viz. ME/ M.Tech/
MS, Ph.D or Post Doctorate from abroad or worked (not as JRF /SRF after M.Sc/B.
Tech) in an R&D laboratory/ organization abroad in an advanced area of R&D of
relevance to DRDO. The other factors specified in the job specification, the age limit,
shall have to be met, in case the scientist is considered for regularization. Practical
working experience matching to the level of considered appointment would be a prerequisite.
4. Candidates holding qualifications from abroad are requested to submit a certificate of
authenticity and equivalence certificate duly countersigned by the embassy concerned
or may approach Association of Indian Universities, AIU House, 16 Comrade Indrajit
Gupta Marg (Kotla Marg), New Delhi -110002 INDIA for the same.
5. Adhoc appointments shall be made at appropriate grades higher than the level of
scientist `B.

6. The adhoc appointment would be made for a maximum period of one year and
normally shall not be extended.
7. In case the Director of the concerned lab is satisfied with the performance of the
Scientist and the Scientist is keen to continue, the Scientist may get an opportunity for
being interviewed for selection on regular basis through open advertisement for lateral
induction depending upon the availability of vacancies. The entire process is generally
completed within one year.
8. The prospective candidates are advised to visit DRDO Labs/Estts through DRDO
website for matching their area of work and should make a formal request to the
organization in a standardised proforma which gives full details needed for him to be
considered for Adhoc Appointment. The proforma is available on RAC Web Site.
9. Cadre structure and pay details of DRDS scientists as per the 6th CPC are give below:

Grade

Pay Band Rs.

Grade Pay Rs.

Initial Pay in Pay Band Rs

ientist 'B'

15,600-39,100/-

5400/-

15,600/-

ientist 'C'

15,600-39,100/-

6600/-

18,750/-

ientist 'D'

15,600-39,100/-

7600/-

21,900/-

ientist 'E'

37,400-67,000/-

8700/-

37,400/-

ientist 'F'

37,400-67,000/-

8900/-

40,200/-

ientist 'G'

37,400-67,000/-

10,000/-

43,000/-

ientist 'H' (Outstanding

ientist)

67,000-79,000/-

---

67,000/-

75,500-80,000/- (HAG+Scale)

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80,000 (fixed)

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stinguished Scientist (DS)

cretary DD R&D, DG R&D and

ientific Adviser to Raksha
antri (SA to RM)

This mode of induction is applicable when it is not feasible to conduct formal interview in the
near future and is normally restricted to outstanding Non Resident Indian Citizens for the
posts of Scientist 'C' to 'G'. The age of the candidates should be at least 1 to 2 years less than
the upper age limit prescribed in DRDS rules i.e. 35 years for Scientist 'C', 45 years for
Scientist 'D' & 'E' and 50 years for Scientist 'F' &'G'. The relevant experience should be 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'. Experience claimed should be supported by
appointment letters/release certificates with salary/perks received. Testimonials/appreciation
letters from immediate superiors should not be used in lieu of formal organisational
certificates. In addition to the prescribed minimum relevant experience, job level experience
is also considered for assessing suitability for various grades.

Application Procedure
Candidates desirous of availing this scheme are advised to visit the DRDO Labs on this
website and send the Application in the prescribed format to the Director of the Lab (please
refer http://www.drdo.gov.in for the contacts of respective lab Directors) with matching area
of work. In case the candidate sends his/her application directly to RAC, the application of
eligible candidates will be sent to the concerned labs/Estt for their preliminary suitability
assessment. The Director of the lab sends the application along with the recommendations to
Director RAC. On completion of preparatory action, Director RAC convenes meeting of the
Empowered Committee (EC) which interact with the candidate through video interviewing
mode. Based on the recommendation of the Empowered Committee, outstanding candidates
are offered adhoc appointment in DRDO at suitable grade subject to medical fitness for
Group A (Class-1 Gazetted) technical posts of Government of India with field service
liability.