DRDO Technical Assistant-B (CEPTAM-11) Selection Process 2026 – Tier 1, Tier 2 & Merit Explained

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has released the CEPTAM-11 notification for Senior Technical Assistant-B (STA-B) recruitment. If you’re planning to apply, understanding the DRDO Senior Technical Assistant-B Selection Process is crucial 2026 to crack the exam. In this blog, we will break down the complete DRDO STA-B selection process, including Tier-I, Tier-II, merit list, and document verification.

DRDO Senior Technical Assistant-B Notification 2026 PDF

For complete details regarding eligibility, vacancies, exam pattern, and important instructions, candidates are advised to carefully read the official notification released by the Defence Research and Development Organisation. You can download the DRDO Senior Technical Assistant-B Notification 2026 PDF from the official website and go through all sections before applying.

DRDO Technical Assistant-B 2026 Overview

DRDO Senior Technical Assistant-B Important Dates 2026

The following are the key dates for the Defence Research and Development Organisation recruitment process:

DRDO Senior Technical Assistant-B Selection Process 2026

The DRDO Senior Technical Assistant-B Selection Process consists of two main stages:

1. Tier-I (Screening Test – CBT)
2. Tier-II (Final Selection Test – CBT)

Unlike Technician posts, no trade test is required for STA-B.

DRDO STA-B Selection Process 2026 – Step-by-Step Flow

1. Online Application Submission
2. Tier-I CBT (Screening)
3. Tier-II CBT (Final Selection)
4. Document Verification
5. Final Merit List
6. Appointment in DRDO labs

Tier-I Exam in DRDO Senior Technical Assistant-B Selection Process 2026

The first stage in the DRDO Senior Technical Assistant-B selection process is Tier-I (Computer-Based Test).

• Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
• Type: Objective (MCQs)
• Purpose: Screening only (marks not counted in final merit)
• Minimum Qualifying Marks:
  • UR/OBC/EWS: 40%
  • SC/ST/PwBD: 35%

Important Guidelines

• Candidates are shortlisted in a 1:10 ratio (vacancies : candidates).
• Only those who qualify Tier-I move to Tier-II.
• Scores may be normalized.

Tier-II Exam in DRDO Senior Technical Assistant-B Selection Process 2026

The second stage of the DRDO Senior Technical Assistant-B selection process is Tier-II, which determines final selection.

• Mode: Computer-Based Test
• Type: Objective (MCQs)
• Nature: Final merit deciding exam
• Subject: Discipline-specific (based on your qualification)

Minimum Qualifying Marks:

• UR/OBC/EWS: 40%
• SC/ST/PwBD: 35%

Only Tier-II marks are considered for final merit list preparation.

Merit List in DRDO Senior Technical Assistant-B Selection Process 2026

The final merit list in the DRDO Senior Technical Assistant-B selection process is based on:

• Tier-II marks
• Document verification status

Tie-Breaking Criteria:

If two candidates score the same:

1. Higher Tier-I marks
2. Older candidate (age preference)
3. Alphabetical order of name

Document Verification in DRDO STA-B Selection Process 2026

After Tier-II, shortlisted candidates go through document verification.

Required Documents:

• Class 10 certificate (DOB proof)
• Diploma/B.Sc certificates
• Category certificates (SC/ST/OBC/EWS)
• PwBD/ESM certificates (if applicable)
• Valid ID proof

⚠️ Important:

• Any mismatch = candidature cancelled
• Eligibility is checked strictly as per cut-off date

Important Features of DRDO Senior Technical Assistant-B Selection Process 2026

1. No Interview

One major advantage of the DRDO STA-B selection process is:

No interview stage
Selection is purely based on written exams

2. Normalization of Marks

• Scores in Tier-I and Tier-II may be normalized.
• Ensures fairness across different shifts.

3. Posting & Service Conditions

• Candidates can be posted anywhere in India.
• Minimum 5 years service at first posting location.
• 2-year probation period.

DRDO Senior Technical Assistant-B Eligibility Criteria 2026 – Qualification & Age Limit

To apply for the Defence Research and Development Organisation STA-B post, candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria:

1. Educational Qualification

• Candidates must have a B.Sc. degree or Diploma in Engineering/Technology in the relevant discipline from a recognized university/institute.
• The qualification must be completed before the crucial date (01 January 2026).
• Candidates with higher qualifications (B.Tech/BE/M.Sc/PhD) are NOT eligible for this post.

2. Age Limit

• Minimum Age: 18 years
• Maximum Age: 28 years (as on 01 January 2026)

Age Relaxation:

• OBC: 3 years
• SC/ST: 5 years
• PwBD: Up to 10–15 years (depending on category)
• Ex-Servicemen: As per government rules

3. Nationality

• Only Indian citizens are eligible to apply.

4. Medical Fitness

• Candidates must be physically and mentally fit.
• Conditions like color blindness or night blindness may lead to disqualification.

5. Additional Conditions

• Candidates must possess valid documents supporting qualification and category.
• Final-year students are not eligible if results are awaited on the crucial date.

DRDO STA-B Vacancy 2026 Details – CEPTAM-11)

• Total Vacancies: 561 Posts
• Highest Vacancies:
  • Computer Science (160)
  • Mechanical Engineering (127)
  • Electronics (111)
• Lowest Vacancies:
  • Geology (1)
  • Instrumentation & Electronics (2)

How to Apply for DRDO Senior Technical Assistant-B 2026

To apply for the DRDO Senior Technical Assistant-B recruitment, candidates must submit their application online through the official website of the Defence Research and Development Organisation.

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Visit the official DRDO website and go to the Careers/CEPTAM section
2. Click on “Apply Online” for STA-B (CEPTAM-11)
3. Register using a valid email ID and mobile number
4. Fill in personal, educational, and category details carefully
5. Upload required documents (photo, signature, certificates)
6. Pay the application fee online
7. Submit the form and take a printout for future reference

Application Fee Details

Important Notes:

• The ₹500 refundable fee will be refunded only if you appear in Tier-I exam
• Payment mode: UPI / Debit Card / Credit Card / Net Banking
• Incorrect bank details may lead to refund failure

Documents Required for DRDO STA-B Application

Candidates must keep the following documents ready before applying:

Mandatory Documents:

• Recent passport-size photograph (JPG/JPEG format)
• Signature (scanned)
• Class 10 certificate (for date of birth proof)
• Diploma / B.Sc certificates (as per eligibility)

If Applicable:

• Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS)
• PwBD certificate
• Ex-Servicemen certificate
• Sports (MSP) certificate

Other Requirements:

• Valid email ID & mobile number
• Active bank account details (for fee refund)

DRDO STA-B Salary 2026 –  Senior Technical Assistant-B

If you are preparing for DRDO STA-B Recruitment 2026, understanding the salary structure is very important. The post offers a stable government job, good pay, and long-term growth.

Pay Scale (7th Pay Commission)

• Pay Level: Level-6
• Pay Scale: ₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400
• Basic Pay (Starting): ₹35,400
• Grade Pay: ₹4,200

This makes STA-B a Group ‘B’, Non-Gazetted technical post under DRDO.

In-Hand Salary (Approx)

• Starting In-Hand Salary: ₹50,000 – ₹60,000/month
• With Experience: Can go up to ₹1.5+ lakh/month (including allowances)

The exact salary depends on:

• Posting location
• Allowances
• Deductions (NPS, taxes, etc.)

Allowances & Benefits

Selected candidates get multiple government benefits:

• Dearness Allowance (DA)
• House Rent Allowance (HRA)
• Transport Allowance
• Medical Facilities
• Children Education Allowance
• Leave Travel Concession (LTC)
• CSD (Canteen) Facilities

All benefits are as per Government of India rules (7th CPC).

Career Growth & Promotion

• Promotion under LFCS (Flexible Complementing Scheme)
• Internal departmental exams for growth
• Opportunity to work in advanced defence projects