DRDO Scientist 'B' (Advt. No. 156, 2025): Eligibility and GATE Papers by Department
Advertisement No. 156 closed on 8 August 2025. RAC says it would notify vacancies for 2027 in the next few months, depending upon the requirement. It selected on a First Class degree, a valid GATE score and an interview: 80% GATE, 20% interview.
Updated 11 October 2026
| Department | Eligible under this notice? |
|---|---|
| ECE | Yes. In Advertisement No. 156 (2025), the Electronics & Communication post asked for at least a First Class Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Technology in Electronics & Communication Engg, with a valid GATE score in Electronics & Communication Engg (paper code EC). Its list of accepted degree names started with Electronics & Communication Engg. |
| EE | Yes. In Advertisement No. 156 (2025), the Electrical post asked for at least a First Class Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engg, with a valid GATE score in Electrical Engg (paper code EE). Its list included Electrical & Electronics Engg. The Electronics post's list also named Electrical Engg and Electrical & Electronics Engg, with GATE paper EC. |
| AEIE | Yes. In Advertisement No. 156 (2025), the Electronics & Communication post's list of degree names included Electronics & Instrumentation Engg and Applied Electronics & Instrumentation Engg, with a valid GATE score in Electronics & Communication Engg (paper code EC). |
| CSE/IT | Yes. In Advertisement No. 156 (2025), the Computer Science post asked for at least a First Class Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Technology in Computer Science & Engg, with a valid GATE score in Computer Science & Information Technology (paper code CS). The accepted names included Information Technology. |
| DS & AI | Not stated on the source pages |
| BT | In Advertisement No. 156 (2025), the Biomedical post asked for a First Class Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Technology in Biomedical Engg, with a valid GATE score in Bio-medical Engineering (paper code BM). Biotechnology was not among the degree names it listed. |
| CE | Yes. In Advertisement No. 156 (2025), the Civil post asked for at least a First Class Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Technology in Civil Engg, with a valid GATE score in Civil Engineering (paper code CE). |
Source: RAC (DRDO), Advertisement No. 156: Direct recruitment of Scientist 'B'; RAC, Archive of advertisements.
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| How selection works | The 2025 advertisement selected on a valid GATE score and a Personal Interview. Eligible candidates were shortlisted on GATE score in the ratio of 1:10 in discipline-wise, category-wise merit order. The final merit was 80% weightage of marks of GATE score and 20% weightage of marks in Personal Interview, and an interview mark of 70% for UR or 60% for EWS/OBC/SC/ST/Divyangjan was needed to enter the final list. |
| The written test | The 2025 advertisement (No. 156) selected on GATE score and interview. It added that RAC may administer any other selection tool or test at its sole discretion. RAC's Advertisement No. 137 (2020) had a descriptive exam of two papers of 300 marks each. |
| Is a GATE score used? | Shortlisting for interview is on a valid GATE score; the 2025 advertisement accepted 2023, 2024 or 2025 scores in the paper its table lists for each discipline. RAC's notice on GATE 2027 says a GATE score is valid for 3 years and that aspirants are encouraged to appear for GATE 2027. |
| Minimum marks | The degree must be First Class. Where an institute has no First Class criterion, 60% marks count as equivalent, and a CGPA of 6.75 on a 10-point scale counts as 60% where no conversion formula exists. |
| Age limit | In Advertisement No. 156 (2025), the age limit on the closing date was 35 years for UR/EWS, 38 years for OBC (Non-creamy layer) and 40 years for SC/ST, with up to 10 years more for Divyangjan. RAC advises candidates to always check the published advertisement for age and experience criteria. |
| Pay | The post is in Level-10 of the Pay Matrix, with Basic Pay of Rs 56,100. Total emoluments at joining are approximately Rs 1,00,000 a month at the metro city rate, including HRA and other allowances. |
| Dates in this notice | Advertisement No. 156 had a closing date of 4 July 2025, later extended to 8 Aug 2025, and its schedule listed interviews for Oct-Nov 2025. RAC's notice of 31 August 2026 says it would notify Scientist 'B' vacancies for 2027 in the next few months, depending upon the requirement. |
| Syllabus | RAC's Advertisement No. 137 (2020) said the descriptive examination syllabus is similar to the UPSC Engineering Services (Main) examination in the relevant discipline. RAC has a syllabus document for that examination in Computer Science. |
Source: RAC (DRDO), Advertisement No. 156: Direct recruitment of Scientist 'B'; RAC, Archive of advertisements; RAC, Advertisement No. 137 (2020): Direct recruitment of Scientist 'B' in DRDO; RAC, Public Notice on the valid GATE score for Scientist 'B' in DRDO (31-Aug-2026); RAC, Recruitment of Scientists & Project Engineers; RAC, Advertisement No. 156: Tentative Schedule (02-Sep-2025); RAC, Syllabus of the Descriptive Examination, Scientist 'B' Computer Science.
| Source | Link |
|---|---|
| RAC (DRDO), Advertisement No. 156: Direct recruitment of Scientist 'B' | rac.gov.in (PDF) |
| RAC, Archive of advertisements | rac.gov.in |
| RAC, Advertisement No. 137 (2020): Direct recruitment of Scientist 'B' in DRDO | rac.gov.in (PDF) |
| RAC, Public Notice on the valid GATE score for Scientist 'B' in DRDO (31-Aug-2026) | rac.gov.in (PDF) |
| RAC, Recruitment of Scientists & Project Engineers | rac.gov.in |
| RAC, Advertisement No. 156: Tentative Schedule (02-Sep-2025) | rac.gov.in (PDF) |
| RAC, Syllabus of the Descriptive Examination, Scientist 'B' Computer Science | rac.gov.in (PDF) |
Source: Accessed 11 October 2026.
About this resource
This page covers RAC's Advertisement No. 156 of 2025 and RAC's notice on GATE 2027, which says a GATE score is valid for 3 years.
Frequently asked questions
Which GATE paper did DRDO ask for?+
The paper its table lists for each discipline. In Advertisement No. 156, the Electronics & Communication post asked for GATE EC, the Electrical post for GATE EE, the Computer Science post for GATE CS and the Civil post for GATE CE.
Did Advertisement No. 156 list AEIE degrees?+
In Advertisement No. 156, the Electronics & Communication post's list of degree names included Electronics & Instrumentation Engg and Applied Electronics & Instrumentation Engg, and it asked for a valid GATE score in Electronics & Communication Engg (paper code EC).
Is there a DRDO written exam?+
Advertisement No. 156 selected on GATE score and interview, and added that RAC may administer any other selection tool or test at its sole discretion. RAC's Advertisement No. 137 (2020) had a descriptive exam of two papers.
Which GATE years did Advertisement No. 156 accept?+
GATE 2023, 2024 or 2025 scores, in the paper its table lists for each discipline.
Want guidance beyond free papers?
Our GATE programmes come with mentor support, 1:1 sessions, and a structured curriculum, not just a PDF.