The Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE), Avadi, Chennai — a DRDO laboratory under the Ministry of Defence — has issued Advertisement No. CVRDE/ADMIN/2026-27 inviting ITI pass candidates for 93 Apprentice Trainee slots across 18 trades under the Apprentices Act, 1961. There is no online form: selection is by shortlisting on ITI marks followed by a walk-in interview held on 08.09.2026 and 09.09.2026 at CVRDE, Avadi, between 09:00 AM and 05:00 PM, with joining letters issued on the spot to selected candidates.
The notification does not mention any application fee for this walk-in interview. Candidates are advised to verify this at the venue, since no fee table is published in Advertisement No. CVRDE/ADMIN/2026-27.
Vacancy Details
Trade-wise vacancies and stipend — the notification states that these numbers are indicative and may change after the final assessment of eligible applications received.
S.No
Trade
Stipend (Rs./month)
Vacancies
1
Computer Operator and Programming Assistant (COPA)
10,560
13
2
Draughtsman (Mechanical)
11,040
10
3
Electrician
11,040
12
4
Fitter
11,040
10
5
Mechanic (Motor Vehicle)
11,040
8
6
Machinist
11,040
5
7
Painter
10,560
1
8
Plumber
11,040
3
9
Turner
11,040
5
10
Welder
10,560
5
11
Electronics Mechanic
11,040
6
12
Sheet Metal Worker
11,040
1
13
Computer Networking Technician
10,560
1
14
Computer and Peripherals Hardware Repair and Maintenance Mechanic
10,560
1
15
Photographer
11,040
4
16
Book Binder
11,040
2
17
CAD-CAM Operator Cum Programmer
10,560
3
18
Food Production (General)
10,560
3
Total
93
Category-wise slot distribution
Category
Slots
UR (Unreserved)
40
OBC
25
SC
13
EWS
09
ST
06
Total
93
Eligibility Criteria
Criterion
Detail
Educational Qualification
Pass in the relevant trade from an ITI recognised by NCVT/SCVT as per the Gazette Notification of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, with a minimum trade duration of two years — except COPA, Painter, Plumber, Welder and Food Production, where a shorter trade duration is accepted
Year of Passing
Only candidates who passed in 2023, 2024, 2025 or 2026 are eligible. Anyone who passed the qualifying exam before 2023 is not eligible
Mode of Study
Only candidates who completed the qualifying examination as regular candidates are eligible
Result Declaration
Candidates whose results had not been declared by 30.08.2026 will not be considered. Provisional certificates are accepted at joining, with the final NCVT/SCVT certificate to be submitted later
Portal Registration
Registration on the NCVT/SCVT MIS portal (ncvtmis.gov.in) is mandatory. The registration number must be given in the application and will be verified at the walk-in interview
Age Limit
Minimum 18 years; maximum 27 years (UR), 30 years (OBC), 32 years (SC/ST), 37 years (PWD), all reckoned as on 01.09.2026 Check your age eligibility →
Maximum age limit by category (as on 01.09.2026)
Category
Maximum Age
Unreserved (UR)
27 years
OBC
30 years
SC / ST
32 years
PWD
37 years
Not sure whether you are within the age limit?
The cut-off date here is 01.09.2026 and the band runs from 18 years up to 27 years for UR, 30 for OBC, 32 for SC/ST and 37 for PWD. Enter your date of birth, the cut-off date and your category to see instantly whether you fall inside it before you travel to Avadi.
Candidates are shortlisted purely on the marks obtained in the qualifying ITI examination. There is no written test and no separate merit list is published in advance — shortlisting happens at the venue on the interview day
Stage 2 — Document Verification
Held at the venue on the same day. Original 10th or 12th mark sheet and certificate, ITI mark sheets, NCVT/SCVT certificate, caste certificate where applicable and Aadhaar card are checked. The NCVT/SCVT MIS registration number quoted in the application is verified here. An OBC certificate whose validity has expired will not be accepted
Stage 3 — Walk-in Interview
Conducted at CVRDE, Avadi, Chennai — 600 054 on 08.09.2026 and 09.09.2026 between 09:00 AM and 05:00 PM. Candidates are informed of their selection status on the spot
Stage 4 — Joining
Selected candidates are awarded the joining letter on the spot at CVRDE, Avadi. A valid police verification certificate from the place of last residence or permanent address must be produced at the time of joining
Stipend and Benefits
Component
Detail
Monthly Stipend (higher band)
Rs. 11,040 per month — Draughtsman (Mechanical), Electrician, Fitter, Mechanic (Motor Vehicle), Machinist, Plumber, Turner, Electronics Mechanic, Sheet Metal Worker, Photographer, Book Binder
Monthly Stipend (lower band)
Rs. 10,560 per month — COPA, Painter, Welder, Computer Networking Technician, Computer and Peripherals Hardware Repair and Maintenance Mechanic, CAD-CAM Operator Cum Programmer, Food Production (General)
Training Duration
Strictly as per the Apprentices Act, 1961, the Apprenticeship Rules and amendments made from time to time
Employment After Training
The notification states clearly that NO EMPLOYMENT IS GUARANTEED to apprentices on completion of their training
Other Allowances
Not specified in notification
How to Apply
Register yourself on the NCVT/SCVT MIS portal (ncvtmis.gov.in) if you have not already — this registration is mandatory and the number is checked at the venue.
Download and read Advertisement No. CVRDE/ADMIN/2026-27 from the DRDO vacancies page, and fill in the application, entering your NCVT/SCVT MIS registration number.
Collect all originals along with one photocopy set — 10th or 12th mark sheet and certificate, ITI mark sheets, NCVT/SCVT certificate, caste certificate if applicable, and Aadhaar card.
Report in person at CVRDE, Avadi, Chennai — 600 054 on 08.09.2026 or 09.09.2026 between 09:00 AM and 05:00 PM with the filled application and documents.
Attend document verification and the walk-in interview. Selection status is communicated on the spot, and selected candidates receive their joining letter the same day.
Note: There is no online application window for this recruitment. Attendance at the walk-in interview on one of the two announced dates is the only route.
Documents Required
Document
Format / Notes
Filled application form
Must carry your NCVT/SCVT MIS registration number
10th or 12th mark sheet and certificate
Original, to be produced at verification
ITI mark sheets (all semesters)
Original — shortlisting is done on these marks
NCVT/SCVT certificate
Original. Provisional certificate accepted at joining, final certificate to be submitted when received
Caste certificate
If applicable. An OBC certificate whose validity has expired will not be accepted
Aadhaar card
Original, for identity verification
Police verification certificate
Required only from finally selected candidates at the time of joining, from the place of last residence or permanent address
Turning up without an NCVT/SCVT MIS registration number — it is mandatory, must be written on the application, and is verified at the venue.
Applying with an ITI passed before 2023 — only the 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026 passing years are eligible, with no exception stated.
Carrying an OBC certificate that has expired, which the notification says outright will not be accepted.
Assuming a result declared after 30.08.2026 will be considered — candidates whose results were not declared by that date are not eligible for training.
Treating this as an online recruitment and waiting for a link — there is no application portal, only the two walk-in dates at Avadi.
Expecting a job at the end of it — the notification states plainly that no employment is guaranteed on completion of apprenticeship training.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When is the CVRDE apprentice walk-in interview being held? The walk-in interview is on 08.09.2026 and 09.09.2026, from 09:00 AM to 05:00 PM, at CVRDE, Avadi, Chennai — 600 054.
2. How many apprentice vacancies are there? There are 93 ITI Apprentice Trainee slots spread across 18 trades, though the notification says the numbers are indicative and may change.
3. What qualification do I need? A pass in the relevant trade from an NCVT/SCVT recognised ITI, obtained as a regular candidate in 2023, 2024, 2025 or 2026.
4. What is the age limit? Minimum 18 years, with a maximum of 27 years for UR, 30 for OBC, 32 for SC/ST and 37 for PWD, all reckoned as on 01.09.2026.
5. Is there an application fee? No application fee is mentioned anywhere in Advertisement No. CVRDE/ADMIN/2026-27.
6. Can I apply online for this CVRDE apprenticeship? No — there is no online application; you must attend the walk-in interview in person on 08.09.2026 or 09.09.2026 with your filled application and original documents.
7. How much is the stipend? Rs. 11,040 per month for most two-year trades and Rs. 10,560 per month for COPA, Painter, Welder, CAD-CAM Operator Cum Programmer, Food Production and the two computer hardware trades.
8. Will I get a job at CVRDE after the training? No — the notification states explicitly that no employment is guaranteed to apprentices on completion of their training, as the scheme runs strictly under the Apprentices Act, 1961.
Disclaimer: The information above has been compiled from the official notification for the convenience of job seekers. Candidates are advised to verify all details from the official website before applying.
