Q8 India

Opportunities in the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) extend beyond engineering to all disciplines of science, says W. Selvamurthy, Scientist and Chief Controller, DRDO, in an interview with Archana Nathan

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With over 30,000 scientists, and technical and supporting cadre, DRDO has been at the forefront of technological development for the military. Its 52 laboratories develop defence technologies in aeronautics, armaments, electronic and computer sciences, human resource, life sciences, materials, missiles, combat vehicles and the naval sector.

“There are opportunities for everyone. Not only engineering, the DRDO covers all disciplines of science,” said W. Selvamurthy, Scientist and Chief Controller, DRDO.

He said for this year, the DRDO is focusing on six key areas: Cyber Security, Defence Electronics, Aeronautics, Microelectronic Devices, Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology, and Biotechnology.

For these fields, the recruitment team is looking at individuals with sufficient industry experience. For the general recruitment, they are looking at candidates with aptitude for research and analytical power.

The DRDO has a Recruitment and Assessment Centre that handles the entrance examinations, interviews and subsequent appointments. Each year, it puts out an advertisement about the tests on its website: www.drdo.com

The recruitment process

DRDO Scientist Entrance Test (SET)

This is a test for direct recruitment of scientists in the ‘B' category (entry level) conducted every year on the first Sunday of September. The three-hour test comprises two sections – Section A that has 100 questions testing the candidate's knowledge in the subject of their B.E/B.Tech (Engineering) or MSc. (Science), and Section B testing analytical and qualitative skills, current affairs and general awareness.

Since this test is specific to the organisation, it is conducted only in those subjects where there are sizable vacancies. Overall, the test is conducted in engineering subjects such as aero, civil, electrical, chemical, computer, electronics/electronics and communication, instrumentation, mechanical, metallurgy etc. and in science subjects such as chemistry, physics and mathematics/ operations research/statistics.

If there are not enough vacancies in the DRDO, the SET exam may be even cancelled and candidates are shortlisted directly for the interview round. The most recent update on the DRDO website reads that the SET test for this year has been cancelled for administrative reasons.

Campus selection

Careers in defence research are also made through campus selection.

DRDO visits institutes such as the IITs, IISc Bangalore, National Institutes of Technology (Regional Engineering Colleges) and Central Universities including Delhi University, Aligarh Muslim University, Jamia Milia Islamia University, Allahabad University, Tezpur University, and North-Eastern Hill University (Shillong, Meghalaya). Campus placements take place between July and December each year.

Final year students or pre-final year students of B.E/B.Tech/B.Sc (Engineering) are eligible for placements. They must have secured First Class or its equivalent CGPA (which is according to the AICTE norms).

For those who belong to SC/ST/OBC/PH, the selection process is as per the rules specified in the Government regulations.

“This year, we have 1,200 additional posts. We want to focus on campus placements and recruit close to 200 to 300 prospective scientists from campuses,” said Dr. Selvamurthy.

Source : The Hindu