The Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO), operating under the Ministry of Defence, is India’s premier agency for military research and development. It is the powerhouse behind the nation’s cutting-edge defence technology.
The Centre for Personnel Talent Management (CEPTAM) conducts the recruitment process to hire skilled technical personnel. The recent Advertisement No. CEPTAM-11 announces recruitment for Senior Technical Assistant-B (STA-B) and Technician-A (Tech-A) posts.
Success in this highly competitive exam hinges entirely on mastering the official drdo CEPTAM 11 syllabus. We at GovernmentJobsNow have meticulously compiled the full details from the official expected notification framework to guide your preparation.
Basic Exam Overview
The drdo CEPTAM 11 syllabus 2026 is structured to select the most competent candidates for these technical roles. Familiarize yourself with these core details before commencing your preparation.
| Field | Details |
| Organization Name | Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) – CEPTAM |
| Post Name | Senior Technical Assistant-B (STA-B) & Technician-A (Tech-A) |
| Total Vacancies | 764 (STA-B: 561, Tech-A: 203) |
| Type of Questions | Objective Type (Multiple Choice Questions – MCQs) |
| Total Questions | STA-B: 220 (Tier-I: 120, Tier-II: 100); Tech-A: 120 (Tier-I) |
| Total Marks | STA-B: 220 (Tier-I: 120, Tier-II: 100); Tech-A: 120 (Tier-I) |
| Time Duration | Tier-I (STA-B): 90 minutes; Tier-II (STA-B): 90 minutes; Tier-I (Tech-A): 90 minutes |
| Selection Process | STA-B: CBT I (Screening) & CBT II (Selection) / Tech-A: CBT I (Selection) & Trade Test |
| Official Website | www.drdo.gov.in |
Selection Process for DRDO CEPTAM 11 Syllabus
The selection process for the drdo CEPTAM11 technician a syllabus and drdo CEPTAM 11 STA B syllabus posts differs slightly, emphasizing different core competencies required for each role.
Senior Technical Assistant-B (STA-B) The selection for STA-B involves two Computer Based Tests (CBT). Tier-I is for screening purposes, while Tier-II determines the final merit.
Technician-A (Tech-A) The selection for Tech-A involves one CBT followed by a Trade Test. The CBT is for provisional selection, and the Trade Test is mandatory and qualifying in nature.
| Stage | Post | Description |
| Stage 1 (Tier I) | STA-B | CBT for Screening. Common to all post-codes. Marks are used for shortlisting to Tier-II. |
| Stage 1 (Tier I) | Tech-A | CBT for Provisional Selection. Final selection is based on the merit of this exam, provided the candidate qualifies the Trade Test. |
| Stage 2 (Tier II) | STA-B | CBT for Provisional Selection. Test specific to the subject of the post-code. Marks are used for final merit list generation. |
| Stage 2 (Tier II) | Tech-A | Trade Test (Qualifying in nature). Specific to the ITI trade, designed to test practical skills (approx. 1–2 hours duration). |
| Stage 3 | Both | Document Verification and Medical Examination. |
Exam Pattern DRDO CEPTAM 11 Syllabus
Understanding the exam pattern is half the battle won. The pattern for Tier-I differs substantially between the STA-B and Tech-A posts. This knowledge will help you prioritize the key sections of the drdo CEPTAM syllabus effectively
Exam Pattern for Senior Technical Assistant-B (STA-B)
Tier-I (Screening Test)
| Subject | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quantitative ability/aptitude | 120 | 120 | 90 minutes |
| General intelligence & Reasoning ability | |||
| General Awareness | |||
| English language (basic knowledge) | |||
| General Science |
Tier-II (Selection Test)
| Subject | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
| Test specific to the subject of post-code | 100 | 100 | 90 minutes |
Exam Pattern for Technician-A (Tech-A)
Tier-I (Provisional Selection)
| Subject | Section | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
| Quantitative ability/aptitude, General intelligence & Reasoning ability, General Awareness, English language (basic knowledge) | Section-A (Common) | 40 | 40 | 90 minutes |
| Specific to trade/discipline of post-code | Section-B (Trade Specific) | 80 | 80 | |
| Total | 120 | 120 | 90 minutes |
Important Notes on Examination
- Negative Marking: As per previous CEPTAM notifications, there is no negative marking for wrong answers in the Tier-I and Tier-II CBTs. However, candidates must wait for the detailed notification to confirm this rule for the drdo CEPTAM 11 syllabus 2026 cycle.
- Sectional Timing: There is a single combined time duration of 90 minutes for the entire Tier-I exam for both posts. There is no individual sectional timing. Exam Language:
- The test is usually conducted in Bilingual mode (Hindi and English).
- Difficulty Level: The Tier-I common subjects generally reflect the Class 10th to 12th standard of education. The Tier-II (Technical) test for STA-B is at the Diploma/B.Sc. level, and for Tech-A, the Trade Test is at the ITI level in the related trade.
Detailed Syllabus (Tier-I Common Subjects)
This detailed breakdown ensures you cover every key topic of the common paper for the drdo CEPTAM syllabus 2026. This preparation is vital for both drdo CEPTAM 11 technician a syllabus and STA-B candidates.
| Subject | Topics Covered |
| General Awareness | Current Affairs (National & International), History, Culture and Geography of India, Indian Polity and Constitution, Indian Economy, Static GK, Sports, Science – Inventions & Discoveries, Budget & Five-Year Plans, Awards & Honors. |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | Analogy, Classification (Odd One Out), Coding and Decoding, Series (Number and Alphabet), Blood Relations, Direction and Distance, Time Sequence Test, Number and Ranking, Venn Diagrams, Clock and Calendar, Syllogism, Arithmetical Reasoning, Logical Sequence of Words, Embedded Figures, Matrix Reasoning, Statement and Reasoning. |
| Quantitative ability/aptitude (Mathematics) | Number System and Simplification, HCF & LCM, Average, Percentage, Profit and Loss, Simple & Compound Interest, Ratio and Proportion, Partnership, Mixture & Allegations, Time and Work, Pipes and Cisterns, Speed, Time & Distance, Mensuration (2D & 3D), Algebra (Expressions and Inequalities), Probability. |
| English language (basic knowledge) | Synonyms, Antonyms, Sentence Error Detection, Sentence Correction/Improvement, Fill in the Blanks, Comprehension/Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Grammar Rules (Tenses, Verb, Subject-Verb Agreement, Articles, Adverb), Vocabulary, Unseen Passages. |
| General Science | Questions to test knowledge of matters of everyday observation and experience in their scientific aspect. Includes topics from Physics, Chemistry, and Biology up to the 10th Standard level. |
Detailed Syllabus (Tier-II Technical / Domain Subject)
The Tier-II CBT for STA-B and Section-B for Tech-A is entirely focused on the candidate’s chosen discipline or trade. This is where the core technical expertise is tested, making it the most important section for the final merit calculation.
| Post | Domain Subject | Topics Covered (Illustrative Examples) |
| STA-B (Diploma/B.Sc. Level) | Mechanical Engineering | Engineering Mechanics, Strength of Materials, Fluid Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, Theory of Machines, Manufacturing (Machining, Casting, Forming), Industrial Engineering (Inventory Control, CPM/PERT), Metrology and Inspection. |
| STA-B (Electrical Engineering) | Electric Circuits and Fields, Electrical Machines, Power System, Control System, Signals and Systems, Power Electronics and Drives, Electrical and Electronic Measurements. | |
| STA-B (Instrumentation) | Basics of Circuits & Measurement Systems, Mechanical Measurement, Control Systems & Process Control, Digital/Analog Electronics, Industrial Instrumentation. | |
| Technician-A (ITI Level) | Specific Trade (e.g., Fitter, Electrician, COPA, Welder) | Questions will be related to the practical and theoretical knowledge of the specific ITI trade/discipline as per the NCVT/SCVT curriculum. This includes trade operations, tools, safety practices, and workshop technology relevant to the trade. |
All aspirants relying on GovernmentJobsNow are strongly advised to download the official detailed notification from the DRDO website once released. Use this document to cross-verify the specific technical drdo CEPTAM 11 STA B syllabus and drdo CEPTAM 11 technician a syllabus relevant to your post-code.
FAQs
Q1. What is the total number of questions asked in the Tier-I exam for STA-B posts?
The Tier-I examination for the Senior Technical Assistant-B (STA-B) post consists of 120 objective-type questions. These questions cover five common sections: Quantitative Ability, Reasoning, General Awareness, English Language, and General Science.
Q2. Is there any negative marking in the DRDO CEPTAM 11 CBT?
Based on the pattern of previous CEPTAM exams, there is usually no negative marking for wrong answers in the Tier-I or Tier-II CBTs. However, candidates must check the official detailed notification for the DRDO CEPTAM 11 syllabus to confirm this rule for the 2026 cycle.
Q3. What is the key difference between the selection processes for STA-B and Tech-A?
A. The main difference is in the second stage. For STA-B, Stage 2 is a technical CBT (CBT-II), which is merit-based. For Tech-A, Stage 2 is a Trade/Skill Test, which is purely qualifying in nature and assesses the practical skills related to the candidate’s ITI trade.
Q4. What level of knowledge is required for the Tier-I General Science section?
A. The General Science section for the drdo CEPTAM syllabus typically covers topics from Physics, Chemistry, and Biology up to the Class 10th standard level. The aim is to test basic scientific observation and experience expected of an educated person.
Q5. Where can I find the official detailed drdo CEPTAM 11 syllabus 2026?
A. The official detailed syllabus will be available on the DRDO‘s official website: www.drdo.gov.in. Candidates should look under the “Vacancies” option for the detailed CEPTAM-11 advertisement after the online link is activated.
