The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has officially defined the DRDO CEPTAM II Technician Tier 2 Syllabus 2026 for the Technician A (Tier 2) recruitment examination. Testing takes place via a Computer-Based Test (CBT) covering 120 questions for a total of 120 marks. Candidates should review their specific trade topics and the exam pattern before entering the test centre.
Selection for the DRDO CEPTAM II Technician post includes a Tier 1 Written Exam, Tier 2 Written Exam, Document Verification, and a Trade Test. The Tier 2 examination consists of Part 1 (Personality Test) and Part 2 (Trade-Specific Subject Test), available in both English and Hindi. Access full curriculum details directly at https://www.drdo.gov.in.
DRDO CEPTAM II Technician Tier 2 Syllabus 2026 – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | DRDO CEPTAM II Technician Tier 2 Exam 2026 |
| Conducting Organisation | Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) – CEPTAM |
| Post Name | Technician A (Tier 2) |
| Total Vacancies | 764 |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Exam Type | Objective (MCQ) |
| Total Questions | 120 (Part 2 – Subject Specific) |
| Total Marks | 120 |
| Exam Duration | 90 Minutes (Part 2) |
| Negative Marking | Yes (0.25 marks per wrong answer) |
| Official Website | https://www.drdo.gov.in |
Selection Process
The hiring phases for the DRDO CEPTAM II Technician role are as follows:
- Tier 1 Written Exam (Preliminary Exam)
- Tier 2 Written Exam (Main Exam – Subject Specific)
- Document Verification
- Trade Test / Practical Assessment
Exam Pattern
Tier 2 Exam Pattern
| Part | Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part 1 | Personality Test | Qualifying | Qualifying |
| Part 2 | Trade-Specific Subject Test | 120 | 120 |
Duration: 20 minutes for Part 1 and 90 minutes for Part 2.
Negative Marking: A penalty of 0.25 marks applies to each incorrect answer.
Qualifying Marks: Candidates need a minimum score of 40% (UR/OBC/EWS) or 35% (SC/ST/PwBD) to qualify. Unanswered questions do not result in a penalty.
Language: The paper is provided in English and Hindi.
Detailed Syllabus 2026
The DRDO CEPTAM II Technician Tier 2 examination evaluates trade-specific skills. Below is an outline covering major trade sections.
Computer Operator & Programming Assistant (COPA)
- Fundamentals of Computers and Hardware
- Software Installation and Windows Operating System
- DOS Command Line Interface
- Linux Operating System Basics
- Networking Concepts and TCP/IP
- Microsoft Word and Document Formatting
- Microsoft Excel and Spreadsheet Management
- Microsoft PowerPoint and Presentation Design
- Internet and Web Browsing Fundamentals
Electrical & Electronics / Electrical Engineering
- Electrical Circuits and Circuit Analysis
- Electrical Machines and Power Systems
- Electronics Components and Semiconductor Devices
- Digital Electronics and Logic Gates
- Microprocessors and Microcontroller Basics
- Control Systems and Instrumentation
- Power Distribution and Protection Systems
- Electrical Safety and Regulations
Mechanical Engineering
- Engineering Mechanics and Strength of Materials
- Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer
- Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics
- Machine Design and Manufacturing Processes
- Production Engineering and Industrial Management
- Material Science and Metallurgy
- Vibrations and Mechanical Oscillations
- Workshop Technology and Machining Practices
Civil Engineering
- Building Materials and Construction Techniques
- Structural Mechanics and Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC) Design
- Surveying and Levelling
- Transportation Engineering and Highway Design
- Geotechnical Engineering and Soil Mechanics
- Environmental Engineering and Water Treatment
- Estimation and Costing
- Building Codes and Standards
Other Trades
For trades such as Book Binder, Carpenter, Chemical, Chemistry, and Metallurgy, refer to the official PDF hosted on the DRDO portal to access detailed topic lists.
Preparation Strategy
The DRDO CEPTAM II Technician Tier 2 examination places significant weight on highly specialised, trade-specific technical knowledge. Instead of generic engineering books, use targeted ITI or Diploma-level texts that correspond to your field. In Part 2, you have 90 minutes to tackle 120 questions, which averages about 45 seconds per question. Allocate extra time strictly for complex numerical problems. Utilise previous year question papers and official mock tests to gauge your speed before test day.
Important Topics for DRDO CEPTAM II Technician Tier 2
- Trade-Specific Technical Knowledge (Highest Weightage)
- Basic Engineering Concepts and Fundamentals
- Practical Applications and Workshop Technology
- Current Defence Technology Trends (Basic Level)
- Problem-Solving and Numerical Analysis
- Safety Standards and Industry Best Practices
Best Books and Resources
| Trade Category | Recommended Books | Author/Publication |
|---|---|---|
| General Technical Knowledge | DRDO Technician Recruitment Guide | Arihant / Kiran Publications |
| Mechanical and Electrical Engineering | Objective Mechanical Engineering / Electrical Engineering | R.K. Jain / R.S. Khurmi |
| Computer-Based Trades | Objective: Computer Awareness and MS Office | Arihant Publications |
| Trade-Specific Preparation | ITI and Diploma-Level Textbooks | Respective Trade Authors |
Important Links
| Particulars | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Website | Click Here |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Where can I find the official DRDO CEPTAM II Technician Tier 2 Syllabus for 2026?
Ans. You can download the complete and official syllabus directly from the DRDO website (drdo.gov.in). It covers the specific curriculum you’ll need for the Technician A exam.
Q2. How many questions make up the Tier 2 exam?
Ans. Part 2 of the Tier 2 exam includes exactly 120 questions focused on trade-specific subjects. These make up 120 marks in total, while Part 1 serves as a qualifying personality test.
Q3. Is there negative marking in the exam?
Ans. Yes, a penalty of 0.25 marks is applied for every incorrect answer. Blank or unanswered questions won’t hurt your score.
Q4. Can I take the exam in Hindi?
Ans. Absolutely. The exam is bilingual, allowing you to view and answer the questions in either Hindi or English depending on your preference.
Q5. What score do I need to qualify?
Ans. To move forward, UR, OBC, and EWS candidates must score at least 40%. For SC, ST, and PwBD candidates, the minimum qualifying threshold is 35%.
Q6. How much time will I have for the test?
Ans. You’ll get 90 minutes to complete the 120 questions in Part 2. The Part 1 personality test has its own separate 20-minute time limit.
Q7. What stages are involved in the selection process?
Ans. The selection journey starts with a Tier 1 preliminary written exam, followed by the Tier 2 main exam. After that, you’ll need to clear document verification and a hands-on trade test.
