Appeared for DRDO CEPTAM 11 or planning to? The biggest question after clearing the exam — how much does DRDO actually pay? CEPTAM 11 has two very different posts with very different salaries — STA-B (₹48,000-56,000/month) and Tech-A (₹28,000-32,000/month). But the real value of a DRDO job goes far beyond the payslip — campus housing, CSD canteen, research environment, and a path to Scientist grade. Let's break it all down.
DRDO CEPTAM 11 Salary 2026 – Quick Snapshot
| Component | STA-B (Senior Technical Assistant) | Tech-A (Technician-A) |
|---|---|---|
| Pay Level | Level 6 (7th CPC) | Level 2 (7th CPC) |
| Basic Pay | ₹35,400/month | ₹19,900/month |
| Pay Band | ₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400 | ₹19,900 – ₹63,200 |
| DA (53%) | ₹18,762 | ₹10,547 |
| HRA (24% metro) | ₹8,496 | ₹4,776 |
| TA | ₹3,600 | ₹1,350 |
| Gross Salary | ₹66,000 – ₹72,000 | ₹36,000 – ₹40,000 |
| Deductions (NPS+PF) | ~₹10,000 – ₹12,000 | ~₹5,000 – ₹6,000 |
| In-Hand Salary | ₹48,000 – ₹56,000 | ₹28,000 – ₹32,000 |
| Annual Package | ~₹7.2 Lakh | ~₹4.0 Lakh |
| Total Posts | 561 | 203 |
STA-B Salary Breakdown (Level 6)
STA-B is the higher-paying post — equivalent to a Junior Engineer in other government departments. Here's the detailed breakdown:
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Basic Pay | ₹35,400 |
| Dearness Allowance (53%) | ₹18,762 |
| HRA (24% X-city / 16% Y / 8% Z) | ₹8,496 / ₹5,664 / ₹2,832 |
| Transport Allowance | ₹3,600 |
| Newspaper Allowance | ₹300 |
| Children Education Allowance | ₹2,250/child (max 2) |
| Gross (X-city) | ₹66,558 |
| NPS Deduction (10%) | -₹5,416 |
| PF (12%) | -₹4,248 |
| Professional Tax | -₹200 |
| In-Hand (X-city) | ₹56,694 |
Technician-A Salary Breakdown (Level 2)
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Basic Pay | ₹19,900 |
| Dearness Allowance (53%) | ₹10,547 |
| HRA (24% X-city) | ₹4,776 |
| Transport Allowance | ₹1,350 |
| Gross (X-city) | ₹36,573 |
| NPS + PF Deductions | -₹5,500 |
| In-Hand (X-city) | ₹31,073 |
Year-wise Salary Growth
| Year | STA-B Basic | STA-B In-Hand | Tech-A Basic | Tech-A In-Hand |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ₹35,400 | ₹48,000 | ₹19,900 | ₹28,000 |
| Year 3 | ₹37,600 | ₹52,000 | ₹21,100 | ₹30,000 |
| Year 5 | ₹39,900 | ₹56,000 | ₹22,400 | ₹32,000 |
| Year 8 | ₹43,600 | ₹62,000 | ₹24,500 | ₹35,000 |
| Year 10 | ₹46,200 | ₹66,000 | ₹26,000 | ₹37,000 |
Promotion Path — DRDO Career Growth
| Current Post | Promotion To | New Level | New Basic | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STA-B (Level 6) | Technical Officer (Level 7) | Level 7 | ₹44,900 | 5-8 years |
| Technical Officer | Sr. Technical Officer (Level 8) | Level 8 | ₹47,600 | 12-15 years |
| Sr. Technical Officer | Scientist-B (via DRDO exam) | Level 10 | ₹56,100 | Performance-based |
| Tech-A (Level 2) | Technician-B (Level 4) | Level 4 | ₹25,500 | 5-8 years |
| Technician-B | Technician-C (Level 5) | Level 5 | ₹29,200 | 12-15 years |
Key insight: STA-B can eventually reach Scientist-B grade (Level 10, ₹56,100 basic) through internal DRDO exams. This is equivalent to GATE-recruited Scientist entry — a huge career jump.
DRDO Benefits — Beyond Salary
- Campus Housing: DRDO labs have residential campuses. Government quarters at ₹500-1000/month (market value ₹15,000-25,000) — secure, gated communities
- CSD Canteen: Canteen Stores Department — buy electronics, groceries, vehicles at 20-40% below market price. This is a defence-exclusive perk
- Medical: CGHS (Central Govt Health Scheme) — free treatment at empanelled hospitals for self + family
- LTC (Leave Travel Concession): Free travel to hometown + one all-India trip every 4 years
- Children Education Allowance: ₹2,250/month per child (max 2 children)
- NPS + Gratuity: Government contributes 14% to NPS. Gratuity after 5 years
- Research Environment: Work on cutting-edge defence technology — missiles, radars, submarines, aircraft
- Job Security: Central government job — permanent, no layoffs
- Work-Life Balance: DRDO labs generally have better work-life balance than private sector
DRDO CEPTAM 11 Vacancy — 764 Posts
| Post | Vacancies | Pay Level | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senior Technical Assistant-B (STA-B) | 561 | Level 6 (₹35,400) | B.E/B.Tech or M.Sc in relevant discipline |
| Technician-A (Tech-A) | 203 | Level 2 (₹19,900) | 10th + ITI (2 years) in relevant trade |
| Total | 764 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the in-hand salary of DRDO STA-B?
DRDO STA-B in-hand salary is approximately ₹48,000-56,000 per month at Pay Level 6 (basic ₹35,400). It varies by city — metro cities get 24% HRA (higher take-home), while smaller cities get 8% HRA. Annual package is approximately ₹7.2 lakh.
What is the salary of DRDO Technician-A?
DRDO Technician-A gets Pay Level 2 (basic ₹19,900). In-hand salary is approximately ₹28,000-32,000 per month with DA, HRA, and TA. This is similar to Railway Group D or ALP salary but with better perks (CSD canteen, campus housing, CGHS medical).
What is the difference between STA-B and Tech-A salary?
STA-B earns nearly double of Tech-A. STA-B: Level 6, basic ₹35,400, in-hand ₹48,000-56,000. Tech-A: Level 2, basic ₹19,900, in-hand ₹28,000-32,000. STA-B requires B.Tech/M.Sc while Tech-A requires 10th + ITI.
Can STA-B become a Scientist in DRDO?
Yes! STA-B can be promoted to Technical Officer (Level 7) → Sr. Technical Officer (Level 8) and eventually to Scientist-B (Level 10, ₹56,100 basic) through internal DRDO departmental exams. This is equivalent to direct GATE-recruited Scientist entry.
What is CSD canteen benefit in DRDO?
CSD (Canteen Stores Department) is available to all DRDO employees. You can buy electronics (phones, laptops, TVs), vehicles (cars, bikes), groceries, and household items at 20-40% below market price. This is a defence-exclusive benefit worth ₹50,000-1,00,000+ per year in savings.
Does DRDO provide housing?
Yes, many DRDO labs have residential campuses with government quarters. Rent is ₹500-1000/month for accommodation worth ₹15,000-25,000 in the open market. If you take quarters, HRA is deducted from salary. DRDO campuses are secure, gated communities with parks, sports facilities, and schools.
What is the DRDO CEPTAM 11 exam date?
DRDO CEPTAM 11 Tier-I CBT exam is scheduled for 23 March 2026 in 77 cities across India. Exam city details released on 11 March 2026. Admit card expected 20-21 March 2026.
How many vacancies are in DRDO CEPTAM 11?
Total 764 posts — 561 STA-B (Senior Technical Assistant-B) and 203 Technician-A. STA-B requires B.Tech/M.Sc and pays Level 6. Tech-A requires 10th + ITI and pays Level 2.
