DRDO Senior Technical Assistant B (STA B) Exam 2026 | PYQ DRDO Senior Technical Assistant B | Mock Test DRDO Senior Technical Assistant B (STA B) Exam 2026 | Previous Year Question Papers DRDO Senior Technical Assistant B (STA B) Exam 2026 | Exam Syllabus & Exam Pattern for DRDO Senior Technical Assistant B (STA B) Exam 2026

Here in this guide on the DRDO Senior Technical Assistant B (STA-B) Exam 2026, covering official details, eligibility, syllabus, exam pattern, preparation strategy, tips, application process, salary & career prospects, and FAQs — ideal for aspirants preparing for this prestigious technical job in the Defense Research and Development Organization.

The DRDO Senior Technical Assistant B (STA-B) Exam 2026 is one of the most sought-after government recruitment exams for technical aspirants in India. Conducted under DRDO CEPTAM-11 (Centre for Personnel Talent Management), this recruitment drive offers exciting opportunities for young graduates and diploma holders to join the Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO)one of the premier scientific organizations in the country.

This detailed guide includes everything you need to know from eligibility criteria to exam pattern, syllabus, preparation tips, career prospects, and more.

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About DRDO Senior Technical Assistant B (STA B) & CEPTAM

The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) is the research wing of the Ministry of Defence, Government of India. DRDO is responsible for designing and developing defence technologies and systems — including missiles, radars, military electronics, and other advanced solutions.

To recruit technical professionals, DRDO conducts periodic selection drives through its human resources wing called CEPTAM (Centre for Personnel Talent Management). The CEPTAM-11 notification for 2025-26 includes vacancies for Senior Technical Assistant-B (STA-B) and Technician-A (Tech-A) posts.

Key Highlights

• Recruitment Body: DRDO CEPTAM
• Recruitment Name: CEPTAM-11
• Posts Covered: Senior Technical Assistant-B (STA-B) & Technician-A (Tech-A)
• Total Vacancies: 764 (STA-B: 561; Tech-A: 203)

In this article, our primary focus will be on the Senior Technical Assistant-B (STA-B) exam 2026.

Why This Exam Matters

The STA-B post is highly desirable because:

• It offers a central government job with a strong pay scale (Level-6 in 7th CPC).
• It places candidates in technical roles across various DRDO labs and establishments nationwide.
• The role involves real technical work that contributes to national defense research.
• Career growth prospects and internal promotion opportunities are available.
• Benefits such as allowances, pension, healthcare, and other facilities are provided as per government norms.

DRDO Senior Technical Assistant B (STA B) Eligibility Criteria – Who Can Apply

To apply for the DRDO STA-B 2026 exam, candidates must meet the eligibility criteria set by DRDO CEPTAM. These criteria include educational qualification, age limit, citizenship, and other conditions.

Educational Qualification

To apply for Senior Technical Assistant-B, candidates must have:

➡️ A B.Sc Degree in a relevant field (Science subjects)
OR

➡️ A 3-year Diploma in an engineering/technology discipline from a recognized institute.

📍 Important: Candidates with higher qualifications like B.E/B.Tech/M.Sc/M.Tech/Ph.D are NOT eligible for STA-B as on the eligibility date (01 January 2026). Result-awaited candidates are also not eligible.

Age Limit

• Minimum Age: 18 years
• Maximum Age: 28 years

Age relaxation is provided as per Government of India rules:

• SC/ST: 5 years
• OBC-NCL: 3 years
• PWBD: 10–15 years (depending on category)
• Ex-Servicemen & other categories: as per norms

Nationality

• Only Indian citizens are eligible to apply.

Application Process for DRDO Senior Technical Assistant B (STA B) 2026

The application process is fully online and candidates must complete it before the last date.

Important Dates

Application Fee

• STA-B (General/OBC/EWS): Around ₹750
• STA-B (Women/SC/ST/PWBD/Ex-Servicemen): Reduced fee category applies
  (Exact fee details to be confirmed from official notification)

Documents Required

• Recent passport-size photo
• Signature
• Educational Certificates
• ID proof (Aadhaar, Passport, Voter ID, etc.)
• Caste/Disability/Ex-Servicemen certificates (if applicable)

Exam Pattern – STA-B 2026

The DRDO STA-B exam follows a two-tier selection process.

Tier-I (Screening Test)

• Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
• Questions: 120 multiple choice questions (MCQs)
• Marks: 120
• Duration: 90 minutes
• Sections:
  • Quantitative Aptitude
  • General Intelligence & Reasoning
  • General Awareness
  • English Language
  • General Science
• Marking: 1 mark for each correct answer No negative marking

Tier-II (Main Exam)

• Mode: CBT (MCQs)
• Questions: 100
• Marks: 100
• Duration: 90 minutes
• Nature: Discipline-specific (subject knowledge based)

Tier-II evaluates technical knowledge relevant to the candidate’s chosen discipline (like Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, Electronics, Computer Science, etc.).

Detailed Syllabus – Tier-I & Tier-II

Understanding the syllabus is vital for planning your study schedule.

Tier-I Syllabus

The Tier-I syllabus is common for all technical posts:

Quantitative Aptitude

• Arithmetic
• Algebra
• Percentages
• Ratios
• Data Interpretation
• Basic calculations

General Intelligence & Reasoning

• Analogy
• Coding-Decoding
• Series
• Puzzles
• Logical Reasoning

General Awareness

• Current Affairs
• History
• Geography
• Indian Polity
• Economy

English Language

• Reading comprehension
• Vocabulary
• Grammar

General Science

• Basic Physics, Chemistry, and Biology from school level

This section tests general aptitude and awareness skills.

Tier-II Syllabus (Technical)

Tier-II focuses on the discipline in which you are applying. For example:

Mechanical Engineering

• Thermodynamics
• Strength of Materials
• Fluid Mechanics
• Machine Design

Electrical Engineering

• Circuits
• Machines
• Control Systems

Electronics & Communication

• Analog & Digital Electronics
• Signals & Systems
• Communication

Computer Science

• OS
• DBMS
• DS & Algo
• Computer Networks

The Tier-II syllabus is subject-specific and demands deeper technical preparation aligned with your Bachelor/Diploma area.

Preparation Strategy – How to Study for DRDO Senior Technical Assistant B (STA B)

The Likh Padh mobile test App provides everything which we have discussed above. Likh Padh test App provides free CBT mock papers for DRDO Senior Technical Assistant B exam 2026 along with detailed explanation and solution. The Likh Padh Test App also provide DRDO Senior Technical Assistant B free PYQ question papers that are asked in the previous years papers for DRDO Senior Technical Assistant B exam. Likh Padh also provides free previous year question paper PDF download for DRDO Senior Technical Assistant B exam 2026.

Preparing for DRDO STA-B requires a smart plan, consistency, and focus. Here’s a structured strategy:

1. Understand Exam Pattern & Syllabus First

• Before diving into books, you must be clear about:
• Sections asked
• Weightage of topics
• Time allotted
• Difficulty level of previous papers

Download past year papers and official syllabus PDF from drdo.gov.in for precise guidance.

2. Build a Monthly Study Plan

• Segment your preparation into:
• Daily practice for Quantitative aptitude
• Regular reasoning puzzles and English practice
• Weekly science & general awareness updates
• Rigorous technical revisions per your discipline

3. Focus on Tier-I First

• Clear basics of maths, reasoning, general science
• Improve speed and accuracy
• Attempt mock tests regularly

Use online test series to simulate the CBT environment.

4. Technical Depth for Tier-II

• Master core subject topics from your branch
• Solve previous year questions (PYQs) if available
• Practice discipline-specific MCQs

5. Time Management

• Set topic-wise targets
• Record your progress weekly
• Analyze mistakes and improve consistently

Job Profile – What Does an STA-B Do?

• Once selected, an STA-B can expect:
• Technical support in DRDO laboratories
• Handling instruments & experiments
• Assisting senior scientists in research projects
• Data collection & analysis
• Maintenance of technical systems

The job is technically engaging and involves real contributions to defence R&D.

💰 Salary and Benefits – STA-B Pay Scale

Selected candidates enjoy an attractive salary package under the 7th Central Pay Commission:

📍 Pay Matrix Level-6
💰 ₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400 per month + allowances like DA, HRA, TA, medical facilities, LTC, etc.

Monthly salary after allowances can go even higher depending on posting and perks.

Career Growth and Future Scope

• Working as an STA-B opens doors to:
• Internal promotions within DRDO
• Technical expert roles in research labs
• Opportunity for higher responsibilities
• Training programs and skill upgrades

Many aspirants also pursue higher education while working (with permission and within applicable rules). Growth is dependent on performance and experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is B.Tech valid for STA-B?

No. Candidates with B.Tech/BE/M.Tech/M.Sc are ineligible for STA-B as per notification norms.

2. Is there negative marking in the exam?

According to available updates, there is no negative marking in Tier-I.

3. What is the selection process?

Selection involves Tier-I screening and Tier-II technical exam (both CBT). Final merit is based mainly on Tier-II for STA-B candidates.

4. Can final year students apply?

No. Result-awaited or incomplete qualification candidates are not eligible.

5. What are job locations?

Selected candidates can be posted across different DRDO labs nationwide.

Conclusion – Your Path to DRDO STA-B Success

The DRDO STA-B Exam 2026 is an excellent opportunity for science graduates and diploma holders who aspire to serve the nation through technical excellence in research. By understanding the eligibility, pattern, syllabus, and preparation strategy, you can approach the exam with confidence and clarity.

• Remember:
• Study smart
• Practice consistently
• Track your performance
• Stay updated with official notifications

Likh Padh online mobile app free online test series, PYQ, mock test, previous year question papers to crack DRDO Senior Technical Assistant B (STA B) exam 2026. It is designed for DRDO Senior Technical Assistant B (STA B) exam and is developed according to the latest pattern of DRDO exam. These online test series are best for the exam preparation as it also covers the previous years asked questions of DRDO Senior Technical Assistant B (STA B) exam.

With dedication and the right strategy, securing a STA-B position at DRDO can be life-changing both professionally and personally.