Defence Research & Development Service

DRDS Cadre Officers/Scientists are inducted into the Department of Defence R & D (also known as DRDO) under the Ministry of Defence. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) came into existence in 1958 by the merger of the Technical Development Establishment and the Directorate of Technical Development and Production with the Defence Science Organisation. DRDS was formed in 1979, and a separate Department of Defence Research and Development was created in 1980, which later on administered DRDO and its 52 laboratories/establishments. A senior DRDS scientist was made the Director General of DRDO, Scientific Adviser to the Raksha Mantri (Defence Minister of India) and ex officio Secretary of the Department of Defence Research and Development.

However, in 2015, the post was bifurcated and the senior DRDS scientist held the post of Director General of DRDO and the Secretary of the Department of Defence Research and Development. And a younger and experienced DRDS scientist was made the Scientific Adviser to the Raksha Mantri (SA to RM).[5] Further in 2015, the post of Director General, DRDO was renamed as Chairman, DRDO.[6]

The recruitment process of DRDS Officers focuses upon high level competence and professional acumen of the candidates. Every year the organization inducts the Officer trainees from prestigeous institutions like IITs, NITs , IISc etc as well as reputed services on deputation. Selected Scientists/Officers undergo rigorous training at various training academies of DRDO.

Initially, UPSC was entrusted for the recruitment of DRDS Officers/Scientist. However, subsequent to reconstitution of DRDS Cadre in 1979, the Recruitment & Assessment Center (RAC) was mandated for all the recruitment and promotion recommendations to the Government. Currently, RAC deals with the matters of recruitment, promotions, training and capability building of Group 'A' Officers only.

DRDS Officers/ Scientists are recruited into DRDO (Department of Defence R&D) by one of the following means:

• Direct Recruitment through Scientist Entry Test (SET).
• Screening through GATE followed by competitive written exam based on UPSC IES (MAINS) Examination and Interview.
• Transfer of officers from other Group A technical civil services, particularly through the Indian Ordnance Factories Service .
• Deputation or on Contract of suitable scientists and technologists from other research organisations.
• Absorption in civilian capacity of technical officers from the Indian Armed Forces .

Being engaged in defence technology research and development, the DRDS scientists have to be abreast with the latest technologies around the world and are trained at the premier Defence Institute of Advanced Technology, Pune. Since the DRDS scientists also have the responsibility of managing the workforce, establishments and projects of DRDO, they are trained in management at the Institute of Technology Management, Mussoorie. They are also educated and trained at the Indian Institutes of Technology, Indian Institutes of Management, and Indian Institute of Science, other civil and defence academies of India as well as at other foreign universities.[7]

DRDS Officers/Scientists are engaged in developing defence technologies covering various fields like aeronautics, armaments, electronics, land combat engineering, life sciences, materials, missiles, and naval systems.

DRDO is one among the few Govt organizations which is administered by the technical service officers rather than being managed by bureaucrats viz. IAS etc. By convention, DRDO is headed by the DRDS Scientist/Officer only. DRDO follows the merit-based promotion system for its Group A scientists rather than the seniority-based promotion system which is followed by the other civil services of India. The merit-based promotions ensure that only the exceptionally performing scientists are promoted to higher grades irrespective of their seniority and it is common to see a junior scientist superseding his seniors. In 2014, the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi also called for reforms at the laboratory level and asked to appoint scientists below the age of 35 to head at least five laboratories and / or establishments out of the fifty-two establishments of DRDO.[8] DRDS scientists can apply for service extension beyond the age of superannuation to ensure continuity of highly critical defence projects.

• A. P. J. Abdul Kalam - 11th President of India. Known as the "Missile Man of India" and the "People's President".[9] Served as the Director General of DRDO, SA to RM and Secretary, Department of Defence Research & Development from 1992 to 1999. Key architect of India's missile and space programmes. Awarded the three highest civilian honours of India: Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan among numerous other accolades from within the country and abroad.
• Raja Ramanna - "Father of the India's nuclear program". Served as the Director General of DRDO, SA to RM and Secretary of Department of Defence R&D, Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy, Chairman of Atomic Energy Commission, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, President, Indian National Science Academy, Director, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Minister of State for Defence and Member of Parliament (India). Awarded Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri by the Govt. of India.
• V. K. Saraswat - Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University and Member of NITI Aayog.
• A. Sivathanu Pillai - Honorary Distinguished Professor[10] at Indian Space Research Organisation[10][11] Awarded Padma Bhushan.
• V. S. R. Arunachalam - Served as the Director General of DRDO, SA to RM and Secretary of Department of Defence R&D. Awarded Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan.
• V. K. Aatre - Served as the Director General of DRDO, SA to RM and Secretary of Department of Defence R&D. Awarded Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan.

• Recruitment and Assessment Centre, DRDO
• Defence Institute of Advanced Technology, Pune
• Institute of Technology Management, Mussoorie
• Defence Research and Development Organisation
• Ministry of Defence, Government of India