DRDO JTO Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Eligibility

Tier-I has no negative marking. You need 40% (UR, OBC, EWS) or 35% (SC, ST) in Tier-I to be considered, and Tier-II has the same minimums: 40% for UR and OBC, 35% for SC and ST.

CEPTAM lists only the two languages for Tier-I and translation plus essay for Tier-II. The FAQ adds only that the level matches the qualification for the post, which here is a master's degree or its equivalent.

Any one of these, held by the crucial date:

• A master's degree in English or Hindi, with the other language as a compulsory or elective subject at degree level.
• A master's degree in any subject with Hindi as the medium of instruction and exam, and English compulsory at degree level.
• A bachelor's degree with Hindi and English as main subjects (or one as medium and the other a main subject), plus a recognised diploma or certificate in Hindi-English translation, or two years' translation experience in Central or State Government offices or PSUs.

Age: not over 30. OBC (NCL) get 3 extra years, SC and ST 5, PwBD 10 on top of those, and other groups as per central rules.

The 33 vacancies in 2022: ST 1, OBC 3, UR 29, with one PwBD post each for categories A and D. Posting stations were Ahmednagar, Balasore, Bengaluru, Chennai, Dehradun, Delhi, Haldwani, Hyderabad, Jagdalpur, Kochi, Leh, Mysore and Pune.

Unlike the other A&A posts, JTO is decided by a written descriptive paper. Tier-I shortlists roughly eight candidates per vacancy; the final merit list is drawn from the Tier-II marks. If two candidates tie, Tier-I marks break it, then age (older first). There is no interview.

Level 6: ₹35,400–1,12,400 basic, plus DA, HRA, transport allowance and the other central allowances. Pension under NPS.

Apply online through the CEPTAM link on DRDO's site. Fee ₹100, with women, SC, ST, PwBD and ex-servicemen exempt. Have your degree certificates ready, and your translation diploma or experience certificate if you qualify by that route.

No new round has been announced. CEPTAM's latest advertisement, CEPTAM-11 of December 2025, was for technical posts.

Tier-I results for CEPTAM-10/A&A were published in May 2023, along with Tier-II admit cards for JTO, on the CEPTAM-10/A&A page (archived). New results will be posted on DRDO Vacancies.

• Tier-II carries 200 marks and decides the merit list, so practise timed translation both ways.
• Prepare formal office and technical vocabulary in Hindi; DRDO's work is defence research.
• Write a few essays in both languages within a fixed time.

• DRDO Vacancies (next CEPTAM notice)
• CEPTAM-10/A&A advertisement (archived PDF)
• CEPTAM-10/A&A FAQs (archived PDF)
• CEPTAM-10/A&A page with JTO Tier-II admit card, May 2023 (archived)

Is DRDO JTO a telecom post?

No. CEPTAM's JTO is Junior Translation Officer, a Hindi-English translation post.

Is it gazetted?

No. It is Group B non-gazetted, Pay Level 6.

What is the age limit?

30, with relaxation for reserved categories.

How is the final merit decided?

By the Tier-II translation and essay paper, 200 marks.

Is a recruitment open now?

No. The last was CEPTAM-10/A&A in 2022.