The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has released multiple recruitment and engagement notifications in 2026 for Research Associates, Junior Research Fellows, Paid Interns, Apprentices and other research-related posts. These opportunities are available across different DRDO laboratories in India, including labs in Delhi, Pune, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Dehradun, Kanpur and other locations.
Key details at a glance
- Total posts
- 65+ across multiple DRDO lab-wise notifications
- Apply mode
- Online / Email / Offline / Walk-in, notification-wise
- Location
- DRDO labs across India
In this article12 sections
Unlike one single recruitment exam, DRDO recruitment for RA, JRF, internships and apprenticeships is usually released lab-wise. Each DRDO lab publishes its own vacancy notice, eligibility criteria, application process, interview date and last date. Candidates should always verify the latest active notices from the official DRDO vacancies page before applying. The DRDO vacancies page currently lists active notices for paid internships, JRF/RA posts, apprenticeships and other lab-wise engagements.
DRDO Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Defence Research and Development Organisation |
| Post Types | Research Associate, Junior Research Fellow, Paid Intern, Apprentice and Other |
| Total Vacancies | 65+ across multiple DRDO lab-wise notifications |
| Application Mode | Online / Email / Offline / Walk-in, notification-wise |
| Selection Process | Interview / Merit / Document Verification, post-wise |
| Official Website | drdo.gov.in |
| Job / Training Location | DRDO labs across India |
| Suitable For | PhD, M.Tech, B.Tech, M.Sc, PG, UG Engineering/Science students and eligible candidates |
Latest DRDO Vacancy Details 2026
DRDO has released several active and recent notifications in June and July 2026. The official DRDO vacancies page lists CVRDE Chennai JRF 2026, DYSL-QT Pune JRF/RA, DIPAS paid internship, DEAL Dehradun apprenticeships, INMAS apprenticeship selection lists, and other lab-wise notices.
Recent DRDO vacancy archives also show paid internship notifications from labs such as HEMRL Pune, LRDE Bengaluru, ARDE Pune, ISSA Delhi, RCI Hyderabad, SAG Delhi, NPOL Kochi, ITR Chandipur, DEAL Dehradun, DMSRDE Kanpur and others.
Some opportunities are already closed, while others may still be active depending on the notification date. Therefore, candidates should check the official DRDO vacancy page daily for updated deadlines.
Post Details
Research Associate
The Research Associate (RA) post is generally suitable for candidates with a PhD or equivalent research qualification in a relevant science or engineering discipline. In some cases, candidates with postgraduate qualifications and research experience may also be considered, depending on the lab’s official notification.
RA posts are ideal for candidates who want to work on advanced defence research projects, scientific analysis, technology development, material science, physics, electronics, life sciences, artificial intelligence, aerospace, quantum technology or other specialized domains.
Junior Research Fellow
The Junior Research Fellow (JRF) post is one of the most common DRDO research opportunities. JRF posts are generally suitable for candidates with B.E./B.Tech, M.E./M.Tech, M.Sc or equivalent qualification in relevant disciplines. Many DRDO JRF notifications require candidates to have a valid GATE / NET score or first-class academic record.
For example, DRDO INMAS Delhi released a 2026 notice for Research Associate and Junior Research Fellowship interviews, with the last date for email submission mentioned as 30 June 2026.
Paid Internships
DRDO also offers paid internship opportunities for UG and PG students from Engineering and Science backgrounds. Paid internships are usually lab-wise and may run for a fixed duration, such as a few weeks or up to six months, depending on the project and laboratory.
The official DRDO vacancy archive shows several paid internship notifications in 2026 from labs including RCI Hyderabad, SAG Delhi, LRDE Bengaluru, ARDE Pune, ITR Chandipur, NPOL Kochi, HEMRL Pune and others.
Some reports also mention large paid internship opportunities at DRDO labs, including 160 paid internship vacancies at RCI Hyderabad and paid internships with stipend support. Candidates should verify the exact seats and stipend from the official lab notification before applying.
Apprentices and Other Vacancies
Apart from RA, JRF and internships, DRDO labs also release notifications for Graduate Apprentices, Technician Apprentices, Diploma Apprentices and Trade Apprentices. The DRDO vacancies page currently lists apprenticeship-related notices such as DEAL Dehradun Apprenticeship 2026-27 and INMAS apprenticeship updates.
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Educational Qualification
The qualification depends on the post and lab.
For Research Associate, candidates usually need a PhD or equivalent research experience in the relevant discipline. For Junior Research Fellow, candidates generally need B.E., B.Tech, M.E., M.Tech, M.Sc or equivalent qualification with first division and GATE / NET wherever required.
For Paid Internships, candidates are usually pursuing UG or PG courses in Engineering, Science or related fields. For Apprenticeship posts, candidates may need ITI, Diploma, B.E., B.Tech, B.Sc, B.Com or other qualifications depending on the apprentice category.
Candidates should read the official notification carefully because DRDO lab-wise eligibility can be different for every post.
Age Limit
The age limit varies by post. Generally, the upper age limit for Junior Research Fellow posts is around 28 years, while for Research Associate posts it can be around 35 years. Age relaxation is usually available for SC, ST, OBC and PwBD candidates as per Government of India rules.
For internships and apprenticeships, the age rules may be different or may depend on student status and course requirements. Candidates must verify the exact age limit from the lab-wise notification.
Stipend / Salary Details
DRDO JRF and RA posts usually offer fellowship or stipend as per government norms. JRF posts commonly offer monthly fellowship along with HRA where applicable, while RA posts generally offer a higher fellowship amount. Paid internship stipends vary by lab and notification. Some paid internship reports mention stipends up to ₹30,000 per month, but candidates should verify the exact amount from the official notice.
Apprentices receive stipend as per the Apprentices Act and the rules mentioned in the specific DRDO lab notification.
Selection Process
The selection process depends on the post. For Research Associate and Junior Research Fellow, selection is usually through walk-in interview, online interview or shortlisted interview. Candidates may be shortlisted based on academic marks, GATE / NET score, research experience and relevance of specialization.
For Paid Internships, selection is usually based on academic performance, course relevance, project requirement and recommendation documents, if required. For Apprentices, selection is often based on merit and document verification.
Candidates must carry original documents during interview or verification.
Documents Required
Candidates should keep these documents ready:
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Updated CV / Resume | Profile and experience details |
| 10th certificate | Date of birth proof |
| Degree / Diploma / PG certificates | Qualification proof |
| Mark sheets | Academic verification |
| GATE / NET scorecard | JRF eligibility, where required |
| PhD certificate / thesis proof | RA eligibility, where required |
| Experience certificate | Research or industry experience |
| Caste / category certificate | Reservation benefit |
| Passport-size photograph | Application / interview |
| Photo ID proof | Identity verification |
| Bonafide certificate | Internship applicants, if required |
| NOC | If currently employed |
How to Apply for DRDO Recruitment 2026
Candidates should visit the official DRDO website and open the Vacancies section. The official page lists current DRDO recruitment, fellowship, internship and apprenticeship notices with advertisement number, published date, start date and end date.
After opening the relevant notification, candidates should read the eligibility, age limit, discipline, application format, email address, interview date and document instructions. Depending on the notification, candidates may need to apply by email, submit an online form, send documents by post or appear directly for a walk-in interview.
Important Instructions
Candidates should apply only through the official DRDO website or the official email/application method mentioned in the notification. DRDO vacancies are lab-wise, so the last date and application mode can be different for each lab.
Do not trust fake job messages, unofficial WhatsApp links or paid agents. DRDO and RAC also warn candidates to use only official recruitment websites for authentic information.
Conclusion
The DRDO Recruitment 2026 for 65+ Research Associates, Junior Research Fellows, Interns and other vacancies is a strong opportunity for candidates interested in defence research, science, engineering, technology development and innovation. DRDO labs across India release separate notifications for RA, JRF, internships and apprenticeships throughout the year.
Eligible candidates should check the official DRDO vacancies page, download the relevant notification, confirm the eligibility and apply before the last date. Since the vacancies are lab-wise and deadlines change frequently, candidates should regularly visit drdo.gov.in for the latest updates.
FAQs
What is DRDO Recruitment 2026?
DRDO Recruitment 2026 includes lab-wise vacancies for Research Associates, Junior Research Fellows, Paid Interns, Apprentices and other posts.
How many vacancies are available?
There are 65+ vacancies across multiple DRDO lab-wise notifications, and the number may increase as new notices are released.
Where can candidates apply?
Candidates should apply through the official DRDO website at drdo.gov.in and follow the application method given in the specific notification.
What is the qualification for DRDO JRF?
DRDO JRF posts generally require B.E., B.Tech, M.E., M.Tech, M.Sc or equivalent qualification in the relevant discipline, often with GATE / NET.
What is the qualification for DRDO Research Associate?
Research Associate posts generally require a PhD or equivalent research qualification in the relevant subject.
Are DRDO internships paid?
Many DRDO labs offer paid internships, but stipend and duration depend on the specific lab-wise notification.
What is the selection process?
Selection is generally through interview, merit, document verification or shortlisting, depending on the post.
