DRDO Recruitment 2026 Notice Out for 48 Chair, Fellowship, JRF and Paid Internship Vacancies, Apply by October 16

• DRDO has 48 openings across DHR&V, MTRDC Bengaluru and CASDIC Hyderabad recruitment programmes.
• Vacancies include DRDO Chair, Distinguished Fellowship, Fellowship, Junior Research Fellow and Paid Intern positions.
• Applications/interviews have separate deadlines from October 11 to October 16, 2026, depending on the recruitment.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is inviting candidates for 48 positions through three separate recruitment and research engagement programmes in 2026. The openings include 15 DRDO Chair and Fellowship positions under the Directorate of Human Resource & Vigilance (DHR&V), three Junior Research Fellow (JRF) posts at the Microwave Tube Research and Development Centre (MTRDC), Bengaluru, and 30 Paid Intern positions at the Combat Aircraft System Development and Integration Centre (CASDIC), Hyderabad.

The three DRDO Recruitment 2026 programmes cater to different candidate groups. The DHR&V positions are intended for retired or retiring senior government, scientific, academic and equivalent defence personnel, while MTRDC is recruiting engineering and science candidates for JRF positions. CASDIC’s internship programme is aimed primarily at students pursuing specified engineering and science programmes.

The application and selection procedures also differ. CASDIC applications must be submitted by October 11, 2026, while MTRDC will conduct its JRF walk-in interview on October 15. Applications for the DHR&V Chair and Fellowship programme must reach the prescribed authority by October 16, 2026.

DRDO Recruitment 2026 Notification

DRDO’s three recruitment programmes together account for 48 openings, ranging from senior fellowship positions carrying honorarium of up to ₹1.25 lakh per month to JRF research positions and paid student internships.

Important Dates

Candidates should note that there is no single application deadline covering all 48 openings.

DRDO Vacancy Details 2026

The largest share of the consolidated recruitment comes from CASDIC, which has 30 internship positions. DHR&V has 15 senior fellowship and chair openings, while MTRDC is filling three JRF positions.

CASDIC Paid Internship Vacancy Distribution

DHR&V DRDO Chair and Fellowship Eligibility

The 15 DHR&V openings are meant for senior retired or retiring personnel with experience corresponding to specified government pay levels.

Candidates should fall within the permitted period of up to five years after superannuation.

MTRDC JRF Qualification

Candidates seeking the three Junior Research Fellow positions at MTRDC Bengaluru must have the prescribed qualification in electronics or electrical-related disciplines. The accepted qualifications include First Division B.E./B.Tech in Electronics & Instrumentation, Electronics & Communication, Electronics & Telecommunication, Electrical & Electronics or Electronics Engineering with a valid NET/GATE score.

Candidates with M.Sc in Electronics with a valid NET score are also covered, along with candidates holding M.E./M.Tech in Electronics, Power Electronics or Electrical Engineering.

The maximum age for the MTRDC JRF recruitment is 28 years as on the interview date. The stated relaxation is five years for SC/ST candidates and three years for OBC-NCL candidates. PwD candidates are also covered by the applicable relaxation provisions.

CASDIC Paid Internship Eligibility

CASDIC’s 30 paid internships are aimed at students pursuing relevant engineering and science programmes. Candidates in the specified B.E./B.Tech streams must be in their final year and have a minimum CGPA of 7.5 across previous semesters from an AICTE/UGC-approved institution.

The programme covers relevant Electronics/Electrical, Electronics & Communication, Electronics & Telecommunication, Computer Science, Information Technology and Mechanical Engineering streams.

The recruitment details also provide for eligible second-year M.Sc students with at least 70% marks in the first-year examination. The maximum stated age is 25 years as of the application deadline, subject to applicable Government of India relaxation provisions.

Salary, Honorarium and Stipend

Compensation varies substantially because the three notifications cover senior experts, research fellows and students.

For DHR&V engagements, the fixed honorarium is subject to the applicable pension-related restriction, under which the amount is limited based on the difference between the last basic pay drawn and basic pension. Regular allowances such as DA, HRA, government accommodation and medical reimbursement are not applicable, although admissible Transport Allowance may be provided.

The MTRDC JRF engagement carries ₹37,000 per month plus HRA and is initially for two years, with extension subject to the applicable requirements.

Selection Process

Selection differs across the three DRDO programmes. DHR&V applications will undergo screening and shortlisting, followed by consideration by the selection committee and approval of the competent authority. The recruitment information states that there is no written examination or interview for these DHR&V positions.

MTRDC will select JRF candidates through a walk-in interview, with candidates required to undergo registration/document verification before appearing before the interview panel.

CASDIC internship selection is based on academic merit, including marks or CGPA in the relevant examinations. Shortlisted candidates may also be called for an online interview or interaction.

How to Apply for DRDO DHR&V Recruitment 2026

DHR&V applications have to be submitted offline. Candidates should obtain the prescribed application form, complete all required particulars and attach self-attested supporting documents relating to age, qualifications, service/experience and other applicable credentials.

The completed application must be dispatched to the address specified in the notification through Speed Post or Registered Post so that it reaches the prescribed authority by October 16, 2026.

How to Attend DRDO MTRDC JRF Walk-in

MTRDC JRF applicants should first check the prescribed qualification and prepare their educational certificates, NET/GATE scorecard where applicable, photo identification, category certificate and other supporting documents.

Eligible candidates must report at the venue specified in the MTRDC notification on October 15, 2026, with original documents and the required self-attested photocopies. Registration and document verification will be followed by the walk-in interview.

How to Apply for CASDIC DRDO Internship 2026

CASDIC internship candidates have to prepare the prescribed application/bio-data and supporting educational documents. Applications are to be submitted through email to the address specified in the CASDIC notification.

Applicants should mention the relevant Paid Intern application details and Advertisement No. CASDIC/HRG/PDINTERN/2026/01 as prescribed and ensure that their application reaches CASDIC by October 11, 2026. Selected students are scheduled to be informed by November 13, with the internship planned to begin on December 1, 2026.

Important Links

Candidates should use the DRDO official website to access the respective DHR&V, MTRDC and CASDIC recruitment notices, application formats, addresses, interview venue details and other programme-specific instructions before applying.