DRDO Young Scientist Laboratory- Quantum Technologies (DYSL-QT) has released the Research Associate (RA) Recruitment 2026 notification on 22 June 2026 at the official website, drdo.gov.in. As per Advertisement No. 01/2026-27, candidates must send their application within 30 days from the date of publication of the advertisement in Employment News. This DRDO Associate Recruitment 2026 is for candidates with a postgraduate or doctoral background in Physics who want to work on quantum technology research at a DRDO laboratory.
DYSL-QT has notified 1 vacancy for the post of Research Associate (RA) in the discipline of Physics and allied branches. The place of posting is DYSL-QT, DIAT Campus, Girinagar, Pune, Maharashtra. Candidates should check all details from the below article.
Read this article carefully and go through the official notification before applying. Information verified from official DRDO DYSL-QT notification No. 01/2026-27 dated 22 June 2026.
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Quick Summary of DRDO RA Recruitment
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation / Employer | DRDO Young Scientist Laboratory- Quantum Technologies (DYSL-QT), Pune |
| Name of the Post | Research Associate (RA) |
| Total Vacancy | 1 |
| Stipend | ₹67,000 per month plus HRA as applicable |
| Application Mode | Offline (by post), soft copy also accepted by email |
| Eligibility | PhD or Masters with research experience in Physics/allied branches |
| Selection Process | Interview |
| Place of Posting | Pune, Maharashtra |
| Last Date of Application | Within 30 days of publication in Employment News |
| Who Can Apply | Both freshers (with PhD) and experienced candidates (with Masters + experience) |
| Interview Date | Date will be intimated to shortlisted candidates |
About DYSL-QT
DRDO Young Scientist Laboratory- Quantum Technologies (DYSL-QT) is a laboratory of young scientists working on extensive research and development in quantum technologies, covering quantum computing, quantum communication and quantum sensing. The lab works with eminent institutes including IITs, central and state universities, and other leading academic institutions. DYSL-QT functions under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and is located at the DIAT Campus in Girinagar, Pune
This is editorial context, not part of the official notification — confirm specifics with the hiring office. DYSL-QT is one of several DRDO Young Scientist Laboratories set up across India in fields such as artificial intelligence, cognitive technologies, asymmetric technologies, and quantum technologies. Compared with other central research fellowships in physical sciences, a stipend of ₹67,000 per month plus HRA sits in a similar range to RA positions advertised by other DRDO labs and CSIR institutions. The vacancy count here is small at just 1 post, which means competition is likely to be sharper than for recruitments with double-digit vacancies. Candidates who hold a PhD in physics or applied physics, and who are also tracking RA or JRF openings at IITs and CSIR labs working on quantum optics or photonics, may find this notification worth comparing against those parallel options before deciding where to apply first.
Important Dates
The notification does not list separate dates for online registration, written exam, or document verification, since selection is by interview only. One practical timing point from the notification: the duly filled application along with self-attested documents must physically reach the DYSL-QT office within the 30-day window; applications received after this period are not covered by the notification.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Released | 22 June 2026 |
| Last Date to Submit Application | Within 30 days from publication in Employment News |
| Interview Date | Date will be intimated to shortlisted candidates |
Vacancy Details & Salary
Here’s the breakdown of posts, total vacancy and salary for your reference.
| Post Name | Total Vacancy | Stipend |
|---|---|---|
| Research Associate (RA) | 1 | ₹67,000 per month + HRA as applicable |
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for Research Associate (RA) include education and age requirements. Candidates should make sure they meet all the conditions before applying.
Educational Qualification
Candidates must meet one of the two routes below:
- PhD or equivalent degree in Physics or allied branches.
- OR a Master’s degree (M.S./M.Sc./ME/MTech or equivalent) in Physics/Applied Physics/Optics/Photonics/allied branches, along with 3 years of research, teaching, or design and development experience, and at least 1 research paper published in a Science Citation Indexed (SCI) journal.
- The degree must be in First Division, wherever a division or equivalent grading is awarded.
Desirable qualifications (not mandatory, but advantageous):
- Proficiency in optical components, lasers, and quantum optics.
- Hands-on experience working in experimental optics, quantum optics, or free space optics.
- Exposure to recent progress, developments, and technology trends in quantum technologies.
Age Limit
As on the last date of receipt of application, the upper age limit is 35 years. The upper age limit is relaxable for SC, ST, and OBC (NCL) category candidates as per existing government rules.
Selection Process
Selection for this post involves a single stage. The notification confirms the following:
- Interview — Candidates will be shortlisted based on eligibility, and the date, time, venue, and mode of the interview will be communicated by email to shortlisted candidates only.
One practical insight from the notification: candidates already working in government departments, PSUs, or autonomous bodies must apply through proper channel and carry a signed declaration (Annexure II) confirming they have informed their Cadre Controlling Authority, along with a No Objection Certificate (Annexure III) to be produced at the time of interview.
How to Apply for DRDO DYSL-QT Recruitment 2026
Candidates can apply by following the steps below, using only the process described in the official notification.
- Download the application form and specimen formats from www.drdo.gov.in under What’s New, or request them by email at dyslqtdrdo@gmail.com.
- Fill the application form completely in the prescribed format.
- Attach self-attested copies of all academic certificates and experience documents.
- Attach proof of the CGPA-to-percentage conversion formula from the university or institution, where applicable.
- Send the physical application by post to the address given below, superscribing the envelope with “Application for RA” at the top left corner.
- Send a soft copy of the completed application to dyslqtdrdo@gmail.com as well.
- Candidates already employed in government, PSU, or autonomous bodies must route the application through proper channel along with the Annexure II declaration.
Postal address: The Director, DRDO Young Scientist Laboratory- Quantum Technology (DYSL-QT), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Hall No. 1, Ground Floor, Vigyan Upakendra, DIAT Campus, Girinagar, Pune- 411025, Maharashtra.
Documents Checklist Before You Leave Home:
- Filled application form with self-attested photograph
- All academic certificates, self-attested, from SSLC/Matric onwards
- Experience certificates, self-attested, where claiming research/teaching/design experience
- Proof of CGPA-to-percentage conversion formula from the university or institution
- No Objection Certificate (NOC), if already employed or previously appointed as JRF/RA
- Aadhaar card copy or any photo identity issued by the Government of India
- Signed declaration (Annexure II), if applying through proper channel from a government/PSU/autonomous body
💡 Tips for Sending Application through India Post Service
Send your application by Speed Post with Acknowledgement Card (AD Card) [Posting Charge Starts from Rs. 47/- depending on weight]— you’ll get delivery confirmation right at your doorstep. India Post no longer offers standalone Registered Post (Domestic) as of September 2025, so Speed Post is the safest option now.
Use a thick green envelope to protect your documents from damage in transit. Write your contact number clearly on the back of the envelope.
Arrange your documents in this order before sealing: application form first, then educational certificates, then experience documents. Punch a small hole on the top-left corner of the entire set and tie it neatly with a thread.
Only enclose what is asked for. Extra documents increase postage costs and make it harder for the employer to sort through your application. [This is General tips follow information as advised in official notification]
Important Links
Candidates applying for Research Associate (RA) are advised to visit the important links below for the official PDF and application form:
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Notification PDF | DRDO Associate Recruitment 2026 PDF Notification |
| Latest Defence & DRDO Jobs | Latest DRDO Recruitment 2026 |
Related Jobs
Should You Apply?
This post suits candidates with a PhD in Physics or a Master’s degree in Physics, Applied Physics, Optics, or Photonics, particularly those with prior hands-on work in lasers, optical components, or quantum optics, since the desirable qualifications point directly at experimental quantum optics work. It is a strong fit for early-career researchers who want exposure to a DRDO laboratory working alongside IITs and central universities on quantum computing, communication, and sensing.
It is less suited to candidates without any background in optics or experimental physics, since the desirable criteria are weighted toward laboratory-based quantum optics experience rather than purely theoretical physics. With only 1 vacancy advertised, competition is likely to be high relative to recruitments with larger vacancy counts, especially among PhD holders in optics-adjacent fields.
Based on how DRDO Young Scientist Laboratories have structured RA tenures so far, this fellowship typically functions as a stepping stone toward longer DRDO scientist roles, postdoctoral positions, or academic appointments, though absorption into DRDO is explicitly not guaranteed. One trade-off worth weighing: the fellowship is for a fixed two-year period, and the notification states it confers no right to permanent absorption.
FAQs — Research Associate (RA) Recruitment 2026
Is there an age relaxation for reserved categories?
Yes. The upper age limit of 35 years is relaxable for SC, ST, and OBC (NCL) candidates as per existing government rules, though the notification does not specify the exact number of years of relaxation.
Can someone who was previously a DRDO RA apply again?
No. The notification states that candidates who have already served as RA in any DRDO laboratory or centre are not eligible to apply again for this position.
How long does the DYSL-QT RA fellowship last, and what comes after it?
The fellowship runs for two years. Based on patterns at other DRDO Young Scientist Laboratories, RA tenures often lead to postdoctoral roles, DRDO scientist recruitment, or academic positions, though this post does not guarantee absorption into DRDO.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sandeep Khati is the founder of India Job Alerts and a B.Tech in Computer Science from JGEC (2010). He started his career as a Systems Engineer at TCS and has been active in digital publishing since 2011, beginning with SearchDarjeeling.com(2011) and working as a web developer and designer at Darjeeling Informatics. Launched in April 2025, India Job Alerts is his most focused project — dedicated to publishing verified government and PSU job notifications for West Bengal, Sikkim, and All-India candidates. Every post is cross-checked against official notifications before publishing.. Know more