ARDE, Pune, a premier defence lab under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has invited applications for Junior Research Fellow (JRF) and Research Associate (RA) posts. As per Advertisement No. ARDE/JRF-RA/2026, candidates can send their applications for these fellowship positions till 31st August 2026 (Monday). Read the complete details in the official ARDE JRF-RA 2026 notification PDF. This recruitment suits young Indian science and engineering candidates who want to pursue defence-related research in Pune.
ARDE is inviting applications for a total of 24 posts across Electronics, Computer Science, Mechanical/Metallurgy, Aeronautical disciplines, and one Research Associate post. A full discipline-wise breakdown of vacancies, stipend, and eligibility follows below. The place of posting is ARDE, Armament Post, Pashan, Pune. Candidates should check all details in the article below.
Information verified from the official Armament Research and Development Establishment notification No. ARDE/JRF-RA/2026. Last verified: 21 July 2026.
ARDE, Pune, under DRDO, is recruiting 24 Junior Research Fellow (JRF) and Research Associate (RA) posts through Advertisement No. ARDE/JRF-RA/2026. The last date to send applications is 31st August 2026 (Monday), and applications must be sent offline, by post, to the Director, ARDE, Armament Post, Pune – 411 021. Selection is through shortlisting followed by an interview or written test for shortlisted candidates only.
Quick Summary Table
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE), DRDO |
| Post | Junior Research Fellow (JRF) & Research Associate (RA) |
| Total Vacancy | 24 Posts |
| Salary | Rs. 37,000/pm (JRF), Rs. 67,000/pm (RA) |
| Application Mode | Offline (by post) |
| Eligibility | BE/BTech/MSc/MTech in relevant discipline with NET/GATE (JRF); PhD or ME/MTech with 3 years R&D experience (RA) |
| Selection Process | Shortlisting, then interview/written test |
| Place of Posting | ARDE, Armament Post, Pashan, Pune – 411 021 |
| Last Date | 31st August 2026 (Monday) |
| Who Can Apply | Indian Nationals meeting age and qualification criteria |
About ARDE
Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), based in Pashan, Pune, is one of DRDO’s core laboratories, described in the notification as “a premier Lab” of the organisation. This is added context, not part of the official notification. Confirm with the hiring office. JRF and RA positions at ARDE let candidates work alongside DRDO scientists on live defence research projects, which can be a useful stepping stone for a research career in India’s defence and public-sector R&D ecosystem, even though the fellowship itself does not guarantee a permanent DRDO position.
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For candidates comparing government research and PSU openings this year, the ARDE JRF and RA stipends sit alongside other current defence and public-sector opportunities. This is added context, not part of the official notification. Candidates looking at officer-level banking jobs can also consider current openings in that space, while those interested in short-term professional assignments in the public sector may find similar young-professional style postings relevant. Unlike a permanent PSU or bank job, the ARDE fellowship is a fixed-term research engagement, initially for two years and extendable as per rules for JRF, and it does not by itself lead to permanent absorption in DRDO.
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Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Start Date | 21 July 2026 |
| Last Date to Send Application | 31st August 2026 (Monday) |
Applications must reach the ARDE office in Pune on or before this date — postal delays are the candidate’s responsibility, so early dispatch is advisable.
Vacancy Details and Salary
ARDE has notified 24 posts in total, spread across four JRF categories and one RA category. The fellowships are offered initially for a period of two years, extendable as per rules for JRF. HRA, medical facilities, and a contingency grant are also admissible, as per rules, in addition to the stipend shown below.
| Sl. No. | Category | Discipline | No. of Vacancies | Stipend (per month) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Junior Research Fellow | Electronics/ Electronics & Communication/ Applied Electronics/ Signal Processing/ Microwave/ Microelectronics/ Microwave Engg./ Power Electronics/ Electronics & Instrumentation/ Instrumentation and Control/ Applied Physics/ Applied Optics (laser & fiber optics)/ Photonics and similar disciplines | 8 | Rs. 37,000 |
| 2 | Junior Research Fellow | Computer Science/ Computer Engg./ Computer Science & IT/ Computer Applications/ Information Science/ Informatics & Networking/ Data Science/ Software Engg./ Cyber Security/ AI & ML/ Big Data Analysis and similar disciplines | 4 | Rs. 37,000 |
| 3 | Junior Research Fellow | Mechanical/ Metallurgy/ Metallurgical Engg./ Material Engg./ Material Science/ Manufacturing Engg./ Production Engg. | 10 | Rs. 37,000 |
| 4 | Junior Research Fellow | Aeronautical/ Aerospace Engineering | 1 | Rs. 37,000 |
| 5 | Research Associate | Electronics Engineering (PhD), or ME/MTech with minimum 3 years R&D experience | 1 | Rs. 67,000 |
| Total | 24 |
Eligibility (Post-Wise)
JRF — Electronics and Related Disciplines (8 posts)
BE/BTech in Electronics/ Electronics & Communication/ Applied Electronics/ Signal Processing/ Microwave/ Microelectronics/ Microwave Engg./ Power Electronics/ Electronics & Instrumentation/ Instrumentation and Control/ Applied Physics/ Applied Optics (with specialisation in laser and fiber optics)/ Photonics and similar disciplines, in first division, with NET/GATE qualification. OR MSc in the same set of disciplines, in first division, with NET/GATE qualification. OR MTech/ME in the same set of disciplines, in first division at both graduate and postgraduate level.
JRF — Computer Science (4 posts)
BE/BTech in Computer Science/ Computer Engg./ Computer Science & IT/ Computer Applications/ Information Science/ Informatics & Networking/ Data Science/ Software Engg./ Cyber Security/ AI & ML/ Big Data Analysis and similar disciplines, with NET/GATE qualification. OR MSc (Computer Science) in first division with NET/GATE qualification.
JRF — Mechanical/Metallurgy/Material Science (10 posts)
BE/BTech in Mechanical/ Metallurgy/ Metallurgical Engg./ Material Engg./ Material Science/ Manufacturing Engg./ Production Engg., in first division, with NET/GATE qualification. OR ME/MTech in the same set of disciplines, in first division at both graduate and postgraduate level.
JRF — Aeronautical/Aerospace (1 post)
BE/BTech in Aeronautical/ Aerospace Engineering, in first division, with NET/GATE qualification. OR MTech/ME in Aeronautical/ Aerospace Engineering, in first division at both graduate and postgraduate level.
Research Associate — Electronics Engineering (1 post)
PhD in Electronics Engineering from a reputed institution, or ME/MTech with a minimum of 3 years of R&D experience in a reputed institution.
- Candidates who have submitted their PhD thesis may also apply. The Research Associateship will be awarded only after the degree is conferred, before the validity of the award offer expires.
- Candidate must have at least one research paper published in a standard refereed journal listed in the Journal Citation Report (JCR) or a Science Citation Indexed (SCI) journal.
- Desirable: experience in RF/Microwaves/Antenna.
Age Limit (all posts)
Maximum 28 years for JRF posts and 35 years for the RA post, as on the date of interview. Age relaxation of 5 years applies for SC/ST candidates and 3 years for OBC candidates.
Selection Process
Selection for ARDE JRF and RA posts happens in stages. Only candidates who clear the earlier stage move to the next.
- Screening of Bio-data/CV against the eligibility criteria for the chosen post.
- Shortlisting of eligible candidates.
- Interview and/or written test for shortlisted candidates only. Interview/test dates are communicated by email only to shortlisted candidates.
Shortlisted candidates called for the interview or written test are eligible for reimbursement of actual train or bus fare by the shortest route, limited to sleeper-class railway fare, from the place mentioned in the interview letter or the place the journey started, whichever is less, as per the applicable rules.
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Application Fee
Application fee details are not mentioned in the official notification. Check the official website for updates.
How to Apply
- Prepare your CV/Bio-data as per the proforma enclosed with the notification, filled in your own handwriting.
- Affix a recent passport-size photograph on the right top corner of the Bio-data.
- Attach self-attested copies of certificates for educational qualification, NET/GATE scorecard, caste certificate, and any other document supporting a claim made in the application.
- Candidates working in Government/PSU/Autonomous Bodies must bring a “No Objection Certificate” from their current employer.
- Address the Bio-data to The Director, Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE), Armament Post, Pune – 411 021, with the name of the post clearly written on the envelope.
- Send the application by post so that it reaches the ARDE office on or before 31st August 2026 (Monday).
Documents to keep ready
- Bio-data/CV as per the prescribed proforma, in your own handwriting
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Self-attested copies of educational qualification certificates
- NET/GATE scorecard
- Caste certificate (if applicable)
- No Objection Certificate (for Government/PSU/Autonomous Body employees)
- Any other document supporting a claim made in the application
💡 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
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Notification PDF | ARDE JRF-RA 2026 Notification PDF |
| How to Apply | Offline — send Bio-data to The Director, ARDE, Armament Post, Pune – 411 021 |
| Related Job | PNB Local Bank Officer Recruitment 2026 |
Should You Apply?
This fellowship suits candidates with a first-division BE/BTech, MSc, or MTech in electronics, computer science, mechanical/metallurgy, or aeronautical disciplines, along with a valid NET or GATE score, who want hands-on defence research experience. The Research Associate post suits candidates with a PhD in Electronics Engineering, or an ME/MTech with three years of R&D experience and at least one published research paper. This is added context, not part of the official notification. Because the fellowship is offered for a fixed term without a right to permanent DRDO absorption, it suits candidates looking to build a research profile or move toward a PhD, rather than candidates who need long-term job security right away. Competition is likely to be meaningful, given the limited vacancy count set against the pool of NET/GATE-qualified candidates nationwide, so a strong academic record and the right specialisation genuinely matter. Candidates who prefer guaranteed permanent employment may want to compare this against other current openings as well.
FAQs
What is the last date to apply for ARDE JRF Recruitment 2026?
The last date to send the application for ARDE JRF and RA Recruitment 2026 is 31st August 2026 (Monday). The application must reach the ARDE office in Pune by post before this date.
What is the salary of JRF and RA at ARDE, Pune?
Junior Research Fellows at ARDE get a stipend of Rs. 37,000 per month, and the Research Associate gets Rs. 67,000 per month. HRA, medical facilities, and a contingency grant are also admissible, as per rules.
What is the age limit for ARDE JRF Recruitment 2026?
The maximum age is 28 years for JRF posts and 35 years for the RA post, as on the date of interview. Age relaxation of 5 years applies for SC/ST candidates and 3 years for OBC candidates.
Does the ARDE fellowship lead to a permanent DRDO job?
No. The notification states that the offer of fellowship does not confer on Fellows any right to absorption in DRDO. Candidates should treat this as a fixed-term research opportunity rather than a path to permanent government employment.
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