DRDO has opened 8 fresh recruitment notifications in May 2026 — seven Paid Internship Schemes for engineering and science students, plus one Junior Research Fellowship walk-in at CAIR Bengaluru. DRDO JRF and Paid Internship vacancies are for different locations like Dehradun, Mysuru, Leh, Jodhpur, Kanpur, Chandipur, Ambernath, and Bengaluru. If you’re a final-year B.E./B.Tech or M.Sc. student — or a postgraduate with NET/GATE and want the experience the job at DRDO than we advise you to apply for these vacancies. Most internships start 01 July 2026 and pay a monthly stipend with project work in real defence labs. Read this article carefully and go through the official notification before applying.

Information verified from official DRDO notifications page dated 22–27 May 2026.

Table of Contents

Quick Summary — All 127 DRDO Vacancies at a Glance

Total vacancies across all 8 notifications: 127 posts.

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What are the latest DRDO recruitments in 2026?

DRDO has announced 8 recruitments in May 2026 across India — 1 Junior Research Fellowship at CAIR Bengaluru (₹37,000/month stipend) and 7 Paid Internships at DEAL, DIBT, DIHAR, DLJ, DMSRDE, ITR, and NMRL with ₹5,000/month stipend for 6 months, totaling 127 vacancies.

About DRDO and Its Laboratories

DRDO (Defence Research & Development Organisation) functions under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India. Each lab below is a specialised research centre — from artificial intelligence and robotics at CAIR, to high-altitude technologies at DIHAR, to naval materials at NMRL. Working with DRDO, even as an intern, gives you hands-on exposure to strategic defence research. Official DRDO website: drdo.gov.in

DRDO JRF and Paid Internship Lab-Wise Details

1. CAIR, Bengaluru — Junior Research Fellowship (Walk-In Interview)

CAIR (Centre for Artificial Intelligence & Robotics) is hiring one JRF in the domain of Advanced Operating Systems.

Key Details:

• Vacancy: 01 post
• Stipend: ₹37,000/month + HRA
• Duration: 02 years (extendable, upgradable to SRF as per rules)
• Age Limit: 28 years (as on date of interview); relaxation 3 years OBC, 5 years SC/ST/PH
• Walk-in Date: 04 July 2026 (Saturday), reporting 0830–0930 Hrs
• Venue: CAIR, DRDO Complex, C.V. Raman Nagar, Bengaluru – 560093
• Last date to email application (pre-registration): 26 June 2026
• Email: ad-hrt.cair@gov.in

Eligibility: B.E./B.Tech in Computer Science/Computer Engineering (1st Division) from an AICTE-accredited institute with valid CSIR-UGC (NET)/GATE qualification — OR — M.E./M.Tech in Computer Science/Computer Engineering (1st Division at both UG & PG levels).

Practical tip: Written test starts at 1000 Hrs on the interview day itself. Late arrivals will not be allowed in. Bengaluru traffic on a Saturday morning is unpredictable — plan to arrive at the CAIR Main Gate well before 0830 Hrs. Electronic items including mobile phones, pen drives, laptops, and smartwatches are not allowed inside the CAIR campus. No parking is provided either — take public transport.

Notification No. CAIR/HRT/JRF/2026/01 dated 19 May 2026.

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2. DEAL, Dehradun — Paid Internship 2026

DEAL (Defence Electronics Applications Laboratory) works on software-based radios, satellite communication, data links, and surveillance technologies. They’ve opened 45 internship seats.

Key Details:

• Vacancies: Electronics & Communication (20), Computer Science (20), Mechanical (05) — total 45
• Stipend: ₹30,000 total (₹15,000 after 3 months + ₹15,000 after 6 months)
• Duration: 6 months (fixed)
• Eligibility: B.Tech/B.E. students who have completed 3rd year/6th semester by July 2026, OR M.Tech/M.Sc.(Electronics) students who have completed 1st year/2nd semester by July 2026
• Minimum CGPA: 7.0 on a scale of 10 (from AICTE-approved colleges)
• Backlogs not allowed in any of the first 5 semesters
• Mode of application: Speed Post or by hand only — emails will NOT be considered
• Last date: 30 June 2026
• Internship starts: 03 August 2026

Address: Director, DEAL, DRDO, Post Box No. 54, Raipur Road, Dehradun – 248001.

Notification No. DEAL/HRD/Paid Internship-2026 dated 27 May 2026.

3. DIBT, Mysuru — Paid Internship for M.Sc. Students

DIBT (Defence Institute of Biodefence Technologies) is a specialised biodefence research centre.

Key Details:

• Vacancies: 02 (Biotechnology and Microbiology combined)
• Stipend: ₹5,000/month (₹30,000 total over 6 months)
• Eligibility: Final-year M.Sc. students with 85% & above marks OR >8.5 CGPA on scale of 10
• Mode of application: Email only — to centrehead.dibt@gov.in / head.hrd.dfrl@gov.in
• Subject line: “Application for Paid Internship – Post Code: [Discipline Name]”
• Last date: 15 June 2026
• Selected students intimation: 20 June 2026
• Internship starts: 01 July 2026

DIBT requires a physical fitness certificate from a registered MBBS doctor at the time of joining, plus police verification. The cut-off here is steep — only top academic performers should apply.

Notification No. DIBT/HRD/01/Paid Internship/2026 dated 25 May 2026.

4. DIHAR, Leh Ladakh — Paid Internship for B.E./B.Tech Students

DIHAR works on high-altitude trials, testing, and cold-arid area technologies. Internship can be at DIHAR Leh or DIHAR Base Station Chandigarh.

Key Details:

• Vacancies: 03
• Stipend: ₹5,000/month
• Eligibility: B.E./B.Tech students in 7th/8th semester (Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics & Instrumentation, ECE, Computer Science, IT, Civil) with CGPA ≥ 7.5 continuously maintained
• Age Limit: Below 28 years
• Mode of application: Email only — to hr-dihar@gov.in
• Subject line: “Application for paid internship with [branch/discipline]”
• Last date: 05 June 2026
• Internship starts: 01 July 2026

Since DIHAR has only 3 seats and the application closes earliest among all DRDO labs, candidates with a strong academic record should apply immediately.

Notification No. DIHAR/HRD/PDINTERN/2026/01.

5. DLJ, Jodhpur — Paid Internship 2026

DLJ (Defence Laboratory Jodhpur) works on multispectral camouflage, stealth and deception technologies, desert sciences, and nuclear radiation management.

Key Details:

• Vacancies: 09 (Electronics/ECE/EIE, Mechanical, Electrical, Computer Science, Materials/Chemical Engineering — Final Year B.E./B.Tech; Physics, Chemistry — Final Year M.Sc.)
• Stipend: ₹5,000/month
• Eligibility: 75% & above marks (or ≥7.5 CGPA) from AICTE/UGC-approved colleges
• Age Limit: Below 25 years
• Mode of application: Speed Post only
• Last date: 15 June 2026
• Selected students intimation: 25 June 2026 onwards
• Internship starts: 01 July 2026

Address: Director, Defence Laboratory Jodhpur, Prof. Daulat Singh Kothari Marg, Ratanada, Jodhpur – 342011, Rajasthan.

Notification No. DLJ/HRD/PAIDINTERNSHIP/2026/01.

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6. DMSRDE, Kanpur — Paid Internship 2026

DMSRDE (Defence Materials and Stores R&D Establishment) offers the largest internship intake — 20 seats.

Key Details:

• Vacancies: Category (a) — Final year B.Tech/M.Tech: Computer Science/IT/AI (04), Chemical/Polymer/Materials/Mechanical/Textile (12); Category (b) — M.Sc. II Year Chemistry/Material Science/Textile (04)
• Stipend: ₹5,000/month
• Eligibility: 65% & above marks (or ≥6.5 CGPA) from AICTE/UGC-approved colleges
• Age Limit: Below 28 years (as on 15 June 2026)
• Mode of application: Email advance copy to director.dmsrde@gov.in AND hard copy by Speed Post/by hand
• Last date: 15 June 2026, 1500 Hrs
• Selected students intimation: 30 June 2026
• Internship starts: 13 July 2026

Of all 8 notifications, DMSRDE has the lowest CGPA cutoff (6.5) and the highest number of seats (20) — making it the most accessible option.

Address: Director, DMSRDE, DRDO, GT Road, Kanpur – 208013.

Notification No. DMSRDE(HRD)/Paid Internship/2026/01.

7. ITR, Chandipur — Paid Internship 2026

ITR (Integrated Test Range) is one of DRDO’s major missile and weapon testing facilities. They have 27 seats — the second-largest intake.

Key Details:

• Vacancies: 27 across Electronics/ECE, Electrical, Computer Science, Mechanical, Aero Space Engineering (B.Tech/M.Tech) and Physics (M.Sc.)
• Stipend: ₹5,000/month
• Eligibility: Final year B.Tech/M.Tech or final year M.Sc. with good academic record (specific CGPA not mentioned in the official notification)
• Mode of application: Speed Post
• Last date: 25 June 2026
• Selection/interaction notification: 06 July 2026
• Internship starts: 20 July 2026

ITR mentions specialisations like Communication/Microwave/VLSI, AIML/Data Analytics/Cyber Security, Flight Dynamics & Control, and Atmospheric Physics. Selected candidates also need a medical fitness certificate from an MBBS doctor at joining.

Address: Director, ITR, DRDO, Chandipur, Balasore, Odisha – 756025.

Notification No. ITR/HRD/Paidinternship/2026/01 dated 27 May 2026.

8. NMRL, Ambernath — Paid Internship 2026

NMRL (Naval Materials Research Laboratory) works on strategic materials and energy technologies for the Indian Navy.

Key Details:

• Vacancies: 20 total (across M.Sc. Chemistry, Biotechnology, Physics, and B.E./B.Tech Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical/ETC, Computer Science/IT — exact split per branch not specified in the source notification)
• Stipend: ₹5,000/month
• Eligibility: B.E./B.Tech with minimum CGPA 7.0 in all previous semesters; M.Sc. with minimum 65% in 1st year exam
• Age Limit: Below 25 years
• Mode of application: Email only — to mmg.nmrl@gov.in
• Last date: 10 June 2026
• Online interaction: By 3rd week of June 2026
• Internship starts: 01 July 2026

Notification No. NMRL/HRD/PDINTERN/2026/01.

Common Eligibility — Paid Internship Schemes

Across all 7 paid internships, these conditions apply:

• Indian citizens only
• Full-time course from a recognised Indian university/institute
• Minimum 15 working days physical attendance per month is mandatory for stipend
• Stipend paid in two installments — after 3 months and after 6 months
• No accommodation, food, or transport provided — interns arrange these themselves
• A Completion Certificate is awarded only after full 6 months and project report submission
• Internship does NOT guarantee DRDO employment

Documents Required at the Time of Joining (All Paid Internships)

1. NOC from college on letterhead
2. Bonafide Certificate from college
3. Police verification from hometown
4. Undertaking under Indian Official Secrets Act, 1923
5. Undertaking to follow MoD IT Rules and Regulations
6. Bank account details (for stipend transfer)
7. Aadhaar Card + College ID (original)
8. All previous semester marksheets (original)
9. 3 passport-size colour photographs

How to Apply — Step by Step

The application method varies by lab. Here’s the quick reference:

General steps:

1. Download the official notification from drdo.gov.in
2. Fill the prescribed application format from the PDF
3. Attach mandatory documents — marksheets, Aadhaar, referral letter from college Principal/HOD, bio-data
4. Send via the mode specified (email or Speed Post — check your lab)
5. Mention “Application for [Internship/JRF] – [Branch Code]” clearly on the envelope or email subject line

Should You Apply?

For final-year engineering and M.Sc. students seeking real defence research exposure, these DRDO Paid Internships offer a ₹5,000 monthly stipend and a credential that opens doors in PSU, research, and higher studies. Competition is steep at DIBT and DIHAR (low seats, high CGPA cutoffs) — but DMSRDE Kanpur (20 seats, 65% cutoff) and ITR Chandipur (27 seats) are the most accessible. DRDO is steadily expanding its paid internship intake in 2026 — a clear shift toward grooming young Indian talent for indigenous defence R&D.

Important PDF Links

How to Apply — FAQs for All 8 DRDO Vacancies

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

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