The Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (VRDE), functioning under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of Defence, released a walk-in-interview notice for Junior Research Fellow (JRF) posts in Mechanical Engineering. The notice is available on the official website, www.drdo.gov.in. Applications for VRDE JRF 2026 is open with a willingness email and close on 27 September 2026, ahead of the walk-in interview at VRDE, Ahilyanagar.
VRDE is recruiting for 5 JRF vacancies, with the number liable to increase or decrease depending on organisational or lab requirements for research work at its Ahilyanagar campus in Maharashtra. This is a pan-India opening, and candidates can browse similar current openings on the site’s Latest Jobs (All India) page. Candidates should check all details in the article below.
Information verified from the official VRDE (DRDO) walk-in-interview notice for Junior Research Fellow (Mechanical Engineering) recruitment. Last verified: 31 August 2026.
VRDE, under DRDO, is recruiting 5 Junior Research Fellow (JRF) posts in Mechanical Engineering through a walk-in interview at its Ahilyanagar campus in Maharashtra. Candidates must email their willingness to kapilpuraswani.vrde@gov.in by 27 September 2026, and then appear for document verification, a written test and an interview on 6 and 7 October 2026 at VRDE. Selected candidates receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 37,000 plus House Rent Allowance (HRA).
Quick Summary of VRDE JRF 2026
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (VRDE), DRDO |
| Post | Junior Research Fellow (JRF) – Mechanical Engineering |
| Total Vacancy | 5 (may increase or decrease as per requirement) |
| Salary / Stipend | Rs. 37,000 per month + HRA as admissible |
| Application Mode | Willingness email, followed by a walk-in interview |
| Eligibility | BE/B.Tech (First Division, valid GATE score) or ME/M.Tech (First Division, both levels) |
| Selection Process | Document verification, written test, interview |
| Place of Posting | VRDE, Vahannagar PO, Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra – 414006 |
| Last Date | 27 September 2026 (willingness email) |
| Who Can Apply | Indian nationals, up to 28 years (age relaxation applicable) |
Also Read: CONCOR Recruitment 2026
About VRDE-DRDO
VRDE works under DRDO, Ministry of Defence, Government of India, on research and development for light tracked and wheeled combat platforms. Its focus areas include mobility systems, wheeled and light tracked combat systems, wheeled launched systems for strategic and tactical programmes, high mobility gun systems, wheeled autonomous systems, UAV engines, and evaluation and certification of military and commercial vehicles. More defence and central government openings like this one are tracked under the site’s Government Jobs category.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Last date to send willingness email | 27 September 2026 |
| Reporting window for walk-in interview | 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM, 6 October 2026 |
| Document verification | 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM, 6 October 2026 |
| Written test | 6 October 2026 (after document verification) |
| Interview | 6 October 2026, and also 7 October 2026 from 8:30 AM if candidate numbers are large |
Candidates arriving after 11:00 AM on 6 October 2026 will not be allowed to participate in the walk-in interview process, as stated in the notice.
Vacancy Details and Stipend
| Post / Discipline | Fellowship | No. of Posts | Stipend | Category Split |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | Junior Research Fellow (JRF) | 5* | Rs. 37,000 per month + HRA as admissible | Not mentioned in the official notification |
Total: 5 posts.
*The number of fellowships may increase or decrease depending on organisational or lab requirements as stated in the notice. Tenure is initially for two years, extendable by a further two years (one year at a time) subject to satisfactory performance after assessment by a Review Committee.
Also Read: IBPS RRB XV 2026
Eligibility
- Qualification: BE/B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical & Automation Engineering, or Mechanical & Production Engineering, in First Division, with a valid GATE score (only GATE 2024, 2025 or 2026 scores are acceptable) as on the date of interview; OR ME/M.Tech in the same disciplines, with First Division at both graduate and post-graduate level.
- Age limit: Not more than 28 years as on the date of interview. Age relaxation of 5 years for SC/ST and 3 years for OBC (non-creamy layer) candidates. A copy of the caste certificate must be enclosed with the application, where applicable. Candidates can check their exact age on the date of interview using the site’s Age Calculator.
- Nationality: Only Indian nationals are eligible to apply. This vacancy falls under the B.Tech qualification category on the site.
Selection Process
Selection is a single-day walk-in process (extending to a second day only if the number of candidates is large), covering document verification, a written test and an interview.
- Document verification — 6 October 2026, 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM, at VRDE, Ahilyanagar.
- Written test — conducted on 6 October 2026, after document scrutiny is complete.
- Interview — conducted on 6 October 2026, and also from 8:30 AM onward on 7 October 2026 if the number of candidates is large.
Candidates presently employed in a government department, PSU or autonomous body must produce a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer at the time of interview.
Also Read: HUDCO Executive Jobs 2026
How to Apply
- Download the application form from the official notice or from the application form PDF.
- Fill the form in the given format and affix a recent passport-size photograph in the top right corner of the first page.
- Email your willingness to attend the walk-in interview to kapilpuraswani.vrde@gov.in, by 27 September 2026. The subject line must read: “Application for the post of Junior Research Fellowship.”
- Report to VRDE, Vahannagar PO, Ahilyanagar – 414006, Maharashtra, between 9:30 AM and 11:00 AM on 6 October 2026, carrying the filled application form and all required documents for document verification.
Documents to keep ready
- Duly filled application form, in the given format, with a passport-size photograph affixed on the first page
- Attested copies of certificates and testimonials for qualification, experience and caste (where applicable)
- Self-attested English transcripts, for any certificate issued in a language other than English
- All original certificates and testimonials, for verification at the interview
- No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the employer, if presently employed in a Government department, PSU or autonomous body
- Government-issued photo ID in original — Aadhaar card, PAN card or Passport
- Electronic items such as mobile phones, pen drives, laptops and smart watches are strictly prohibited inside the VRDE campus.
Also Read: STPI Recruitment 2026
Important Links
| Link | URL |
|---|---|
| Official Notification PDF | VRDE JRF Walk-in-Interview Notice |
| Application Form | Download Application Form |
Should You Apply for VRDE JRF 2026?
This VRDE JRF 2026 fellowship suits BE/B.Tech or ME/M.Tech mechanical engineering candidates with a valid GATE score who want early-career, hands-on research exposure in defence vehicle systems, along with a fixed monthly stipend. It does not suit candidates looking for a permanent government post — the notice states plainly that the offer of fellowship does not confer any right of absorption into DRDO, and the initial tenure is two years, extendable in yearly instalments subject to performance review. With only 5 vacancies (subject to change) and a same-day written test and interview format, candidates should have their GATE score and original documents fully in order before reporting, since incomplete applications are rejected during screening and late arrivals are not permitted. This assessment is added context, not part of the official notification. Confirm current openings and fellowship terms with VRDE directly.
FAQs on VRDE JRF 2026
What is the last date to apply for VRDE JRF 2026 recruitment?
Interested candidates must email their willingness to attend the walk-in interview to kapilpuraswani.vrde@gov.in by 27 September 2026.
What is the stipend for JRF at VRDE, DRDO?
Selected Junior Research Fellows receive Rs. 37,000 per month plus House Rent Allowance (HRA) as admissible, for an initial tenure of two years.
What is the eligibility for the VRDE JRF Mechanical Engineering post?
Candidates need a BE/B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering (or related discipline) in First Division with a valid GATE score (2024, 2025 or 2026), or an ME/M.Tech in First Division at both graduate and post-graduate level. The upper age limit is 28 years, with relaxation for SC/ST and OBC candidates.
Does the VRDE JRF fellowship lead to a permanent job at DRDO?
No. The official notice states that the offer of fellowship does not confer any right on Fellows for absorption in DRDO. JRF positions are commonly used by candidates as a step toward further research experience, but this is added context and not a guarantee stated in the notice — confirm career progression directly with VRDE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I am Sandeep Khati, the founder of India Job Alerts. I hold a B.Tech in Computer Science from JGEC (2010). My career began as a Systems Engineer at TCS, and I have been active in the digital publishing space since 2011, starting with the launch of SearchDarjeeling.com and my work as a web developer and designer at Darjeeling Informatics.
Launched in April 2025, India Job Alerts is my most focused project to date. I am dedicated to publishing verified government and PSU job notifications for candidates in West Bengal, Sikkim, and across India. To guarantee accuracy, I personally cross-check every post against official notifications before publishing. Know more