DRDO JRF Recruitment 2026 – Official Notification, 100+ Vacancy List, Stipend & How to Apply

DRDO JRF Recruitment 2026 offers prestigious research opportunities across India for candidates with B.E/B.Tech (GATE score) or M.Sc/M.Tech degrees. Recruitment is conducted through lab-specific notifications and centralized RAC drives, featuring a monthly stipend of ₹37,000 + HRA. Selection primarily involves DRDO JRF Walk-in Interview 2026 sessions or written screening tests.

Comprehensive Overview of DRDO JRF Recruitment 2026

The DRDO JRF Recruitment 2026 cycle isn’t your typical “one-and-done” annual exam. Instead, it’s a continuous, year-round process where individual laboratories such as DEAL, ADRDE, and INMAS and the Recruitment and Assessment Centre (RAC) release vacancies independently. If you are serious about landing this role, you need to track multiple notifications to maximize your chances.

Understanding the structure of DRDO JRF Recruitment is crucial. Unlike standard banking or SSC exams, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) operates on a decentralized hiring model. While the RAC website aggregates some listings, many high-value positions are advertised solely through local employment news or specific lab portals.

Why does DRDO JRF Recruitment matter? Because this ecosystem allows fresh engineering and science graduates to work on cutting-edge defense technologies immediately. It also serves as a fantastic gateway to permanent Scientist ‘B’ positions later in your career.

The DRDO JRF Recruitment 2026 landscape covers diverse disciplines:

• Computer Science: Cyber Security, AI/ML
• Electronics: Radar, Signal Processing
• Mechanical: Propulsion, Material Science
• Life Sciences: Bio-Medical research

The fellowship tenure is initially for two years, extendable as a Senior Research Fellow (SRF) based on performance. While holding a valid GATE score or NET qualification is often mandatory, keep an eye out for specific non-GATE vacancies for certain project-based roles.

Official Notification and Vacancy Breakdown

Accessing the correct DRDO JRF Notification PDF 2026 requires monitoring both the official DRDO website and individual laboratory portals. Vacancies are released throughout the year, with over 100+ anticipated positions across 50+ labs.

The “Hidden” Notification Trap:

Finding a single DRDO JRF Notification PDF 2026 is impossible because the organization is dispersed. Notifications are released in batches.

• Example: A lab in Bengaluru might release 10 vacancies in January.
• Example: A lab in Pune might release 5 vacancies in March.

Therefore, relying on one document for the entire year is a mistake. You should categorize vacancies based on the issuing authority:

Pro Tip: Always download the specific notification for the drive you are attending. It contains the exact venue, time, and syllabus for that specific written test or interview.

DRDO JRF Eligibility 2026 Criteria

The DRDO JRF Eligibility 2026 standards generally mandate a B.E/B.Tech with a valid GATE score or a Postgraduate degree in Science (M.Sc) with NET/GATE qualification.

To successfully navigate DRDO JRF Recruitment, strict adherence to these benchmarks is non-negotiable. Documents are verified rigorously before the interview stage.

Educational Qualifications

• Engineering Stream:
  • B.E/B.Tech in First Division with a valid GATE score.
  • OR M.E/M.Tech in First Division (at both Graduate and Post Graduate levels).
  • Note: For M.E/M.Tech candidates, GATE is often exempted, but this varies by lab.
• Science Stream:
  • Post Graduate degree (M.Sc) in Psychology, Physics, Chemistry, etc., in First Division with NET/GATE qualification.

Note on Strategy: If you are preparing for these exams, knowing How to attempt GATE 2026 can significantly boost your score, which is a key shortlisting criteria here.

Age Limit

The maximum age for DRDO JRF Recruitment 2026 is generally 28 years as of the interview date or application closing date.

• OBC (Non-creamy layer): +3 years relaxation.
• SC/ST: +5 years relaxation.

Also, be sure to check specific discipline requirements. An aerospace lab, for instance, won’t accept a generic mechanical degree unless explicitly specified. For those interested in non-officer technical roles, checking the DRDO CEPTAM Eligibility is also recommended as a parallel career path.

DRDO JRF Stipend and Salary 2026 Structure

The DRDO JRF Stipend and Salary 2026 is competitive, governed by government research fellowship norms. It ensures fellows can focus entirely on research without financial stress.

Breakdown of Emoluments:

Candidates searching for DRDO JRF Stipend and Salary 2026 should know that after two years, you may be upgraded to a Senior Research Fellow (SRF). This involves an internal assessment, and the stipend jumps to ₹42,000 per month + HRA. This progression is a massive benefit of JRF recruitment in drdo.

Application Process: DRDO JRF Apply Online 2026

The DRDO JRF Apply Online 2026 procedure is hybrid. There is no single “Apply” button for all vacancies. Mastering this workflow is critical to ensuring your application isn’t rejected summarily.

Step-by-Step Application Guide:

1. Identify the Source: Determine if the recruitment is via rac.gov.in or a direct lab advertisement.
2. Download Form: For lab-specific recruitments, download the typewritten application format attached to the DRDO JRF Notification PDF 2026.
3. Fill & Attach: Complete the form and attach self-attested copies of mark sheets, GATE/NET scorecards, and caste certificates.
4. Submission Mode:
   • Email: Many labs ask you to scan the set and email it to a specific ID (e.g., director@lab.drdo.in) with the subject line “Application for JRF”.
   • Post: Some sensitive labs require hard copies via Speed Post.
   • Online Portal: For RAC drives, you must register on the RAC website and fill the form digitally.
5. Fees: RAC recruitment often requires a nominal fee (e.g., ₹10–₹20), while direct walk-ins usually have no fee.

Selection Process: DRDO JRF Walk-in Interview 2026

Selection relies heavily on the DRDO JRF Walk-in Interview 2026. This is where your technical depth is truly tested.

• The Walk-in Process: You must report to the venue (usually the DRDO lab) between 08:00 AM and 09:30 AM. Latecomers are generally rejected.
• Screening Test: If the number of aspirants is high, authorities conduct a written screening test with objective questions from the relevant GATE syllabus. Only qualifiers face the interview panel.
• Interview Dynamics: The panel typically consists of 3-5 senior scientists.

What do they ask?

• Core B.Tech/M.Sc project work.
• Fundamental subject concepts.
• Application questions (e.g., “How would you design an antenna for this frequency?”).

For JRF recruitment in drdo, the GATE score is often just an entry ticket; the final selection depends entirely on your performance in the DRDO JRF Walk-in Interview 2026.

Critical Analysis: The “Centralized Myth” Trap

Here is the contrarian truth: Many candidates fail to secure a position because they exclusively wait for massive centralized notifications. They ignore the decentralized nature of DRDO JRF Recruitment, missing out on nearly 60% of opportunities.

Don’t treat this like the ISRO Centralized Recruitment Board (ICRB). DRDO is a cluster of independent labs. A lab in Dehradun (Optoelectronics) has different needs than a lab in Kochi (Naval Sonar). They release vacancies independently. If you wait for a “Mega Recruitment” ad, you will miss the specific DRDO JRF Walk-in Interview 2026 happening in your city next week.

The Winning Strategy: Create a list of labs relevant to your stream and check their specific web pages weekly.

Required Documentation for DRDO JRF Recruitment Verification

Failure to present the DRDO JRF Recruitment Documents Required is the leading cause of disqualification on interview day. The verification process is strict.

Checklist Documents  for DRDO JRF Recruitment (Carry Originals + 2 Sets of Photocopies):

• Application Printout: Confirmation page or filled format.
• Identity Proof: Aadhaar, PAN, or Voter ID.
• Date of Birth: Class 10th Certificate.
• Academic Certificates: Mark sheets (all semesters) and Degree Certificates.
• Qualifying Exam: Valid GATE Scorecard or NET Certificate.
• Caste Certificate: Recent OBC-NCL/SC/ST certificate (Central Govt format).
• NOC: If currently employed in Govt/PSU/Private sector.

Real-World Scenario: Cracking the Code for CS Students

Let’s look at a practical approach. If you are a Computer Science graduate, don’t just practice generic coding. Target labs like CAIR (Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics) or SAG.

Example:

Rahul, a CS aspirant, targets DRDO JRF Recruitment 2026. Instead of generic LeetCode, he researches CAIR. He realizes they focus on AI and Robotics.

For his DRDO JRF Walk-in Interview 2026, he prepares:

• A* Search Algorithms (AI context)
• Public Key Infrastructure (Cryptography context)
• OS concepts for real-time systems

Looking for other government technical roles? You might also want to check out DPCC Recruitment 2026 or the upcoming BSNL JTO Recruitment 2026 for similar opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)