DRDO DRDL JRF Recruitment 2026 — 16 Junior Research Fellow Posts, Walk-in Interview 1–5 June 2026, Hyderabad
📋 Quick Facts — DRDO DRDL JRF Recruitment 2026
- What is DRDL Hyderabad?
- Vacancy Details — Fellowship Wise
- Walk-in Interview Schedule — Date Wise
- Eligibility — Qualification and GATE Score
- Age Limit and Relaxation
- Stipend, Benefits and Fellowship Tenure
- Selection Process
- Documents to Bring for Walk-in
- Venue and How to Reach
- Frequently Asked Questions
The DRDO DRDL JRF Recruitment 2026 is a direct walk-in opportunity for GATE-qualified engineering graduates to work on India’s most advanced missile and defence research programmes. The Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad — one of DRDO’s most prestigious labs — has announced 16 Junior Research Fellow vacancies across three engineering fellowships.
There is no online application or written exam. You simply walk in on the designated date for your discipline with your documents and appear for an interview. Selected candidates earn a monthly stipend of ₹37,000 plus HRA, work on cutting-edge missile and aerospace research, and have a strong pathway to progress to Senior Research Fellow (SRF) and potentially Scientist roles within DRDO.
The walk-in interviews are scheduled from 1 June to 5 June 2026. Given that this window has just passed or is imminent, if you are reading this as a reference for future DRDO JRF openings — bookmark this page as DRDL announces similar fellowships multiple times a year.
1. What is DRDL Hyderabad?
The Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) is one of the premier research laboratories of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of Defence, Government of India. Located at Kanchanbagh, Hyderabad, DRDL is India’s leading centre for the design and development of missile systems — both tactical and strategic — for the Indian Armed Forces.
DRDL has been at the heart of India’s missile programme for decades. It has contributed to major national programmes including the Agni and Prithvi ballistic missile series, the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile (in partnership with Russia), and various other defence technologies. Working at DRDL as a JRF gives you direct exposure to live defence research projects with mentorship from senior DRDO scientists.
- Ministry: Ministry of Defence, Government of India
- Location: Kanchanbagh, Hyderabad, Telangana
- Focus: Missile systems, aerospace technology, defence electronics
- Contact: 040-24583151 / 24583158 (Mon–Fri, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
2. Vacancy Details — Fellowship Wise
DRDL has announced 16 JRF posts across three distinct fellowship positions. Each fellowship is tied to a specific engineering discipline and requires a matching GATE paper code. There is no inter-disciplinary substitution allowed.
Focus: Propulsion, structures, aerodynamics, mechanical systems for missiles
Focus: Flight dynamics, aero structures, guidance navigation, aerospace systems
Focus: Radar, guidance electronics, communication systems, embedded systems for missiles
3. Walk-in Interview Schedule — Date Wise
Report to the venue between 9:00 AM and 9:30 AM on your discipline’s designated interview date. Entry is strictly closed after 9:30 AM — no exceptions.
4. Eligibility — Qualification and GATE Score
Candidates must satisfy one of the following two qualification routes. Both routes apply to all three fellowships (JRF-01, JRF-02, JRF-03):
| Route | Qualification Required | GATE Score Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Route A | B.E. / B.Tech with First Class in the relevant engineering discipline from a recognised university or institution | Yes — Valid GATE score in matching paper code (2024, 2025, or 2026) |
| Route B | M.E. / M.Tech with First Class in the relevant engineering discipline from a recognised university or institution | GATE score preferred but may not be mandatory for M.E./M.Tech holders — confirm from official notification |
Discipline-wise Qualification Match
| Fellowship | Accepted Engineering Branches | GATE Paper Code |
|---|---|---|
| JRF-01 | Mechanical Engineering | ME |
| JRF-02 | Aeronautical Engineering / Aerospace Engineering | AE |
| JRF-03 | Electronics and Communication Engineering / Electrical and Electronics Engineering | ECE / EE |
5. Age Limit and Relaxation
| Category | Maximum Age Limit |
|---|---|
| General / UR | 28 Years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 31 Years (3 years relaxation) |
| SC / ST | 33 Years (5 years relaxation) |
| PwBD | Additional relaxation as per Government of India rules |
6. Stipend, Benefits and Fellowship Tenure
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Monthly Stipend (JRF) | ₹37,000 per month |
| House Rent Allowance (HRA) | As per DRDO rules applicable at the time of joining — based on city classification for Hyderabad |
| Approximate Monthly In-Hand | ₹43,000 – ₹47,000 (stipend + HRA combined) |
| Medical Benefits | Medical facilities for self only — through the MI Room at DRDO, Kanchanbagh campus |
| Initial Fellowship Tenure | 2 Years |
| Extension | Extendable by a further 2 years (maximum 4 years total) subject to Internal Screening Committee recommendation and satisfactory performance |
| Progression to SRF | After 2 years, fellows may be upgraded to Senior Research Fellow (SRF) with enhanced stipend of ₹42,000/month + HRA, based on performance assessment |
| TA/DA for Interview | Not provided — candidates must arrange own travel and accommodation |
| TA/DA on Joining | Not provided |
| Permanent Employment Guarantee | Not guaranteed — this is a time-bound fellowship, not a permanent government post |
7. Selection Process
The selection for DRDO DRDL JRF 2026 happens entirely at the walk-in venue. There is no online written exam or pre-registration required.
-
Document Screening at the Venue
On arrival between 9:00–9:30 AM, your documents will be verified. Candidates who do not possess the required qualification, valid GATE score, or necessary documents will be screened out at this stage. -
Shortlisting Based on GATE Score and Academic Marks
After document verification, candidates are shortlisted based primarily on their GATE score and marks obtained in the minimum qualifying degree. If the number of candidates is very high, a written screening test (objective questions from GATE syllabus) may be conducted before the interview. -
Technical Interview
Shortlisted candidates appear before a panel for a technical interview covering core engineering subjects, subject knowledge assessment, and research aptitude. The interview assesses your suitability for DRDO’s missile research environment. -
Final Selection and Offer
Final selection is based on combined performance in GATE score, academic record, and interview. Selected candidates will be informed and issued a fellowship offer letter.
8. Documents to Bring for Walk-in Interview
Carry originals of all documents plus one set of self-attested photocopies:
- Completed application form in the prescribed DRDO format (download from drdo.gov.in)
- Original GATE scorecard (2024, 2025, or 2026) — must be within validity period
- B.E. / B.Tech Degree Certificate or Provisional Certificate (originals with photocopy)
- All mark sheets from B.E./B.Tech (semester-wise or year-wise)
- M.E. / M.Tech Degree Certificate (if applicable)
- 10th class certificate — for date of birth proof
- Aadhaar Card / Passport / Voter ID — photo identity proof
- Caste certificate issued by competent authority — if claiming OBC/SC/ST age relaxation
- PwBD certificate — if applicable
- Two recent passport-size colour photographs
- Any publication or research paper (if applicable — strengthens your profile)
9. Venue and How to Reach
📍 Walk-in Interview Venue
DLOMI, DRDO Township
Kanchanbagh, Hyderabad – 500058
Telangana, India
Contact: 040-24583151 / 040-24583158
(Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM)
Report Time: Between 9:00 AM and 9:30 AM only on your designated date
How to Reach DRDL Kanchanbagh
- From Secunderabad: Take Bus No. 102 towards Kanchanbagh
- From Koti: Take Bus No. 102 towards Kanchanbagh
- From LB Nagar: Take Bus No. 300 towards Kanchanbagh
- Candidates coming from outside Hyderabad should plan to arrive the previous evening as no TA/DA is provided
🔗 Download Application Form — Official DRDO Website
Download the prescribed application format and official notification PDF from the DRDO website. Fill it completely before arriving at the venue. Incomplete forms will not be accepted.
Visit drdo.gov.in for Notification →