DRDE Recruitment 2026 – 8 Paid Intern Posts

Post Date: 15 October 2026
Last Update: 19 October 2026

Short Information

The Defence Research and Development Establishment (DRDE), operating under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has announced 8 vacancies for Paid Intern posts under Advertisement No. DRDE/HRD/Paid Intern/2026/03. The vacancies are distributed across Biological Sciences, Chemical Sciences and Engineering.

Eligible Indian citizens pursuing the specified undergraduate or postgraduate courses can apply. Applicants must have at least 75% marks or a CGPA of 7.5 or above and a recent referral or sponsorship letter from their college or university. Applications must be submitted by Speed Post or email by 14 November 2026. The internship is scheduled to begin on 1 January 2027, with a minimum duration of six months and a stipend of ₹5,000 per month.

DRDE Recruitment 2026 – Key Details

• Organisation: Defence Research and Development Establishment (DRDE)
• Parent Organisation: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
• Advertisement Number: DRDE/HRD/Paid Intern/2026/03
• Job Category: Government Internship / DRDO Internship
• Job Designation: Paid Intern
• Total Vacancies: 8 Posts
• Employment Type: Temporary Internship
• Internship Duration: Minimum 6 months
• Internship Start Date: 1 January 2027
• Job Location: Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh
• Eligible Candidates: Indian citizens pursuing specified graduate or postgraduate courses
• Minimum Academic Requirement: 75% marks or 7.5 CGPA
• Maximum Age: Below 28 years as of 14 November 2026
• Monthly Stipend: ₹5,000
• Application Fee: Not stated in the supplied notification details
• Application Mode: Speed Post or Email
• Selection Process: Application screening and, if required, telephonic or video-conferencing interaction
• Last Date to Apply: 14 November 2026
• Official Website: https://www.drdo.gov.in

Vacancy Details

DRDE has announced 8 tentative vacancies under its Paid Internship Scheme.

• Biological Sciences: 3 Posts
• Chemical Sciences: 3 Posts
• Engineering: 2 Posts
• Total: 8 Posts

The number of vacancies may change according to organisational requirements. Unfilled vacancies may be merged with other subjects.

Educational Qualification

Applicants must be Indian citizens pursuing the relevant graduate or postgraduate course at an AICTE/UGC-approved college or university.

General eligibility requirements:

• Minimum academic performance of 75% marks or 7.5 CGPA.
• A recent referral or sponsorship letter from the respective college or university.
• Enrolment in one of the specified courses and semesters.

1. Biological Sciences – 3 Posts

Candidates must be pursuing either:

• M.Sc. or equivalent course in the 3rd or 4th semester; or
• B.Tech. in the 7th or 8th semester.

Eligible specialisations include:

• Biotechnology
• Microbiology
• Pharmacology
• Toxicology
• Immunology

2. Chemical Sciences – 3 Posts

Candidates must be pursuing:

• M.Sc. or equivalent in the 3rd or 4th semester in Chemistry.

Eligible specialisations include:

• Organic Chemistry
• Inorganic Chemistry
• Analytical Chemistry

3. Engineering – 2 Posts

Candidates must be pursuing B.E. or B.Tech. in the 7th or 8th semester in any of the following disciplines:

• Electronics Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Information Technology
• Computer Science

Referral / Sponsorship Letter

A recent referral or sponsorship letter from the candidate's college or university is required. Candidates should use the prescribed format mentioned in the notification.

Age Limit

• Maximum Age: Below 28 years.
• Age Cut-Off Date: 14 November 2026.

Candidates should ensure that they meet the prescribed age requirement by the specified cut-off date.

Application Fee

The supplied recruitment information does not specify an application fee. Candidates should refer to the official DRDO notification for confirmation.

Salary / Pay Scale

Selected interns will receive a fixed stipend of ₹5,000 per month for the internship period.

Stipend Payment Schedule

The notification describes the following payment schedule:

• After 3 months: ₹15,000.
• After 6 months: ₹15,000.

The total stated payment is ₹30,000 for six months. The notification describes this as two equal instalments.

Internship Tenure and Facilities

• Minimum Duration: 6 months.
• Start Date: 1 January 2027 onwards.
• Boarding and lodging expenses are not admissible.
• Accommodation will not be provided by DRDO/DRDE.
• No TA/DA will be paid for joining.

Important clarification: The stated ₹5,000 monthly stipend and the two instalments of ₹15,000 are reproduced from the supplied recruitment details. Candidates should consult the official notification to confirm the payment terms.

Selection Process

The selection process includes the following stages:

1. Application Screening: Applications will be assessed based on educational qualifications, academic performance and the prescribed eligibility criteria.
2. Shortlisting: Candidates meeting the requirements may be shortlisted for consideration.
3. Interaction, if Required: DRDE may conduct an interaction by telephone or video conferencing.
4. Final Selection and Offer: Only shortlisted candidates will be informed about the interaction or internship offer.

Meeting the eligibility criteria or submitting an application does not guarantee selection. Selected candidates must report to the designated laboratory or establishment according to the conditions specified in the internship offer letter.

The internship does not confer any right to permanent employment or absorption into DRDO.

Important Dates

• Advertisement Date: 15 October 2026
• Last Date for Application Receipt: 14 November 2026
• Intimation to Selected Students: 1 December 2026
• Internship Start Date: 1 January 2027

Candidates should ensure that their applications reach DRDE before the closing date.

How to Apply

Eligible candidates must prepare the application using the prescribed format, Annexure A, and submit it with all supporting documents by Speed Post or email.

Apply by Speed Post

Send the completed application and documents to:

Director, DRDE
DRDO, Ministry of Defence
Jhansi Road, Gwalior
Madhya Pradesh – 474002

Apply by Email

Send the application and supporting documents to both email addresses:

• director.drde@gov.in
• hrd.drde@gov.in

Application Steps

1. Visit the official DRDO website: https://www.drdo.gov.in.
2. Locate the DRDE Paid Intern notification under Advertisement No. DRDE/HRD/Paid Intern/2026/03.
3. Obtain and complete the prescribed application form in Annexure A.
4. Affix a recent passport-size photograph and self-attest the application as required.
5. Attach the referral or sponsorship letter and all required supporting documents.
6. Review the application for accuracy and completeness.
7. Submit the documents by Speed Post or email before 14 November 2026.
8. Retain a copy of the application and proof of submission for future reference.

Incomplete, incorrect or late applications may be rejected.

Documents Required

Candidates should submit the following documents with their applications:

• Duly completed application form in Annexure A.
• Recent passport-size photograph, affixed to the application and self-attested as required.
• Recent referral or sponsorship letter from the college or university.
• Detailed resume.
• Self-attested copies of academic qualification certificates and mark sheets.
• Experience certificates, where applicable.
• Copy of Aadhaar Card.
• Copy of PAN Card.
• Bank account details.
• Signed undertakings regarding compliance with the Indian Official Secrets Act, 1923, and the IT rules and regulations applicable to the Ministry of Defence.

Candidates should check the prescribed application format and official notification for any additional requirements.

Important Instructions

• Only Indian citizens pursuing the specified courses are eligible.
• Candidates must have at least 75% marks or a CGPA of 7.5 or above.
• A recent college or university referral/sponsorship letter is mandatory.
• The age must be below 28 years as of 14 November 2026.
• Applications must be submitted by Speed Post or email before the deadline.
• Electronic devices, including smartphones, mobile phones, pen drives, laptops, CD-ROMs and other electronic gadgets, are strictly prohibited inside the DRDE Gwalior campus.
• Interns must mark attendance according to the laboratory or establishment's procedures, including biometric or Aadhaar-based systems where applicable.
• Working hours and gazetted or closed holidays will follow the rules of the DRDE laboratory or establishment.
• No leave is permitted except sick leave supported by a valid medical prescription.
• Interns must submit a progress report after three months and a final project report after six months or on completion of the course.
• A completion certificate will be issued only after successful completion of the six-month project and submission of the project report.
• Original referral/sponsorship letters, qualification certificates, experience certificates, age proof, identity proof and address proof must be produced for verification when reporting.
• The decision of the Director, DRDE Gwalior, will be final in case of discrepancies.
• Selection for the internship does not guarantee future employment with DRDO.

Official Website / Apply Link

• Official DRDO Website: https://www.drdo.gov.in
• Advertisement Number: DRDE/HRD/Paid Intern/2026/03
• Application Mode: Speed Post or Email
• Email 1: director.drde@gov.in
• Email 2: hrd.drde@gov.in
• Postal Address: Director, DRDE, DRDO, Ministry of Defence, Jhansi Road, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh – 474002
• Last Date to Apply: 14 November 2026
• Contact Numbers: 0751-2390120 / 0751-2390122

Notification PDF: A direct notification PDF link was not included in the supplied information. Visit the official DRDO website to locate the notification and download Annexure A.

Conclusion

DRDE Recruitment 2026 offers 8 paid internship opportunities in Biological Sciences, Chemical Sciences and Engineering for eligible students with strong academic records. The internship is scheduled to begin on 1 January 2027 and has a minimum duration of six months, with a stated stipend of ₹5,000 per month. Eligible candidates should prepare the prescribed application form, arrange their college or university sponsorship letter and submit all required documents by 14 November 2026.

Advertisement Date: 15 October 2026

Last Date for Application Receipt: 14 November 2026

Intimation to Selected Students: 1 December 2026

Internship Start Date: 1 January 2027

Duly completed application form in Annexure A.

Recent passport-size photograph, affixed to the application and self-attested as required.

Recent referral or sponsorship letter from the college or university.

Detailed resume.

Self-attested copies of academic qualification certificates and mark sheets.

Experience certificates, where applicable.

Copy of Aadhaar Card.

Copy of PAN Card.

Bank account details.

Signed undertakings regarding compliance with the Indian Official Secrets Act, 1923, and the IT rules and regulations applicable to the Ministry of Defence.

Eligible candidates must prepare the application using the prescribed format, Annexure A, and submit it with all supporting documents by Speed Post or email.

Apply by Speed Post

Send the completed application and documents to:

Director, DRDE DRDO, Ministry of Defence Jhansi Road, Gwalior Madhya Pradesh – 474002

Apply by Email

Send the application and supporting documents to both email addresses:

director.drde@gov.in

hrd.drde@gov.in

Application Steps

Visit the official DRDO website: https://www.drdo.gov.in.

Locate the DRDE Paid Intern notification under Advertisement No. DRDE/HRD/Paid Intern/2026/03.

Obtain and complete the prescribed application form in Annexure A.

Affix a recent passport-size photograph and self-attest the application as required.

Attach the referral or sponsorship letter and all required supporting documents.

Review the application for accuracy and completeness.

Submit the documents by Speed Post or email before 14 November 2026.

Retain a copy of the application and proof of submission for future reference.

Incomplete, incorrect or late applications may be rejected.