DRDO VRDE JRF Recruitment 2026

About This Job

DRDO VRDE is hiring 3 Junior Research Fellows (JRF) at its campus in Ahilyanagar (Maharashtra) through a walk-in interview. If you have a BE/BTech (First Division) with a valid GATE score or an ME/MTech (First Division) in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, you can attend the walk-in. The last date to send your email expressing willingness is 30 April 2026. The monthly stipend is Rs. 37,000 plus HRA.

DRDO VRDE Junior Research Fellow (JRF) Recruitment 2026 - 3 Posts

Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (VRDE), operating under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has announced a walk-in interview for 3 Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) posts in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering. VRDE works on cutting-edge defence technology — mobility systems, wheeled combat platforms, UAV engines, and evaluation of military and commercial vehicles at its campus in Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra. This is a project-based fellowship of 2 years, extendable up to 4 years based on performance. Note: The JRF does not confer any right of absorption into DRDO.

Vacancy Breakdown by Discipline

• Mechanical Engineering: 2 posts — Document Verification: 4 May 2026; Written Test & Interview: 4-5 May 2026
• Electrical Engineering: 1 post — Document Verification: 6 May 2026; Written Test & Interview: 6-7 May 2026

The total number of fellowships may increase or decrease depending on organisational/lab requirements.

Who Can Apply?

For Mechanical Engineering (2 posts):

• Option 1: BE/BTech in First Division with a valid cut-off GATE score (2024, 2025, or 2026 only)
• Option 2: ME/MTech with First Division at both Graduate and Post-Graduate levels
• Acceptable disciplines: Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical & Automation Engineering, Mechanical & Production Engineering

For Electrical Engineering (1 post):

• Option 1: BE/BTech in First Division with a valid cut-off GATE score (2024, 2025, or 2026 only)
• Option 2: ME/MTech with First Division at both Graduate and Post-Graduate levels
• Acceptable disciplines: Electrical Engineering, Electrical Power System Engineering, Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Power Electronics Engineering

Only GATE scores from 2024, 2025, and 2026 are acceptable. Older GATE scores will not be considered.

Age Limit

• Maximum age: 28 years as on the date of interview
• Age Relaxation: SC/ST candidates get 5 years relaxation; OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates get 3 years relaxation
• Attach caste certificate copy with your application if you are claiming age relaxation

Stipend (Salary)

• Monthly stipend: Rs. 37,000 per month
• Plus House Rent Allowance (HRA) as admissible
• Tenure: Initially 2 years, extendable by 1 year at a time for up to 2 more years, subject to satisfactory performance review
• No TA/DA is payable for attending the interview or joining

Application Fee

• No application fee — this is a walk-in interview process

Selection Process

Selection is done in 3 stages on the walk-in date:

1. Document Verification: Report at VRDE campus between 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM on the scheduled date. Late arrivals will not be allowed in. Document check runs from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM.
2. Written Test: A 2-hour written test is conducted after document screening, starting from 12:00 PM. Mechanical Engineering branch: 4 May 2026; Electrical Engineering branch: 6 May 2026.
3. Interview: Based on written test results, shortlisted candidates appear for an interview from 11:30 AM onwards on the same or the next day. Mechanical: 4-5 May 2026; Electrical: 6-7 May 2026.

A panel will be drawn based on merit order and will operate for one year to fill current and future vacancies.

How to Apply

1. Download the application form from drdo.gov.in.
2. Fill in the form in your own handwriting and affix a recent passport-size photograph in the top right corner.
3. Send an email expressing your willingness to attend the walk-in interview to kapilpuraswani.vrde@gov.in by 30 April 2026. The email subject must read: "Application for the post of Junior Research Fellowship-Subject".
4. On the walk-in day, bring the filled application form with attested copies of all certificates (qualification, experience, caste), original documents, and a Govt-issued photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, Passport).
5. If currently employed in a Govt department, PSU, or autonomous body, bring a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your employer.
6. Report at VRDE, Vahannagar PO, Ahilyanagar - 414006 (Maharashtra) by 10:30 AM on the relevant date.

Electronic devices (mobile phones, pen drives, laptops, smartwatches) are strictly prohibited inside the VRDE campus.

Important Dates

• Notification Date: 1 April 2026
• Last Date to Send Email (Willingness): 30 April 2026
• Walk-in Date (Mechanical Engineering): 4 May 2026
• Walk-in Date (Electrical Engineering): 6 May 2026
• Interview Dates (Mechanical): 4-5 May 2026
• Interview Dates (Electrical): 6-7 May 2026

• Assist in defence-related research and development projects at VRDE
• Work on mobility systems, wheeled and tracked combat vehicle platforms as assigned
• Handle experiments, tests, and evaluations on military and commercial vehicles
• Prepare research reports, technical notes, and documentation for ongoing projects
• Follow guidance of senior scientists and engineers in design and development activities
• Monitor lab activities, reviews, and progress assessments by the Review Committee