DRDO JRF Recruitment 2026: Apply Online, Details for Interview Schedule – Your Launchpad to Defence Research

The year 2026 marks a sizable soar in India’s defence competencies. With the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) aggressively pursuing indigenous technology in Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing, and Advanced Materials, the need for young, superb minds has never been more. For engineering graduates and technological know-how postgraduates, the DRDO JRF Recruitment 2026 is the golden price tag to be a part of this revolution.

While many chase company applications, a pick out few recognize the status of working on tasks that protect the country. The Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) at DRDO isn’t always just a task; it’s miles a gateway to high-end research, imparting a stipend that opponents access-stage salaries and an experience that is priceless.

However, the DRDO JRF selection system is decentralized and often puzzling. Unlike a single national examination, every DRDO laboratory (like CABS, DYSL, NSTL) releases its very own notification. In early 2026, major labs just like the Center for Air-Borne Systems (CABS), Bengaluru, and the DRDO Young Scientist Laboratory (DYSL) have announced vacancies, sparking a rush amongst GATE-certified aspirants.

In this full-size guide, we will decode the DRDO JRF Recruitment 2026. We will analyze the energetic vacancies, wreck down the decentralized utility manner, and offer a strategic roadmap for the interview—the degree in which most candidates falter. Whether you are an Aeronautical Engineer or a Computer Science wizard, this blog is your definitive manual.

DRDO JRF Recruitment 2026: An Overview

DRDO operates via a network of 50+ laboratories across India. The DRDO JRF Recruitment 2026 is a collective time period for the more than one independent hiring drives performed via these labs at some stage in the 12 months.

Current Active Recruitments (Early 2026)

As of January-February 2026, two most important notifications are making headlines:

• CABS, Bengaluru: 10 Vacancies. Focus on Airborne Systems.
• DYSL (CT), Chennai: 02 Vacancies. Focus on Cognitive Technologies.

Recruitment Highlights Table

Organization defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO)Recruitment Year2026PositionJunior Research Fellow (JRF)Total Vacancies12+ (Active), a hundred+ (Expected yearly)Stipend₹ 37,000/- p.m. + HRA (as consistent with 2026 norms)Selection Mode Valid GATE Score + Interview Official Website drdo.gov.in / rac.gov.in Focus Keyword DRDO JRF

The DRDO JRF function is first of all for two years, extendable to Senior Research Fellow (SRF) based totally on performance. It is an appropriate launchpad for those aiming for a Ph.D. Or a permanent Scientist ‘B’ position inside the future.

Vacancy Breakdown and Eligibility for 2026

The DRDO JRF Recruitment 2026 is fairly specialized. You don’t simply apply to “DRDO”; you practice to a selected lab for a selected undertaking. Let’s observe the contemporary possibilities.

Center for Air-Borne Systems (CABS), Bengaluru

CABS is the brain at the back of India’s AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System).

• Total Posts: 10 DRDO JRF positions.
• Disciplines:
• Computer Science (CS): four Posts. (High call for for AI/ML abilties).
• Electronics & Communication (ECE): 5 Posts. (Radar & Signal Processing).
• Aeronautical Engineering: 1 Post.
• Eligibility: B.E./B.Tech with legitimate GATE Score OR M.E./M.Tech with First Class.

DRDO Young Scientist Laboratory (DYSL), Chennai

DYSLs are futuristic labs run by young scientists.

• Total Posts: 02 DRDO JRF positions.
• Focus: Cognitive Technologies (AI, Neural Networks).
• Eligibility: B.E./B.Tech in CS/IT/ECE with valid GATE Score.

General Eligibility Criteria for DRDO JRF 2026

• Age Limit: Maximum 28 Years as of the ultimate date.

• Relaxation: five years for SC/ST and 3 years for OBC candidates.

• GATE Requirement: A legitimate GATE score is mandatory for B.Tech graduates. M.Tech graduates are frequently exempted from GATE if they have a First Class diploma, however GATE is always favored.
• Nationality: Only Indian Nationals can practice.

Stipend and Perks: Financial Independence in Research

In 2026, the economic package for research scholars has improved. A DRDO JRF is not a low-paid intern; they may be nicely-compensated researchers.

The JRF Compensation Package

• Monthly Stipend: ₹ 37,000/-.
• HRA (House Rent Allowance): Depending on the town (X, Y, Z elegance).
• Bengaluru/Chennai (27%): Approx ₹ 9,990.
• Total Monthly In-Hand: ~ ₹ 47,000/-.
• Medical: Limited scientific centers are frequently to be had within the campus.
• Contingency Grant: An annual furnish (approx ₹ 15,000 – ₹ 20,000) for books, stationery, and minor equipment.

The Career Upgrade (SRF)

After finishing 2 years as a DRDO JRF, a hit applicants are upgraded to Senior Research Fellow (SRF).

• SRF Stipend: ₹ forty two,000/- in keeping with month + HRA.
• This tenure can cause a Ph.D. Registration with associate universities like IITs or IISc.

How to Apply Online: Navigating the RAC Website

The application process for DRDO JRF Recruitment 2026 varies by lab. Some use the centralized RAC (Recruitment & Assessment Centre) website, at the same time as others ask for e-mail submissions.

Method 1: The RAC Portal (rac.gov.in)

For fundamental recruitments like CABS:

• Registration: Visit rac.gov.in and register along with your cell quantity and email.
• Bio-Data: Fill in your personal details, academic ratings, and GATE details.
• Document Upload: Upload scanned copies of your GATE scorecard, Degree certificates, and Caste certificates.
• Lock & Submit: Review the utility and lock it.
• Fee: Usually, there’s a nominal price (₹ 10/-) or no charge for JRF positions.

Method 2: Email / Offline Submission

For smaller labs (like DYSL or local labs):

• Download Form: Get the software format from the drdo.Gov.In “What’s New” phase.
• Fill & Scan: Type the details, paste your picture, and sign. Scan it as a unmarried PDF.
• Email: Send it to the specified email ID (e.g., jrf.Cabs@gov.In) with the problem line: “Application for DRDO JRF 2026 – [Subject Name]”.
• Speed Post: Some labs require a tough copy sent thru Speed Post. Ensure it reaches before the deadline.

Deadline Alert: For the modern CABS notification, the deadline is generally 21 days from the advertisement date (approx past due January/early February 2026).

DRDO JRF Interview Schedule: What to Expect

There is NO written examination for DRDO JRF. The selection is only primarily based on the Interview. This makes the interview agenda and education important.

Notification of Schedule

• Shortlisting: Labs shortlist candidates primarily based on GATE rankings. The ratio is typically 1:5 or 1:10.
• Communication: Shortlisted candidates receive an e-mail/letter. The list is likewise displayed on the DRDO internet site.
• Timeline: Interviews are usually scheduled three-four weeks after the software closing date. For the Jan 2026 applications, anticipate interviews in March 2026.

Venue and Mode

• Venue: The interview is held at the respective lab (e.g., CABS Bengaluru).
• Mode: While bodily interviews are popular, a few labs provide Video Conferencing for outstation candidates, though this is discretionary.

Cracking the DRDO JRF Interview: A Strategic Approach

The DRDO JRF interview is technical and excessive. The panel accommodates senior scientists who are searching out idea clarity, now not simply rote learning.

1. The “Project” Question

The first query is regularly: “Tell us approximately your final yr venture.”

• Strategy: Know your B.Tech/M.Tech project inner out. Be geared up to explain the goal, the method, and most importantly, the demanding situations you confronted. If you used a specific set of rules or sensor, understand why you selected it over others.

2. Core Subject Mastery

• For CS: Data Structures, Algorithms, OS, and Networks. For AI posts, expect questions on Neural Networks and Python libraries.
• For ECE: Signals & Systems, Radar fundamentals, Communication concept.
• For Mech/Aero: Fluid Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Strength of Materials.
• Tip: They won’t ask you to remedy lengthy derivations. They will ask conceptual questions like “What occurs to the boundary layer if…?” or “Explain the bodily significance of Fourier Transform.”

3. The “Why DRDO?” Factor

Be organized to give an explanation for why you need to join DRDO JRF. Mentioning specific initiatives of that lab (e.G., Tejas for ADA, AWACS for CABS) suggests you have accomplished your homework.

DRDO Internships: A Stepping Stone

Apart from JRF, DRDO has also announced Paid Internships for 2026.

• Target: seventh/8th Semester B.Tech students.
• Stipend: ₹ 30,000/- (Lumpsum for six months).
• Why observe: An internship at DRDO is the first-class way to understand the paintings tradition and community with scientists, drastically boosting your probabilities for a future DRDO JRF function.

VedPrep: Your Strategic Partner for DRDO JRF

You have the GATE score. You have the diploma. But do you have the potential to stand a panel of five senior DRDO scientists? This is in which VedPrep steps in.

At VedPrep, we focus on converting “GATE Qualified” candidates into “DRDO Scientists.”

How VedPrep Transforms Your Prep

• Interview Bootcamps: We simulate the DRDO JRF interview surroundings. Our panels consist of former DRDO scientists who grill you on technical principles, ensuring you don’t freeze on the principle day.
• Project Polishing: We assist you refine your assignment presentation. We teach you how to highlight the “studies capacity” of your university undertaking.
• Lab-Specific Insights: Applying to CABS? We come up with a crash course on Radar and Avionics. Applying to DYSL? We brief you at the modern in Cognitive Computing. Our preparation is centered, no longer established.
• Notification Alerts: With a couple of labs releasing ads randomly, lacking a cut-off date is straightforward. VedPrep maintains you updated on every unmarried DRDO JRF vacancy in real-time.

With VedPrep, you do not just apply; you put together to serve the nation.

Conclusion

The DRDO JRF Recruitment 2026 is greater than a job application; it is a pledge to make contributions to India’s self-reliance in defence. With energetic vacancies in top-quality labs like CABS and DYSL, the opportunity is knocking.

The route is clear: Crack GATE, Apply Online, and Ace the Interview. The stipend is notable, the studying is significant, and the delight is unrivaled. Don’t permit the decentralized system deter you. Stay vigilant, keep your basics strong, and prepare for the interview with the seriousness it deserves.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)