The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) has released a notification for the 2026 recruitment of Research Associate (RA) and Junior Research Fellow (JRF) positions. A total of 8 fellowship vacancies are available. Interested and qualified candidates can apply online via email by the deadline.
Recruitment Overview
Organisation: DRDO Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE)
Posts: Research Associate, Junior Research Fellow
Total Vacancies: 8
Notification Number: ADE/HRD/01/2026
Application Mode: Email
Start Date for Applications: 4 March 2026
Last Date to Apply: 24 March 2026
Selection Events: Screening test/interview scheduled in April 2026 as per post requirements.
Vacancy Details
The 8 vacancies are distributed across various disciplines as follows:
Research Associate – Aeronautical/Mechanical Engineering: 1
Research Associate – Aero/Electronics/Material Engineering: 1
Junior Research Fellow – Aeronautical Engineering: 3
Junior Research Fellow – Mechanical Engineering: 1
Junior Research Fellow – Computer Science Engineering: 1
Junior Research Fellow – Electronics & Communication Engineering: 1
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible, candidates must satisfy the following requirements:
Nationality: Indian citizens.
Research Associate:
PhD in the relevant engineering discipline or
ME/M.Tech with first division and a minimum of 2–3 years of research/industry experience depending on the discipline.
Junior Research Fellow:
BE/B.Tech in first division with a valid GATE score for most disciplines.
For Electronics & Communication JRF, ME/M.Tech in first division at both graduate and postgraduate levels is required.
Age Limit
For Research Associate: Maximum 35 years.
For Junior Research Fellow: Maximum 28 years.
Age relaxation according to Government of India rules applies for reserved categories.
Stipend / Salary
Research Associate: ₹67,000 per month plus applicable House Rent Allowance (HRA) as per rules.
Junior Research Fellow: ₹37,000 per month plus applicable HRA as per rules.
Selection Process
Research Associates: Screening of applications followed by a personal interview.
Junior Research Fellows: A screening test may be conducted if needed, followed by a personal interview.
How to Apply
Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria must send an email application by 24 March 2026. Application preparation steps generally include:
Reading the official notification carefully.
Preparing a detailed bio-data with personal, educational, and experience details.
Attaching self-attested copies of all required documents (degree certificates, mark sheets, GATE scorecard, ID proof, experience certificates, etc.).
Clearly writing the post name and discipline in the email subject line.
Sending the completed application to the official email address specified in the notification.
It is advised to submit the application well before the closing date and retain a copy for reference.
Important Dates
Application Start: 4 March 2026
Application End: 24 March 2026
Screening Test / Interview Dates: April 2026 (specific dates vary by post)
Before applying, candidates should review the detailed official notification for full information on eligibility, selection method, and required documents.