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.