Offline applications are invited for 23 Junior Research Fellow and one Research Associate fellowship at ARDE, Pune.
DRDO ARDE Recruitment Overview
Armament Research and Development Establishment, Pune, a premier laboratory of DRDO, has invited applications from eligible Indian nationals for defence-related research. The advertisement offers 23 Junior Research Fellowships and one Research Associateship in engineering and technology disciplines.
| Organisation | Defence Research and Development Organisation |
|---|---|
| Laboratory | Armament Research and Development Establishment, Pune |
| Advertisement number | ARDE/JRF-RA/2026 |
| Fellowships | Junior Research Fellow and Research Associate |
| Total vacancies | 24 |
| Application mode | Offline by post |
| Work location | ARDE, Pashan, Pune, Maharashtra |
| Last date | 31 August 2026 |
The fellowships are initially offered for two years. The JRF tenure may be extended according to applicable rules.
Discipline-Wise Vacancy Details
| Fellowship and discipline | Vacancies | Monthly stipend |
|---|---|---|
| JRF – Electronics and related disciplines | 8 | ₹37,000 |
| JRF – Computer Science and related disciplines | 4 | ₹37,000 |
| JRF – Mechanical, Metallurgy and related disciplines | 10 | ₹37,000 |
| JRF – Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering | 1 | ₹37,000 |
| Research Associate – Electronics Engineering | 1 | ₹67,000 |
| Total | 24 | — |
HRA, medical facilities and contingency grant will also be admissible according to the applicable rules.
JRF Educational Qualification
Electronics and related disciplines – 8 posts
Candidates must possess one of the following qualifications:
- First-division BE/BTech in Electronics, Electronics and Communication, Applied Electronics, Signal Processing, Microwave, Microelectronics, Power Electronics, Electronics and Instrumentation, Instrumentation and Control, Applied Physics, Applied Optics, Photonics or a similar discipline with a valid NET/GATE qualification.
- First-division MSc in a relevant Electronics, Applied Physics, Applied Optics, Laser, Fibre Optics, Photonics or similar discipline with a valid NET/GATE qualification.
- ME/MTech in a relevant Electronics, Communication, Microwave, Instrumentation, Optoelectronics, Applied Optics or Laser and Electro-Optics discipline, with first division at both graduate and postgraduate levels.
Computer Science and related disciplines – 4 posts
- BE/BTech in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Computer Science and IT, Computer Applications, Information Science, Informatics and Networking, Data Science, Software Engineering, Cyber Security, AI and ML, Big Data Analysis or a similar discipline with a valid NET/GATE qualification.
- Alternatively, first-division MSc in Computer Science with a valid NET/GATE qualification.
Mechanical, Metallurgy and related disciplines – 10 posts
- First-division BE/BTech in Mechanical, Metallurgy, Metallurgical Engineering, Material Engineering, Material Science, Manufacturing Engineering or Production Engineering with a valid NET/GATE qualification.
- Alternatively, ME/MTech in one of the prescribed disciplines with first division at both graduate and postgraduate levels.
Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering – 1 post
- First-division BE/BTech in Aeronautical or Aerospace Engineering with a valid NET/GATE qualification.
- Alternatively, ME/MTech in Aeronautical or Aerospace Engineering with first division at both graduate and postgraduate levels.
Candidates applying with MSc, BE or BTech qualifications must possess a valid UGC/CSIR-NET or GATE score. Applicants relying on ME/MTech must satisfy the first-division conditions stated in the notification.
Research Associate Qualification
The single Research Associate vacancy is in Electronics Engineering. Applicants must possess:
- PhD in Electronics Engineering from a reputed institution; or
- ME/MTech with at least three years of research and development experience in a reputed institution.
- At least one research paper published in a standard refereed journal listed in the Journal Citation Report or a Science Citation Indexed journal.
Desirable experience
- Experience in RF, microwave or antenna-related research.
Candidates who have submitted their PhD thesis may apply. However, the Research Associateship will be awarded only after the PhD degree is awarded and before the validity of the fellowship offer expires.
Age Limit
Age will be calculated as on the date of the interview.
| Fellowship | Maximum age |
|---|---|
| Junior Research Fellow | 28 years |
| Research Associate | 35 years |
Age relaxation
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
Application Fee
The official ARDE advertisement does not mention any application fee.
Candidates should not make payment through unofficial websites, agents or payment links.
Selection Process
- Scrutiny of offline applications
- Shortlisting based on eligibility and qualifications
- Written test and/or interview
- Original certificate verification
- Final selection for the fellowship
The written-test and/or interview dates will be communicated only by email to shortlisted candidates.
Receiving or submitting an application does not guarantee selection or an interview call. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Travel Reimbursement
Shortlisted candidates called for the interview or written test may receive reimbursement of the actual train or bus fare by the shortest route, limited to sleeper-class railway fare, according to the prescribed rules.
Documents to Enclose
- Completed application or biodata in the prescribed proforma.
- Recent self-signed passport-size photograph affixed in the specified space.
- Self-attested Class 10 certificate for date-of-birth proof.
- Self-attested educational qualification certificates and marksheets.
- Valid NET/GATE scorecard, wherever applicable.
- Self-attested caste certificate for candidates claiming relaxation.
- Research-experience certificates for the Research Associate post.
- PhD certificate or thesis-submission proof, where applicable.
- Copy or details of the required research publication for RA.
- Other relevant documents supporting claims made in the application.
Candidates serving in a government department, PSU or autonomous body must produce a No Objection Certificate from their employer.
How to Apply Offline
The deadline is for receipt of the application at ARDE, not merely for posting it. Candidates should send their application sufficiently early.
Application Address
The Director
Armament Research & Development Establishment
Armament Post, Pashan
Pune – 411021
Maharashtra
Write the name of the fellowship or post applied for clearly on the outer envelope.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification published on DRDO website | 21 July 2026 |
| Start date | 21 July 2026 |
| Last date for receipt of offline application | 31 August 2026 |
| Written test/interview date | To be communicated by email to shortlisted candidates |
Important Official Links
Important: This is an offline application. The completed form must reach ARDE, Pune, on or before 31 August 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many ARDE fellowships are available?
There are 24 fellowships: 23 Junior Research Fellow positions and one Research Associate position.
What is the last date to apply?
The completed offline application must reach ARDE by 31 August 2026.
What is the JRF stipend?
The monthly JRF stipend is ₹37,000, along with admissible benefits according to the rules.
What is the Research Associate stipend?
The Research Associate will receive ₹67,000 per month, along with applicable HRA, medical facilities and contingency grant.
Is NET or GATE compulsory?
A valid NET/GATE qualification is required for candidates applying on the basis of MSc, BE or BTech. Candidates applying with ME/MTech must meet the first-division conditions specified in the notification.
Will the selected fellows become permanent DRDO employees?
No. Award of a fellowship does not confer any right to permanent absorption or employment in DRDO.
How will candidates receive the interview date?
ARDE will communicate the written-test and/or interview details by email only to shortlisted candidates.
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