DRDO Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory, Kochi, has announced a walk-in interview for Junior Research Fellowships in seven engineering and science disciplines.
Latest Update
Overview
| Organisation | Defence Research and Development Organisation |
| Laboratory | Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory |
| Location | Thrikkakara, Kochi, Kerala |
| Advertisement Number | NPOL/JRF/01/2026 |
| Position | Junior Research Fellow |
| Fixed Vacancies | 4 in Mechanical Engineering |
| Additional Vacancies | Anticipated in six disciplines |
| Selection Mode | Walk-in interview |
| Interview Date | 10 October 2026 |
| Interview Time | 9:30 AM |
Important Dates
| Advertisement Published | 1 September 2026 |
| Optional Biodata Email | Before the walk-in interview for administrative arrangements |
| Walk-In Interview | 10 October 2026 |
| Reporting Time | 9:30 AM |
| Panel Validity | One year after preparation |
Vacancy Details
| Computer Science and Engineering | Anticipated |
| Mechanical Engineering | 4 |
| Chemical Engineering, Rubber Technology, Polymer Technology, Nanotechnology or Materials Science | Anticipated |
| Opto Electronics | Anticipated |
| Electrical and Electronics, Electronics and Communication or Instrumentation Engineering | Anticipated |
| Physics | Anticipated |
| Oceanography, Ocean Technology or Meteorology | Anticipated |
The anticipated positions depend on vacancies arising during the panel’s one-year validity. Empanelment does not automatically confer a fellowship offer.
Salary
| Monthly Fellowship | ₹37,000 |
| House Rent Allowance | Admissible according to rules |
| Initial Tenure | 2 years |
| Extension | Permitted according to applicable rules |
Age Limit
| General Upper Age Limit | 28 years |
| Age Reference Date | 10 October 2026 |
| SC and ST Candidates | According to Government of India rules |
| OBC Candidates | According to Government of India rules |
Qualification
Computer Science and Engineering
- B.E. or B.Tech in Computer Science Engineering with First Division and valid GATE qualification; or
- M.E. or M.Tech in Computer Science Engineering with First Division at both graduate and postgraduate levels.
Mechanical Engineering
- B.E. or B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering with First Division and valid GATE qualification; or
- M.E. or M.Tech in Mechanical Engineering with First Division at both graduate and postgraduate levels.
Chemical, Rubber, Polymer, Nano or Materials Discipline
- B.E. or B.Tech in Chemical Engineering, Rubber Technology, Polymer Technology, Nanotechnology or Materials Science with First Division and valid GATE; or
- M.E. or M.Tech in one of these disciplines with First Division at both graduate and postgraduate levels.
Opto Electronics
- B.E. or B.Tech in Opto Electronics with First Division and valid GATE; or
- M.E. or M.Tech in Opto Electronics with First Division at graduate and postgraduate levels; or
- B.E. or B.Tech in Electrical and Electronics or Electronics and Communication Engineering with at least one paper in Fibre Optics, Optoelectronics or Laser Technologies, First Division and valid GATE.
Electrical, Electronics, Communication or Instrumentation
- B.E. or B.Tech in Electrical and Electronics, Electronics and Communication or Instrumentation Engineering with First Division and valid GATE; or
- M.E. or M.Tech in an eligible discipline with First Division at graduate and postgraduate levels.
Physics
- Postgraduate degree in the relevant Basic Science subject with First Division and valid NET or GATE qualification.
Oceanography, Ocean Technology or Meteorology
- Postgraduate Basic Science degree in the relevant discipline with First Division and valid NET or GATE; or
- M.E. or M.Tech in Oceanography, Ocean Technology or Meteorology with First Division at graduate and postgraduate levels.
Experience
The advertisement does not prescribe previous employment experience. Candidates must possess the required First Division degree and valid GATE, NET or eligible national fellowship qualification applicable to their discipline.
Application Fee
No application or interview fee is prescribed. Candidates should not pay any unofficial person or website for participation in this walk-in selection.
Selection Process
- Optional submission of a one-page biodata by email for administrative arrangements
- Physical reporting at the notified venue by 9:30 AM
- Registration and verification of eligibility
- Scrutiny of original educational, GATE, NET, category and identity documents
- Walk-in interview before the NPOL selection panel
- Preparation of a merit or empanelment list
- Fellowship offer according to suitability and available vacancy
Candidates working in Government, public-sector undertakings or autonomous bodies should apply through the proper channel.
Exam Pattern
The official advertisement does not announce a written examination, question pattern or syllabus. Selection is through document scrutiny and a walk-in interview assessing the candidate’s subject knowledge, research suitability and eligibility.
Documents Required
- One-page biodata
- Recent colour passport-size photograph
- Original Class 10 certificate for date-of-birth proof
- Original degree and postgraduate certificates applicable to the discipline
- All semester or year-wise mark sheets
- Valid GATE or NET score card
- SC, ST or OBC community certificate when claiming age relaxation
- Equivalence certificate from the Association of Indian Universities for a foreign-university degree
- No Objection Certificate or proper-channel document for Government, PSU or autonomous-body employees
- Original Aadhaar card, voter ID, PAN card or driving licence
- One set of self-attested copies of all certificates and testimonials
How to Apply
- Download and read Advertisement No. NPOL/JRF/01/2026.
- Confirm eligibility for one of the seven notified disciplines.
- Check that the required GATE, NET or eligible fellowship qualification remains valid on 10 October 2026.
- Prepare a one-page biodata with education, contact and fellowship details.
- Candidates may email the one-page biodata to hrd.npol@gov.in for administrative arrangements.
- Arrange the original educational, category, identity and GATE or NET documents.
- Prepare one set of self-attested copies and one recent colour photograph.
- Report to Bhavan’s Varuna Vidyalaya inside the NPOL campus by 9:30 AM on 10 October 2026.
- Complete registration and document verification at the venue.
- Attend the walk-in interview with all original documents.
- Monitor the official DRDO website for amendments and selection updates.
Walk-In Venue
Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory Campus
Thrikkakara P.O.
Kochi, Kerala – 682021
Important Links
Download Official NPOL JRF Advertisement PDF Open Official NPOL JRF Vacancy Page DRDO Official Vacancies DRDO Official WebsiteFrequently Asked Questions
How many fixed vacancies are available?
Four fixed Junior Research Fellow vacancies are notified in Mechanical Engineering.
Are there vacancies in other disciplines?
Yes. NPOL has listed anticipated vacancies in six additional engineering and science disciplines.
When is the walk-in interview?
The interview will be held on 10 October 2026, with reporting scheduled for 9:30 AM.
What is the monthly fellowship?
The fellowship is ₹37,000 per month plus admissible House Rent Allowance.
What is the upper age limit?
The general upper age limit is 28 years as of the walk-in interview date. SC, ST and OBC relaxations apply under Government rules.
Is GATE compulsory for engineering graduates?
B.E. and B.Tech candidates require a valid GATE qualification. Eligible M.E. and M.Tech candidates must hold First Division at graduate and postgraduate levels.
Is previous work experience required?
No separate employment-experience period is prescribed in the advertisement.
Is advance online registration compulsory?
No. Candidates may email a one-page biodata to help NPOL make administrative arrangements, but selection is through the physical walk-in process.
Will every empanelled candidate receive a fellowship?
No. A fellowship offer depends on the occurrence of a vacancy during the panel’s one-year validity.
Does the fellowship guarantee a permanent DRDO job?
No. The advertisement expressly states that the fellowship does not provide a right to absorption in DRDO.
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