DRDO ARDE JRF & RA Recruitment 2026

DRDO's Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) in Pune is hiring 24 Junior Research Fellows (JRF) and Research Associates (RA) across Electronics, Computer Science, Mechanical, and Aerospace disciplines. If you have a B.E./B.Tech, M.Sc., or M.Tech degree with a valid NET/GATE score, you can apply offline by post. Your application must reach ARDE by 31 August 2026. The JRF stipend for the Electronics discipline starts at Rs. 37,000 per month.

Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) JRF & RA Recruitment 2026 - 24 Posts

ARDE, Pune, a premier laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has invited applications from young and meritorious Indian nationals for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Research Associateship (RA) positions under Advertisement No. ARDE/JRF-RA/2026. ARDE specializes in the design and development of armament systems, ammunition, and allied defence technologies for the Indian Armed Forces, so fellows get hands-on exposure to live defence R&D projects. These fellowships cover defence-related research in fields like electronics, signal processing, microwave engineering, mechanical systems, and aerospace technology. Fellowships are offered initially for two years and are extendable as per DRDO rules for JRF. If you are a fresh postgraduate or engineering graduate with a NET/GATE qualification looking to build a research career, this is a great opportunity to work on cutting-edge defence technology.

Vacancy Breakdown by Discipline

• Junior Research Fellow (Electronics): 8 posts, stipend Rs. 37,000 per month

The remaining 16 posts are spread across Junior Research Fellow (Computer Science), Junior Research Fellow (Mechanical), Junior Research Fellow (Aerospace), and Research Associate (Electronics Engineering). Check the official notification for the exact discipline-wise split and stipend for these posts.

Who Can Apply?

For Junior Research Fellow (Electronics):

• Qualification: B.E./B.Tech in Electronics, Electronics & Communication, Applied Electronics, Signal Processing, Microwave, Microelectronics, Power Electronics, Instrumentation, Applied Physics, Applied Optics, Photonics or a similar discipline (First Division) with a valid NET/GATE score
• OR: M.Sc. in the same disciplines (First Division) with NET/GATE
• OR: M.Tech/M.E. in the same disciplines (First Division at both graduate and postgraduate level)

For Other JRF and RA Posts (Computer Science, Mechanical, Aerospace, Electronics Engineering):

• Qualification: B.E./B.Tech/M.Sc./M.Tech in the respective engineering discipline with a valid NET/GATE score, as detailed post-wise in the official notification
• Desirable: Research experience in RF/Microwaves/Antenna and publications in a reputed Science Citation Indexed (SCI) journal are an advantage for Research Associate posts

Age Limit

• For JRF, you should be up to 28 years old as on the date of interview.
• For RA, you should be up to 35 years old as on the date of interview.
• Age Relaxation: 5 years for SC/ST candidates and 3 years for OBC candidates.

Salary

• Junior Research Fellow (Electronics): Rs. 37,000 per month stipend
• You will also get HRA, medical facilities, and a contingency grant as admissible per DRDO rules.

Selection Process

The selection will be done in the following stages:

1. Screening of Bio-data: ARDE shortlists candidates based on the CV/Bio-data and certificates submitted.
2. Written Test and/or Interview: Only shortlisted candidates are called. Interview and/or written test dates are sent by email.

Shortlisted candidates get reimbursement for train/bus fare (sleeper class, shortest route) for attending the interview. If you are currently employed in a Government department, PSU, or Autonomous Body, bring a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your employer to the interview. Remember, this is a fellowship and not a permanent DRDO appointment — it does not confer any right to absorption in DRDO.

How to Apply

1. Download the application proforma from the official notification.
2. Fill in your CV/Bio-data in your own handwriting, in the prescribed format.
3. Attach self-attested copies of your educational certificates, NET/GATE scorecard, caste certificate (if applicable), and other relevant documents.
4. Affix a recent passport-size photograph on the top right corner of the Bio-data.
5. Write the post name on the envelope and send it by post to The Director, Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE), Armament Post, Pashan, Pune - 411 021.
6. Make sure your application reaches ARDE by 31 August 2026.

For any questions about the application process, you can call ARDE at 020-25865680 or 020-25865295.

Important Dates

• Application Start: 21 July 2026
• Last Date to Apply (by post): 31 August 2026

• Conduct research and experiments in the assigned discipline (Electronics, Mechanical, Aerospace, or Computer Science)
• Support DRDO scientists on defence-related R&D projects at ARDE
• Prepare technical reports and document experiment results
• Analyze data and present findings to the project team
• Assist in the design, testing, and evaluation of systems and prototypes
• Publish research work in reputed journals where applicable
• Follow laboratory safety protocols and maintain equipment