DRDO DYSL-CT Junior Research Fellow Recruitment 2026

DRDO's Young Scientists Laboratory - Cognitive Technologies (DYSL-CT), Chennai is hiring 1 Junior Research Fellow (JRF) to work on cutting-edge cognitive radar, radio, and surveillance research. If you hold a B.E./B.Tech or M.E./M.Tech in Computer Science, Electronics, Electrical, Telecommunication, or Instrumentation Engineering, you can apply offline by email or post. The last date to apply is 4 September 2026. You should be under 28 years of age, and selected candidates get a stipend of Rs. 37,000 per month plus HRA.

DRDO Young Scientists Laboratory - Cognitive Technologies (DYSL-CT) JRF Recruitment 2026 - 1 Post

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), under the Ministry of Defence, has released a notification through its Young Scientists Laboratory - Cognitive Technologies (DYSL-CT), Chennai, inviting applications for the award of one Junior Research Fellowship. DYSL-CT works closely with IIT Madras and other central and state universities on advanced cognitive radio, cognitive radar, and cognitive surveillance research. The fellowship runs for two years and can be extended up to four years based on your performance, and DRDO will also maintain a merit panel valid for one year to fill future vacancies in the same discipline. This is a strong opportunity for fresh engineering graduates and postgraduates who want hands-on research exposure at a premier defence R&D lab, working alongside senior scientists on real innovation projects.

Who Can Apply?

For Computer Science / Computer Engineering / Information Science Background:

• Qualification: B.E./B.Tech (First Division) in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Science or an equivalent engineering discipline from an AICTE-accredited institute, along with CSIR-UGC NET or GATE qualification
• OR: M.E./M.Tech (First Division at both graduate and postgraduate level) in the same disciplines from an AICTE-accredited institute or university

For Electrical / Electronics / Telecommunication / Instrumentation Background:

• Qualification: B.E./B.Tech (First Division) in Electrical, Electronics, Telecommunication or Instrumentation Engineering with CSIR-UGC NET or GATE qualification
• OR: M.E./M.Tech (First Division at both graduate and postgraduate level) in the same disciplines from an AICTE-accredited institute or university

Desirable skills: Programming proficiency in C, C++, and Python; knowledge of major machine learning algorithms; experience with open-source system development frameworks; strong grip on communication engineering and DSP algorithms; working knowledge of embedded systems and design; and prior exposure to cognitive technologies will strengthen your application. Note: Candidates who have already been awarded a JRF position at any DRDO laboratory, centre, or establishment earlier are not eligible to apply again.

Age Limit

• You should be up to 28 years old as on the last date of receipt of application.
• Age Relaxation: Candidates from SC, ST and OBC (NCL) categories get age relaxation as per Government of India rules.

Salary

• Selected candidates will get a stipend of Rs. 37,000 per month plus HRA as applicable.
• No other allowances will be paid during the entire fellowship period.

Selection Process (No Written Exam)

DRDO will select candidates directly through an interview:

1. Interview: The date, time, venue, and mode of the interview will be shared with shortlisted candidates by email only. Keep checking the DRDO website for updates on your result.

Note: If you already work in a government department, PSU, or autonomous body, you must apply through proper channel and carry a signed declaration (Annexure II) plus a No Objection Certificate (Annexure III) from your employer at the time of interview. The fellowship is purely temporary and does not give you any right to a permanent DRDO position.

How to Apply

1. Download the application form and detailed advertisement from www.drdo.gov.in under the "What's New" section (Application for the post of JRF at DYSL-CT, Chennai).
2. Fill in the application form completely with your personal and academic details.
3. Attach self-attested copies of your educational qualification and experience certificates.
4. Send your filled application by post to The Director, DRDO Young Scientists Laboratory - Cognitive Technologies, E-Block, 5th Floor, IIT Madras Research Park, Taramani, Chennai-600113, or email the completed form and documents in PDF format to vasanth.dysl-ct@gov.in.
5. If sending by post, write "Application for JRF Recruitment" on top of the envelope.
6. Make sure your application reaches within 21 days of the advertisement's publication in Employment News or a newspaper.

Important Dates

• Notification Date: 11 August 2026
• Published on DRDO Website: 14 August 2026
• Last Date to Apply: 4 September 2026 (within 21 days of publication in Employment News/Newspaper)

• Conduct research on cognitive radio, cognitive radar, and cognitive surveillance technologies
• Design and analyze algorithms for cognitive defence systems
• Develop and test software solutions using C, C++, and Python
• Build and evaluate embedded systems for signal processing applications
• Apply machine learning techniques to ongoing research problems
• Collaborate with IIT Madras and other academic partners on joint R&D projects
• Document research findings and prepare technical progress reports
• Assist senior scientists with experiments and lab-based prototyping