DRDO NPOL Internship 2026 — 35 Vacancies

About This Job

DRDO NPOL Kochi is offering 35 paid internship seats for final-year UG/PG Engineering and Basic Science students. If you are studying a full-time course in an AICTE/UGC recognised Indian university or institute, you can apply through email, Google Form, or Speed Post. The last date for receiving applications is 15 June 2026. The internship starts from 01 July 2026 and carries a total stipend of Rs. 30,000 for 6 months.

Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL) Paid Internship Recruitment 2026 - 35 Posts

Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), Kochi, is a research laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) under the Ministry of Defence. The notice is for the Paid Internship Scheme of DRDO under Advertisement No. NPOL/A/PIS/6/2026. This is a good option for students whose curriculum includes a minimum 6-month project or internship in Engineering, Ocean Science, Polymer Science, Physics, or related streams. NPOL works on underwater sensors, surveillance systems and oceanographic studies for naval applications, so the internship is best suited for students who can work carefully in a research laboratory environment.

Vacancy Breakdown by Discipline

• Computer Science / AI & ML / Data Science: 12 seats
• Electronics & Communication / Electrical & Electronics / Instrumentation Engineering: 10 seats
• Mechanical Engineering: 5 seats
• Chemical Engineering / Polymer Science or Technology: 4 seats
• Physics / Opto Electronics: 2 seats
• Ocean Science / Ocean Technology: 2 seats

The 35 seats are tentative, and NPOL may change the vacancy position during the selection process.

Who Can Apply?

Course Requirement

• Qualification: You must be enrolled in a full-time UG or PG course in the relevant Engineering or Basic Science discipline.
• Institute: Your course must be from an AICTE/UGC recognised Indian university or institute.
• Final Year: You must be in the final year of the course.
• Curriculum condition: A minimum 6-month internship/project should be part of your course curriculum.
• Nationality: You must be an Indian national.
• Disciplines: Your course should match one of the notified fields such as Computer Science, AI/ML, Electronics, Mechanical, Chemical, Polymer Science, Physics, Opto Electronics, Ocean Science or Ocean Technology.

Marks Requirement

• You should have a consistently good academic record.
• You need at least 75% marks or 7.5 CGPA/SGPA up to the previous year/semester.

Age Limit

• Maximum age: 28 years
• Age will be counted as on the closing date of application, which is 15 June 2026.

Stipend

• Total stipend: Rs. 30,000 for the full 6-month internship.
• Payment schedule: Rs. 15,000 after completing 3 months and Rs. 15,000 after completing 6 months.
• Monthly equivalent: about Rs. 5,000 per month.
• No DA, transport, accommodation, CGHS, medical reimbursement, or other allowances will be given.
• If you leave before completing the full 6 months, you will not get the stipend or internship certificate.
• Sick leave is allowed only with a valid medical certificate.
• The internship does not give any right to employment or absorption in DRDO.

Application Fee

• Application fee: No fee
• You do not need to pay any fee for the DRDO NPOL internship application.

Selection Process (No Written Exam)

There is no written exam for this paid internship. Selection will be based on academic performance and interaction.

1. Merit Screening: NPOL will check your academic record, including the 75% marks / 7.5 CGPA condition.
2. Shortlisting: If many applications are received, NPOL may shortlist a reasonable number of students based on academic achievement.
3. Interaction: Shortlisted students may be called for interaction in person, by phone, or through video conference.
4. Document Verification: Original documents must be submitted at the time of joining if selected.

Selection communication will be sent by email. NPOL will not send separate communication to students who are not shortlisted, so keep checking the email address you enter in the form.

How to Apply

1. Download the application form and endorsement format from the DRDO vacancy notice at drdo.gov.in.
2. Fill in the application form and get the endorsement letter from your institute or university.
3. Email the scanned application and endorsement letter as a single file to hrd.npol@gov.in.
4. Also submit your details in the official Google Form at docs.google.com/forms.
5. You may also send the application by Speed Post to The Director, NPOL (DRDO), Thrikkakara PO, Kochi - 682021.
6. Write Application for Paid Internship Scheme - 2026 and your discipline name on the envelope if sending by post.
7. Make sure your application reaches NPOL before 15 June 2026.

Incomplete or partly filled applications can be rejected, so check that the form, institute endorsement, marks details and contact details are all included in the single scanned file.

Important Dates

• Notification Date: 05 June 2026
• Application Start: 05 June 2026
• Last Date for Receipt of Application: 15 June 2026
• Intimation to Selected Students: 4th week of June 2026
• Internship Start Date: 01 July 2026

Keep your email active after applying because NPOL will send selection updates for the 4th week of June 2026 only to shortlisted students.

• Work on assigned research or project tasks at NPOL Kochi
• Follow laboratory rules, safety instructions, and DRDO confidentiality requirements
• Attend the 6-month internship regularly and complete the assigned project work
• Prepare technical notes, reports, or presentations as guided by the supervisor
• Use laboratory facilities responsibly during approved project activities
• Submit original documents at joining and support document verification
• Complete the internship successfully to receive the completion certificate