DRDO VRDE JRF Recruitment 2026: The Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (VRDE), a premier laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has officially announced a Walk-in Interview for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) positions for the year 2026. This opportunity is ideal for young and meritorious Indian engineers who aspire to contribute to defence research & indigenous technology development.
About VRDE – DRDO:
VRDE, located at Ahilyanagar (formerly Ahmednagar), Maharashtra, plays a crucial role in the design and development of advanced military mobility solutions. The organization works extensively on:
Wheeled and light tracked combat systems
High mobility gun systems
Strategic and tactical wheeled platforms
Wheeled autonomous systems
UAV engines
Evaluation and certification of military and commercial vehicles
VRDE is committed to delivering reliable, indigenous, and cutting-edge solutions to meet the operational needs of the Indian Armed Forces.
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DRDO VRDE Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) Recruitment 2026 Overview
Position: Junior Research Fellow (JRF)
Total Vacancies: 10 Posts
(The number of fellowships may increase or decrease based on organizational requirements)Mode of Selection: Walk-in Interview with Written Test
Place of Fellowship: VRDE, Vahannagar PO, Ahilyanagar – 414006, Maharashtra
DRDO VRDE JRF Recruitment 2026 Discipline-Wise Vacancy Details
1. Mechanical Engineering
Number of JRFs: 08
Eligible Branches:
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical & Automation Engineering
Mechanical & Production Engineering
Schedule:
Document Verification: 24 February 2026 (09:30 AM – 11:30 AM)
Written Test: 24 February 2026 (from 12:00 PM onwards)
Interview: 24 & 25 February 2026
2. Electrical Engineering
Number of JRFs: 02
Eligible Branches:
Electrical Engineering
Electrical Power Systems
Electrical & Electronics Engineering
Power Electronics Engineering
Schedule:
Document Verification: 26 February 2026 (09:30 AM – 11:30 AM)
Written Test: 26 February 2026 (from 12:00 PM onwards)
Interview: 26 & 27 February 2026
Also Read: HMT Machine Tools Recruitment 2026
DRDO VRDE JRF Recruitment 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
Candidates must fulfill one of the following:
BE/B.Tech in relevant discipline with First Division and a valid GATE score
(Only GATE 2023, 2024, or 2025 scores are accepted)
ORME/M.Tech in relevant discipline with First Division at both Graduate and Post-Graduate levels
DRDO VRDE JRF Recruitment 2026 Age Limit
Maximum Age: 28 years (as on interview date)
Relaxation:
SC/ST: 5 years
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 3 years
DRDO VRDE JRF Recruitment 2026: Nationality
Only Indian Nationals are eligible to apply
DRDO VRDE JRF Recruitment 2026 Fellowship Tenure & Stipend
Tenure:
Initially 2 years, extendable up to 4 years (one year at a time) based on performance and review committee assessment
Stipend:
₹37,000 per month + House Rent Allowance (HRA) as per rules
Also Read: National AYUSH Mission CPMU Recruitment 2026 | Application PDF
DRDO VRDE JRF Recruitment 2026 Application Procedure
Download the application form from the official DRDO website: www.drdo.gov.in
Send your willingness to attend the walk-in interview via email to:
kapilpuraswani.vrde@gov.inLast date for email submission: 22 February 2026
Email subject must clearly mention:
“Application for the post of Junior Research Fellowship – Subject”
Notification PDF: Click Here
Official Website: Click Here
Application Form PDF: Click here
DRDO VRDE JRF Recruitment 2026 Walk-in Interview Guidelines
Candidates must report on time; late arrivals will not be permitted
Bring:
Duly filled application form
Self-attested copies of certificates (qualification, GATE, caste, experience)
Original documents for verification
Recent passport-size photograph
Government-issued photo ID (Aadhaar/PAN/Passport)
Candidates employed in Govt./PSU/Autonomous bodies must produce a No Objection Certificate (NOC)
Electronic items (mobile phones, smart watches, pen drives, laptops) are strictly prohibited inside the VRDE campus
DRDO VRDE JRF Recruitment 2026 Important Notes & General Conditions
Selection is purely temporary and does not guarantee absorption into DRDO
No TA/DA will be provided for attending the interview or joining
A merit panel will be prepared and valid for one year
VRDE reserves the right to modify or cancel the advertisement without prior notice
Any misrepresentation or misconduct will lead to immediate cancellation of candidature
DRDO VRDE JRF Recruitment 2026 Contact Information
For further queries, candidates may contact:
Phone: 0241-2544004 (Ext. 4323)
Working Days: Monday to Friday
The DRDO VRDE Junior Research Fellowship 2026 is a prestigious opportunity for engineering graduates and postgraduates who want to work at the forefront of defence technology and national security research. Interested candidates are advised to prepare thoroughly and ensure timely compliance with all application and interview requirements.