DRDO Recruitment 2026: New Career Opportunities for Engineers and Scientists

January 16, 2026 — The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has officially launched its recruitment drive for 2026, opening doors for aspiring engineers and researchers to join India’s premier defense R&D wing. This year’s announcement is particularly significant for Mechanical and Electrical engineers, with a variety of roles ranging from Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) to Scientist ‘B’ positions across several prestigious laboratories.

Major Vacancies and Key Roles

DRDO has released multiple notifications through its Recruitment and Assessment Centre (RAC) and CEPTAM. The primary highlights for 2026 include:

• Scientist ‘B’ Positions: Expected to be one of the largest intakes, these Group ‘A’ Gazetted posts focus on core engineering disciplines. Shortlisting for these roles is primarily driven by GATE 2026 scores.
• Junior Research Fellowships (JRF): Specifically, the Centre for Airborne System (CABS) in Bengaluru has announced walk-in interviews for JRF roles in Mechanical, Electrical, and Electronics engineering.
• CEPTAM-11: This recruitment cycle is currently active for Senior Technical Assistant-B (STA-B) and Technician-A roles, offering over 764 vacancies combined across technical trades.

Eligibility Criteria for Engineering Graduates

Candidates looking to apply must meet stringent academic and age requirements. While specifics vary by post, the general guidelines are:

Crucial Dates and Deadlines

For those targeting specific laboratory roles, the following dates are critical:

1. CABS Bengaluru JRF Walk-in: Scheduled for February 25–26, 2026. Willingness emails must be sent by February 22.
2. CEPTAM-11 Correction Window: Currently open until January 16, 2026, for existing applicants.
3. HEMRL Pune Internship: Applications for paid internships in Mechanical and Electrical branches are open until January 20, 2026.

How to Apply

The application process is strictly online through the official portals.

1. Scientist Posts: Visit the RAC portal (rac.gov.in). You will need to upload your GATE scorecard, educational certificates, and a recent photograph.
2. Technical & Admin Posts: Use the CEPTAM portal on the main DRDO website (drdo.gov.in).
3. Application Fee: Generally ₹100 for General/OBC male candidates, while SC/ST/PwBD and women candidates are exempt.

Why Join DRDO?

Working with DRDO offers the unique opportunity to contribute to national security by developing indigenous technologies like the Agni and Prithvi missile series, the Tejas aircraft, and advanced radar systems. Beyond the competitive salary (starting at approximately ₹88,000–₹1,00,000 per month for Scientists), the role provides unparalleled exposure to cutting-edge defense technology.

Would you like me to find the specific contact details or the official PDF notification for a particular DRDO laboratory?