ARDE Pune JRF & Research Associate Recruitment 2026 — 24 Posts, Apply Offline by 31 Aug

Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE), Pune, a premier laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has released ARDE JRF & Research Associate Recruitment 2026 under Advertisement No. ARDE/JRF-RA/2026 for 24 fellowship posts. This government research fellowship opportunity is aimed at young and meritorious Indian Nationals who wish to pursue defence-related research across Electronics, Computer Science, Mechanical/Metallurgy, and Aeronautical disciplines. Engineering and science graduates with a valid NET/GATE qualification, and doctoral or postdoctoral candidates with relevant research experience, are eligible to apply. Selected Junior Research Fellows and the Research Associate will work on cutting-edge defence technology projects at ARDE's Pashan campus in Pune for an initial period of two years, extendable as per DRDO rules for JRF positions. Selection is through shortlisting of applications followed by an interview or written test, with only shortlisted candidates contacted by email for further stages. The stipend for ARDE JRF 2026 is ₹37,000 per month, while the Research Associate stipend is ₹67,000 per month, with HRA, medical facilities and a contingency grant also admissible as per rules. The ARDE JRF & Research Associate 2026 application is offline only — there is no online portal for this recruitment. The last date to apply for ARDE Pune Recruitment 2026 is 31 August 2026. Candidates must send their Bio-Data in the prescribed format, along with self-attested copies of certificates, to the Director, ARDE, Armament Post, Pashan, Pune – 411 021, superscribing the post name on the envelope. Candidates must read the complete official ARDE JRF-RA 2026 notification PDF before applying.

• Junior Research Fellow (Electronics disciplines) — 08 posts: B.E./B.Tech, M.Sc., or M.E./M.Tech in Electronics/Electronics & Communication/Applied Electronics/Signal Processing/Microwave/Microelectronics/Power Electronics/Instrumentation & Control/Applied Physics/Applied Optics (Laser & Fiber Optics)/Photonics or similar disciplines in first division with valid NET/GATE qualification
• Junior Research Fellow (Computer Science) — 04 posts: B.E./B.Tech in Computer Science/Computer Engineering/IT/Data Science/Software Engineering/Cyber Security/AI & ML/Big Data Analysis or similar disciplines with NET/GATE, or M.Sc. Computer Science in first division with NET/GATE
• Junior Research Fellow (Mechanical/Metallurgy) — 10 posts: B.E./B.Tech or M.E./M.Tech in Mechanical/Metallurgy/Metallurgical Engineering/Material Engineering/Material Science/Manufacturing Engineering/Production Engineering in first division with NET/GATE
• Junior Research Fellow (Aeronautical/Aerospace) — 01 post: B.E./B.Tech or M.E./M.Tech in Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering in first division with NET/GATE
• Research Associate — 01 post: Ph.D in Electronics Engineering from a reputed institution, or M.E./M.Tech with minimum 3 years R&D experience in a reputed institution; at least one research paper published in a JCR or SCI-indexed journal; experience in RF/Microwaves/Antenna desirable

• Maximum 28 years for Junior Research Fellow posts, as on the date of interview
• Maximum 35 years for Research Associate post, as on the date of interview
• SC/ST candidates — 5 years relaxation
• OBC candidates — 3 years relaxation

• Indian Nationals only
• Maximum 28 years of age for JRF posts, 35 years for RA post, as on the date of interview
• SC/ST — 5 years age relaxation; OBC — 3 years age relaxation
• Valid NET/GATE scorecard mandatory wherever prescribed for the post applied
• Government/PSU/Autonomous Body employees must submit a No Objection Certificate from their employer
• Research Associate applicants must have at least one research paper published in a JCR or SCI-indexed journal

No application fee

• Junior Research Fellow: ₹37,000 per month stipend
• Research Associate: ₹67,000 per month stipend
• HRA, medical facilities and contingency grant admissible as per rules

1. Download the official Advertisement and Application Form from drdo.gov.in
2. Read the complete ARDE/JRF-RA/2026 notification carefully to identify your eligible post category
3. Fill the Bio-Data/Application Form in your own handwriting as per the prescribed proforma
4. Affix a recent passport-size photograph on the right top corner of the Bio-Data
5. Attach self-attested copies of certificates of educational qualification, NET/GATE scorecard, caste certificate and other relevant documents
6. Government/PSU/Autonomous Body employees must attach a No Objection Certificate from their employer
7. Superscribe the name of the post applied for clearly on the envelope
8. Send the completed application by post to The Director, Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE), Armament Post, Pashan, Pune – 411 021
9. Ensure the application reaches the office on or before 31 August 2026 (Monday)
10. Retain a photocopy of the submitted application for future reference