DRDO DHR&V Recruitment 2026 — 15 Posts, Apply Offline by 16 Oct

Directorate of Human Resource & Vigilance (DRDO DHR&V) has released DRDO DHR&V Recruitment 2026 under Advertisement No. DRDO/DHR&V/C&F-2026-01 for 15 contractual honorary positions — 2 DRDO Chair, 7 DRDO Distinguished Fellowships, and 6 DRDO Fellowships. DRDO DHR&V Recruitment 2026 offers senior scientific advisory roles to retired or soon-to-retire officers from Central Government or Autonomous Bodies. Candidates must be retired Distinguished Scientists/Outstanding Scientists/Scientist 'G' (or equivalent from other Scientific/Academic Institutions), or retired Lieutenant General/Major General (or equivalent) at the corresponding pay level, and can apply offline by 16 October 2026. Selected DRDO Chair, Distinguished Fellows, and Fellows will provide high-level scientific and technical guidance to DRDO's research programmes, drawing on their prior senior-level experience in defence R&D or the armed forces. The selection process involves screening by a Screening Committee, recommendation to a Selection Committee, and final approval by the Competent Authority — there is no written examination. Salary for DRDO DHR&V Recruitment 2026 is a fixed monthly honorarium of ₹1,25,000 for DRDO Chair, ₹1,00,000 for DRDO Distinguished Fellowships, and ₹80,000 for DRDO Fellowships, restricted to the amount after deducting basic pension from last basic pay, with no annual increment and only Transport Allowance admissible. Candidates for DRDO DHR&V Recruitment 2026 must download the application form from drdo.gov.in, fill it carefully, attach self-attested certificates and photograph, and send it to the address specified in the notification, ensuring it reaches on or before 16 October 2026, with an advance copy also permitted by email. Candidates must read the complete official notification PDF before applying, since the maximum permissible age is capped at 5 years after superannuation.

Retired Distinguished Scientist/Outstanding Scientist/Scientist 'G' (or equivalent from DRDO/other Scientific/Academic Institutions), OR retired Lieutenant General/Major General (or equivalent), at the corresponding Pay Level (16/15/14) for the respective post.

Maximum 5 years after superannuation

DRDO Chair (2 posts) — Retired Distinguished Scientist (DS) or equivalent from DRDO or other Scientific/Academic Institutions in Pay Level-16, OR retired Lieutenant General or equivalent in Pay Level-16 DRDO Distinguished Fellowships (7 posts) — Retired Outstanding Scientist (OS) or equivalent from DRDO or other Scientific/Academic Institutions in Pay Level-15, OR retired Lieutenant General or equivalent in Pay Level-15 DRDO Fellowships (6 posts) — Retired Scientist 'G' or equivalent from DRDO or other Scientific/Academic Institutions in Pay Level-14, OR retired Major General or equivalent in Pay Level-14 Age Limit — Maximum 5 years after superannuation Job Type — Contractual, fixed monthly honorarium Honorarium is restricted to the amount arrived at by deducting basic pension from last basic pay drawn at retirement; no annual increment during the contract period; no allowances (DA, HRA, government accommodation, medical or telephone reimbursement) except Transport Allowance as admissible Selection Process — Screening Committee review, followed by Selection Committee recommendation and approval of the Competent Authority These honorary chair and fellowship positions are a recognised mechanism across Indian scientific and defence institutions for retaining the expertise of senior retired scientists and armed forces officers on a part-time or advisory basis, rather than through fresh open recruitment

DRDO Chair: ₹1,25,000 per month (fixed honorarium) DRDO Distinguished Fellowships: ₹1,00,000 per month (fixed honorarium) DRDO Fellowships: ₹80,000 per month (fixed honorarium) (Restricted to amount after deducting basic pension from last basic pay; no annual increment; only Transport Allowance admissible)

1. Read the official DRDO DHR&V notification carefully before applying.
2. Download the application form from the official website, drdo.gov.in.
3. Fill the application form carefully with correct personal, service and retirement details.
4. Attach self-attested copies of required documents — photograph, signature, ID proof, and service/retirement certificates.
5. Check all details carefully before submission.
6. Send the completed application form to the address mentioned in the notification through Speed Post/Registered Post or as instructed.
7. An advance copy of the application may additionally be sent by email to the address specified in the notification, though the formal application must still be submitted offline.
8. Ensure the application reaches before the last date: 16 October 2026.
9. Keep a photocopy of the submitted application form for future reference.