DRDO DMRL JRF Recruitment 2026 — 18 Posts, Apply by 27 Oct

DRDO DMRL JRF Recruitment 2026 is out for 18 Junior Research Fellowships at Hyderabad, with applications accepted by email until 27 October 2026. The Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL), a premier Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) laboratory set up in 1963 to develop advanced materials for defence systems, has issued Advertisement No. DMRL/HRD/JRF/2026/01. The fellowships cover Metallurgical Engineering/Materials Science (7), Mechanical Engineering (7), Chemical Engineering (2) and Physics (2), making this a strong research opportunity for GATE-qualified engineers and NET-qualified physicists. Junior Research Fellows will work on research projects in advanced materials and processing technologies at DMRL, Kanchanbagh, Hyderabad, and may register for a part-time PhD with the Director's approval. The stipend is ₹37,000 per month plus HRA as per DRDO rules, with an initial tenure of two years extendable by two more, and JRFs can be elevated to Senior Research Fellow after a performance assessment. Shortlisting is based on GATE/NET score for B.E./B.Tech./M.Sc. candidates and on M.E./M.Tech. percentage for postgraduate engineers, followed by an interview at Hyderabad on a date to be intimated. To apply for DRDO DMRL JRF 2026, download the Excel application form from drdo.gov.in, fill in every entry, and email it with a single PDF of all supporting documents to dmrlhrd@gmail.com. The advertisement sets the last date as 21 days from publication on the DRDO website, which works out to 27 October 2026 based on its 06 October 2026 upload. The upper age limit is 28 years with 5 years relaxation for SC/ST and 3 years for OBC, and candidates who have already held a JRF position in any DRDO laboratory cannot apply again.

• JRF-01 (Metallurgical Engg. / Materials Science): B.E./B.Tech. with first class in Metallurgical Engineering, Materials Science, Materials Engineering or Materials Technology with valid GATE score, OR M.E./M.Tech. with first class in these disciplines plus B.E./B.Tech. with first class in the same field
• JRF-02 (Mechanical Engg.): B.E./B.Tech. with first class in Mechanical Engineering with valid GATE score, OR M.E./M.Tech. and B.E./B.Tech. both with first class in Mechanical Engineering
• JRF-03 (Chemical Engg.): B.E./B.Tech. with first class in Chemical Engineering with valid GATE score, OR M.E./M.Tech. and B.E./B.Tech. both with first class in Chemical Engineering
• JRF-04 (Physics): M.Sc. in Physics with First Division and valid NET qualification
• All degrees must be from a UGC-recognised university; only candidates already awarded the degree or provisional certificate may apply
• GATE paper and qualifying degree must match the discipline applied for, and the GATE/NET score must be valid on the date of interview
• CGPA/CPI must be converted to percentage with a supporting document issued by the university

• Maximum 28 years as on the closing date of interview
• SC / ST: 5 years relaxation
• OBC: 3 years relaxation
• Self-attested caste certificate is mandatory for claiming relaxation

• Indian nationals only
• First class B.E./B.Tech. with valid GATE score, or first class M.E./M.Tech. with first class B.E./B.Tech., in the relevant discipline
• First Division M.Sc. Physics with valid NET qualification for JRF-04
• Degree or provisional certificate must already be awarded at the time of applying
• GATE/NET score must be valid on the date of interview and related to the discipline applied for
• Maximum age 28 years on the closing date of interview, with 5 years relaxation for SC/ST and 3 years for OBC
• Candidates who earlier held a JRF position in any DRDO laboratory or centre are not eligible
• Government employees must produce an NOC at the interview or apply through proper channel
• No TA/DA is paid for attending the interview or for joining
• Fellowship does not confer any right to absorption in DRDO

• No application fee is mentioned in the DMRL JRF advertisement

• Junior Research Fellow: stipend of ₹37,000 per month plus HRA as per DRDO rules
• Medical facilities for self through the DRDO MI Room
• Tenure of 2 years, extendable by 2 more years; may be elevated to SRF after assessment
• No absorption in DRDO is guaranteed after the fellowship

1. Visit the official DRDO website at https://www.drdo.gov.in/ and open the Vacancies section.
2. Download Advertisement No. DMRL/HRD/JRF/2026/01 and the Excel application form.
3. Fill in every entry of the Excel sheet, entering qualifying exam marks as a percentage.
4. Scan your B.E./B.Tech. certificate and marksheet, M.E./M.Tech. documents if applicable, and valid GATE score card or NET certificate.
5. Add Aadhaar or another government photo ID, a self-attested passport-size photograph, and experience, caste and NOC documents if applicable.
6. Include any published papers and the university's CGPA-to-percentage conversion document.
7. Merge all supporting documents into a single PDF in the order listed in the advertisement.
8. Name both files starting with the post serial number followed by your name, for example "2Srinivas" for Mechanical Engineering.
9. Email the completed Excel sheet and PDF together to dmrlhrd@gmail.com before 27 October 2026.
10. Keep originals ready, as shortlisted candidates must produce them at the interview in Hyderabad.