DRDO NPOL Junior Research Fellow Recruitment 2026 — 7 Disciplines, Walk-in 10 Oct (Kerala)

The Naval Physical & Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), a laboratory of the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of Defence, Government of India, located at Thrikkakara, Kochi, Kerala, has released Advertisement No. NPOL/JRF/01/2026 for selection to the position of Junior Research Fellow (JRF) across seven subject disciplines, including Mechanical Engineering (4 confirmed vacancies) and six other disciplines where vacancies are listed as "Anticipated." Candidates with the essential qualification prescribed for the chosen discipline — such as BE/B.Tech with valid GATE, ME/M.Tech, or a PG degree in Basic Science with valid NET/GATE — aged up to 28 years, are eligible. Selected Junior Research Fellows will support research work at NPOL, Kochi, for an initial Fellowship period of two years, extendable as per rules, with monthly emoluments of ₹37,000 plus HRA as admissible. The selection process is entirely through a walk-in interview, with a panel of selected candidates drawn up for both current and future vacancies, remaining operative for one year — though empanelment does not by itself guarantee an offer of Fellowship. The DRDO NPOL JRF 2026 walk-in interview is scheduled for 10 October 2026 (Saturday) at 09:30 hrs, at Bhavan's Varuna Vidyalaya, NPOL Campus, Thrikkakara, Kochi, Kerala – 682021. There is no application fee and no online application portal. Candidates must read the complete official DRDO notification PDF at the link above and carry all required original certificates to the venue.

• Computer Science & Engineering: BE/B.Tech (1st Division) with valid GATE, or ME/M.Tech (1st Division at both Graduate & PG level)
• Mechanical Engineering: BE/B.Tech (1st Division) with valid GATE, or ME/M.Tech (1st Division at both levels)
• Chemical Engg/Rubber Tech/Polymer Tech/Nanotechnology/Materials Science: BE/B.Tech (1st Division) with valid GATE, or ME/M.Tech in the relevant discipline
• Opto Electronics: BE/B.Tech in Opto Electronics with valid GATE, or ME/M.Tech, or BE/B.Tech in EEE/ECE with a paper on Fibre Optics/Optoelectronics/Laser Technologies plus valid GATE
• Electrical & Electronics/Electronics & Communication/Instrumentation Engineering: BE/B.Tech (1st Division) with valid GATE, or ME/M.Tech
• Physics: PG Degree in Basic Science (1st Division) with valid NET/GATE
• Oceanography/Ocean Technology/Meteorology: PG Degree in Basic Science (1st Division) with valid NET/GATE, or ME/M.Tech in the relevant discipline

• Upper age limit: 28 years, as on the date of the walk-in interview (10 October 2026)
• Age relaxation for SC/ST/OBC candidates as per Government of India norms

• Seven disciplines — Computer Science & Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engg/Rubber Tech/Polymer Tech/Nanotechnology/Materials Science, Opto Electronics, EEE/ECE/Instrumentation Engineering, Physics, Oceanography/Ocean Technology/Meteorology — as per the discipline-wise qualification detailed above
• Upper age limit of 28 years as on the date of the walk-in interview, with relaxation for SC/ST/OBC as per Government of India norms
• Candidates with a foreign university degree must obtain an equivalence certificate from the Association of Indian Universities, Delhi
• NET/GATE, wherever prescribed, must be valid as on the date of the walk-in interview
• Fellowship duration is initially two years, extendable as per rules, and does not confer any right to absorption in DRDO

• No application fee is mentioned in the official notification

• Monthly emoluments of ₹37,000 plus House Rent Allowance (HRA) as admissible under the rules

1. Appear for the walk-in interview on 10 October 2026 (Saturday) at 09:30 hrs, at Bhavan's Varuna Vidyalaya, NPOL Campus, Thrikkakara, Kochi – 682021
2. Carry all certificates/testimonials/Community Certificate/valid GATE or NET Score Card in original, for verification at the time of interview
3. Also carry a set of self-attested copies of all testimonials/certificates
4. Carry an original ID proof — Voter's ID/Aadhaar Card/PAN Card/Driving Licence
5. Carry one recent colour passport-size photograph
6. Optionally, e-mail a one-page bio-data in advance to help NPOL make administrative arrangements for the interview
7. Confirm which of the seven disciplines matches your qualification before attending
8. Candidates working in Government/Public Sector Undertakings/Autonomous Bodies should apply through proper channel
9. Check the DRDO website regularly for any amendments until the selection exercise concludes
10. Retain a copy of all submitted documents for future reference