VRDE DRDO Junior Research Fellow Recruitment 2026 — 5 Posts, Walk-in 06 Oct (Maharashtra)

The Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (VRDE), a laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India, has released Junior Research Fellow Recruitment 2026 for 5 posts in Mechanical Engineering. This is a government defence research job opportunity in Maharashtra, distinct from other DRDO establishments such as CVRDE, since VRDE specialises in defence vehicle research and development. Candidates holding a BE/B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering with a valid GATE score, or an ME/M.Tech in Mechanical Engineering with First Division at both levels, are eligible to apply. Selected Junior Research Fellows will support VRDE's defence vehicle research projects at the Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra facility. The selection process for VRDE DRDO JRF 2026 consists of Document Verification, a Written Test, and an Interview, all scheduled for 06 October 2026, with a further walk-in interview on 07 October 2026 if required. The salary for this post is ₹37,000 per month plus HRA, on a contractual basis. Candidates must first express their willingness by email by 27 September 2026, then attend Document Verification, the Written Test, and Interview at VRDE on 06 October 2026. Candidates must read the complete official VRDE DRDO notification PDF at the link above before applying, and carry all required original documents along with self-attested photocopies to the venue.

• BE/B.Tech degree in Mechanical Engineering in First Division with a valid GATE score (2024, 2025, or 2026)
• OR ME/M.Tech degree in Mechanical Engineering with First Division at both the graduate and postgraduate level
• No additional certification beyond the qualifying degree and GATE score is mentioned in the notification

• Maximum age limit: 28 years
• SC/ST candidates: 5 years relaxation
• OBC (Non-creamy layer) candidates: 3 years relaxation

• BE/B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering in First Division with a valid GATE score (2024/2025/2026), OR ME/M.Tech in Mechanical Engineering with First Division at both graduate and postgraduate level
• Maximum age limit of 28 years, with 5 years relaxation for SC/ST and 3 years for OBC (Non-creamy layer) candidates
• This is a contractual, project-based position; the notification does not specify tenure beyond the project duration
• Candidates must express willingness by email by 27 September 2026 before attending the walk-in process on 06 October 2026

• No application fee is mentioned in the notification for any category

• ₹37,000 per month plus HRA, on a contractual basis

1. Read the official VRDE DRDO Junior Research Fellow 2026 notification PDF carefully before proceeding
2. Confirm your BE/B.Tech or ME/M.Tech qualification and GATE score meet the eligibility criteria
3. Send an email expressing willingness to participate in the recruitment process by 27 September 2026
4. Download and fill the prescribed application form available in the notification
5. Prepare original documents along with one set of self-attested photocopies — educational certificates, GATE scorecard, ID proof, and category certificate if applicable
6. Keep recent passport-size photographs ready for submission
7. Report to the VRDE walk-in venue in Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra on 06 October 2026 for Document Verification
8. Appear for the Written Test conducted on the same day
9. Attend the Interview following the Written Test, also on 06 October 2026
10. If required, attend a further walk-in interview on 07 October 2026 as per the notification's provision