DRDO ARDE Recruitment 2026: Offline Application for 24 JRF & RA Posts

Age Details

• Junior Research Fellow (JRF): Maximum age 28 years as on the date of interview.
• Research Associate (RA): Maximum age 35 years as on the date of interview.
• Relaxations: 5 years for SC/ST and 3 years for OBC candidates.

Educational Qualifications

• JRF - Electronics/EC/Applied Electronics/Signal Processing/Microwave/Microelectronics/Power Electronics/Instrumentation & Control/Applied Physics/Applied Optics (Laser & Fiber Optics/Photonics) with first-division BE/B.Tech or M.Sc with NET/GATE; or M.Tech/M.E in a relevant discipline in first division at both graduate and postgraduate levels.
• JRF - Computer Science/CS/IT/Data Science/AI & ML/Cyber Security/Big Data Analysis with NET/GATE; or M.Sc (Computer Science) in first division with NET/GATE.
• JRF - Mechanical/Metallurgy/Metallurgical Engg./Material Engg./Material Science/Manufacturing/Production Engg. with NET/GATE; or M.E./M.Tech in a relevant discipline in first division at both graduate and postgraduate level.
• JRF - Aerospace/Aeronautical Engineering with first-division BE/B.Tech; NET/GATE; or M.Tech/M.E. in Aeronautical/Aerospace Engg. in first division at both graduate and postgraduate level.
• RA - Ph.D. in Electronics Engg. or M.E./M.Tech with at least 3 years of R&D experience; at least one JCR/SCI publication; RF/Microwaves/Antenna experience desirable. Candidates with M.Sc./B.E./B.Tech qualifications must hold a valid UGC/CSIR/NET/GATE score.

Age Limit

• JRF: 28 years
• RA: 35 years

Age relaxations: 5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC.

Important Dates

• Advertisement No.: ARDE/JRF-RA/2026
• Last Date for Receipt of Applications: 31 August 2026 (Monday)

Note: The official notification does not specify the advertisement release date or exact interview/written test dates. Shortlisted candidates will be informed via email.

Application Fees

• No application fee is mentioned in the official notification.

Important Instructions

• Fellowship offers do not confer any right to absorption in DRDO.
• Shortlisted candidates called for interview/written test are eligible for reimbursement of actual train/bus fare (shortest route, sleeper class, as per rules).
• Candidates must be prepared to serve anywhere in India.
• Providing false information can lead to summary termination of the fellowship without prior notice.

How to Apply (Offline)

1. Obtain the Bio-data proforma from the official advertisement.
2. Fill it in your own handwriting with all required details.
3. Attach self-attested copies of educational certificates, NET/GATE score, caste certificate (if applicable), and any other relevant documents.
4. Affix a recent passport-size photograph on the Bio-data.
5. Sign the declaration on the form.
6. Superscribe the post name on the envelope.
7. Send the completed application to: The Director, Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE), Armament Post, Pashan, Pune - 411 021
8. Ensure delivery on or before 31 August 2026 (Monday).