DRDO DRL JRF Recruitment 2026: Eligibility, CV Deadline, Walk-in Date

Recruitment Overview

This recruitment is for Junior Research Fellow positions at Defence Research Laboratory, Tezpur, Assam, under DRDO. The official vacancy listing shows 5 JRF posts under Advertisement No. DRL/JRF/Interview/02/2026.

The engagement is on fellowship terms and should not be read as a regular permanent appointment. That distinction matters because fellowship posts follow research and project needs, with specific tenure conditions and no automatic claim to absorption.

Important Dates You Should Actually Follow

The DRDO vacancies listing shows 19 May 2026 as the listing end date, which aligns with the interview date. For applicants, the safer working schedule is simple: send the CV by 12 May 2026 and be ready to report physically for the interview on 19 May 2026.

Vacancy Details and Subject Area

The recruitment is specifically for 5 Junior Research Fellow posts. The published qualification trail is centered on pharmacy and allied pharmaceutical specializations rather than general science branches.

This means the recruitment is best suited to candidates whose postgraduate study is directly linked to pharmaceutics, pharmacology, pharmaceutical chemistry, or closely aligned pharmacy streams. Applicants from unrelated postgraduate backgrounds should not assume eligibility.

Eligibility and Required Qualification

The qualification trail attached to the official notification points to the following academic backgrounds for the JRF post:

• M.Pharm
• M.S.(Pharm)
• M.Tech(Pharm)
• M.Tech in Pharmaceutics
• M.Tech in Pharmacology and Toxicology
• M.Tech in Pharmacology
• M.Tech in Pharmaceutical Chemistry

The application materials also include a NET, GATE, or GPAT fellowship details section. Because of that, candidates should check the official notification carefully and ensure they satisfy the applicable qualifying test condition before sending the CV.

As a practical rule, candidates should keep degree or provisional degree certificates ready. Applicants who cannot produce the required academic proof at the interview stage may face rejection.

Age Limit and Relaxation

The maximum age for Junior Research Fellow is 28 years as on the interview date. The recruitment trail also indicates category-based age relaxation.

• SC and ST: up to 5 years relaxation
• OBC: up to 3 years relaxation

If you are near the age limit, calculate your age with reference to the interview date rather than assuming a different cutoff date. That is the safer interpretation for this recruitment.

Stipend, Tenure and Nature of Fellowship

Selected candidates will receive a stipend of Rs. 37,000 per month plus HRA as per DRDO rules. The fellowship is initially offered for 2 years.

Based on performance and laboratory requirement, the fellowship may be upgraded to Senior Research Fellow and extended into the 3rd and 4th year. Applicants should still treat it as a fellowship arrangement, not as a regular service post.

The recruitment conditions also make it clear that the offer does not create any right to absorption in DRDO. No TA or DA is payable for attending the interview or for joining.

Selection Process and Interview Venue

The selection process is a walk-in interview. There is no separate written exam or computer-based test mentioned for this recruitment.

The interview venue is DRL, DRDO, Solmara Military Station, Dekargaon, Tezpur-784001, Assam. Candidates should report between 09:30 AM and 10:00 AM on 19 May 2026.

In addition to subject knowledge, candidates should expect the interview panel to look at research readiness, clarity of fundamentals, and whether the applicant can contribute to laboratory work from the start. Government, PSU, and autonomous body employees should also carry the required No Objection Certificate if applicable.

How to Apply

This recruitment is often described as "apply online," but in practice it works through email submission plus physical reporting for the interview. There is no standard portal-style application form process mentioned for candidates.

1. Download and read the official notification carefully.
2. Prepare your CV or application in the prescribed Appendix format.
3. Attach self-attested copies of the required supporting documents.
4. Send the CV and document set to hrd.drl@gov.in before 12 May 2026.
5. Keep a copy of the sent email and attachments for reference.
6. Report for the walk-in interview on 19 May 2026 at the notified venue with originals and one photocopy set.

If you only email the CV and do not report for the interview with documents, your application will not be complete in practical terms.

Documents to Keep Ready

Applicants should prepare the full document set before sending the email. The recruitment material and application format indicate that the following items are important:

• Filled CV or application in Appendix format
• Recent passport-size photograph
• Postgraduate degree certificate or provisional certificate
• Marksheets and academic records
• NET, GATE, or GPAT details where applicable
• Aadhaar card
• Experience certificates, if any
• Research papers or thesis copies, if any
• No Objection Certificate for currently employed candidates in Government, PSU, or autonomous bodies
• One photocopy set of all documents along with originals for verification

It is better to carry more supporting documents than less, especially if your specialization title is slightly different from the terms used in the notification.

Practical Points Before You Apply

This fellowship is a good fit for candidates who already have the required postgraduate background and can attend a walk-in interview in Tezpur without delay. It is less suitable for applicants who are still waiting for degree proof or who cannot travel for the interview.

No application fee is mentioned in the recruitment trail. Still, applicants should not assume anything beyond what is stated in the official documents.

For planning purposes, follow this sequence: confirm qualification first, send the CV by email before 12 May 2026, prepare the document file, and report in person on 19 May 2026. That is the safest way to avoid missing the actual recruitment steps.

Official Links

• Official notification PDF
• DRDO vacancies page
• DRDO official website