Recruitment Overview
DRDO TBRL has announced walk-in interviews for Research Associate and Junior Research Fellow positions at Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, Chandigarh. The official title of the notice is walk-in interview for the position of Research Associate and Junior Research Fellow at TBRL.
The recruitment covers 14 posts in total and is discipline based. Candidates must attend on the date assigned to their subject area.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting laboratory | Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, Chandigarh |
| Parent organization | Defence Research and Development Organisation |
| Advertisement number | TBRL/RA/JRF/01/2026 |
| Total posts | 14 |
| Mode | Walk-in interview |
| Venue | TBRL, Sector-30, Chandigarh |
Discipline-wise Vacancy Details
The official notice gives a clear post and discipline breakup. Out of the 14 positions, 12 are JRF posts and 2 are RA posts.
| Post | Discipline | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Junior Research Fellow | Mechanical Engineering | 2 |
| Junior Research Fellow | Physics | 2 |
| Junior Research Fellow | Electronics and Communication Engineering | 2 |
| Junior Research Fellow | Computer Science | 4 |
| Junior Research Fellow | Electrical Engineering | 2 |
| Research Associate | Metallurgy and Material Engineering | 1 |
| Research Associate | Physics | 1 |
| Total | 14 | |
Walk-in Interview Schedule
The interview dates are discipline specific. Candidates should attend only on the date mentioned for their subject.
| Discipline | Post | Date of interview |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | JRF | 21 April 2026 |
| Physics | JRF | 22 April 2026 |
| Electronics and Communication Engineering | JRF | 23 April 2026 |
| Computer Science | JRF | 24 April 2026 |
| Electrical Engineering | JRF | 27 April 2026 |
| Metallurgy and Material Engineering | RA | 28 April 2026 |
| Physics | RA | 29 April 2026 |
The official DRDO vacancy page shows the recruitment closing date as 29 April 2026, which matches the last walk-in date.
Eligibility for Junior Research Fellow Posts
The JRF eligibility changes by discipline, but the academic standard is consistent: first division qualification and the required NET or GATE route where specified.
- Mechanical Engineering: BE or B.Tech in Mechanical in first division with valid NET or GATE, or ME or M.Tech in Mechanical in first division at both graduate and postgraduate level.
- Physics: Post Graduation in Physics in first division with valid NET qualification.
- Electronics and Communication Engineering: BE or B.Tech in Electronics and Communication Engineering or Electronics and Telecommunication in first division with valid NET or GATE, or ME or M.Tech in the relevant discipline in first division at both graduate and postgraduate level.
- Computer Science: BE or B.Tech in Computer Science in first division with valid NET or GATE, or ME or M.Tech in Computer Science in first division at both graduate and postgraduate level.
- Electrical Engineering: BE or B.Tech in Electrical Engineering in first division with valid NET or GATE, or ME or M.Tech in Electrical Engineering in first division at both graduate and postgraduate level.
Eligibility for Research Associate Posts
The RA posts are meant for candidates with higher research qualifications. The official notice allows either a Ph.D. route or a postgraduate plus experience route.
- RA in Metallurgy and Material Engineering: Ph.D. or equivalent degree in Material Science or Metallurgy, or Post Graduation in Material Science or Metallurgy with 3 years of experience in research, teaching or design and development and publication of at least one paper in a Science Citation Indexed journal.
- RA in Physics: Ph.D. or equivalent degree in Physics, or Post Graduation in Physics with 3 years of experience in research, teaching or design and development and publication of at least one paper in a Science Citation Indexed journal.
Candidates applying for RA should make sure their experience and publication proof are properly documented because the notice explicitly includes these as part of the eligibility route.
Age Limit, Stipend and Tenure
The official notice separately states the age limits, stipend and tenure for JRF and RA positions.
| Category | Age limit | Monthly stipend | Tenure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior Research Fellow | Maximum 28 years on date of walk-in interview | Rs. 37,000 plus HRA | Initially 2 years, extendable or upgradable as per rules, with total JRF or SRF tenure not exceeding 5 years |
| Research Associate | Maximum 35 years on date of walk-in interview | Rs. 67,000 plus HRA | 2 years only |
Age relaxation of 5 years for SC and ST candidates and 3 years for OBC candidates is mentioned in the official notice.
Place of Interview and Place of Work
The notice distinguishes between where the interview will be held and where the selected fellows will work.
| Component | Location |
|---|---|
| Place of interview | Terminal Ballistics Research Lab, Sector-30, Chandigarh |
| Place of work | TBRL Range, Ramgarh |
Candidates should keep this in mind before attending the walk-in because the work location is different from the interview venue.
Documents to Carry for the Walk-in
The official notice clearly lists the documents that candidates must bring on the day of the interview.
- Complete biodata
- Attested copies of mark sheets and certificates from 10th onwards
- Caste certificate, wherever applicable
- Experience certificate, wherever applicable
- Recent passport size photograph
- One valid identity card in original
- All original certificates and testimonials for verification during the interview
Candidates working in Government, Public Sector Undertakings or Autonomous Bodies should apply through proper channel.
Selection Process and Reporting Rules
The recruitment is not based on a separate written examination. The official process is same-day screening followed by interview for those who are found eligible.
- Report at TBRL, Sector-30, Chandigarh at 0900 hrs on the relevant date.
- Initial screening is done with respect to eligibility criteria.
- Only screened-in candidates are allowed to appear for interview on the same date.
- No candidate reporting after 1000 hrs is allowed to appear for the interview.
The notice also states that no TA or DA will be paid for attending the interview.
Important Conditions from the Official Notice
The notice includes several conditions that candidates should read carefully before attending.
- The fellowship is purely temporary.
- The offer of fellowship does not confer any right for absorption in DRDO.
- The number of fellowships may vary depending on laboratory requirements.
- Candidates must produce original certificates and testimonials during interview.
- No online application form or separate admit card process is mentioned in the official notice.
These conditions are important because they define the temporary and research-based nature of the engagement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many vacancies are announced in DRDO TBRL Recruitment 2026?
There are 14 vacancies in total, including 12 JRF posts and 2 RA posts.
What are the walk-in dates for DRDO TBRL Recruitment 2026?
The walk-in interview schedule runs from 21 April 2026 to 29 April 2026, with separate dates for each discipline.
What is the stipend for JRF posts in DRDO TBRL Recruitment 2026?
The JRF stipend is Rs. 37,000 plus HRA as per prevailing rules.
What is the stipend for RA posts in DRDO TBRL Recruitment 2026?
The RA stipend is Rs. 67,000 plus HRA as per prevailing rules.
What is the age limit for DRDO TBRL JRF and RA posts?
The maximum age is 28 years for JRF posts and 35 years for RA posts on the date of walk-in interview, with relaxation for eligible reserved category candidates as mentioned in the notice.
What time should candidates report for the walk-in interview?
Candidates should report at 0900 hrs, and no candidate will be allowed to appear for interview if they report after 1000 hrs.
Where will selected candidates work after DRDO TBRL Recruitment 2026?
The place of work is TBRL Range, Ramgarh, while the interview venue is TBRL, Sector-30, Chandigarh.