The Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL), operating under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has announced the NSTL DRDO Junior Research Fellowship Recruitment 2026 for engaging Junior Research Fellows (JRF) in key engineering disciplines. A total of 7 vacancies are available, and eligible candidates are required to apply and appear for a walk-in interview scheduled on 26 February 2026 at NSTL, Visakhapatnam.
This recruitment offers engineering graduates and postgraduates an opportunity to work on advanced naval and defence research projects with a competitive salary (fellowship amount), clearly defined eligibility and age limit, a transparent selection process, and a structured application procedure. Below are the complete, official details including vacancy distribution, exam pattern (if applicable), and required documents.
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NSTL DRDO Junior Research Fellowship Recruitment 2026: Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL), DRDO |
| Post Name | Junior Research Fellow (JRF) |
| Total Vacancies | 7 |
| Job Location | Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh |
| Application Mode | Walk-in Interview |
| Registration Dates | Not Applicable |
| Last Date to Apply | 26 February 2026 (Interview Date) |
| Selection Process | Walk-in Interview + Written Test (if required) + Document Verification |
| Official Website | https://www.drdo.gov.in |
NSTL DRDO Vacancy 2026 Details
NSTL has released discipline-wise vacancies for Junior Research Fellowship positions across engineering streams. The final selection will be made based on availability and merit as per official rules.
| Discipline | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | 3 |
| Electronics / Electronics & Communication Engineering | 2 |
| Computer Science Engineering | 1 |
| Instrumentation / Electronics & Instrumentation Engineering | 1 |
| Total | 7 |
Eligibility Criteria
Age Limit (as per notification)
| Category | Minimum Age | Maximum Age |
|---|---|---|
| All Candidates | Not Specified | 28 Years |
Category-wise Age Relaxation
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | 5 Years |
| OBC (NCL) | 3 Years |
| PwD | As per Government of India rules |
Age will be calculated as per official notification cut-off date.
Educational Qualification
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For B.E. / B.Tech Candidates:
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First Division in the relevant engineering discipline from a recognized university/institution
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Must possess a valid GATE or NET score
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For M.E. / M.Tech Candidates:
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First Division at both Graduation and Post-Graduation levels in the same discipline from a recognized university/institution
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Nationality:
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Candidate must be an Indian citizen
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Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / EWS / OBC | ₹10 |
| SC / ST | Nil |
Payment Mode:
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Indian Postal Order (IPO)
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Demand Draft (DD)
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Online bank transfer to NSTL Public Fund Account (as per official notification)
Selection Process
Selection Stages
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Registration at Walk-in Venue
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Written Test (Objective Type, if conducted)
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Personal Interview
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Document Verification
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Final Selection
A written test will be conducted only if the number of applicants is high, as per NSTL guidelines.
Exam Pattern / Syllabus
If a written test is conducted, it will follow this structure:
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Mode | Offline |
| Type | Objective (MCQs) |
| Subjects | Discipline-Specific Technical Knowledge |
| Questions | As per notification |
| Marks | As per notification |
| Duration | As per notification |
| Negative Marking | As per notification |
Candidates should prepare based on their core engineering syllabus relevant to the applied discipline.
NSTL DRDO JRF Salary 2026
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Monthly Fellowship | ₹37,000 |
| Allowances | House Rent Allowance (HRA) as applicable |
| Fellowship Duration | Initially 2 Years (extendable as per DRDO rules) |
How to Apply for NSTL DRDO Junior Research Fellowship Recruitment 2026?
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Download the NSTL JRF notification and prescribed bio-data format (if available).
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Prepare all required documents and application form.
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Report to the walk-in interview venue on 26 February 2026.
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Complete registration at the venue.
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Appear for the written test/interview as instructed.
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Collect the acknowledgement/receipt, if provided.
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NSTL DRDO Required Documents 2026
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Bio-data / Application form (in prescribed format, if applicable)
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Original and photocopies of mark sheets and degree certificates
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Date of Birth proof (10th/Matriculation certificate)
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Valid GATE / NET scorecard (if applicable)
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Category certificate (SC / ST / OBC, if applicable)
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Photo ID proof (Aadhaar / PAN / Voter ID / Passport)
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Two recent passport-size photographs
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Proof of application fee payment (if applicable)
Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Official Notification PDF | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
FAQs – NSTL DRDO Junior Research Fellowship Recruitment 2026
Q1. What is the last date to apply for NSTL DRDO JRF Recruitment 2026?
The last date to apply is 26 February 2026, which is also the walk-in interview date.
Q2. How many vacancies are available for NSTL JRF posts?
There are 7 vacancies across Mechanical, Electronics, Computer Science, and Instrumentation disciplines.
Q3. What is the age limit for NSTL DRDO Junior Research Fellowship?
The maximum age limit is 28 years, with category-wise relaxation as per Government of India rules.
Q4. Is GATE mandatory for B.Tech candidates?
Yes, B.E./B.Tech candidates must have a valid GATE or NET score to be eligible.
Q5. What is the monthly fellowship amount for NSTL DRDO JRF?
Selected candidates will receive a monthly fellowship of ₹37,000 plus HRA, as applicable.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only. Candidates are advised to verify all details from the official website or official notification before applying.