The Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad, under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has released a notification for its Paid Internship Scheme 2026. The programme is intended for eligible Engineering and Physical Science students who want practical exposure in defence research and missile-system technologies.
A total of 165 internship opportunities are available across Electronics, Mechanical/Chemical/Aerospace and related disciplines, Mathematics and allied sciences, and Computer Science. The internship will be for six months, with selected interns receiving a ₹5,000 monthly stipend.
DRDO DRDL Internship 2026 Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) |
| Parent Organization | DRDO, Ministry of Defence |
| Programme | Paid Internship Scheme 2026 |
| Advertisement No. | DRDL/HRD/INTERNSHIP/2026/01 |
| Total Vacancies | 165 |
| Duration | 6 Months |
| Stipend | ₹5,000 per month |
| Selection | Merit / Shortlisting / Interview |
| Application Mode | Walk-in / Offline |
| Location | Hyderabad, Telangana |
| Last Date | 16 August 2026 |
| Expected Internship Start | 1 September 2026 |
The official DRDO notification states that the number of vacancies is indicative and may be increased or decreased at the discretion of the establishment.
DRDO DRDL Internship Vacancy 2026
The 165 internship opportunities are distributed across different academic disciplines.
| Branch Code | Discipline | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| EE | Electronics, ECE, Electronics & Instrumentation, Electrical Engineering | 58 |
| ME | Mechanical, Chemical, Aerospace, Production, Material, Safety, Textile Technology | 87 |
| PH | Mathematics and Allied Science | 5 |
| CS | Computer Science, AI, Cyber Security & Allied | 15 |
| Total | 165 |
The internship/project work will be carried out at DRDL, ASL and CAS, Hyderabad.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates applying for the DRDO DRDL Paid Internship must be Indian citizens with a good academic record.
Eligible students include:
- Final-year Undergraduate Engineering students
- Final-year Postgraduate Engineering students
- Final-year Postgraduate students in Physical Science
- Students pursuing a full-time course from a recognized Indian university/institute
The qualification must be in the relevant discipline corresponding to the internship branch.
Minimum Marks
Candidates should have at least 60% marks or equivalent CGPA in their ongoing Graduate Engineering or Postgraduate Engineering/Physical Science programme.
The institution must also be approved by the relevant authority, such as AICTE/UGC, as specified in the notification.
Age Limit
The candidate should be below 28 years of age.
Internship Duration
The internship will be conducted for a period of six months.
The proposed internship period is from 1 September 2026 to 28 February 2027.
Students who successfully complete the internship, including project evaluation, submission of the project report and other required formalities, will receive a completion certificate.
Stipend
Selected candidates will receive a stipend of:
₹5,000 per month
The stipend is subject to the conditions specified by DRDL. Students must maintain a minimum of 15 working days of physical attendance per month at DRDL/ASL/CAS for the stipend to be applicable.
The stipend is paid in two instalments, with the first instalment payable after three months of training/internship.
Selection Process
Selection will be based primarily on merit.
The notification states that candidates may be shortlisted based on their academic performance and interaction/interview.
The selection procedure includes:
- Submission of application
- Screening based on academic performance
- Shortlisting
- Interview/interaction
- Final selection
- Joining formalities
Only shortlisted candidates will be informed regarding the interview and joining procedure.
Application Process
The DRDL notification specifies a walk-in/physical application process along with submission of the prescribed application details.
Candidates should prepare the application in the prescribed format and submit it as instructed by DRDL.
Steps to Apply
- Check the eligibility requirements.
- Select the relevant branch code — EE, ME, PH or CS.
- Fill in the prescribed application format.
- Attach the required academic documents.
- Obtain the mandatory referral/request letter from the Principal/Director of the college.
- Submit the application at the registration desk during the walk-in process.
- Clearly mention “Application for Paid Internship” and the relevant branch code on the envelope.
- Send the scanned copy of the application to the email address specified in the notification.
- Wait for shortlisting/interview information.
The official notification provides the email drdlintern2026@gmail.com for forwarding the scanned application.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Last Date for Application | 16 August 2026 |
| Information to Selected Candidates for Interview | 23 August 2026 |
| Internship Start Date | 1 September 2026 |
| Internship Duration | 6 Months |
The dates are identified as tentative in the official notification.
Documents Required
Selected candidates are required to produce various documents at the time of joining, including:
- College NOC in original
- Police verification
- Character Certificate
- Medical fitness certificate
- Aadhaar Card
- College ID Card
- Previous semester marksheets
- Passport-size photographs
- Bank account details
- Undertakings required by DRDO
- Other documents specified by DRDL
The college NOC must confirm that the student will be available for at least 15 working days per month during the internship.
Important Instructions
Candidates should keep the following points in mind:
- The internship is for six months.
- A total of 165 opportunities are indicated.
- Candidates must have a minimum of 60% marks/equivalent CGPA.
- The age should be below 28 years.
- A mandatory referral/request letter from the Principal/Director is required.
- Selected students must provide police verification and other joining documents.
- Students must make their own arrangements for accommodation and transportation in Hyderabad.
- The internship does not guarantee employment with DRDO/DRDL.
- A completion certificate is issued after successfully completing the required internship and project formalities.
- Candidates who leave before completing the minimum three-month tenure will not receive the completion certificate or stipend for the incomplete tenure.
Is There Any Guarantee of a DRDO Job After Internship?
No. Completion of the DRDO DRDL internship does not create any right to employment with DRDL, DRDO or any other government organization. The official notification specifically states that the laboratory has no obligation to offer employment to interns after completion of the programme.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many internship opportunities are available?
DRDL has indicated 165 internship opportunities across different Engineering, Science and Computer Science disciplines.
What is the DRDO DRDL internship duration?
The internship duration is six months.
What is the monthly stipend?
Selected interns will receive ₹5,000 per month, subject to the attendance and performance conditions specified in the notification.
Who can apply?
Final-year Undergraduate Engineering students and final-year Postgraduate Engineering or Physical Science students in the relevant disciplines can apply.
What is the minimum percentage required?
Candidates need a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent CGPA in the relevant ongoing programme.
What is the age limit?
Applicants should be below 28 years.
Where will the internship be conducted?
The internship will be conducted at DRDL/ASL/CAS in Hyderabad.
Is the internship paid?
Yes. The stipend is ₹5,000 per month.
Conclusion
The DRDO DRDL Paid Internship Recruitment 2026 is a valuable opportunity for final-year Engineering and Physical Science students looking to gain practical exposure in India’s defence research ecosystem. With 165 indicated opportunities, a six-month duration and a ₹5,000 monthly stipend, the programme can provide useful technical and project experience.
Eligible students should carefully check the branch-wise requirements, arrange the mandatory college referral letter and complete the application process before the 16 August 2026 deadline.
