The Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad – a premier missile systems R&D laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of Defence, Government of India – has released Advertisement No. DRDL/HRD/INTERNSHIP/2026/01 inviting applications from final-year Engineering and Physical Science UG/PG students for its Paid Internship Scheme 2026. A total of 165 indicative internship positions are available across four branch codes – Electronics/ECE/EE (58), Mechanical/Aerospace and Allied (87), Mathematics and Allied Science (05) and Computer Science and Engineering including AI and Cyber Security (15). The internship is for a 6-month duration at DRDL/ASL/CAS, Hyderabad, with a monthly stipend of Rs. 5,000. The application window opens on 16 August 2026 and closes on 01 September 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be informed by 23 August 2026 and the internship is tentatively scheduled to commence on 01 September 2026. Applications must be submitted through a combined walk-in submission at DRDL plus a scanned copy by email – there is no online application portal.
Important Note: Four things every aspiring intern must understand before applying. First, this is a paid internship, not a job or a contractual appointment – completing the internship creates no obligation on DRDL/ASL/CAS to offer employment, and interns cannot claim any right to future employment based on this internship. Second, the college referral/request letter from the Principal or Director of your college, on college letterhead, is mandatory for the application to be considered – applications without this letter will not be processed. Third, the stipend of Rs. 5,000/month is paid in two instalments – the first instalment is released only after 3 months of training, and if you leave before completing 3 months, no payment will be made and no completion certificate will be issued. Fourth, no boarding or lodging is provided by DRDL – candidates must make their own arrangements to stay in Hyderabad for the internship duration.
DRDO DRDL Paid Internship 2026 – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad |
| Parent Body | DRDO, Ministry of Defence, Government of India |
| Advertisement No. | DRDL/HRD/INTERNSHIP/2026/01 |
| Programme | Paid Internship Scheme 2026 for Engineering and Science UG/PG Students |
| Total Positions | 165 (indicative; may increase or decrease at establishment’s discretion) |
| Duration | 6 months |
| Monthly Stipend | Rs. 5,000 per month |
| Location | DRDL / ASL / CAS, Hyderabad |
| Application Mode | Walk-in submission at DRDL + scanned copy via email (no online portal) |
| Application Opens | 16 August 2026 |
| Application Last Date | 01 September 2026 (tentative) |
| Shortlist Intimation | 23 August 2026 (tentative) |
| Internship Start Date | 01 September 2026 (tentative) |
| Official Website | drdo.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date (Tentative) |
|---|---|
| Application Window Opens | 16 August 2026 |
| Application Last Date | 01 September 2026 |
| Shortlisted Candidates Intimated | 23 August 2026 |
| Internship Commences | 01 September 2026 |
All dates are tentative and subject to change as announced on drdo.gov.in.
Branch-wise Positions
| Branch Code | Discipline | Positions |
|---|---|---|
| EE | Engineering – Electronics / Electronics and Communication / Electronics and Instrumentation / Electrical Engineering | 58 |
| ME | Engineering – Mechanical / Chemical / Aerospace / Production / Material / Safety / Textile Technology | 87 |
| PH | Mathematics and Allied Science (Physical Science) | 05 |
| CS | Computer Science and Engineering (CSE / Artificial Intelligence / Cyber Security and Allied) | 15 |
| Total | 165 |
The total number of positions is indicative and may increase or decrease at the absolute discretion of DRDL/ASL/CAS.
Eligibility Criteria
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Course | Final year of full-time Undergraduate Engineering OR final year of full-time Postgraduate Engineering or Physical Science |
| Institution | Recognised Indian University/Institute approved by AICTE/UGC |
| Minimum Marks | Minimum 60% marks or equivalent CGPA (CGPA to be converted to percentage as average of all completed semesters/years) |
| Nationality | Indian citizen only |
| Age Limit | Below 28 years of age |
| Referral Letter | Mandatory referral/request letter from the Principal or Director of the candidate’s college/institute, on college letterhead, recommending only highly deserving, meritorious students |
Stipend and Payment Details
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Monthly Stipend | Rs. 5,000 per month |
| Duration | 6 months (total Rs. 30,000 if completed fully) |
| Payment Mode | Directly to the intern’s bank account, in two instalments |
| First Instalment | Released after 3 months of training |
| Second Instalment | Released after successful completion of the full 6-month internship |
| Minimum Attendance | Minimum 15 working days of physical attendance per month is required for stipend eligibility and continued enrolment |
| If leaving before 3 months | No payment made; no completion certificate issued |
| Boarding/Lodging | Not provided; subsidised lunch, tea and snacks available at DRDL/ASL/CAS canteen |
Selection Process
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Stage 1 – Application Submission | Walk-in physical application at DRDL + scanned copy by email by 01 September 2026 |
| Stage 2 – Shortlisting | Based on academic percentage/CGPA and the mandatory college referral letter. Shortlisted candidates informed by 23 August 2026 (via phone and DRDO website) |
| Stage 3 – Walk-in Interaction/Interview | At DRDL/ASL/CAS, Hyderabad. Date to be intimated to shortlisted candidates separately |
| Final Selection | Entirely merit-based. Rejected candidates will not receive individual communication |
Documents Required at Time of Joining
- No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the college, in original, on college letterhead – confirming relief for the internship and minimum 15 working days per month presence
- Police verification acknowledgement from the local police station
- Undertaking for adherence to the Indian Official Secrets Act, 1923
- Undertaking to follow IT rules and regulations applicable to the Ministry of Defence
- Bank account details for stipend transfer
- Medical fitness certificate from an authorised medical practitioner (minimum MBBS qualification)
- Original Aadhaar card and college ID card (for verification at joining)
- 3 recent passport-size photographs
- All previous semester mark sheets in original (returned after on-the-spot verification)
- Character certificate from the college
- Police verification certificate
How to Apply for DRDO DRDL Paid Internship 2026
- Obtain a mandatory referral/request letter from your college’s Principal or Director, on college letterhead, recommending you as a meritorious student for the DRDL Paid Internship Scheme 2026.
- Fill out the application form as per the official format specified in Advertisement No. DRDL/HRD/INTERNSHIP/2026/01 – download from drdo.gov.in.
- Walk in and submit the completed application in an envelope at the DRDL registration desk on or before 01 September 2026. Clearly write on the envelope: “Application for Paid Internship” and the relevant Branch Code (EE/ME/PH/CS).
- Simultaneously, forward a scanned copy of the application to: [email protected]
- Wait for shortlisting intimation via phone or the DRDO website (expected by 23 August 2026).
- Shortlisted candidates will be called for a walk-in interaction/interview at DRDL/ASL/CAS, Hyderabad.
Note: There is no online application portal. Applications by post or courier alone (without walk-in submission) may not be accepted – follow the prescribed walk-in plus email method.
Important Instructions
- This is a paid internship, not a job – no obligation for employment and no right to employment after completion.
- No boarding or lodging is provided. Candidates must arrange their own accommodation in Hyderabad for 6 months.
- College referral letter is mandatory – applications without it will not be entertained.
- Attendance of minimum 15 working days per month is required. Falling below this may lead to termination from the internship.
- If the internship is discontinued before completing 3 months, no stipend will be paid and no completion certificate will be issued.
- Upon successful completion (including project report submission and evaluation), a Completion Certificate will be awarded.
- DRDL/ASL/CAS will not be responsible for any injury sustained during the internship period.
- The management reserves the right to change vacancy numbers or selection criteria at any point without assigning reasons.
- Monitor drdo.gov.in for any updates or changes to dates.
Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| DRDO DRDL Paid Internship 2026 Official Notification PDF | Click Here |
| DRDO Official Website | Click Here |
DRDO DRDL Paid Internship 2026 – FAQs
Q1. What is DRDO DRDL Paid Internship 2026?
✅ It is a 6-month Paid Internship Scheme by Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad (under DRDO, Ministry of Defence), notified under Advertisement No. DRDL/HRD/INTERNSHIP/2026/01, for 165 indicative positions across Electronics, Mechanical/Aerospace, Mathematics and Computer Science disciplines, open to final-year Engineering and Physical Science UG/PG students.
Q2. When does the application window open and what is the last date?
✅ The application window opens on 16 August 2026 and the tentative last date to submit applications is 01 September 2026.
Q3. Who is eligible for DRDO DRDL Paid Internship 2026?
✅ Final-year students pursuing full-time Undergraduate Engineering or Postgraduate Engineering/Physical Science from an AICTE/UGC-approved institution, with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent CGPA, aged below 28 years, and holding a mandatory referral letter from the college Principal/Director.
Q4. What is the monthly stipend?
✅ Rs. 5,000 per month for 6 months (total Rs. 30,000 if fully completed), paid directly to the intern’s bank account in two instalments – first after 3 months and second after successful completion of all 6 months.
Q5. How do I apply for DRDO DRDL Paid Internship 2026?
✅ There is no online portal. Candidates must walk in and submit the prescribed application form in an envelope at DRDL, and also email a scanned copy to [email protected] on or before 01 September 2026. The college referral letter must accompany the application.
Q6. What happens if I leave the internship before 3 months?
✅ If an intern leaves or is unable to complete a minimum tenure of 3 months, no stipend will be paid and no completion certificate will be issued, as per the official notification.
Q7. Does DRDL provide accommodation for interns?
✅ No. No boarding or lodging facilities are provided. Interns must make their own arrangements to stay in Hyderabad. Only subsidised lunch, tea and snacks are available at the DRDL/ASL/CAS canteen.
Q8. Which branch has the most positions?
✅ ME (Mechanical/Chemical/Aerospace/Production/Material/Safety/Textile Technology) has the highest positions at 87, followed by EE (58), CS (15) and PH (05).
Q9. Is the college referral letter mandatory?
✅ Yes. A referral/request letter from the Principal or Director of the candidate’s institution, on college letterhead, recommending the student as highly deserving and meritorious, is mandatory. Applications without this letter will not be considered.
Q10. Does completing this internship guarantee a job at DRDL?
✅ No. As explicitly stated in the official notification, DRDL/ASL/CAS has no obligation to offer employment to interns, and interns cannot claim any right to employment based on completing the internship. A Completion Certificate is awarded upon successful completion, but this carries no employment guarantee.
Disclaimer
The information above is compiled from the official DRDO DRDL Paid Internship Scheme 2026 Notification (Advertisement No. DRDL/HRD/INTERNSHIP/2026/01), issued by the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad, DRDO, Ministry of Defence, Government of India, as available on the official DRDO website drdo.gov.in. The 165 positions are indicative and may change at DRDL’s discretion. All dates are tentative and subject to confirmation on drdo.gov.in. This is a paid internship and does not constitute employment or create any right to employment. Candidates are advised to download the complete official notification PDF from drdo.gov.in before applying. All links above lead only to the official DRDO website.
