DRDO NPOL JRF Walkin 2026

DRDO NPOL JRF Recruitment 2026: Walk-in Interview for Junior Research Fellow Posts

Recruitment Overview

Important Dates

Application / Registration Fee

No Application Fee

Eligibility Criteria & Vacancy / Seat Details

• Age Relaxation: Relaxable for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and OBC candidates as per Government of India norms.
• Foreign Degree Holders: Must obtain an equivalence certificate from the Association of Indian Universities, Delhi, and submit it along with application documents.
• NET/GATE Validity: Must be valid as on the date of the walk-in interview.
• Final Authority: The decision of the Director, NPOL, on prescribed qualifications, their equivalence, and relevance is final.

Selection / Admission / Evaluation Process

Selection for DRDO NPOL JRF Recruitment 2026 is entirely through a walk-in interview with document verification. There is no separate written examination or online screening stage.

• Candidates appear for the walk-in interview on the notified date, time, and venue, along with all required original certificates and self-attested copies.
• A panel of selected candidates is drawn up for both currently notified vacancies and future vacancies; this panel remains operative for a period of one year.
• Empanelment does not, by itself, entitle a candidate to an offer of Fellowship — an offer is contingent upon vacancies actually arising during the year.
• The Director, NPOL, reserves the right not to select any candidate if suitable candidates are not available.
• Offer of a Fellowship does not confer any right on Fellows for absorption in DRDO.

How to Apply / Register / Check Status

NPOL JRF Recruitment 2026 does not use an online application portal. Candidates apply by appearing directly for the walk-in interview.

1. Appear for the walk-in interview on 10 October 2026 (Saturday) at 09:30 hrs, at Bhavan's Varuna Vidyalaya, in the campus of NPOL, Thrikkakara P.O., Kochi – 682021.
2. Carry all certificates, testimonials, Community Certificate, valid GATE or NET Score Card, etc., in original, for verification at the time of interview.
3. Carry a set of self-attested copies of all testimonials and certificates.
4. Carry an original ID proof (Voter's ID / Aadhaar Card / PAN Card / Driving Licence).
5. Carry one recent colour passport-size photograph.
6. Optionally, e-mail a one-page bio-data to [email protected] in advance to help NPOL make necessary administrative arrangements for the interview.

Required Documents Checklist:

• Original certificates and testimonials
• Community Certificate (if applicable)
• Valid GATE or NET Score Card
• Self-attested copies of all documents
• Original ID proof (Voter's ID / Aadhaar Card / PAN Card / Driving Licence)
• One recent colour passport-size photograph
• Equivalence certificate from the Association of Indian Universities, Delhi (for foreign university degree holders)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is DRDO NPOL JRF Recruitment 2026? It is Advertisement No. NPOL/JRF/01/2026 issued by the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), a DRDO laboratory under the Ministry of Defence, for selection to the position of Junior Research Fellow (JRF) across 7 disciplines, through a walk-in interview.

Q2. How many vacancies are available under DRDO NPOL JRF Recruitment 2026? Mechanical Engineering has 4 confirmed vacancies. The remaining six disciplines — Computer Science & Engineering, Chemical Engineering / Rubber Technology / Polymer Technology / Nanotechnology / Materials Science, Opto Electronics, Electrical & Electronics / Electronics & Communication / Instrumentation Engineering, Physics, and Oceanography / Ocean Technology / Meteorology — have "Anticipated" vacancies, meaning the exact number is not fixed in the notification.

Q3. What is the last date to apply for DRDO NPOL JRF Recruitment 2026? There is no online application or last date, since DRDO NPOL JRF Recruitment 2026 is conducted purely through a walk-in interview on 10 October 2026 (Saturday) at 09:30 hrs.

Q4. What is the qualification required for DRDO NPOL JRF Recruitment 2026? Qualification depends on the discipline — generally a BE/B.Tech with valid GATE, an ME/M.Tech in the relevant discipline, or (for Physics and Oceanography / Ocean Technology / Meteorology) a Post Graduate Degree in Basic Science with valid NET/GATE. See the discipline-wise qualification table above for exact requirements.

Q5. What is the age limit for DRDO NPOL JRF Recruitment 2026? The upper age limit is 28 years as on the date of the walk-in interview, relaxable for SC/ST/OBC candidates as per Government of India norms.

Q6. What is the selection process for DRDO NPOL JRF Recruitment 2026? Selection is through a walk-in interview and document verification. A panel of selected candidates is prepared for both current and future vacancies and remains valid for one year, though empanelment does not guarantee an offer of Fellowship.

Q7. What is the stipend for DRDO NPOL JRF Recruitment 2026? Selected Junior Research Fellows receive Rs. 37,000/- per month plus House Rent Allowance (HRA) as admissible, for an initial Fellowship period of two years, extendable as per rules.

About This Notification

Defence Research & Development Organisation has officially released the notification for DRDO NPOL JRF. A total of 4 vacancies are available under this recruitment drive.

There is no application fee.

The selection procedure for this recruitment consists of the following stages: Walk-in Interview → Document Verification. Candidates must qualify each stage to proceed to the next.

Interested and eligible candidates are advised to read the official notification carefully before applying. Ensure all required documents are ready and submit the application before the deadline. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Keep visiting the official website for the latest updates regarding DRDO NPOL JRF.