DRDO RCI RA & JRF Recruitment 2026 – 21 Vacancies

Organization: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
Laboratory: Research Centre Imarat (RCI)
Ministry: Ministry of Defence, Government of India
Recruitment: Research Associate (RA) & Junior Research Fellow (JRF) Recruitment 2026
Advertisement No.: RFS/HRD/RCI/2026
Total Vacancies: 21
Research Associate (RA): 2 Posts
Junior Research Fellow (JRF): 19 Posts
Published on DRDO Website: 17 August 2026
Application Start: 17 August 2026
Last Date: 13 September 2026
Application Mode: Offline
Location: Hyderabad, Telangana

The official DRDO vacancy portal confirms Advertisement No. RFS/HRD/RCI/2026, with the application period shown as 17 August to 13 September 2026.

Vacancy Details

The recruitment covers engineering and science disciplines including Electronics, Electrical, Computer Science, Mechanical, Aerospace, Chemistry and Metallurgy.

Research Associate (RA) – Qualification

Candidates applying for Research Associate should possess the prescribed Ph.D. or relevant postgraduate qualification with research experience, depending on the area of specialization.

Relevant research areas include:

Deep Learning / Machine Learning
Structural & Thermal Analysis
Power Electronics
RF & Microwave
Experimental Quantum Optics

Candidates must satisfy the exact qualification and research-experience requirements prescribed for the respective discipline.

Junior Research Fellow (JRF) – Qualification

Depending on the discipline, candidates should possess the applicable qualification such as:

B.E./B.Tech in First Class with valid GATE score

OR

M.E./M.Tech in the relevant discipline

For science disciplines, candidates may require:

M.Sc. in First Class with valid NET/GATE/SLET qualification, as applicable.

Age Limit

Research Associate (RA): Maximum 35 years

Junior Research Fellow (JRF): Maximum 28 years

SC/ST Relaxation: 5 years

OBC Relaxation: 3 years

The age limits are applied according to the conditions specified in the recruitment notification.

Stipend

Research Associate (RA): Fellowship/Stipend as per Government of India / Ministry of Defence norms.

Junior Research Fellow (JRF): Fellowship/Stipend as per Government of India / Ministry of Defence norms.

Applicable HRA and other admissible benefits are governed by the fellowship rules.

Fellowship Duration

Research Associate (RA): 2 years

Junior Research Fellow (JRF): Initially 2 years

JRF may subsequently be upgraded to Senior Research Fellow (SRF) for the third year based on performance and may be extended for an additional fourth year as per applicable rules and requirements.

Selection Process

For Research Associate, applications are scrutinized based on factors such as relevant research experience and the suitability/relevance of the Ph.D. thesis. Shortlisted candidates are called for interview.

For Junior Research Fellow, applications are scrutinized and shortlisted candidates may be called for:

Written Test
Interview
Or both

Document verification will also be carried out as required.

No TA/DA is payable for attending the test/interview/document verification or for joining.

Application Mode

Mode: Offline

Candidates must use the prescribed application form supplied with the official DRDO advertisement.

Applications must be sent through Speed Post/Courier to the prescribed RCI address. Email and hand-delivered applications are not accepted according to the recruitment instructions reported from the notification.

Application Address

Head HRD
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex
Research Centre Imarat (RCI)
PO – Vignyana Kancha
Hyderabad – 500069
Telangana, India

Documents Required

Candidates should submit the prescribed application form along with applicable supporting documents such as:

Recent photograph
Educational qualification certificates
Mark sheets
Date-of-birth/age proof
Valid photo ID
GATE/NET/SLET score card, where applicable
Ph.D./research documents for RA, where applicable
Experience certificates
SC/ST/OBC certificate, where applicable
Other documents specified for the respective post

Application Fee

Application Fee: No application fee is indicated in the available recruitment information.

Important Conditions

Only Indian nationals satisfying the prescribed qualifications and conditions are eligible.

The required essential qualification/degree must have been obtained within the conditions specified in the advertisement.

RA/JRF appointments are temporary research fellowship/associateship positions.

Selection as RA or JRF does not give candidates any right to permanent employment or absorption in DRDO.

Job Location

Research Centre Imarat (RCI)
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex
Vignyana Kancha
Hyderabad – 500069
Telangana

RCI is a premier DRDO laboratory working in advanced avionics and technologies for India's missile and defence programmes.

Important Dates

DRDO Website Published Date: 17 August 2026
Application Start: 17 August 2026
Last Date: 13 September 2026
Advertisement No.: RFS/HRD/RCI/2026

These dates are currently displayed on DRDO's official vacancy portal.

Official Links

DRDO RCI RA & JRF Recruitment 2026 Official Page

Official Advertisement & Application Form PDF

DRDO Official Website