DRDO CAIR JRF Recruitment 2026 – 1 Vacancy

Organization: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
Centre: Centre for Artificial Intelligence & Robotics (CAIR)
Ministry: Ministry of Defence, Government of India
Recruitment: Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) Recruitment 2026
Advertisement No.: CAIR/HRT/JRF/2026/02
Advertisement Date: 6 August 2026
Published on DRDO Portal: 14 August 2026
Post: Junior Research Fellow (JRF)
Total Vacancies: 1
Research Area: Natural Language Processing (NLP)
Last Date for Email Pre-registration: 13 September 2026
Walk-in Interview: 19 September 2026
Location: Bengaluru, Karnataka

The current official DRDO vacancies page lists CAIR JRF Advertisement No. CAIR/HRT/JRF/2026/02 as active from 14 August to 19 September 2026.

Vacancy Details

CAIR is seeking young Indian researchers interested in conducting cutting-edge research in Natural Language Processing.

Educational Qualification

Candidates must possess either of the following:

Option 1 – B.E./B.Tech

First Division B.E./B.Tech in:

Computer Science
Computer Engineering
Data Science
Artificial Intelligence
Information Science

The degree must be from an AICTE-accredited Institute/University.

Candidates applying with B.E./B.Tech must also possess a valid:

GATE / CSIR-NET / UGC-NET qualification.

OR

Option 2 – M.E./M.Tech

M.E./M.Tech in:

Computer Science
Computer Engineering
Data Science
Artificial Intelligence
Information Science

Candidates must have First Division at both Graduate and Postgraduate levels, with qualifications from AICTE-accredited institutes/universities.

Desirable Skills

Preference is given to candidates having:

Design and Analysis of Algorithms

Deep Learning

Natural Language Processing

Python Programming

Experience with open-source development frameworks such as:

PyTorch

Docker

Age Limit

Maximum Age: 28 years

Age is calculated as on the date of the walk-in interview, 19 September 2026.

OBC: 3 years relaxation

SC/ST/PH: 5 years relaxation

Eligible reserved-category candidates must produce the original category certificate issued by the competent authority.

Stipend

Monthly Stipend: ₹37,000 + HRA

HRA will be provided as applicable under the relevant rules.

Fellowship Duration

Initial Duration: 2 years

The fellowship may subsequently be extended and upgraded to Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) according to applicable rules.

Application Mode

Candidates can pre-register for the walk-in interview through Email.

Last Date to Send Application by Email: 13 September 2026

Application Email: j.r.f.recruitment.blore@gmail.com

The prescribed application form must be downloaded, completed and emailed before the deadline.

Email Subject

The email subject must be exactly:

Application for JRF as per the Advertisement No: CAIR/HRT/JRF/2026/02

CAIR specifically states that the prescribed subject line must be used without any additional prefix or suffix; otherwise, the email may be rejected.

Is Email Registration Mandatory?

Email submission is treated as pre-registration and is strongly recommended because it reduces registration time on the interview day.

However, the official notification also states that an otherwise eligible candidate may directly attend the walk-in interview without pre-registration, provided they report within the stipulated time and carry all required documents.

Selection Process

The selection process consists of:

Document Screening → Written Test → Interview

Original certificates and eligibility documents will first be verified.

Written Test: From 10:00 AM onwards

Only candidates who qualify in the written test will be interviewed on the same day.

Final merit will be prepared based on performance in the interview.

Walk-in Interview Date

Date: 19 September 2026 – Saturday

Reporting Time: 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM

Candidates arriving late will not be allowed to participate.

Interview Location

Centre for Artificial Intelligence & Robotics (CAIR)
DRDO Complex
C.V. Raman Nagar
Bengaluru – 560093
Karnataka, India

Documents Required

Candidates attending the walk-in interview must carry:

Duly filled prescribed application form

Complete bio-data

Recent passport-size photograph affixed to the application

Original educational certificates and testimonials

One set of self-attested photocopies of certificates/testimonials

Original category/community certificate, if applicable

Two recent passport-size colour photographs

GATE/CSIR-NET/UGC-NET proof, where applicable

Government-issued photo ID such as Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Passport or Voter ID

Project report, if available

Candidates currently working in Government Departments, PSUs or Autonomous Bodies must produce an NOC at the interview.

Application Fee

Application Fee: No application fee is specified in the official notification.

Important Instructions

No TA/DA will be paid for attending the interview or joining.

Electronic devices including mobile phones, smart watches, laptops, pen drives and similar devices are not allowed inside the CAIR campus.

No vehicle parking facility will be provided to candidates.

Incomplete applications will be rejected during eligibility screening.

The selected candidate may be allowed to register for a Ph.D. in External Mode with a recognized university/institution during the fellowship.

The number of vacancies may vary according to organizational requirements.

Award of the fellowship does not provide any right to permanent absorption or employment in DRDO.

Important Dates

Advertisement Date: 6 August 2026
DRDO Portal Published Date: 14 August 2026
Application/Pre-registration Start: 14 August 2026
Last Date for Email Application: 13 September 2026
Walk-in Interview: 19 September 2026
Reporting Time: 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Written Test: 10:00 AM onwards

Official Links

DRDO CAIR JRF Recruitment 2026 – Official DRDO Vacancies Page

Official CAIR JRF Advertisement & Application Form PDF