DRDO RCI Recruitment 2026

DRDO RCI Recruitment 2026 –  Research Associate & JRF Vacancies, Eligibility, Selection Process, Application Form

Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of Defence, Government of India, has invited offline applications from young, meritorious and motivated Indian nationals for Research Associate (RA) and Junior Research Fellow (JRF) positions. The recruitment is intended for candidates interested in research and cutting-edge technology for defence applications. The official advertisement is Advt. No. RFS/HRD/RCI/2026, and the advertisement was published in Employment News on 14 August 2026.

The recruitment offers opportunities in engineering, science, computer science, electronics, mechanical engineering, aerospace, chemistry, metallurgy, physics and related research areas. Candidates who meet the prescribed educational qualification and experience requirements can submit their applications in the prescribed format through Speed Post/Courier.

The RA positions are initially offered for two years, while the JRF fellowship is initially for two years and may be upgraded to Senior Research Fellow (SRF) for the third year and extended for another year based on performance.

DRDO RCI Recruitment 2026 – Notification Overview

The advertisement clearly states that applications are to be submitted offline in the prescribed format and that applications through email will not be accepted.

DRDO RCI Vacancy Details 2026

The notification contains vacancies for both Research Associate and Junior Research Fellow categories. The number of vacancies is subject to change as mentioned in the advertisement.

Research Associate (RA) Vacancies

The detailed RA section further divides the opportunity into RA-01 and RA-02 research areas. RA-01 covers CSE, Mechanical, EEE and ECE-related research, while RA-02 is for Physics.

Junior Research Fellow (JRF) Vacancies

The advertisement notes that the number of vacancies may vary.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates should carefully check the qualification and age requirements before applying. The notification specifically states that candidates who do not meet the prescribed eligibility criteria should not apply.

Research Associate Eligibility

For the RA-01 category, candidates may be eligible with a relevant Ph.D. in areas such as Computer Science/Data Science/Artificial Intelligence, Mechanical/Structural/Aerospace Engineering, EEE or ECE, depending on the research specialization.

The notification also provides an alternative route through a First Class M.Tech along with the specified research experience. For example, candidates applying for relevant CSE research areas require three years of research experience in Deep Learning, Machine Learning or Artificial Intelligence and at least one research paper in an SCI journal. Similar research-experience requirements are prescribed for Mechanical, EEE and ECE specializations.

For RA-02 in Physics, candidates require a Ph.D. in Physics or First Class M.Sc. in Physics with four years of research experience in Experimental Quantum Optics, Laser Physics or Electro-optics, along with at least one SCI-journal research paper.

JRF Educational Qualification

For JRF positions, candidates can qualify through any of the following routes prescribed in the notification:

• First Class B.E./B.Tech or equivalent in the relevant engineering discipline with a valid GATE score.
• First Class B.E./B.Tech in the relevant discipline along with M.E./M.Tech in the relevant field.
• First Class M.Sc. in Chemistry or Physics with a valid NET/GATE/SLET score.

The relevant engineering disciplines include Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Aerospace/Aeronautical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics & Communication Engineering, Computer Science & Engineering, Information Technology, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Metallurgy Engineering.

Age Limit

For Research Associate

The maximum age limit is 35 years as on 1 August 2026 for general candidates. Age relaxation is available up to 5 years for SC/ST candidates and 3 years for OBC candidates, as per Government of India norms.

For Junior Research Fellow

The maximum age limit is 28 years as on 1 August 2026 for general candidates. SC/ST candidates can receive up to 5 years of relaxation and OBC candidates up to 3 years, according to the applicable Government of India norms.

Candidates must have obtained the required qualification before the date of advertisement.

Research Areas

The recruitment is particularly suitable for candidates with research experience in defence-related technological fields.

For RA positions, the research areas include:

• Deep Learning
• Machine Learning
• Artificial Intelligence
• Real-Time Systems
• Structural and Thermal Analysis
• Power Electronics
• RF & Microwave
• Radar Engineering
• Experimental Quantum Optics
• Laser Physics
• Electro-optics

These areas are specified in the detailed RA specialization table in the notification.

Selection Process

The selection process differs slightly for RA and JRF candidates.

Research Associate Selection

For Research Associate positions, applications will first be scrutinized. Candidates are shortlisted based on the relevance of their research work experience and/or Ph.D. thesis. Shortlisted candidates will then be called for an interview.

Therefore, candidates should make sure that their application clearly demonstrates their research experience, specialization, publications and other relevant qualifications.

JRF Selection

For Junior Research Fellow positions, candidates will initially be shortlisted after scrutiny based on their percentage/academic performance. Shortlisted candidates may subsequently be called for a written test, interview, or both.

Candidates called for the selection process should note that the notification does not provide for payment of TA/DA for attending the interview or joining the organization if selected.

Fellowship / Tenure

The Research Associate position is offered on a temporary basis for two years only. It is not a regular DRDO employment position. The notification also clarifies that the RA appointment does not provide any right to absorption in DRDO or other government departments.

For JRF candidates, the fellowship is initially for two years. Depending on performance evaluation, it may be upgraded to SRF for the third year and further extended for another year.

The monthly stipend will be paid according to the applicable Government of India norms.

How to Apply for DRDO RCI Recruitment 2026

Candidates must apply offline using the application form provided with the recruitment advertisement.

Step 1: Download the Application Form

Use the prescribed application form included in the notification. The form requires candidates to fill in personal information, educational qualifications, examination scores, work experience and other details.

Step 2: Fill the Form Carefully

The application form should be filled in capital letters as instructed. Candidates must select either Junior Research Fellow or Research Associate and mention the appropriate discipline.

Step 3: Attach Documents

Candidates should attach self-attested photocopies of the required certificates and supporting documents.

The application form specifically lists educational/professional certificates, 10th certificate or birth certificate, caste certificate where applicable, work experience certificates, Aadhaar Card, GATE/SLET/NET score card and research publications for RA applicants.

Step 4: Sign the Declaration

Candidates must sign the declaration in the application form and mention the place and date. Incorrect or misleading information can result in cancellation of candidature or appointment.

Step 5: Send the Application

The completed and ink-signed application should be sent through Speed Post/Courier to address mention in the notification.

The envelope should be superscribed with the relevant application designation, such as “APPLICATION FORM FOR THE VACANCY OF ______”.

Candidates should remember that email applications are not accepted. The notification specifically states that only offline applications will be considered.

Important Dates

The notification specifies the closing period as 30 days from publication. Since the advertisement was published in Employment News on 14 August 2026, candidates should carefully calculate the applicable deadline and preferably ensure that the application reaches RCI well before the closing date.

Documents Required

Candidates should prepare the following documents before sending the application:

1. Completed and signed application form
2. Educational qualification certificates
3. Marksheets
4. 10th certificate/Birth certificate
5. Caste certificate, if applicable
6. Work experience certificates, wherever required
7. Aadhaar Card
8. Valid GATE/SLET/NET score card, wherever applicable
9. Research publication details/copies for RA candidates
10. Recent passport-size photographs
11. NOC for candidates working in Government, PSU or autonomous organizations, if called for interview

At verification/joining, selected candidates are required to produce original testimonials and other relevant certificates. The notification also requires two recent passport-size photographs and a copy of Aadhaar Card at the applicable stage.

Important Links

DRDO Research Centre Imarat Recruitment 2026 provides an important research opportunity for qualified engineers, scientists and research professionals who want to work in advanced defence technology areas. The recruitment includes Research Associate and Junior Research Fellow opportunities across disciplines such as Electronics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Chemistry, Metallurgy and Physics.

Candidates with relevant Ph.D., M.Tech, B.E./B.Tech or M.Sc. qualifications should carefully compare their specialization, research experience, age and required GATE/NET/SLET credentials with the official eligibility conditions before applying.

Since the recruitment process is completely offline, applicants should not wait until the final days. The prescribed application form should be completed accurately, all required self-attested documents should be attached, and the application should be dispatched through Speed Post/Courier to the RCI Hyderabad address mentioned in the notification.

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