₹5,000 per month paid in two slabs of ₹15,000 each over six months
6 months
BE/BTech students in 7th or 8th semester or MTech students in 1st or 2nd year with at least 75% marks or 7.5 CGPA and no backlogs.
Application Form (Appendix A), College NOC/Request Letter (Appendix B), Undertaking Form (Appendix C), marksheets, bonafide certificate, Aadhaar copy, college ID, biodata.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation offers internships, and one popular program comes from its Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) in Pune. If you're an engineering student who wants real exposure to defence technology, this internship can enhance a resume.
Applications for the most recent cycle closed on 5 July 2026. The next cycle is expected around the same time next year. While you wait for the next application window to open, review the eligibility criteria and start preparing your documents. This will ensure you are ready to apply as soon as applications open.
The DRDO ARDE Internship offers a six-month paid internship for UG and PG engineering students. There are 40 seats across multiple disciplines and a monthly stipend of ₹5,000. The application must be sent by post, not online.
If you're exploring multiple DRDO programs, check our complete guide to DRDO Internships. Different labs release opportunities at different times.
Feature Details
| Organisation | DRDO – Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE)
| Location | Pashan, Pune, Maharashtra
| Total Seats | 40
| Internship Duration | 6 Months
| Stipend | ₹5,000 per month
| Eligible Students | BE/BTech (7th or 8th semester) and MTech (1st or 2nd year)
| Application Mode | Speed Post / Courier / Registered Post
| Last Date | Applications for the last cycle closed on 5 July 2026
| Internship Start Date | 30 July 2026
ARDE is one of DRDO's core laboratories working on advanced armament systems for the Army, Navy and Air Force. Interns here usually get exposure to research, design, testing and technology development. This is not something you get in most corporate internships.
The internship is open to multiple engineering branches. Mechanical engineering has the largest number of seats, but several other domains are included.
The official notification mentions that seat numbers are indicative. ARDE may increase or decrease them depending on project needs.
The DRDO ARDE Internship provides a stipend of ₹5,000 per month for six months.
However, interns do not receive it every month. Payments are made in two slabs:
The money is transferred directly to the intern's bank account.
There is a condition though. Interns must complete at least 15 working days each month and maintain satisfactory academic performance during the internship period.
Students must meet several academic and administrative conditions before applying.
Also note this small rule many students overlook. If you're already receiving a stipend from another institute or program, you are not eligible for this internship.
The internship runs for six months. Selected students for the last cycle started around 30 July 2026.
ARDE does not provide accommodation or transport support. Students must arrange their own stay in Pune. The laboratory does have a canteen facility where interns can buy lunch, tea and snacks.
On successful completion, interns receive a DRDO internship completion certificate after submitting their project report.
The application process is document heavy. Most rejections happen because one paper is missing. I've seen this happen more times than you'd think.
Students must send a physical application package containing the following:
You can download the official documents here:
The application form asks for basic student details such as name, date of birth, Aadhaar number, CGPA and discipline. You must also mention the branch code exactly as listed in the advertisement.
Students must attach a passport size photograph and provide bank account details because the stipend is transferred directly to that account.
This document must be printed on your college letterhead and signed by the Principal or Director. It confirms that the student is a bonafide candidate and the college allows them to undertake the six-month internship.
The form also includes:
This is a declaration related to the Indian Official Secrets Act, 1923. Because the internship happens in a defence research environment, interns must confirm they will not disclose confidential information.
If you're considering DRDO internships in different labs, you may also want to look at the DRDO CAIR Internship in Bengaluru or the DRDO RCI Paid Internship in Hyderabad. Different labs focus on different technologies.
And if you're browsing multiple opportunities right now, you can always browse all opportunities on Talentd. New internships appear there almost every week.
Selection for the DRDO ARDE Internship is purely merit based. Students with strong academic performance are shortlisted first.
Shortlisted candidates receive an email with joining instructions. Students who are not selected usually do not receive separate communication.
Technical Content Writer
Radhika is a Technical Content Writer at Talentd, where she creates clear, practical, and research-driven content focused on jobs, internships, career guidance, and technology. She specializes in simplifying complex technical topics and turning them into easy-to-understand resources for students and fresh graduates. At Talentd, Radhika contributes to articles related to hiring updates, interview preparation, career roadmaps, and industry trends, helping thousands of learners stay informed and make better career decisions. Her work focuses on delivering accurate, actionable, and student-friendly content that supports the growing Talentd community.
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