11 May 2026
₹30,000 total (₹15,000 after 3 months and ₹15,000 after 6 months) subject to minimum 15 working days attendance per month.
6 months
Final year UG or PG engineering or science students with minimum 75% marks or 7.5 CGPA from a recognized AICTE/UGC institution, age below 28 years.
Referral letter from Principal or HOD, UG/PG marksheets, Aadhaar copy, college ID card, NOC from college, police verification acknowledgement, IT rules undertaking, Indian Official Secrets Act undertaking.
Deadline: 11 May 2026
DRDO internships rarely stay open for long. And when they do, the seats disappear fast.
The DRDO CHESS Paid Internship 2026 is now accepting applications from final year engineering and science students across India. The program runs for six months at the Centre for High Energy Systems & Sciences (CHESS), Hyderabad, a DRDO lab working on lasers, optics, opto-electronics, and related defence technologies.
There are only 20 seats. The stipend totals ₹30,000 across the internship period. If you are aiming for hands-on research exposure in defence technology, this one deserves a serious look.
Quick heads-up: the application deadline is 11 May 2026. I have seen students miss DRDO deadlines simply because the process involves documents and Speed Post submission. Plan early.
Program DRDO CHESS Paid Internship 2026
| Organization | Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
| Lab | Centre for High Energy Systems & Sciences (CHESS), Hyderabad
| Total Seats | 20
| Eligible Students | Final year Engineering or Science UG/PG students
| Stipend | ₹30,000 total (₹15,000 after 3 months + ₹15,000 after 6 months)
| Duration | 6 Months
| Location | CHESS Lab, Hyderabad
| Application Mode | Offline via Speed Post
| Last Date | 11 May 2026
| Internship Start Date | 03 June 2026
If you're exploring multiple DRDO opportunities this year, also check the DRDO DLRL Internship 2026 and the DRDO DIPAS Internship 2026. Several DRDO labs have opened internships recently.
The internship is open to students from specific engineering and science branches. Seat distribution is limited, and the numbers can change depending on the lab's requirements.
Branch Code Discipline Seats
| PH | Physics / Applied Optics | 5
| ME | Mechanical Engineering | 5
| EE | Electronics / Instrumentation / Electrical / ECE | 5
| CS | Computer Science | 3
| CE | Chemical Engineering | 2
In total, 20 positions are available. However, DRDO has mentioned that the number may increase or decrease based on internal requirements.
The stipend structure is simple but comes with conditions.
Miss the six‑month completion requirement and the stipend is not granted. Also, students must cover their own accommodation, food, travel, and medical expenses during the internship.
That said, even with modest pay, a DRDO lab internship carries strong academic weight. For students interested in defence R&D or higher studies, the experience matters more than the stipend.
Not everyone can apply. DRDO has set a fairly strict eligibility filter.
Selection happens purely on merit and academic record. Only shortlisted candidates will receive communication about joining.
This internship requires several official documents. Most students get stuck here because they underestimate the paperwork.
First, you must download and fill the official form from the DRDO website. Here is the direct document:
Download DRDO CHESS Internship Advertisement and Application Form
The form requires the following details:
Along with the application, students must attach these documents:
The referral letter is quite detailed. It must include student details, faculty coordinator information, and the institution's AICTE affiliation information. The college also confirms that the student will be relieved for internship duties and will attend at least 15 working days per month.
Selected students must later submit additional undertakings when joining the lab. These include:
Yes, the documentation is strict. But that's standard for defence research labs.
The application process is offline. Follow the steps carefully.
Director
Centre for High Energy Systems & Sciences (CHESS)
DRDO, RCI Campus
PO: Vignyana Kancha
Hyderabad – 500069
Your application must reach before 11 May 2026. Late or incomplete applications are rejected without review.
If you're exploring more government research programs, the NITI Aayog Internship Scheme and the IDRBT Summer Internship 2026 are also worth considering. And if you want a broader list, you can always browse all opportunities on Talentd.
The selection process is straightforward.
The official notification mentions that shortlisted candidates will be informed by 20 May 2026. The internship is scheduled to begin on 03 June 2026.
A few practical things that can improve your chances.
First, apply early. DRDO labs often start screening applications even before the deadline once they receive strong candidates.
Second, ensure your CGPA proof is clear and accurate. If your transcript shows grading scale information, include it.
Third, speak with your HOD before requesting the referral letter. Colleges sometimes take several days to issue it.
And finally, double‑check the branch code on the envelope. It sounds small, but DRDO explicitly asks for it to sort applications.
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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Deadline: 11 May 2026
