₹5,000 per month, paid in two installments with the first payment after three months.
6 months (01 Aug 2026 to 31 Jan 2027 approximately).
Final year UG or PG engineering students and PG science students (Physics or Chemistry) with at least 70% marks or 7.5 CGPA from a recognized Indian institution.
Application form, referral letter from Principal/Director on college letterhead, Aadhaar copy, marksheets showing CGPA, biodata under 300 words, passport photograph, and additional undertakings at joining.
Getting research exposure inside a defence lab isn't something most students get easily. And when the lab belongs to DRDO, it becomes even more interesting.
Applications for the 2026 DRDO HEMRL Internship cycle closed on 03 July 2026. The next cycle is expected around the same time next year. High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) in Pune invited final year engineering and science students for a six-month paid internship. There were 40 seats available, and selected students received a stipend of ₹5,000 per month.
If you are interested in areas like explosives, propellants, combustion science, materials, or defence technology, this program offers rare exposure. Also, many students underestimate how valuable DRDO lab experience looks on a resume. I have seen recruiters notice it instantly.
While applications for the last cycle are now closed, you can use this time to review eligibility requirements and gather necessary documents. Being prepared will help you apply quickly when the next cycle opens.
Internship Name DRDO HEMRL Paid Internship
| Organization | Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
| Lab | High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), Pune
| Total Seats | 40
| Stipend | ₹5,000 per month
| Duration | 6 Months
| Start Date | 01 August 2026
| Application Deadline | 03 July 2026 (closed)
| Location | Sutarwadi, Pune, Maharashtra
| Official Notification | Download Official DRDO HEMRL Internship Notification
Interested in more defence research internships? You can also explore our detailed DRDO Internships guide where we track openings across multiple DRDO labs.
The High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) is one of DRDO's key research centres. The lab focuses on high-energy materials and explosive technologies used in defence systems.
Research here covers areas like propellants, high explosives, pyrotechnics, polymeric materials, and combustion characteristics. Scientists also study detonation behaviour and design new energetic material systems for defence applications.
This is serious research territory. Interns usually assist in experiments, material analysis, simulation work, and technical documentation under DRDO scientists.
The internship is open to both engineering and science students. DRDO announced 40 indicative seats across several disciplines.
Branch Seats
| Chemical Engineering | 10
| Mechanical Engineering | 10
| Chemistry | 10
| Aerospace Engineering | 2
| Physics | 2
| Electrical Engineering | 2
| Electronics and Communication Engineering | 2
| Computer Engineering / Computer Science | 2
DRDO clearly states that the number of seats can change depending on project requirements. So treat these numbers as indicative.
If you are comparing different DRDO labs, you might also want to see the DRDO CAIR Internship in Bengaluru and the DRDO RCI Paid Internship in Hyderabad. Both usually attract strong applicants every year.
The eligibility rules are fairly strict. DRDO labs typically shortlist only students with strong academic records.
One more important rule. Students who have already completed a paid internship in another DRDO lab are not eligible to apply.
The DRDO HEMRL Internship provides a stipend of ₹5,000 per month.
However, the payment system has a small catch. The stipend is paid in two installments. The first payment arrives after completing three months of training.
Interns must also maintain a minimum of 15 working days of attendance per month. If someone leaves the internship before completing three months, no stipend is paid.
Also note that DRDO does not provide accommodation or lodging. Students will need to arrange their own stay in Pune.
The application process requires several documents. Most of them must be submitted along with the application form.
You can download the official form and advertisement here: Download DRDO HEMRL Internship Application Form PDF.
The form asks for basic details such as your discipline, branch code, CGPA, languages known, achievements, and contact information. The referral letter must be printed on your college letterhead and signed by the principal or director.
If selected, interns must submit several documents at the time of joining. This part surprises many students, so it helps to know early.
Most original documents are returned immediately after verification.
The application process is slightly old school. There is no online portal for this internship.
The Director
High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL)
DRDO, Sutarwadi
Pune – 411021
Maharashtra
(Attention: HRD Division)
Incomplete applications or forms received after the deadline will be rejected.
Selection is entirely merit-based. DRDO reviews academic records, achievements, and recommendations from your institution.
Only shortlisted students are contacted. According to the official timeline, selected candidates received communication around 15 July 2026.
The internship program started from 01 August 2026.
If you want to track more opportunities like this, you can always browse all opportunities on Talentd. New internships show up almost every week.
DRDO internships are competitive, even when the stipend is modest. A few practical tips help.
The referral letter matters more than many students think. Labs prefer candidates recommended by faculty who know their academic performance well.
Selected interns receive a stipend of ₹5,000 per month. The payment is released in two installments, with the first after three months of training.
Final year UG engineering students, PG engineering students, and PG science students in Physics or Chemistry from recognized Indian institutions can apply.
The internship runs for six months. Students who complete the program successfully receive a completion certificate from DRDO.
No. DRDO HEMRL does not provide boarding or lodging. However, interns can use the laboratory canteen at subsidized rates.
You must download the application form, attach required documents, and send the completed application by Speed Post to the HEMRL Pune address.
If a student leaves before completing three months, no stipend is paid and no completion certificate is issued.
No. Students who have already completed a paid internship in another DRDO laboratory are not eligible for this program.
Guide
Explore all DRDO Internships
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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