₹30,000 total stipend paid in two installments: ₹15,000 after 3 months and ₹15,000 after completion of 6 months.
6 months (starting 1 July 2026)
Final‑year UG or PG students from AICTE/UGC recognized institutions with at least 75% marks or 7.5 CGPA. Internship must be a mandatory six‑month part of the curriculum.
Signed application form, institute endorsement letter from Head/Principal, government ID proof, semester mark sheets, and CV.
Applications for DRDO internships are competitive. A paid internship at a defence research lab like NPOL attracts many students.
The DRDO NPOL Internship applications for the 2026 cycle closed on 15 June 2026. The next cycle is expected around the same time next year. This internship was hosted at the Naval Physical & Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL) in Kochi, a DRDO lab working on underwater sensors, surveillance systems, and oceanographic research for naval applications.
If you plan to apply for a future cycle, review the eligibility criteria and required documents now. Preparing these in advance will help you submit your application quickly when the next cycle opens.
If you're exploring multiple DRDO labs, you might also check the complete guide to DRDO Internships where we track openings across labs.
Program Details
| Internship Name | DRDO NPOL Paid Internship Scheme
| Organisation | Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO)
| Lab | Naval Physical & Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), Kochi
| Total Seats | 35 (tentative)
| Duration | 6 months
| Internship Start Date | 1 July (for the 2026 cycle)
| Stipend | ₹30,000 total (₹15,000 after 3 months + ₹15,000 after completion)
| Application Deadline | 15 June (for the 2026 cycle)
| Selection Intimation | 4th week of June (for the 2026 cycle)
DRDO internships are usually competitive because the seat count is limited and eligibility requirements are strict.
The internship is open across several engineering and science streams. Seats are distributed by discipline, though the numbers are listed as tentative.
That adds up to around 35 internship positions. The exact number may change during the selection process depending on applications and lab requirements.
If you're looking for other labs with similar stipends, you might also read about the DRDO CAIR Internship in Bengaluru or the DRDO R&DE Pune Internship. Different labs, similar structure.
The eligibility rules are strict because this internship is tied to academic research projects.
The 75% requirement filters out many applications. If your CGPA is comfortably above that, you meet the academic cutoff.
The DRDO NPOL Internship offers a total stipend of ₹30,000 for the entire six‑month duration.
The payment does not come monthly.
If a student leaves the internship before completing the six months, no stipend will be paid and no internship certificate will be issued.
Interns are not eligible for housing, transport, medical reimbursement, or other government allowances.
The internship duration is six months. For the 2026 cycle, it began on 1 July 2026.
Students must complete the full duration to receive the completion certificate. Extensions beyond six months may sometimes be allowed, but any additional period will be unpaid.
The application requires several documents. Missing even one can lead to rejection.
The official document contains both the application form and the endorsement letter format your college must sign.
You can access the official file here: Download Application Form and Endorsement Letter Format.
The endorsement letter must be printed on your college letterhead and signed by the Head of Institution or Principal. It confirms that:
Getting the principal’s signature takes time. Start this early if you plan to apply.
The application process involves two parts: submitting a Google Form and emailing the application documents.
The envelope should mention: Application for Paid Internship Scheme – 2026 in [Discipline].
Once shortlisted, candidates may be invited for interaction either in person, by phone, or via video conference.
Selection mainly depends on academic performance.
NPOL will shortlist candidates based on their marks and academic record. Only shortlisted students will be contacted for an interaction round.
No communication is sent to applicants who are not shortlisted.
If you're actively tracking internships this season, you can also browse all opportunities on Talentd where we publish new internships and research programs for students.
These rules are standard for defence labs. Most DRDO facilities work with sensitive research, so interns must follow strict security protocols.
Event Date
| Applications Open | 5 June (for the 2026 cycle)
| Last Date to Apply | 15 June (for the 2026 cycle)
| Shortlist Notification | Fourth week of June (for the 2026 cycle)
| Internship Begins | 1 July (for the 2026 cycle)
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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