5 Aug 2026
₹37,000 per month plus HRA, medical facilities and other emoluments as per DRDO rules.
Initially 2 years, extendable up to 5 years based on performance and requirement.
Indian nationals with first division in relevant Mathematics, Physics, CSE, IT, EE, or ECE degrees. NET/GATE qualification required as per discipline.
Filled application form, educational certificates, NET/GATE proof, ID proof, passport photographs, caste/disability certificate if applicable, Official Secrets Act undertaking, IT Rules undertaking.
Deadline: 5 Aug 2026
DRDO has opened applications for one of the more serious research fellowships students wait for every year. The DRDO SAG JRF 2026 notification is out, and this time there are 11 Junior Research Fellow positions in cryptology and information security.
The fellowship comes with a monthly stipend of ₹37,000 plus HRA and medical benefits. Honestly, for fresh postgraduates and engineering graduates interested in cybersecurity, cryptology, embedded systems, or applied mathematics, this is among the better-funded government research options right now.
ParticularDetailsOrganization | DRDO Scientific Analysis Group (SAG)
Program | Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)
Total Seats | 11
Location | Metcalfe House, Delhi
Stipend | ₹37,000/month + HRA
Interview Mode | Walk-in Interview
Walk-in Date | 05 August 2026
Maximum Age | 28 Years
Application Deadline | 05 August 2026
Official Notification | Download Application Form & Advertisement PDF
Students looking for more defence research openings can also check the complete DRDO Internships 2026 guide. And if you're exploring similar research roles, the recently announced DRDO CVRDE JRF 2026 and DRDO DRDE JRF 2026 walk-in are worth tracking too.
The DRDO SAG JRF 2026 recruitment is open for candidates from Mathematics, Computer Science, IT, Electronics, ECE, and Physics backgrounds. All applicants must be Indian nationals and should have completed their qualifying degree before the interview date.
DisciplineSeatsQualificationMathematics | 03 | PG Degree in Mathematics with first division and NET qualification
CSE / IT / CS | 04 | B.E./B.Tech with valid NET/GATE score OR M.E./M.Tech with first division
EE / ECE | 03 | B.E./B.Tech with valid NET/GATE score OR M.E./M.Tech with first division
Physics | 01 | PG Degree in Physics with first division and NET qualification
Quick heads-up: SAG specifically works in cryptology and information security. Candidates with programming knowledge in C, C++, Java, or Python may have an advantage during interviews.
For Electronics and ECE candidates, knowledge of embedded systems and cryptology has been listed as desirable. Physics applicants with quantum physics exposure should pay attention to this opening because such niche requirements don't appear often.
Selected candidates under DRDO SAG JRF 2026 will receive a monthly stipend of ₹37,000 along with HRA, medical facilities, and other benefits as per DRDO rules.
The initial fellowship period is two years. Based on performance and project requirements, it may be extended up to a maximum of five years.
That said, the notification clearly mentions that this fellowship does not guarantee absorption into DRDO. Some students miss this line while applying, so keep expectations realistic.
One useful detail many candidates will appreciate: fellows may register for a PhD during the fellowship tenure with a recognized university or institution.
The walk-in interview for DRDO SAG JRF 2026 will be conducted on 05 August 2026 at:
Scientific Analysis Group (SAG)
Metcalfe House
Delhi - 110054
Reporting time is between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM at the main gate reception. Late reporting may lead to disqualification from the interview process.
Worth noting: candidates are not allowed to carry laptops, pen drives, cameras, or electronic devices during the interview process. DRDO takes these restrictions seriously, especially for cryptology-related labs.
Candidates need to carry both original and self-attested copies of important documents during the walk-in interview.
You should also download and fill the undertakings attached in the official PDF notification. These include:
The application form asks for educational details from Class 10 onwards, NET/GATE qualification details, previous DRDO interview history, and experience information if applicable. Candidates who were already awarded a JRF position in any DRDO unit earlier are not eligible to apply again.
I've seen many students lose opportunities simply because they forgot attested copies or arrived after reporting hours. Government walk-ins are usually strict about timing.
Scientific Analysis Group (SAG) is one of DRDO's specialized labs focused on cryptology and information security. That's a fairly niche area compared to regular engineering internships.
Students interested in cybersecurity, secure communication systems, cryptographic algorithms, embedded systems, or defence information systems should seriously consider this opening.
If you're also comparing internship-style DRDO openings, check out the DRDO RCI Paid Internship 2026 and DRDO DMRL Internship 2026. Both are attracting a lot of applications this year.
You can also browse all opportunities on Talentd for the latest internships, fellowships, and off-campus hiring updates.
The selection process is based on a walk-in interview. Candidates will likely be evaluated on subject fundamentals, project understanding, programming knowledge, and research aptitude.
For CSE and IT students, expect questions around algorithms, operating systems, networking basics, cryptography concepts, and coding fundamentals. Electronics candidates may face embedded systems and signal-related questions.
Mathematics applicants should revise number theory, algebra, probability, and cryptography-related concepts. Physics students may be assessed on quantum mechanics and computational understanding.
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.
DRDO Defence Laboratory Jodhpur has announced Research Associate and JRF openings with fellowship up to Rs 67,000 per month. Check eligibility, interview dates, stipend details, and required documents before the July 2026 walk-in.
DRDO SAG JRF 2026 offers 11 research fellowships in Delhi with a ₹37,000 monthly stipend plus HRA. Check eligibility, interview date, required documents and how to apply for this DRDO cryptology research opportunity.
DRDO CFEES Delhi has announced a walk-in interview for Junior Research Fellow positions in 2026. Check eligibility, important dates, application form PDF, and interview details before the August 5 deadline.
DRDO DMRL Hyderabad has opened applications for its 2026 paid internship program with 20 seats for UG and PG students. Check eligibility, stipend, documents required, and how to apply before the July 15 deadline.
Deadline: 5 Aug 2026
