₹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.
Postgraduate or engineering candidates in Mathematics, Physics, CSE, IT, CS, EE or ECE with first division and required NET/GATE qualification can apply.
Filled application form, Official Secrets Act undertaking, IT Rules undertaking, educational certificates, NET/GATE proof, ID proof, photographs and category certificate if applicable.
DRDO's Scientific Analysis Group (SAG), Delhi, hired 11 Junior Research Fellows through a walk-in interview process. The work area is cryptology and information security. Applications for this cycle closed on 05 August 2026. The next cycle is expected around the same time next year.
The stipend is ₹37,000 per month plus HRA and medical facilities. Competition for these DRDO SAG JRF roles is often intense because they connect directly to defence research. Many students prepare months in advance for DRDO interviews like this.
To prepare for the next cycle, review the eligibility requirements and gather your documents. This will help you be ready when applications open again.
Students exploring similar defence research opportunities can also check the complete DRDO Internships guide or DRDO CVRDE JRF in Chennai for more fellowship openings. You can also browse all opportunities on Talentd.
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
Interview Date | 05 August 2026
Application Deadline | 05 August 2026
Fields | Mathematics, CSE, IT, CS, EE, ECE, Physics
Official Notification | Download Official Advertisement & Application Form
The DRDO SAG JRF openings were available across four disciplines. Candidates needed to have completed their degree and possess the required NET or GATE qualification wherever applicable.
The upper age limit was 28 years as on the interview date. Reserved category relaxation was provided as per Government of India norms.
Selected candidates under DRDO SAG JRF received a monthly stipend of ₹37,000 along with HRA, medical facilities and other admissible benefits under DRDO rules.
The initial fellowship duration is two years. Based on performance and project requirements, it may be extended up to a maximum of five years.
DRDO has clearly mentioned that this fellowship does not guarantee absorption into the organisation later. Many students misunderstand this point during defence fellowship recruitments.
SAG is one of DRDO's most specialised labs and focuses heavily on cryptology and information security. Candidates selected through DRDO SAG JRF worked on projects linked to cybersecurity, encryption systems and secure communication technologies.
For students interested in defence tech and research-heavy roles, this can strengthen higher studies or PhD applications later. DRDO also allows selected JRFs to register for a PhD during the fellowship tenure.
If you're specifically searching for paid DRDO internships, check DRDO RCI Paid Internship and DRDO NPOL Internship. Both see strong student interest.
The walk-in interview for all disciplines was conducted on 05 August 2026 at:
Scientific Analysis Group (SAG)
Metcalfe House
Delhi - 110054
Candidates needed to report between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM at the Main Gate reception.
Electronic devices including laptops, cameras and pen drives were not allowed during the interview process. Carrying them could create unnecessary issues at entry.
Candidates appearing for the walk-in interview needed to carry originals along with self-attested copies of required documents.
DRDO also attached multiple undertakings and forms in the official PDF. Candidates should carefully fill the JRF application form, including educational details, NET/GATE information, previous DRDO interview history and declaration section.
The PDF additionally included:
Both undertakings required candidate signatures and acknowledgement of confidentiality obligations. Read them properly before signing. Defence labs take compliance paperwork seriously.
DRDO has specified that candidates who were already awarded JRF positions in any DRDO unit earlier are not eligible to apply again.
No TA/DA was provided for attending the interview or joining after selection. Also, selected candidates needed to join within two weeks of receiving the offer letter.
The ₹37,000 stipend is significantly better than what many private research roles offer fresh postgraduates in India right now.
The selection process was based on a walk-in interview. Candidates were evaluated on academic performance, technical understanding and subject knowledge relevant to cryptology, programming or electronics systems depending on the discipline.
Students with strong fundamentals in coding, cybersecurity concepts or embedded systems may have an advantage, especially for CSE and ECE roles.
You can also explore DRDO HEMRL Internship and DRDO ARDE Internship if you're targeting defence research experience.
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.
Applications for the IIRS ISRO internship's 2026 cycle closed on 31 March 2026; the next cycle is expected to open around early 2027. While you wait, review eligibility and prepare documents so you are ready.
DRDO DGRE Chandigarh invites applications for Junior Research Fellow positions with ₹37,000 monthly stipend. Walk-in interviews on September 15-16, 2026 for CS, Civil, Geo-informatics & Atmospheric Science graduates.
DRDO DYSL-AI JRF 2026 offers a ₹48,100/month stipend for freshers in AI research. Check eligibility, application steps, and deadline to apply.
DRDO SSPL JRF Recruitment 2026 is now open for Physics and Electronics candidates in Delhi. The fellowship goes up to ₹67,000 per month, and interviews begin from 1 September 2026.
Applications for the DRDO DLJ JRF and RA positions are currently closed, with the last interview cycle held in July 2026. The next cycle is expected around the same time next year.
