₹30,000 total stipend paid in two installments of ₹15,000 after 3 months and 6 months
6 months (tentatively from 1 July 2026 to 31 December 2026)
B.E/B.Tech students entering final year in academic year 2026-27 from ECE, CSE, or Electrical Engineering with no backlogs.
College reference letter from Principal/Director on official letterhead, Aadhaar copy, NOC from college, police verification certificate, semester mark sheets, passport photos.
Looking for a DRDO internship that actually pays? Here's one many students overlook.
Applications for the DRDO VRDE Paid Internship for the 2026 cycle closed on 8 June 2026. This internship was offered by the Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (VRDE) in Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra, one of DRDO’s key labs working on military mobility systems and combat vehicles. The next cycle is expected around the same time next year.
If you are interested in applying for the next cycle, start preparing now. Review the eligibility requirements and gather necessary documents. This will ensure you are ready when applications reopen.
The catch: there are only 15 seats in total. If you're planning a government research internship, you’ll want to read the details carefully.
Program | DRDO VRDE Paid Internship
Organization | Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (VRDE), DRDO
Total Seats | 15 (Indicative)
Branches | ECE, CSE, Electrical Engineering
Duration | 6 Months
Internship Start Date | 1 July (Tentative, for the next cycle)
Total Stipend | ₹30,000
Application Deadline | Applications for the 2026 cycle closed 8 June 2026. Next cycle expected around the same time next year.
Selection Mode | Merit-based
Location | Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra
If you’re exploring more defence research internships, check our detailed DRDO Internships guide. It covers multiple labs and opportunities across India.
The internship is open only for specific engineering branches. And the number of positions is small.
These numbers are indicative. VRDE can increase or decrease seats depending on project requirements.
VRDE focuses heavily on defence vehicle technology. That includes wheeled combat systems, mobility platforms, and evaluation of military vehicles used in strategic operations.
Students selected for the internship may get exposure to real research problems connected to defence mobility systems. That alone makes this internship quite valuable for core engineering students.
Yes, the internship is paid. But the structure is slightly different from what most students expect.
The total stipend is ₹30,000, paid in two installments:
There’s a condition though. Students must maintain at least 45 days of attendance within the first three months to receive the first installment.
Also remember, VRDE will not cover accommodation, food, transport, or medical expenses. You’ll need to manage those yourself during the internship.
This is common for many DRDO labs. For example, labs like DRDO CAIR Internship and DRDO CHESS Paid Internship follow similar structures with limited stipends.
Not every engineering student can apply. DRDO has kept the eligibility quite specific.
That last rule matters. Even a single backlog will make you ineligible for this internship.
Selection is purely merit-based, usually determined through academic performance and the documents submitted during the application.
The internship runs for six months.
If selected, students will start their training around 1 July and continue until roughly 31 December.
During the internship, students will typically work on a technical project assigned by the lab. At the end, you must:
Only after successfully completing these requirements will VRDE issue the Internship Completion Certificate.
Students who leave midway or fail to complete the full 6 months will not receive the certificate. And if you leave before completing three months, you also won't receive any stipend.
If you're comparing options, you might also want to look at the DRDO DLRL Internship, which offers a higher stipend but is far more competitive.
Event | Date (for 2026 cycle)
Application Start | 22 May 2026
Last Date to Apply | 8 June 2026 (Applications for this cycle are now closed)
Selection Notification | 19 June 2026 (via email)
Internship Start | 1 July 2026
Applications for the 2026 cycle closed on 8 June 2026. The next cycle is expected around the same time next year.
The application process is straightforward but document-heavy. Follow these steps carefully when applications reopen.
The PDF also includes a detailed college undertaking format. Many students overlook this section, but it is mandatory.
The letter must be issued on your college letterhead and signed by the Principal or Director. It confirms several things:
The letter must also include details of:
Without this letter, the application will likely be rejected during screening.
If you receive the selection email, you’ll need to bring these documents while joining VRDE:
All original documents will be returned after verification.
For students exploring multiple opportunities, you can always browse all opportunities on Talentd to track the latest internships and research programs.
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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