This guide covers research internships across India, detailing programs from ISRO, DRDO, IITs, and other top institutions. Find information on eligibility, stipends, application processes, and deadlines for the 2026-27 cycle.
26 ArticlesUpdated 6 August 2026Securing a research internship in India can significantly boost your academic and professional journey. This page provides a central resource for opportunities at premier institutions like ISRO, DRDO, IITs, and IISc. It covers what these programs entail, who can apply, and how selection typically works.
We have compiled essential details on eligibility criteria, stipend amounts, and application procedures. Use this guide to navigate the competitive landscape of research internships and find programs that align with your career goals.
| Program/Lab/Event | Stipend | Duration | Eligibility | Typical Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IIRS ISRO Internship | None | Min 45 days, Max 1 year | UG/PG/PhD (Science/Tech), Min 60% or 6.32 CGPA | Applications close March 31 & Oct 31 annually |
| DRDO DGRE JRF | ₹37,000/month + HRA | 2 years (extendable) | ME/M.Tech (CS/IT/Civil) or B.E./B.Tech with GATE/NET; MSc (Geo-informatics/Atmospheric Science) | Walk-in interviews in September |
| DRDO DYSL-AI JRF | ₹48,100/month (incl. HRA) | Not specified | BE/BTech with NET/GATE or ME/MTech (first division); MSc (Basic Science) with NET | Applications close mid-August |
| DRDO SSPL JRF | ₹37,000/month | Not specified | PG (MSc Physics/Electronics) with NET; BE/BTech (Engg Physics/Electronics) with NET/GATE; ME/MTech (first division) | Walk-in interviews in September |
| DRDO SSPL RA | ₹67,000/month | Not specified | PhD (Physics/Electronics) or ME/MTech with 3 years research experience + SCI paper | Walk-in interviews in September |
| DRDO DMRL Internship | ₹5,000/month | Not specified | UG/PG students | Applications close mid-July |
| DRDO HEMRL Internship | ₹5,000/month | Not specified | Engineering/Science students | Applications close early July |
| DRDO DIBT Internship | ₹5,000/month | 6 months | Final-year MSc (Biotechnology/Microbiology) | Applications close mid-June |
| DRDO IRDE JRF | ₹37,000/month | Not specified | Engineering/Physics graduates with NET/GATE | Applications close late May |
| SPA New Delhi Internship | ₹10,000/month | Not specified | Urban planning students | Applications close mid-May |
| IISc MBBS MPH Internship | ₹35,000/month | Not specified | Medical/Public Health students | Applications close early April |
| IISc CBRAIN Internship | ₹25,000/month | Not specified | Master’s students | Applications close late March |
| IIT ISM Dhanbad SRIS Internship | ₹5,000/month | Not specified | UG/PG students | Applications close mid-April |
| IIT Delhi Summer Research Fellowship | Not specified | Not specified | Top-ranked engineering/MTech students | Applications close early April |
| IIPS Internship | Not specified | Not specified | Students/young researchers | Applications close mid-April |
| ICT Mumbai Summer Internship | Not specified | 6 weeks | Chemical Engineering students | Applications close late March |
| IGCAR STIPAC Summer Training | Not specified | 6 weeks | MSc Physics/Chemistry students | Applications close mid-April |
| PRL Summer Internship | Not specified | Not specified | UG/PG (Physics/Astronomy/Space Science) | Applications close early April |
| South Asian University CSE Internship | Not specified | Not specified | Computer Science students | Applications close mid-April |
| Indian Summer School on Cellular Automata | Not specified | 2 months | UG/PG/PhD students | Applications close late May |
| IIIT Pune Internship | Not specified | Not specified | Students | Not stated |
| IIIT Kottayam iINT Internship | Not specified | 4-8 weeks | UG/PG students | Applications close early April |
| IIIT Vadodara Research Internship | Not specified | Not specified | Students from other colleges | Not stated |
| IISER Bhopal Summer Internship | Not specified | Not specified | Science/Engineering/Economics students | Applications close late March |
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) offers Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) and Research Associate (RA) positions across its various laboratories. These roles provide hands-on experience in defense research with competitive stipends.
The Defence Geoinformatics Research Establishment (DGRE) in Chandigarh recruits Junior Research Fellows. This program offers a ₹37,000 monthly stipend plus HRA. Eligibility includes ME/M.Tech in CS/IT/Civil or B.E./B.Tech with GATE/NET, and MSc in Geo-informatics or Atmospheric Science. Learn more about DRDO DGRE JRF.
The DRDO Young Scientist Laboratory-Artificial Intelligence (DYSL-AI) in Bengaluru offers JRF positions with a stipend of ₹48,100 per month (including HRA). This is for freshers in AI and deep learning. Eligibility requires a graduate degree (BE/BTech) with NET/GATE or a postgraduate degree (ME/MTech) in first division. Learn more about DRDO DYSL-AI JRF.
The Solid State Physics Laboratory (SSPL) in Delhi recruits JRFs and RAs in Physics and Electronics. JRFs receive ₹37,000 per month, while RAs receive ₹67,000 per month. JRF eligibility includes a postgraduate degree (MSc) with NET or BE/BTech with NET/GATE. RA roles require a PhD or ME/MTech with research experience. Learn more about DRDO SSPL JRF & RA.
The Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) in Chennai offers 16 JRF positions with a ₹37,000 monthly stipend. Learn more about DRDO CVRDE JRF.
The Instruments Research & Development Establishment (IRDE) offers 8 JRF positions with a ₹37,000 monthly stipend. Engineering and physics graduates with NET or GATE can apply. Learn more about DRDO IRDE JRF.
DRDO Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (SAG) in Delhi offers 11 JRF fellowships with a ₹37,000 monthly stipend plus HRA. Learn more about DRDO SAG JRF.
DRDO Defence Laboratory Jodhpur offers Research Associate and JRF openings with fellowships up to ₹67,000 per month. Learn more about DRDO DLJ JRF & RA.
DRDO Centre for Fire, Explosive and Environment Safety (CFEES) in Delhi offers JRF positions. Learn more about DRDO CFEES JRF.
DRDO also offers shorter-term paid internships at various labs.
The Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL) in Hyderabad offers 20 paid internship seats with a ₹5,000 monthly stipend for UG and PG students. Learn more about DRDO DMRL Internship.
The High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) in Pune offers 40 internship seats with a ₹5,000 monthly stipend for engineering and science students. Learn more about DRDO HEMRL Internship.
The Defence Institute of Bio-Energy Research (DIBT) offers a 6-month paid internship in Mysuru with a ₹5,000 monthly stipend for final-year MSc students in Biotechnology and Microbiology. Learn more about DRDO DIBT Internship.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) offers academic internships at its various centers.
The Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS) in Dehradun offers academic internships for UG, PG, and PhD students. This program has no stipend or accommodation. Eligibility requires a minimum of 60% or a 6.32 CGPA in Science or Technology. Learn more about IIRS ISRO Internship.
Top engineering and research institutes like IITs and IISc offer various research opportunities.
The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru offers an internship for medical and public health students with a ₹35,000 stipend. Learn more about IISc MBBS MPH Internship.
The IISc CBRAIN Internship in Bangalore offers ₹25,000 per month for Master’s students for hands-on research. Learn more about IISc CBRAIN Internship.
IIT ISM Dhanbad offers the SRIS internship for UG and PG students, with selected interns receiving a ₹5,000 monthly stipend. Learn more about IIT ISM Dhanbad SRIS Internship.
IIT Delhi offers a Summer Research Fellowship for top-ranked engineering and M.Tech students. Learn more about IIT Delhi Summer Research Fellowship.
The DIVINE Lab at IIT Delhi's Department of Design offers internships in Video Editing, UX Design, and Visual Design. This program is for students, fresh graduates, and creative professionals. Learn more about IIT Delhi DIVINE Lab Internship.
Many other institutes offer valuable research programs.
The School of Planning and Architecture (SPA) New Delhi offers an internship focused on urban planning with a ₹10,000 stipend. There are 4 seats available. Learn more about SPA New Delhi Internship.
The Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) offers a summer internship for UG and PG students interested in physics, astronomy, and space science research. Supervisor approval is required before applying. Learn more about PRL Summer Internship.
The International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) offers 12 research positions for students and young researchers from Indian universities. Learn more about IIPS Internship.
The Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT) Mumbai invites Chemical Engineering students for a 6-week research program. Learn more about ICT Mumbai Summer Internship.
The Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) STIPAC Summer Training invites MSc Physics and Chemistry students for a six-week research program at Kalpakkam. Learn more about IGCAR STIPAC Summer Training.
South Asian University in New Delhi offers a CSE Summer Research Internship for computer science students in AI, data science, and quantum computing. Learn more about South Asian University CSE Internship.
This program invites UG, PG, and PhD students to join a two-month research program with lectures and guided projects. Learn more about the Indian Summer School on Cellular Automata.
The IIIT Pune Internship allows students to work on research projects in AI, robotics, cybersecurity, and mathematics under faculty mentorship. Learn more about IIIT Pune Internship.
The IIIT Kottayam iINT Internship offers a flexible hybrid research experience for UG and PG students. Learn more about IIIT Kottayam iINT Internship.
The IIIT Vadodara Research Internship allows students from other colleges to work with faculty on short research projects. Learn more about IIIT Vadodara Research Internship.
IISER Bhopal Summer Internship applications are open for science, engineering, and economics students. Learn more about IISER Bhopal Summer Internship.
The application process varies by institution, but common steps include:
| Program | Deadline |
|---|---|
| DRDO DYSL-AI JRF 2026 | 2026-08-14 |
| DRDO SAG JRF 2026 | 2026-08-05 |
| DRDO CFEES JRF 2026 | 2026-08-05 |
| DRDO DGRE JRF 2026 | Walk-in interviews on 2026-09-15 & 2026-09-16 |
| DRDO SSPL JRF 2026 | Walk-in interviews between 2026-09-01 and 2026-09-09 |
| IIRS ISRO Internship | Next cycle expected around October (for March 31 deadline) |
| IIT Delhi DIVINE Lab Internship | Not stated (check official website) |
| IIIT Pune Internship | Not stated (check official website) |
| IIIT Vadodara Research Internship | Not stated (check official website) |
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.
