The Research & Development Establishment (Engineers) [R&DE(E)], a premier laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) based in Pune, has officially released its notification for the 2026 Paid Internship Programme. This highly competitive initiative aims to select 40 meritorious engineering students to engage in state-of-the-art defense research and development operations.
The application portal is now active, allowing undergraduate and postgraduate engineering students to submit their nominations through the centralized DRDO platform.
Critical Application Timeline
Candidates must submit all necessary documents and secure institutional endorsements within a strict, short registration window:
- Online Application Commencement Date: May 18, 2026
- Closing Date for Submitting Applications: May 27, 2026
- Primary Notification Portal: drdo.gov.in
Eligibility and Academic Benchmarks
To maintain high research standards, DRDO has enforced rigid academic criteria for this training cohort:
1. Educational Requirements
- Undergraduate (UG) Candidates: Must be currently pursuing a full-time regular B.E. / B.Tech or equivalent engineering degree and be entering their 7th or 8th semester.
- Postgraduate (PG) Candidates: Must be enrolled in a full-time regular M.E. / M.Tech program and be entering their 2nd year of study.
- Note: The engineering branch must align with the active core competencies and functional research projects currently hosted at the R&DE(E) lab.
2. Mandatory Performance Cutoff
- Applicants must possess an outstanding academic tracking history, maintaining an overall score of $\ge$ 75% marks or a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of $\ge$ 7.5 on a 10-point scale.
- The academic record must qualify as “First Class with Distinction.”
- Candidates must have no active or unresolved backlogs.
Training Duration and Stipend Structure
The internships are structured as comprehensive, immersive project placements. The stipend payout is distributed based on academic level and progress checkpoints:
- Undergraduate Duration: Minimum of 6 Months
- Postgraduate Duration: Minimum of 11 Months
- Monthly Stipend Rate: ₹5,000 per month
- Payout Mechanism: The comprehensive training stipend will be released in successive installments based on continuous evaluation. For example, for a standard 6-month undergraduate block, the total ₹30,000 stipend is split into two equal installments of ₹15,000 (the first issued upon completing 3 months of training, and the second upon successful project completion).
Selection Process and Guidelines
Securing an internship position at R&DE(E) follows a multi-tier screening process:
- Institutional Endorsement: Applications cannot be submitted entirely independently. The Principal or Director of the candidate’s university or college must issue an official request/sponsorship letter. Institutional heads are advised to recommend only their most highly deserving, top-merit students.
- Merit Screening: Initial screening is based entirely on the candidate’s engineering semester aggregates, research background, and any notable professional achievements or awards.
- Technical Evaluation: Shortlisted applicants may undergo subsequent interactions, handled either via Video Conferencing (VC) or telephone interviews, conducted by a panel of defense scientists.
- Final Formalities: Selected interns will be notified of their onboarding procedures. Before entering secure defense premises, candidates and their sponsoring institutions must execute formal undertaking documents and an official indemnity bond.
Online Application Procedure
Prospective candidates can complete their initial registration by executing the following steps:
- Visit the central digital gateway of the organization at drdo.gov.in.
- Navigate to the “Careers” or “What’s New” section on the main page to locate the specific notification banner: “R&DE(E) Paid Internship Program 2026 – Advt No. 01/2026”.
- Download the official instruction booklet and the prescribed application proforma.
- Fill out the application form carefully, ensuring details match your official university transcripts.
- Secure a signed No Objection Certificate (NOC) / Institutional Request Letter from your college Principal or Director.
- Upload high-resolution scans of your academic transcripts, institutional letter, and a concise updated resume (highlighting any major projects or professional memberships).
- Submit the application digital file before the strict May 27, 2026 deadline. Only shortlisted candidates will receive further updates regarding joining timelines.
