In the latest job notification, DHR&V announces job vacancies for DRDO Chair, DRDO Distinguished Fellowship and DRDO Fellowship posts on a contract basis, with reference to Advt. No. DRDO/DHR&V/C&F-2026-01.
In accordance with the DRDO DHR&V Fellowship Job Notification 2026, DHR&V has announced 15 positions for eligible and willing officers who have retired or are due to retire by 30.11.2026 from Central Government or Autonomous Bodies of the Central Government. The positions are intended for senior scientists or equivalent officers with the prescribed 7th CPC pay level and background.
The available positions include 2 DRDO Chairs, 7 DRDO Distinguished Fellowships and 6 DRDO Fellowships. Candidates with qualifications such as B.E./B. Tech, M.Sc. or Ph.D. may meet the academic qualification requirement, but the recruitment is primarily based on the candidate’s retired/superannuating position, equivalent status, and pay level. Therefore, this is not a regular recruitment for fresh B.E./B. Tech or M.Sc. candidates.
The selection will be carried out through screening of applications followed by consideration by a Selection Committee, with the final list requiring approval of the Competent Authority. Selected candidates will be engaged on a contractual basis for an initial period of one year, renewable annually up to a maximum of 3 years based on performance and deliverables. The monthly honorarium is ₹80,000 to ₹1,25,000, depending on the position and subject to the conditions mentioned in the notification.
Interested and eligible candidates must submit the prescribed application via offline mode. The official DRDO vacancy page shows that the application window will remain open from 15.09.2026 to 16.10.2026. In this article, you can check the vacancy details, eligibility criteria, age limit, salary, selection process, and application procedure below.
DRDO DHR&V Fellowship Recruitment 2026
Directorate of Human Resource & Vigilance (DHR&V), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of Defence, Government of India.
- Name of Post: DRDO Fellowship Recruitment 2026
- Number of Vacancies: 15
- Last Date to Apply: 16 October 2026
- Vacancy Details:
| Name of the Post | DRDO | Non-DRDO | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| DRDO Chair | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| DRDO Distinguished Fellowship | 3 | 4 | 7 |
| DRDO Fellowship | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| Total | 8 | 7 | 15 |
NOTE: The Non-DRDO category includes the Tri-Services, scientific and academic institutions of the Central Government and autonomous bodies under the Central Government.
Educational Qualification
The eligibility for these positions is not based only on having a particular degree. Candidates must also satisfy the prescribed retired designation/equivalent status and 7th CPC pay level.
1) DRDO Chair
Scientists who have retired or are due to retire from the post of Distinguished Scientist (DS) or equivalent from DRDO or other scientific/academic institutions at Pay Level-16 can apply.
Retired Lieutenant General or equivalent officers in Pay Level-16 may also be considered.
2) DRDO Distinguished Fellowship
Scientists who have retired or are due to retire from the post of Outstanding Scientist (OS) or equivalent from DRDO or other scientific/academic institutions at Pay Level-15 can apply.
Retired Lieutenant General or equivalent officers in Pay Level-15 may also be considered.
3) DRDO Fellowship
Scientists who have retired or are due to retire from the post of Scientist ‘G’ or equivalent from DRDO or other scientific/academic institutions at Pay Level-14 can apply.
Retired Major General or equivalent officers in Pay Level-14 may also be considered.
The application notification mentions the relevant academic background as B.E./B.Tech, M.Sc. and Ph.D., depending on the position and area of work. The areas of R&D include Aeronautics, Armaments, Combat Vehicles, Communication Engineering, Computer Science/IT, Electronics, Life Science, Instrumentation, Material Science, Missiles and Naval Systems.
Important: A candidate having only B.E./B.Tech or M.Sc. qualification but not meeting the prescribed senior-level service/pay-level eligibility should not assume that they are eligible for these positions.
Age Limit
The maximum age limit for DRDO Chair, DRDO Distinguished Fellowship and DRDO Fellowship is up to five years after superannuation.
The application form specifically asks candidates to provide their age as on 30 November 2026.
Salary/ Honorarium
The monthly honorarium is as follows:
| Post | Monthly Honorarium |
|---|---|
| DRDO Chair | ₹1,25,000 |
| DRDO Distinguished Fellowship | ₹1,00,000 |
| DRDO Fellowship | ₹80,000 |
The fixed monthly honorarium is subject to the condition that it cannot exceed the amount arrived at after deducting the basic pension from the last basic pay drawn at the time of retirement.
There will be no annual increment or percentage increase during the contract period.
Candidates will not be entitled to DA, HRA, Government accommodation, medical reimbursement or telephone/broadband reimbursement. Transport Allowance may be admissible as per rules.
Selection Process
The selection process will be based on scrutiny and evaluation of applications that includes:
- Receipt of applications
- Screening by the Screening Committee
- Shortlisting of eligible candidates
- Consideration by the Selection Committee
- Recommendation of the final list
- Approval by the Competent Authority
The official notification does not specify a separate written examination or a fixed interview stage. Candidates should therefore follow the official notification for any further communication from the Selection Committee.
Tenure
The appointment will initially be for one year on a contractual basis. Thus, the engagement can be renewed annually up to a maximum period of three years from the date of assumption of charge, subject to performance and deliverables.
R&D Areas
The positions cover several defence research and development areas, including:
- Aeronautics
- Armaments
- Combat Vehicles
- Communication Engineering
- Computer Science/IT
- Electronics
- Life Science
- Instrumentation
- Material Science
- Missiles
- Naval Systems
Candidates should indicate their area/field of specialisation and proposed area of work in the application form.
Application Fee: The official notification does not mention any application fee for this recruitment. Candidates should carefully check the official notification and application form before submitting their application.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Official Notification Published | 15 Sept 2026 |
| Application Start Date | 15 Sept 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 16 Oct 2026 |
| Mode of Application | Offline |
The official DRDO vacancy page currently lists 16 October 2026 as the end date for this advertisement.
Steps to Apply
Interested and eligible candidates have to apply in the prescribed format.
- First, download the official DRDO DHR&V Fellowship notification from the official website along with the prescribed application form.
- Before applying, read the eligibility conditions carefully.
- Select the applicable position.
- Fill out the application form neatly on A4-size paper.
- Mention your area/field of specialisation and proposed area of work.
- Attach the required educational and service-related documents.
- A copy of the PPO and identity card.
- Attach copies of Aadhaar Card and PAN Card.
- A recent passport-size colour photograph.
- Obtain the required endorsement from the concerned Lab/Establishment Director and Cluster DG where you wish to render your services.
- Send the completed application to the prescribed address.
- Candidates may also send an advance copy through email to director-dhrv@gov.in.
Application Address
The Director
Director of Human Resource & Vigilance (DHR&V)
DRDO, Ministry of Defence
Room No. 229 (DRDS-III)
DRDO Bhawan, Rajaji Marg
New Delhi-110011
The envelope should be captioned:
“Application for DRDO Chair/DRDO Fellow”
Documents Required
Candidates are required to attach the following documents with the application:
- A copy of PPO
- Copy of Identity Card issued at retirement/superannuation
- Copy of Aadhaar Card & PAN Card
- Recent passport-size colour photograph
- Educational qualification certificates
- Training/course certificates, wherever applicable
- Service record as prescribed in Annexure-I
- Details of current employment, if applicable, in Annexure-II
- Details of publications, monographs, research papers and patents
- Other relevant documents mentioned in the application form
Application Form Details
The prescribed application form asks candidates to provide details including:
- Position applied for
- Area/Field of Specialisation
- Proposed area of work
- Full name
- Designation at the time of superannuation
- Last organization/institution
- Date of birth
- Age as on 30.11.2026
- Pay Level at superannuation
- Last basic pay drawn
- PPO number and date
- PAN
- Official and residential address
- Mobile number and email ID
- Educational qualifications and training
- Brief past work experience
- Complete service record
- Current employment details
- Publications, research papers, books and patents
- Other relevant information
A separate application is required if a candidate wishes to apply for more than one category.
Important Instructions
- This is a contractual engagement and not a regular permanent appointment.
- The initial contract period is one year.
- The contract may be renewed annually up to a maximum of three years.
- Candidates must satisfy the prescribed retired/superannuating designation and pay-level conditions.
- The positions are intended for eligible officers who have retired or are due to retire by 30 November 2026.
- Candidates should not apply based only on their academic qualification.
- The number of positions may vary according to requirements.
- Applications must be properly filled and endorsed by the concerned Lab/Establishment Director and Cluster DG where the applicant wishes to render services.
- A separate application is required for each category.
- Candidates may send an advance copy of the application by email.
- The selected candidates may be required to serve anywhere in India, particularly at locations where relevant DRDO laboratories/establishments are located.
- DRDO Chair, Distinguished Fellows and Fellows are required to attend office on all working days of the laboratory/establishment to which they are attached.
- Any misrepresentation, falsification or concealment of facts can result in cancellation of candidature.
Official Portal & Links
| Particular | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Notice | Download DRDO DHR&V Fellowship Notification 2026 |
| Application Form | Download Here |
| DRDO Vacancy Page | Visit Official DRDO Vacancies |
| DRDO Official Website | https://drdo.gov.in/ |
The official DRDO vacancy page lists both the advertisement and application form under DRDO/DHR&V/C&F-2026-01.
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General Queries
What is the DRDO DHR&V Fellowship notification about?
The notification announces DRDO Chair, DRDO Distinguished Fellowship and DRDO Fellowship positions under the Directorate of Human Resource & Vigilance (DHR&V), DRDO, Ministry of Defence.
How many vacancies are available in DRDO DHR&V Fellowship Recruitment 2026?
There are 15 positions in total, including 2 DRDO Chairs, 7 DRDO Distinguished Fellowships and 6 DRDO Fellowships.
Who is eligible to apply for the DRDO Fellowship posts?
Eligible and willing officers who have retired or are due to retire by 30 November 2026 from Central Government or Central Government autonomous bodies can apply, subject to the prescribed designation/equivalent status and pay-level requirements.
Can fresh B.E./B.Tech or M.Sc. candidates apply?
No. Having B.E./B.Tech or M.Sc. alone does not make a candidate eligible. The notification primarily requires the prescribed senior-level service/designation and 7th CPC pay level along with the relevant technical or scientific background.
What is the salary for DRDO Fellowship posts?
The monthly honorarium is ₹1,25,000 for DRDO Chair, ₹1,00,000 for DRDO Distinguished Fellowship and ₹80,000 for DRDO Fellowship, subject to the pension-related ceiling mentioned in the notification.
What is the selection process?
Applications are first examined by a Screening Committee. Shortlisted names are then considered by the Selection Committee, which recommends the final list for approval by the Competent Authority.
What is the last date to apply?
The official DRDO vacancy page lists 16 October 2026 as the last date for this recruitment.
How can I apply for DRDO DHR&V Fellowship posts?
Candidates have to fill out the prescribed application form and send it in offline mode to the Director, DHR&V, DRDO Bhawan, Rajaji Marg, New Delhi-110011.
Can I apply for more than one category?
Yes. However, a separate application must be submitted for each category.
What is the tenure of the fellowship?
The initial tenure is one year and may be renewed annually up to a maximum of three years, depending on performance and deliverables.
Where will selected candidates be posted?
Candidates may be required to serve anywhere in India, particularly at locations where DRDO laboratories or establishments related to their R&D work are located.
For more information about DRDO vacancies, visit the DRDO Recruitment page.
