NPOL Junior Research Fellow Recruitment 2026

Candidates up to 28 years of age as on the date of the walk-in interview, with the prescribed B.E./B.Tech, M.E./M.Tech or postgraduate qualification along with valid GATE/NET qualification, as applicable to the discipline, are eligible to appear for these JRF vacancies. The selection process is through a walk-in interview, and there is no online application process. The walk-in interview is scheduled for 10 October 2026 at 09:30 hrs at Bhavan's Varuna Vidyalaya, in the campus of Naval Physical & Oceanographic Laboratory, Thrikkakara P.O., Kochi – 682021.

Candidates can download the official notification PDF and attend the walk-in interview through the details provided below in this article.

Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), DRDO, Ministry of Defence, has released Advertisement No. NPOL/JRF/01/2026 for recruitment to Junior Research Fellow (JRF) posts in various disciplines. The recruitment covers Computer Science & Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Rubber Technology, Polymer Technology, Nanotechnology, Materials Science, Opto Electronics, Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Electronics & Communication Engineering, Instrumentation Engineering, Physics, Oceanography, Ocean Technology and Meteorology. The notification mentions 04 fixed vacancies for Mechanical Engineering, while vacancies in other disciplines are anticipated. Candidates are advised to read the complete notification carefully for discipline-wise eligibility and requirements. The walk-in interview will be conducted on 10 October 2026 at 09:30 hrs at Bhavan's Varuna Vidyalaya, Kochi.

• Official Website ↗

The table below lists the discipline-wise vacancies and essential educational qualification as given in the official notification. Where the notification states "Anticipated," the exact number of vacancies has not been fixed.

(*) denotes B.Sc/B.Tech at the graduate level, as noted in the official advertisement.

Eligibility is discipline-specific and detailed in the vacancy table above. In general terms:

The upper age limit is 28 years as on the date of the walk-in interview. This is relaxable for candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and OBC categories as per Government of India norms.

The Fellowship shall initially be awarded for a period of two years (extendable as per rules), with a monthly emolument of Rs. 37,000/- plus House Rent Allowance (HRA) as admissible under the rules.

Selection is made through a walk-in interview conducted on the notified date and time. Candidates must produce all original certificates/testimonials/community certificate/valid GATE/NET score card, along with a set of self-attested copies and an ID proof, at the time of the interview. A panel will be drawn from the interview for the vacancies available and future vacancies, and this panel will operate for a period of one year. Empanelment does not, by itself, entitle a candidate to an offer of Fellowship; this is contingent on the occurrence of vacancies during the year. The Director, NPOL, reserves the right not to select any candidate if suitable candidates are not available.

There is no online application for this recruitment. Interested and eligible candidates may directly appear for the walk-in interview as per the process below:

1. Report on 10.10.2026 (Saturday) at 0930 hrs at Bhavan's Varuna Vidyalaya, in the campus of Naval Physical & Oceanographic Laboratory, Thrikkakara P.O., Kochi – 682021.
2. Carry all original certificates and testimonials, community certificate (if applicable), and valid GATE/NET score card.
3. Bring a set of self-attested copies of all testimonials/certificates.
4. Carry an original ID proof (Voter's ID/Aadhaar card/PAN card/Driving License).
5. Bring one recent colour passport-size photograph.
6. Optionally, prospective candidates may e-mail a one-page bio-data to [email protected] ↗ in advance, to help with necessary administrative arrangements.

• Official website for updates and the Hindi version of the advertisement: www.drdo.gov.in
• Any additional information or amendments relating to the selection process will be updated only on the official DRDO website, so candidates are advised to check it regularly until the selection process concludes.
• In case of any ambiguity or dispute in interpreting a clause in the Hindi version of the advertisement, the instructions in the English version shall prevail.
• An offer of Fellowship does not confer on Fellows any right for absorption in DRDO.