DRDO DIHAR Recruitment 2026: 17 JRF, RA Posts

DRDO DIHAR Recruitment 2026: Walk-in for Junior Research Fellow & Research Associate

The Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR), a part of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has announced recruitment for Junior Research Fellow (JRF) and Research Associate (RA) positions. This recruitment is being conducted through a walk-in interview process.

Job Highlights

DIHAR is looking for candidates to work on defence-related research projects. The positions are based in Leh-Ladakh.

Important Dates

Candidates interested in attending the walk-in interview should report by 08:45 hours on 14 October 2026 (Wednesday).

Vacancy Details

A total of 17 vacancies are available for the following posts:

• Junior Research Fellow (JRF): 15 Posts
• Research Associate (RA): 02 Posts

The vacancies for JRF are distributed across specific engineering disciplines:

• Computer Science/ Information Technology Engineering: 03 Posts
• Mechanical Engineering/ Mechanical Engineering & Production: 04 Posts
• Electronics & Communication Engineering/ Electronic & Instrumentation Engineering/ Electrical Engineering/ Electrical & Electronics Engineering/ Electronics & Control Engineering/ Electrical & Electronics Communication Engineering: 08 Posts

The vacancies for RA are also in specific engineering disciplines:

• Computer Science/ Information Technology Engineering: 01 Post
• Electronics & Communication Engineering/ Electronics & Instrumentation Engineering/ Electrical Engineering/ Electrical & Electronics Engineering/ Electronics & Control Engineering/ Electrical & Electronics Communication Engineering: 01 Post

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must meet the specified educational qualifications and age limits to be considered for these positions.

• For JRF: B.E/B.Tech in first division with a valid GATE score. Alternatively, M.Tech in first division at both Graduate and Post-graduate levels.
• For RA: M.Tech degree with 03 years of research, teaching, design, or development experience after M.Tech. Candidates must have at least one research paper published in a SCI journal.

The upper age limit is as on the date of the walk-in interview:

• JRF: 28 years
• RA: 35 years

The age limit is relaxable for SC, ST & OBC candidates as per Government of India orders.

Stipend / Pay Scale

The monthly stipend and tenure for the fellowship are as follows:

• JRF: Rs. 37,000/- + HRA per month for an initial period of two years. This can be extended or upgraded based on performance as per DRDO guidelines, up to a maximum of 5 years.
• RA: Rs. 67,000/- + HRA per month for a maximum period of two years.

Selection Process

Selection will be based on a walk-in interview. Candidates will undergo an initial screening and verification of their testimonials on the day of the interview. Only screened-in candidates will proceed to the interview.

How to Apply

Interested and eligible candidates need to attend a walk-in interview. They must report at the specified time with all required documents.

Reporting Time: 08:45 hours on 14 October 2026 (Wednesday)

Venue: Defence Institute of High-Altitude Research (DIHAR), Leh (Union Territory of Ladakh).

Documents Required

Candidates attending the walk-in interview must bring the following:

• Original certificates for Date of Birth (DoB) and Essential Qualification, along with a self-attested copy of each.
• Neatly typed Bio-data.
• Copy of Aadhar Card.
• Documents supporting preferential experience (if applicable for RA post).
• A copy of all the above documents.

Important Instructions

• Fellowship/Associateship will be governed by DRDO, MOD, Gol policies and rules.
• The offer of Fellowship/Associateship does not grant any right for absorption in DRDO.
• No Travel Allowance (TA) or Dearness Allowance (DA) will be paid for attending the interview or for joining if selected.
• Candidates working in Government/Public Sector Undertakings/Autonomous Bodies must bring a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer. If selected, a relieving order from the employer will be required before joining.
• These posts are for R&D project studies. Only candidates who are medically fit and willing to work in high-altitude environmental conditions should apply.
• Grant of fellowship/associateship is at the discretion of DIHAR. The Institute reserves the right to refuse any candidate without assigning a reason.
• The number of seats may increase or decrease without prior notice.

FAQs

Q1: What is the last date to apply for the DRDO DIHAR recruitment?
A1: Candidates need to attend the walk-in interview on 14 October 2026. There is no separate application form to be submitted before the interview date.

Q2: What is the age limit for JRF and RA posts?
A2: The upper age limit is 28 years for JRF and 35 years for RA as of the interview date. Age relaxation is applicable for SC, ST, and OBC candidates.

Q3: What is the stipend for JRF and RA?
A3: JRFs will receive Rs. 37,000/- + HRA per month, and RAs will receive Rs. 67,000/- + HRA per month.

Q4: Do I need to pay any application fee?
A4: The official notification does not mention any application fee for this recruitment.

Q5: Will TA/DA be provided for attending the interview?
A5: No, TA/DA will not be paid for attending the interview or for joining if selected.

Official Notification & Links

Official Website → Click Here

Notification PDF → Click Here