Last updated: September 17, 2026 at 10:57 PM
The Directorate of Human Resource and Vigilance (DHR&V), DRDO Headquarters, Ministry of Defence has issued advertisement no. DRDO/DHR&V/C&F-2026-01 inviting applications for 15 positions under the DRDO Chair, DRDO Distinguished Fellowship and DRDO Fellowship schemes. These are contractual research positions open only to senior scientists who have already retired, or are due to retire by 30 November 2026, from the Central Government or an autonomous body of the Central Government at Pay Level-14, 15 or 16. Applications are accepted offline only, by post to DRDO Bhawan, New Delhi.
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Recruitment Overview
| Post Name | DRDO Chair, DRDO Distinguished Fellowship, DRDO Fellowship |
| Organization | Directorate of Human Resource and Vigilance (DHR&V), DRDO Headquarters, Ministry of Defence, Government of India |
| Notification / Advertisement No. | DRDO/DHR&V/C&F-2026-01 |
| Location | All India / Central Govt — liability to serve anywhere in India, particularly cities where DRDO laboratories and establishments are located |
| Total Vacancies | 15 Posts (DRDO Chair 2, DRDO Distinguished Fellowship 7, DRDO Fellowship 6 — 8 for DRDO retirees, 7 for non-DRDO retirees) |
| Qualification | B.Tech / B.E. / M.Sc. / PhD, with retirement from Pay Level-14, 15 or 16 as applicable to the scheme |
| Age Limit | Up to a maximum of 05 years after superannuation |
| Selection Process | Screening Committee → Selection Committee → Approval of Competent Authority |
| Pay Scale | Fixed monthly honorarium of Rs. 80,000 to Rs. 1,25,000 depending on the scheme |
| How to Apply | Offline only — typed A-4 application posted to DRDO Bhawan, New Delhi (advance copy may be emailed) |
| Official Notification | Download Notification PDF |
| Official Website | drdo.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Notification Published | 15.09.2026 |
| Application Start Date | 15.09.2026 |
| Last Date to Submit Application | 16.10.2026 |
| Retirement Cut-off for Applicants | Must have retired, or be due to retire, by 30.11.2026 |
Note on the last date: The notification itself states the closing date as “21 days from the date of publication of the advertisement in newspapers” without printing a calendar date. The DRDO vacancy portal lists the end date for this advertisement as 16.10.2026, which is the date shown above.
Application Fee
| All Categories | No application fee is mentioned in the notification |
Vacancy Details
| Position | DRDO | Non-DRDO | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| DRDO Chair | 02 | 00 | 2 |
| DRDO Distinguished Fellowship | 03 | 04 | 7 |
| DRDO Fellowship | 03 | 03 | 6 |
| Total | 08 | 07 | 15 |
“Non-DRDO” covers the Tri Services, scientific and academic institutions of the Central Government, and autonomous bodies under the Central Government. The notification states that the number of positions available may vary.
Areas of R&D activity covered: Aeronautics, Armaments, Combat Vehicles, Communication Engineering, Computer Science / IT, Electronics, Life Science, Instrumentation, Material Science, Missiles and Naval Systems.
Eligibility Criteria
| Educational Qualification | B.Tech / B.E. / M.Sc. / PhD |
| Service Requirement | Must have retired, or be due to retire by 30.11.2026, from the Central Government or an autonomous body of the Central Government |
| Age Limit | Appointment allowed up to a maximum of 05 years after superannuation, for all three schemes |
| Who Can Apply | Serving and retired DRDO scientists, and non-DRDO candidates from the Tri Services, Central Government scientific and academic institutions, and autonomous bodies under the Central Government |
| Liability to Serve | Anywhere in India, particularly cities where DRDO laboratories and establishments related to the applicant’s R&D work areas are located; attendance required on all working days |
| Endorsement Required | Duly filled applications must be endorsed by the concerned Laboratory / Establishment Director and the Cluster DG where the applicant wishes to serve |
Scheme-wise Minimum Eligibility
| Scheme | Must Have Retired From | Pay Level | Armed Forces Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| DRDO Chair | Distinguished Scientist (DS) or equivalent in DRDO or other scientific / academic institutions | Pay Level-16 | Retired Lt. General or equivalent in Pay Level-16 |
| DRDO Distinguished Fellowship | Outstanding Scientist (OS) or equivalent in DRDO or other scientific / academic institutions | Pay Level-15 | Retired Lt. General or equivalent in Pay Level-15 |
| DRDO Fellowship | Scientist ‘G’ or equivalent in DRDO or other scientific / academic institutions | Pay Level-14 | Retired Major General or equivalent in Pay Level-14 |
Candidates who have not yet retired are eligible if they are due to retire within three months from the date the advertisement appeared on the DRDO intranet, the DRDO internet website and in national newspapers.
Selection Process
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Stage 1 — Screening | All applications received are examined in the first instance by a Screening Committee, which checks eligibility with respect to discipline, experience and pay level, and draws up a shortlist of recommended names. |
| Stage 2 — Selection Committee | The names shortlisted by the Screening Committee are placed before a Selection Committee, which considers them and recommends the final list of candidates. |
| Stage 3 — Approval | The final list recommended by the Selection Committee is submitted to the Competent Authority for approval before any appointment is made. |
The notification does not mention any written examination, interview round or skill test for these positions; selection is based on the committee process described above.
Salary and Benefits
| DRDO Chair — Honorarium | Rs. 1,25,000 per month (fixed) |
| DRDO Distinguished Fellowship — Honorarium | Rs. 1,00,000 per month (fixed) |
| DRDO Fellowship — Honorarium | Rs. 80,000 per month (fixed) |
| How the Amount is Fixed | The fixed monthly honorarium is restricted to the amount arrived at by deducting the basic pension from the last basic pay drawn at the time of retirement |
| Annual Increment | No annual increment or percentage increase during the contract period |
| Allowances Not Payable | Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, Government accommodation, medical reimbursement and telephone / broadband reimbursement are not admissible |
| Transport Allowance | Payable as admissible under the rules — the only allowance available under this contract |
| Paid Leave | 1.5 days of paid leave for each completed month of service |
| Tenure | Contractual for an initial period of 01 year from the date of charge assumption, extendable up to 03 years, renewed annually on the basis of performance and deliverables |
How to Apply
- Download the official advertisement and the prescribed application form from the DRDO vacancy page (both links are given in the Important Links section below).
- Fill in the application neatly and have it typed on A-4 size paper, following the prescribed format and completing all applicable annexures.
- Attach a copy of your PPO and identity card issued at the time of retirement, copies of your Aadhaar card and PAN card, and one recent passport-size colour photograph.
- Get the completed application endorsed by the Director of the DRDO laboratory or establishment and the Cluster DG where you wish to render your services.
- Post the application in an envelope captioned “Application for DRDO Chair/DRDO Fellow” to: The Director, Directorate of Human Resource and Vigilance (DHR&V), DRDO, Ministry of Defence, Room No. 229 (DRDS-III), DRDO Bhawan, Rajaji Marg, New Delhi-110011. An advance copy may also be emailed to director-dhrv@gov.in.
Note: There is no online application portal for this advertisement. The hard copy of the application must reach the DRDO Bhawan address above; the emailed advance copy is in addition to the posted application, not a replacement for it.
Documents Required
| Document | Format / Notes |
|---|---|
| PPO and Identity Card | Copy of the Pension Payment Order and identity card issued at the time of superannuation or retirement |
| Aadhaar Card | Photocopy to be attached with the application |
| PAN Card | Photocopy to be attached with the application |
| Passport Size Photograph | One recent coloured photograph |
| Annexures | As mentioned in the application format, wherever applicable |
| Endorsement | Signature of the concerned Lab / Establishment Director and the Cluster DG on the completed application |
Important Links
| Download Official Notification (PDF) | Click Here |
| Download Application Form (PDF) | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
| Join Telegram Channel | Join Telegram Channel |
| Join WhatsApp Channel | Join WhatsApp Channel |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Sending the application without the endorsement of the concerned Lab / Establishment Director and the Cluster DG, which the notification requires on every duly filled application.
- Treating the emailed advance copy as the actual application — the typed hard copy must still reach DRDO Bhawan, New Delhi.
- Forgetting to write “Application for DRDO Chair/DRDO Fellow” on the envelope, which is how DRDO sorts applications for this advertisement.
- Applying for a scheme above your retirement pay level — the Chair needs Pay Level-16, the Distinguished Fellowship Pay Level-15 and the Fellowship Pay Level-14.
- Expecting DA, HRA, government accommodation or medical reimbursement, none of which are payable under this contract; only Transport Allowance is admissible.
- Changing your mobile number, email address or residential address after applying, which the notification specifically advises against as these details are used for all further communication.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the last date to apply for DRDO Chair and Fellowship Recruitment 2026?
The DRDO vacancy portal lists 16.10.2026 as the end date for advertisement DRDO/DHR&V/C&F-2026-01, while the notification itself states the closing date as 21 days from the date of publication in newspapers.
2. How many positions are available under this advertisement?
Fifteen in total — 2 DRDO Chairs, 7 DRDO Distinguished Fellowships and 6 DRDO Fellowships, of which 8 are earmarked for DRDO retirees and 7 for non-DRDO retirees.
3. Who is eligible to apply?
Scientists who have already retired, or are due to retire by 30 November 2026, from the Central Government or an autonomous body of the Central Government at Pay Level-14, 15 or 16.
4. What is the monthly honorarium for these positions?
Rs. 1,25,000 for a DRDO Chair, Rs. 1,00,000 for a DRDO Distinguished Fellowship and Rs. 80,000 for a DRDO Fellowship, each a fixed monthly amount with no annual increment.
5. Is there an upper age limit?
Yes — appointment under all three schemes is allowed up to a maximum of five years after superannuation.
6. Can retired Armed Forces officers apply?
Yes — retired Lt. Generals or equivalent in Pay Level-16 or 15 can be considered for the Chair and the Distinguished Fellowship, and retired Major Generals or equivalent in Pay Level-14 for the Fellowship.
7. Is the application online or offline?
Offline only — a neatly typed A-4 application must be posted to the Director, DHR&V at DRDO Bhawan, New Delhi, though an advance copy may additionally be emailed to director-dhrv@gov.in.
8. How long does the appointment last?
The contract runs for one year initially from the date of charge assumption and can be extended up to three years, renewed each year on the basis of performance and deliverables.
Disclaimer: The information above has been compiled from the official notification for the convenience of job seekers. Candidates are advised to verify all details from the official website before applying.
