Maharashtra, The Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (VRDE), a prominent laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) located in Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra, has announced an extensive recruitment drive for Junior Research Fellows (JRF). This initiative seeks to engage young, meritorious Indian nationals who are passionate about advancing defense-related research, specifically in the domains of light tracked and wheeled platforms, autonomous systems, and advanced automotive technologies. The establishment is currently offering a total of ten fellowship positions, with eight vacancies dedicated to Mechanical Engineering and two allocated for Electrical Engineering.
The eligibility criteria for these positions require candidates to hold a B.E. or B. Tech degree in the first division with a valid GATE score from the years 2023, 2024, or 2025. Alternatively, candidates possessing an M.E. or M.Tech degree in the relevant discipline with a first division at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels are also qualified to apply. The acceptable disciplines extend beyond core engineering to include equivalent fields such as Automation, Production Engineering, Power Electronics, and Systems Engineering. Applicants must be under the upper age limit of 28 years as of the interview date, though standard government relaxations apply, offering five years for SC/ST candidates and three years for OBC (Non-creamy layer) candidates.
Selected fellows will be entitled to a monthly stipend of Rs. 37,000 plus a House Rent Allowance as per admissible rules. The initial tenure for the fellowship is set for two years, which may be extended for an additional two years based on a performance assessment by a review committee. The selection process itself is rigorous, involving a walk-in interview preceded by a mandatory written test. For Mechanical Engineering, document verification and the written test will occur on February 24, 2026, with interviews spanning February 24 and 25. Electrical Engineering candidates will undergo the same process starting February 26, 2026, with interviews concluding on February 27.
Candidates interested in participating must proactively send an email expressing their willingness to attend to kapilpuraswani.vrde@gov.in no later than February 22, 2026. On the scheduled dates, reporting is strictly required between 09:00 hrs and 10:30 hrs at the VRDE facility in Ahilyanagar. Applicants need to bring their completed application forms, which are available for download on the official DRDO website, along with self-attested copies of all relevant educational certificates and valid GATE scorecards.
At EduAdvice, we are committed to bringing you the most prestigious career opportunities in the field of research and defense. This recruitment at VRDE-DRDO represents a significant chance for engineering graduates to work on cutting-edge national projects that shape the future of India's defense capabilities. We encourage all eligible candidates to prepare thoroughly for the written tests and interviews, ensuring all documentation is in order well before the deadlines. Your dedication to innovation can lead to a fulfilling career serving the nation; stay driven and pursue your goals with confidence.
Click Here for More Jobs