DRDO DIHAR Recruitment 2026 is a great opportunity for engineering graduates and researchers who want to serve the nation through technology. The Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR), a premier lab of DRDO, is looking for passionate candidates to fill 25 vacancies for Junior Research Fellow (JRF) and Research Associate (RA) positions. If you hold a B.Tech or M.Tech degree and are willing to work in challenging high-altitude environments like Leh-Ladakh, this is your chance. The selection will be done through a direct walk-in interview scheduled for February 24, 2026, in Chandigarh. It is a straightforward process where you just need to report with your documents—no complex online forms or exams! 👉 convert images into pdf
DRDO DIHAR Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Criteria | Details |
| Organization Name | Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR) – DRDO |
| Recruitment Type | Walk-In Interview |
| Post Name | Junior Research Fellow (JRF) & Research Associate (RA) |
| Total Vacancy | 25 Posts |
| Job Location | Leh-Ladakh Region (Interview in Chandigarh) |
| Category | Defence Jobs / Research Jobs |
| Official Website | drdo.gov.in |
DRDO DIHAR Recruitment 2026
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
| Notification Release Date | February 2026 |
| Walk-In Interview Date | 24 February 2026 (Tuesday) |
| Reporting Time | 08:45 AM |
| Application Mode | Direct Walk-In (Offline) |
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
| General / OBC / EWS | Nil (No Fee) |
| SC / ST / PH | Nil (No Fee) |
| Payment Mode | Not Applicable |
Age Limit Details
| Criteria | Age Limit (as on 24 Feb 2026) |
| JRF Maximum Age | 28 Years |
| RA Maximum Age | 35 Years |
| Age Relaxation | Relaxable for SC, ST & OBC candidates as per Govt. of India orders. |
DRDO DIHAR Recruitment 2026
Vacancy Details
| Post Name | Total Vacancies |
| Junior Research Fellow (JRF) | 22 Posts |
| Research Associate (RA) | 03 Posts |
| Total Posts | 25 Posts |
DRDO DIHAR Recruitment 2026
Eligibility Details
| Post Name | Educational Qualification |
| Junior Research Fellow (JRF) | Option A: B.Tech in First Division with a valid GATE score. Option B: M.Tech in First Division at both Graduate and Post-graduate levels. Relevant Streams: – Civil Engineering – CS / IT – ECE / Electronics & Instrumentation – Mechanical / Production – Material Science / Physics |
| Research Associate (RA) | Essential: M.Tech/PhD in relevant field. Experience: 03 years of research, teaching, or design & development experience after M.Tech. Publication: At least one research paper in an SCI journal. Relevant Streams: – Mechanical / Production – Electronics & Instrumentation – CS / IT |
Category-Wise Vacancy Details
| Category | Vacancy Count |
| General / OBC / SC / ST | Specific breakdown not mentioned in the short notice; rule of reservation applies as per Govt rules. |
State-Wise Vacancy Details
| Location Info | Details |
| Who Can Apply? | All India Candidates (Open to candidates from any state). |
| Job Posting Location | The selected candidates will work in R&D projects in the Leh-Ladakh region. |
| Interview Location | Chandigarh (Punjab/Haryana). |
Important Documents Required
| Document Type | Details |
| Identity Proof | Aadhar Card, Voter ID, etc. |
| Educational Certificates | Marksheets and Degrees (10th, 12th, B.Tech, M.Tech). |
| Date of Birth Proof | 10th Certificate or Birth Certificate. |
| GATE Score Card | Valid GATE Score card (for JRF B.Tech holders). |
| Bio-Data | Neatly typed Bio-data with recent photo. |
| Experience/NOC | Experience certs (for RA) & No Objection Certificate (if currently employed in Govt/PSU). |
DRDO DIHAR Recruitment 2026
Syllabus Overview
| Type | Description |
| For JRF & RA | There is no written exam syllabus. Questions will be based on your core engineering subject (Technical Interview) and your previous research work/projects. |
Exam Pattern
| Stage | Mode |
| Screening | Document Verification and Qualification Check (On the spot). |
| Interview | Personal Interview for screened-in candidates on the same day. |
Selection Process
| Step | Description |
| 1. Reporting | Candidates report to the venue by 08:45 AM. |
| 2. Screening | Verification of original documents and eligibility criteria. |
| 3. Interview | Qualified candidates face the interview board. |
| 4. Final Merit | Based on performance in the interview. |
DRDO DIHAR Recruitment 2026
Salary Details
| Post Name | Monthly Stipend |
| Junior Research Fellow (JRF) | Rs. 37,000/- + HRA per month |
| Research Associate (RA) | Rs. 67,000/- + HRA per month |
| Benefits | Medical facilities and other allowances as per DRDO rules. |
How to Apply
| Step | Instructions |
| Step 1 | Download the notification and ensure you meet the eligibility criteria (GATE score / M.Tech / Age). |
| Step 2 | Prepare a neatly typed Bio-data containing your personal and professional details. |
| Step 3 | Gather your original certificates (Degree, DOB, GATE card, Caste certificate) and one set of self-attested copies. |
| Step 4 | If you are currently working in the Govt/Public sector, get a ‘No Objection Certificate’ (NOC). |
| Step 5 | Go to the interview venue on 24 Feb 2026 (Tuesday). |
| Step 6 | Venue: DIHAR Base Station, Near 3 BRD, Industrial Area Phase-II, Chandigarh – 160002. |
| Step 7 | Report by 08:45 AM for screening and the subsequent interview. |
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the walk-in interview date for DRDO DIHAR Recruitment 2026?
The walk-in interview for Junior Research Fellow (JRF) and Research Associate (RA) positions is scheduled for February 24, 2026. Candidates must report to the DIHAR Base Station in Chandigarh by 08:45 AM.
What are the eligibility criteria for the JRF position?
Candidates need either a B.Tech degree in the first division with a valid GATE score or an M.Tech degree with first-division marks at both the Graduate and Post-graduate levels in relevant engineering streams.
Is there any application fee for DRDO DIHAR vacancies?
No, there is no application fee for any category (General, OBC, EWS, SC, ST, or PH) for this recruitment process.
What is the age limit for JRF and RA roles?
As of February 24, 2026, the maximum age limit for Junior Research Fellow (JRF) is 28 years, while for Research Associate (RA), it is 35 years. Age relaxations apply for SC, ST, and OBC candidates per government rules.
What is the monthly stipend for selected candidates?
Selected Junior Research Fellows (JRF) receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 37,000 + HRA. Research Associates (RA) receive Rs. 67,000 + HRA per month, along with applicable medical facilities.
Where will the selected candidates be posted?
While the interviews are held in Chandigarh, the selected candidates will work on R&D projects located in the high-altitude Leh-Ladakh region.
What documents are required for the walk-in interview?
Candidates must bring a neatly typed Bio-data with a recent photo, original educational certificates (10th, 12th, B.Tech, M.Tech), a valid GATE score card (for JRF), ID proof (Aadhar/Voter ID), and experience certificates or NOC if applicable.
Candidates are advised to cross-check the latest information on the official website before applying.