DRDO opens applications for 2026 paid engineering internship program

The Defence Research and Development Organisation has opened applications for its paid internship program for 2026, offering engineering students exposure to defense research and advanced technology projects.

The application window began on April 1 and will remain open until May 15, 2026. Interested candidates can apply through the official DRDO careers portal at drdo.gov.in, and selected applicants will be notified via email.

The internship will run for four to six months, starting in May or June 2026. Selected students will receive a total stipend of ₹30,000 for the full duration and will be awarded a certificate upon completion.

Eligibility is limited to final-year students pursuing BE, BTech, ME, MTech, or related engineering programs. Candidates with backlogs are not eligible. Applicants are advised to refer to the official website for detailed criteria.

The program is being offered by the Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, a DRDO laboratory under the Ministry of Defence. Internships will be conducted in Delhi or Haldwani, depending on available positions.

The initiative aims to strengthen students’ research and technical capabilities through hands-on work in defense technologies, alongside scientists and engineers at DRDO.