DRDO DGRE Recruitment 2026: Direct Walk-in Interview for JRF Posts | ₹45,000 Salary, No Written Exam!

Hii friends! Have you recently completed your B.Tech or M.Tech and dream of building a stable career in premier government defense research? If the thought of waiting endlessly for competitive exam results turns you off, I have some great news for you.

The Defence Geoinformatics Research Establishment (DGRE), a premier lab under DRDO (Government of India), has officially released a recruitment notification for Junior Research Fellow (JRF) positions. The best part? There is no written examination and no application fee. Selection is based purely on a direct Walk-in Interview. 

Organization NameDefence Geoinformatics Research Establishment (DRDO - DGRE)

Advertisement No.DGRE-01/JRF-RA/01/2026-27

Post Name(s)Junior Research Fellow (JRF)

Total Vacancies:- 08 Posts

Application ModeOffline (Direct Walk-in Interview with Form)

Job TypeCentral Government Fellowship

Interview LocationDGRE, Him Parisar, Sector 37-A, Chandigarh

Key Job Details

Age Limit

Age limits are calculated as of the cutoff date 30th June 2026:

• Maximum Age: 28 Years
• Age Relaxation:
• OBC Candidates: 3 Years (Up to 31 Years)
• SC / ST Candidates: 5 Years (Up to 33 Years)
• PwD / Ex-Servicemen: As per Government of India guidelines.

Educational Qualification

• Post 1: JRF - Computer Science & Engineering / IT (03 Posts)
  • M.E / M.Tech in CSE / Computer Engineering / IT in 1st Division (both at Graduate and Post Graduate level).
  • OR B.E / B.Tech in 1st Division with valid GATE or NET score in relevant disciplines.
• Post 2: JRF - Civil / Structural Engineering (01 Post)
  • M.E / M.Tech in Structural Engineering / Civil Engineering in 1st Division.
  • OR B.E / B.Tech in Civil Engineering in 1st Division with valid GATE / NET score.
• Post 3: JRF - Remote Sensing / GIS / Geoinformatics (02 Posts)
  • M.E / M.Tech in Remote Sensing, GIS, Geomatics, or Geospatial Engineering in 1st Division.
  • OR B.E / B.Tech / M.Sc degree in 1st Division with valid GATE or NET score.
• Post 4: JRF - Atmospheric Science / Meteorology / Environmental Engineering (02 Posts)
  • M.E / M.Tech in Atmospheric Science, Meteorology, or Environmental Engineering in 1st Division.
  • OR B.E / B.Tech / M.Sc in 1st Division with valid GATE or NET score.

Salary & Pay Scale

• Basic Monthly Stipend: ₹37,000 per month.
• Allowances: House Rent Allowance (HRA) as per DRDO rules.
• Total Take-Home Pay: Approx. ₹45,000 per month.
• Tenure: Initial period of 2 years, extensible based on performance and project requirement with opportunities for promotion to Senior Research Fellow (SRF).

Selection Process & Interview Schedule

1. Document Screening & Verification: 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM on the interview day.
2. Personal Interview: Conducted from 11:00 AM onwards for shortlisted candidates.
3. Merit List Evaluation Formula:

Important Dates

How to Attend the Walk-in Interview (Step-by-Step Guide)

1. Download Application Form: Download the prescribed Annexure-I application form from the official DRDO website.
2. Fill Form: Complete all personal, contact, and academic details in capital letters.
3. Affix Photograph: Paste a recent passport-sized photograph on the top right corner and self-attest across it.
4. Prepare Document Set: Make one complete set of self-attested photocopies of standard certificates:
   • 10th Standard Marksheet / Certificate (Proof of Date of Birth)
   • Essential Qualification Marksheets (Degree, Consolidated, Semester-wise)
   • Valid GATE / NET Scorecard (where applicable)
   • Caste Certificate (OBC / SC / ST), if applicable
   • Photo ID Proof (Aadhaar / Voter ID / Passport)
5. Visit Venue: Report directly to the interview venue before 08:30 AM on your respective discipline date.

Interview Venue Address:

Defence Geoinformatics Research Establishment (DGRE) Him Parisar, Plot No. 1, Sector 37-A, Chandigarh – 160036 (UT)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Is there any application fee for DRDO DGRE JRF Recruitment? Ans: No. There is zero application fee for candidates across all categories.

Q2. Are M.E/M.Tech candidates required to have a GATE score? Ans: No. Candidates holding a 1st Division M.E or M.Tech degree are eligible directly. GATE/NET scores are mandatory primarily for B.E/B.Tech or M.Sc degree holders.

Q3. Can candidates from any state in India apply? Ans: Yes. Only Indian nationals are eligible, and candidates from any state or union territory can participate.

Reality Check / Important Advisory (E-E-A-T Focus)

• Document Discrepancies: Ensure all educational percentage conversions (CGPA to percentage) match official university formulas. Any mismatch between claimed scores and original marksheets will lead to immediate disqualification.
• Travel Planning: Since Chandigarh experiences heavy morning transit, plan travel to reach Sector 37-A by 8:00 AM. Gates close strict candidate screening at 10:00 AM.
• Fraud Warning: DRDO recruitment for JRF positions is purely merit-based via interview performance. DRDO never charges money for selection; beware of touts or fake agents.

Important Direct Links

• 📄 Official Notification PDF & Application Form: Download Here
• 🏛️ DRDO Official Vacancy Portal: drdo.gov.in/vacancies

I know what might be going through your head right now: "There are only 8 posts... is it really worth traveling all the way to Chandigarh? What if I don't get selected?"

Here is my honest take: High-competition exams attract millions, but long-distance walk-in interviews attract only serious candidates. Because many people hesitate to travel to Chandigarh, the actual competition on interview day is significantly lower. If you hold a degree in fields like Environmental Engineering, Civil, or Computer Science, missing this chance would be a mistake. Two years of DRDO research experience will open massive doors for your career.

Pack your documents, plan your journey a day in advance, and give it your best shot. Wish you all the very best!