DRDO CABS Junior Research Fellowship 2026 Vacancies notification is published officially by the Centre of Airborne Systems (Centre of Airborne Systems (CABS), Bengaluru. This is to inform interested applicants regarding the walk-in interviews for recruitment of BE/B.Tech and ME/M.Tech qualified individuals for working on the advanced defence research projects in the area of airborne surveillance systems.
The fellowship aims at the young and deserving Indian nationals with engineering backgrounds. The interested candidates must ensure that they fulfil the eligibility, keep the necessary documents ready and attend the walk-in interview within the mentioned dates.
Key highlights of DRDO CABS JRF 2026
| Organisation | Centre of Airborne Systems (CABS), Bengaluru. |
| Research Centre | Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). |
| Title of the fellowship | Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) |
| Advertisement Referral number | CABS/JRF/2026/01 |
| Method of Interview | Walk-in Interview. |
| Total vacancies | 10 vacancies |
| Location of the Fellowship | Bengaluru, Karnataka. |
| Fellowship Type | Temporary, Research based. |
| Official website | Click here |
Important dates:
| Last date to send willingness by email | 22 February 2026 |
| Walk-in interview for Aeronautical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Computer Science | 25 February 2026 |
| Walk-in interview for Electronics & Communication Engineering and Electrical Engineering | 26 February 2026 |
| Reporting time at venue | 8:45 AM |
| Application acceptance timing | 9:00 to 10:00 AM |
DRDO CABS JRF 2026 vacancy details
- Aeronautical Engineering – 1 vacancy.
- Computer Science and Engineering- 4 vacancies.
- Electronics and Communication engineering- 3 positions.
- Electrical Engineering – 1 post.
- Mechanical Engineering – 1 vacancy.
Eligibility criteria of DRDO CABS JRF 2026
| Nationality | Only Indian nationals can apply. Foreign Candidates or are dual citizens are not eligible. |
| Educational qualification | The applicants must satisfy any one of the following qualification requirements: Option 1- BE/B.Tech qualification. The candidates should have finished BE or B.Tech in the respective field with first division. Additionally a valid GATE score. The only accepted scores are GATE 2024 or GATE 2025. Note: Past GATE scores cannot be used. Alternative 2- ME/M.Tech qualification.The candidates must have obtained ME or M.Tech in the respective field with first division. The applicants should also have a first division in the BE/B.Tech degree. Note: An ME/M.Tech candidate does not need to have GATE qualification, but he must have first division in both levels. |
| Accepted disciplines | The only disciplines that are eligibile are the following: Aeronautical Engineering and other related specialisations including Aerospace Engineering and Aerospace Engineering (Avionics). Computer Science and similar fields as Computer Science Engineering, Information Technology, Software Engineering, Computer Science and Automation, Information Science and Engineering, Computer and Communication Engineering, and Computer Networking. Electronics and Communication Engineering and related disciplines such as Electronics Engineering, Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering, Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering, Applied Electronics, Electrical and Communication Engineering, Radio Physics and Electronics, Electrical and Electronics Engineering and Avionics-related ECE disciplines. Electrical Engineering and other related fields like Electrical Power Systems, Power Engineering, Power Electronics, Electrical and Renewable Energy Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering. Mechanical Engineering and other similar related branches such as Mechanical and Automation Engineering, and Mechanical and Production Engineering. |
| Age limit | The upper age limit will be 28 years old as on 31 December 2025. Age relaxation SC/ST candidates- 5 years OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates- 3 years. |
Selection procedure of DRDO CABS JRF 2026
- Stage 1. Reporting and submission of documents.The candidates will be required to report to CABS, Bengaluru before 08:45 AM on the fixed interviewing date. The time of taking applications is between 09:00 AM and 10:00 AM. Failure to report on time is disqualifying.
- Stage 2 Initial screening Educational certificates, age proofs, GATE scorecards and category certificates verification is done between 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM. Applications that are not complete will get rejected.
- Stage 3 Personal interview Shortlisted candidate’ s technical interview at 11:00 AM. In case of a large number of candidates, the interviews will be resumed the following day.
- Stage 4. Merit-based panel Interview performance forms the basis of preparing a merit panel. The current and future vacancies of this panel are valid within a year.
How to apply for DRDO CABS JRF 2026 ?
- Step 1. Download the application form.Complete application form.
- Step 2. Send an email to jrf.rectt.cabs@gov.in before or on 22 February 2026.
- Step 3. The email subject must be: Application for the post of Junior Research Fellowship – Discipline Name.
- Step 4. Prepare documents
- Step 5. Bring the following documents to the interview:
- Application form filled duly signed with photograph.
- Copies of certificates which are self-attested.
- Original certificates.
- GATE scorecard (if applicable)
- Photo ID Proof issued by the government.
- No Objection Certificate for employed candidate.
What is the Monthly fellowship amount of DRDO CABS JRF 2026 ?
| Monthly fellowship | Rs. 37,000 for two years and may be extended up to four years based on annual performance reviews |
Important links
| Official website | Click here |
| Notification | Check here |
| Application Email | jrf.rectt.cabs@gov.in |
| for more info. | click here |
Conclusion
DRDO CABS Junior Research Fellowship 2026 is an opportunity offered to the engineering graduates and postgraduates to work on the important defence research projects. The candidates must be very strict about the reporting time, accuracy of the documents and they must be well prepared for the technical interview. No TA or DA is given, so candidates are advised to plan how they will travel in advance. The fellowship is not a permanent allowance in DRDO, however, it offers good research exposure and a development measure.
FAQs- DRDO CABS Junior Research Fellowship 2026
It announced 10 vacancies of Junior Research Fellowship in five engineering fields.
No, only those candidates who fulfill the due qualification prior to the day of interview are eligible.
No, ME/M.Tech candidates does not require GATE. But in , both graduation and postgraduation must be done with first division.
No, selection is done purely through a walk-in interview.
No, the Junior Research Fellowship does not provide any permanent employment in DRDO.
