DRDO DRDE Gwalior Internship 2026: Your final-year project needs a real lab. But most big research labs don’t take students, and very few pay them. DRDE Gwalior is a DRDO lab that works on defence against chemical and biological threats. Through its Paid Internship Scheme, a few students get six months inside the lab, working with DRDO scientists on a real project.
But the door is narrow. There are only 8 seats in all, and Engineering gets just 2 of them. You need at least 75% marks or a 7.5 CGPA, so even a good student with 72% is out. Your college must also give a signed sponsorship letter, and a form without it is rejected. Only shortlisted students get a call, so applying doesn’t mean you are selected.
Below you will find the seats in each subject, the marks and age rules, the papers to attach and the two ways to send your form. Every rule here comes from DRDE’s paid internship notices on the DRDO website, checked in October 2026.
DRDO DRDE Internship 2026 Overview
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Internship Name | DRDO Paid Internship Scheme |
| Given By | DRDE Gwalior, DRDO |
| Beneficiary | Final-year B.Tech and M.Sc students |
| Benefit Amount | ₹5,000 per month |
| Apply Start Date | October 2026 |
| Last Date | 14 November 2026 |
| Official Website | drdo.gov.in |
| Official Notification | DRDE Internship Notice (PDF) |
What is the DRDO DRDE Internship?
It is a six-month paid training at the Defence Research and Development Establishment (DRDE), Gwalior. You work on a project under a DRDO scientist. You send a progress report after 3 months and a project report at the end. Selected students hear by 1 December 2026, and the internship starts on 1 January 2027. Both dates are tentative.
Key Points
- You get ₹5,000 a month, paid as ₹15,000 after 3 months and ₹15,000 after 6 months.
- A form without the college sponsorship letter or 75% marks is rejected.
- Send the form by speed post or email before 14 November 2026.
The lab has strict rules. Attendance is biometric, only sick leave with a doctor’s note is allowed, and phones, laptops and pen drives can’t go inside the campus.
DRDO DRDE Internship Seats and Subjects
There are 8 seats, split into three subject groups. Find your branch in the table below before you fill the form, because you must write its subject code:
| Subject (Code) | Seats | Branches |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Sciences (01) | 3 | Biotech, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Toxicology, Immunology |
| Chemical Sciences (02) | 3 | Organic, Inorganic, Analytical Chemistry |
| Engineering (03) | 2 | Electronics, Mechanical, IT, Computer Science |
Chemical Sciences is open only to M.Sc students, not B.Tech.
DRDO DRDE Internship Stipend and Benefits
The money is the same for every subject. We have put what you get in the table below, so you can see it at a glance:
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Stipend | ₹5,000 per month |
| Total Stipend | ₹30,000 |
| First Payment | ₹15,000 after 3 months |
| Second Payment | ₹15,000 after 6 months |
| Certificate | After 6 months |
The stipend doesn’t come every month, so keep money ready for the first three months.
DRDO DRDE Internship Eligibility
If you want to apply, you must meet all the conditions below. Check them first, because a form that misses even one is rejected:
- B.E. or B.Tech in 7th or 8th Semester
- M.Sc in 3rd or 4th Semester
- 75% Marks or 7.5 CGPA
- AICTE or UGC Approved College
- Age Below 28 Years
Your age is counted on 14 November 2026, the last date itself.
Documents Required for DRDO DRDE Internship
To apply, you will need the papers below. Attach self-attested copies, and keep the originals safe, because you must show them when you join:
- Application Form (Annexure A)
- Passport Size Photo
- College Sponsorship Letter
- Detailed Resume
- Marksheets and Certificates
- Aadhaar Card
- PAN Card
- Bank Account Details
You also sign undertakings on the Official Secrets Act, 1923 and the defence IT rules.
How to Apply for DRDO DRDE Internship 2026?
There is no online form for this internship. You send the filled form by speed post or email. We have written each step in order, so just follow them one by one:
- First, you have to go to the official website of DRDO, drdo.gov.in, and open the DRDE paid internship notice under “Vacancies”.
- Now print the application form (Annexure A) given at the end of the notice.
- After that, fill in the subject code, your personal details, your marks and the internship period you want. Paste your photo and sign the form.
- Get the sponsorship letter signed and stamped by your college, and put it with the other papers.
- Finally, send everything by speed post to the Director, DRDE, DRDO, Jhansi Road, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh – 474002. Or email the scanned set to director.drde@gov.in and hrd.drde@gov.in.
Late or half-filled forms are rejected, so send yours a few days early.
DRDO DRDE Internship 2026 FAQs
Is there a written exam for the DRDO DRDE internship?
No. Students are shortlisted on marks, and a phone or video interview may follow.
Will I get a DRDO job after this internship?
No. The notice says the internship gives no right to a job in DRDO.
Does DRDE Gwalior give interns a hostel?
No. There is no room, food or travel allowance, so arrange your own stay in Gwalior.
Sources: DRDE Gwalior Paid Internship Scheme notices (Advt. No. DRDE/HRD/Paid Intern/2026/03 and DRDE/HRD/Paid Intern/2025/02), official DRDO website (drdo.gov.in)
Disclaimer: This article is for information only. Check the official notice before you apply.
