Overview
Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of Defence has released a recruitment notification for the post of Junior Research Fellow (JRF) (4 confirmed (Mechanical Engineering); remaining disciplines listed as "Anticipated" vacancies). Eligible candidates can apply walk-in interview only (no online application) as per the official notification.
Key Details
- Organization
- Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of Defence
- Qualification
- Eligibility is discipline-specific and is based on the essential educational qualification listed for each subject area. Candidates with an essential qualification degree from a foreign university must obtain an equivalence certificate from the Association of Indian Universities, Delhi, and submit it along with their application documents. All qualifications must be from recognized Universities/Institutions, and where NET/GATE is prescribed, it must be valid as on the date of the walk-in interview. Candidates already working in Government, Public Sector Undertakings, or Autonomous Bodies should apply through proper channel.
- Vacancies
- 4 confirmed (Mechanical Engineering); remaining disciplines listed as "Anticipated"
- Advertisement No
- NPOL/JRF/01/2026
Important Dates
| Walk-in Interview Date | 10 October 2026 (Saturday) at 09:30 hrs |
| Advertisement Number | NPOL/JRF/01/2026 |
| Walk-in Interview Date & Time | 10 October 2026 (Saturday) at 09:30 hrs |
| NET/GATE Validity Requirement | Must be valid as on the date of the walk-in interview |
| Age Reckoning Date | As on the date of the walk-in interview |
| Reference Date | As on the date of the walk-in interview (10 October 2026) |
Important Links
Vacancy Details
Vacancies are notified discipline-wise. Only Mechanical Engineering has a confirmed number of vacancies (4); the remaining six disciplines are listed as "Anticipated," meaning the exact number of vacancies will depend on requirement at the time of selection. Sl. No.: Subject/Discipline | No. of Vacancies 1: Computer Science & Engineering | Anticipated 2: Mechanical Engineering | 04 3: Chemical Engineering / Rubber Technology / Polymer Technology / Nanotechnology / Materials Science | Anticipated 4: Opto Electronics | Anticipated 5: Electrical & Electronics Engineering / Electronics & Communication Engineering / Instrumentation Engineering | Anticipated 6: Physics | Anticipated 7: Oceanography / Ocean Technology / Meteorology | Anticipated
Eligibility
Eligibility is discipline-specific and is based on the essential educational qualification listed for each subject area. Candidates with an essential qualification degree from a foreign university must obtain an equivalence certificate from the Association of Indian Universities, Delhi, and submit it along with their application documents. All qualifications must be from recognized Universities/Institutions, and where NET/GATE is prescribed, it must be valid as on the date of the walk-in interview. Candidates already working in Government, Public Sector Undertakings, or Autonomous Bodies should apply through proper channel.
Age Limit
Particular: Details Upper Age Limit: 28 years Reference Date: As on the date of the walk-in interview (10 October 2026) Age Relaxation: Relaxable for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and OBC candidates as per Government of India norms
Application Fee
The official notification does not mention any application fee for NPOL JRF Recruitment 2026.
Selection Process
Selection for NPOL JRF Recruitment 2026 is entirely through a walk-in interview; there is no separate written examination or online screening stage described in the notification. Key points of the process: • Candidates appear for the walk-in interview on the notified date, time, and venue, along with all required original certificates and self-attested copies • A panel of selected candidates is drawn up for both the currently notified vacancies and future vacancies, and this panel remains operative for a period of one year • Empanelment does not, by itself, entitle a candidate to an offer of Fellowship – an offer is contingent upon vacancies actually arising during the year • The Director, NPOL, reserves the right not to select any candidate if suitable candidates are not available
Important Instructions
• Only candidates possessing the prescribed qualification(s) for a discipline need apply; candidates with a foreign university degree must obtain an equivalence certificate from the Association of Indian Universities, Delhi • All qualifications must be from recognized Universities/Institutions, and NET/GATE (wherever prescribed) must be valid as on the date of the walk-in interview • Candidates working in Government/Public Sector Undertakings/Autonomous Bodies should apply through proper channel • Any additional information or amendments relating to this selection process will be updated only on the DRDO website (www.drdo.gov.in); candidates are advised to check the website regularly until the selection exercise concludes • A Hindi version of the advertisement is also available on the DRDO website; in case of any ambiguity or dispute in interpreting the Hindi version, the instructions in the English version shall prevail • Offer of a Fellowship does not confer any right on Fellows for absorption in DRDO
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the important dates for DRDO NPOL Junior Research Fellow Recruitment 2026 – Walk in?
Walk-in Interview Date: 10 October 2026 (Saturday) at 09:30 hrs; Advertisement Number: NPOL/JRF/01/2026; Walk-in Interview Date & Time: 10 October 2026 (Saturday) at 09:30 hrs; NET/GATE Validity Requirement: Must be valid as on the date of the walk-in interview; Age Reckoning Date: As on the date of the walk-in interview; Reference Date: As on the date of the walk-in interview (10 October 2026)
What is the application fee?
The official notification does not mention any application fee for NPOL JRF Recruitment 2026.
What is the age limit?
Particular: Details Upper Age Limit: 28 years Reference Date: As on the date of the walk-in interview (10 October 2026) Age Relaxation: Relaxable for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and OBC candidates as per Government of India norms
What is the selection process?
Selection for NPOL JRF Recruitment 2026 is entirely through a walk-in interview; there is no separate written examination or online screening stage described in the notification. Key points of the process: • Candidates appear for the walk-in interview on the notified date, time, and venue, along with all required original certificates and self-attested copies • A panel of selected candidates is drawn up for both the currently notified vacancies and future vacancies, and this panel remains operative for a period of one year • Empanelment does not, by itself, entitle a candidate to an offer of Fellowship – an offer is contingent upon vacancies actually arising during the year • The Director, NPOL, reserves the right not to select any candidate if suitable candidates are not available