DRDO ARDE Pune Invites Engineering Students for a Paid Internship
Calling all engineering students who want real defence-research experience! The Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), a premier laboratory of DRDO under the Ministry of Defence, has released Advertisement No. ARDE/HRD/PDINTERN/2026/01 for its Paid Internship Scheme for the year 2026-27. A total of 40 internship slots are open for under-graduate and post-graduate engineering students, with a monthly stipend of ₹5,000 for a six-month internship at ARDE, Pune. For students chasing defence sector government jobs, this is a brilliant head-start.
ARDE designs and develops advanced armament systems for the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force, so an internship here looks excellent on your resume. Students in the 7th/8th semester of UG engineering or the 1st/2nd year of PG engineering can apply. The last date for the application to reach ARDE Pune is 05 July 2026. In this GovtJobsAlert.in guide, we explain the disciplines, eligibility, stipend and the offline apply process in very simple words.
Key Highlights — DRDO ARDE Paid Internship 2026
This is a paid, project-based internship at one of DRDO’s top armament laboratories. It is meant for bright, regular engineering students. Here are the key points:
- Recruiting Body: ARDE (Armament Research & Development Establishment), DRDO
- Programme: Paid Internship Scheme of DRDO (2026-27)
- Total Slots: 40
- Monthly Stipend: ₹5,000
- Duration: 6 months
- Last Date to Apply: 05 July 2026
If you are a final-year or post-graduate student, also explore more post graduate government jobs on GovtJobsAlert.in.
Vacancy Breakdown — ARDE Paid Internship 2026
The 40 slots are spread across several engineering branches. The numbers below are indicative and may change at the discretion of the establishment.
| Branch | Discipline | Slots |
|---|---|---|
| EE | Electrical / Electrical & Power | 02 |
| ECE & IN | Electronics, Communication, Instrumentation, Control | 08 |
| ME | Mechanical / Armament / Production | 16 |
| MS | Material Engineering / Material Science | 02 |
| AE | Aero Engineering / Rocket Propulsion | 05 |
| AI & DS / CS | AI & ML, Data Science, Computer Engineering & IT | 07 |
| Total | — | 40 |
Eligibility Criteria — DRDO ARDE Paid Internship 2026
Read these conditions carefully, because the academic-score requirement is strict for this internship.
Educational Qualification
The applicant must be a regular student pursuing an Engineering Degree — B.E./B.Tech (7th/8th semester) or M.Tech (1st/2nd year) — full time in the relevant discipline from a recognised Indian University/Institute. Only students from AICTE-approved technical institutions or UGC-approved universities are eligible. This is a focused opportunity for engineering students looking for government exposure.
Age Limit and Academic Score
- Age: below 28 years as on 20 June 2026.
- Academic record: 75% marks or 7.5 CGPA (on a scale of 10) or above, maintained continuously throughout all previous semesters.
Students who are already receiving any other stipend from any institute are not eligible for this internship.
Stipend and Salary — DRDO ARDE Paid Internship 2026
The internship pays a fixed monthly stipend of ₹5,000 for the entire six-month period. There is no application fee at any stage of the programme. Apart from the stipend, the biggest gain is the hands-on research experience at a DRDO armament laboratory and a completion certificate, both of which add real value to your career.
Please remember that this is a training internship, and it does not give any right to employment at ARDE or DRDO after completion. Students are also expected to submit a project report of the work done during the internship. For an engineering student who wants to build a career in defence research, this kind of exposure to live armament projects is something a classroom simply cannot offer, and it makes your resume stand out for future jobs and higher studies.
Selection Process — How Students Will Be Chosen
The selection is purely merit-based. Here is the simple flow:
- Applications are screened on the basis of academic merit (marks/CGPA).
- Shortlisted students are intimated through their email ID along with joining instructions.
- No communication is entertained from candidates who are not selected.
So a strong and consistent academic record is your biggest strength here. There is no written exam and no application fee, which means the whole process rewards your hard work in college rather than your ability to clear yet another test. Make sure your mark-sheets and CGPA proof are accurate and ready before you apply. Keep visiting GovtJobsAlert.in for more defence government job and internship updates.
How to Apply for DRDO ARDE Paid Internship 2026
The application is offline and must be sent by post/courier. Follow these steps:
- Fill the application in the required format (Appendix ‘A’) given with the official notification and attach a recent passport-size photograph.
- Get a request letter / No Objection Certificate from the Principal/Director of your institute (Appendix ‘B’).
- Fill the Undertaking Form (Appendix ‘C’).
- Send all documents through Speed Post / Courier / Registered Post so that they reach ARDE, Pune.
- Make sure your application reaches on or before 05 July 2026.
Documents Required with the Application
Keep these ready before posting your application:
- Duly filled application form (Appendix ‘A’) with photograph
- Request letter / NOC from your institute (Appendix ‘B’)
- Duly filled Undertaking Form (Appendix ‘C’)
- Latest semester mark-sheets / CGPA proof
- Student ID card copy
Important Dates — DRDO ARDE Paid Internship 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Age reference date | 20 June 2026 |
| Last date for application to reach ARDE | 05 July 2026 |
Application Fees — DRDO ARDE Paid Internship 2026
There is no application fee for this internship — not at the time of application, and not at any stage of the internship programme. Candidates only bear the postal cost of sending their application. This keeps the opportunity completely free for every eligible student.
Essential Links — DRDO ARDE Paid Internship 2026
- Download Official Notification PDF
- Visit ARDE DRDO Official Internship Page
- Join WhatsApp Channel for Government Jobs
- Join Telegram Channel for Government Jobs
A paid internship at a DRDO armament laboratory is a rare and proud opportunity for any engineering student. Prepare your documents, get your NOC ready, and post your application early so it reaches by 05 July 2026. For more Maharashtra government job notifications and internship alerts, keep visiting GovtJobsAlert.in. This could be the first step of your defence-research journey.