DRDO ISSA Internship Scheme 2026-27: Stipend, Eligibility & How to Apply by Email
Here is a golden chance for engineering and science students to work inside India’s premier defence research ecosystem. The Institute for Systems Studies & Analyses (ISSA) — a Delhi-based lab of the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) — has announced its Paid Internship Scheme 2026-27 with 25 slots for final-year students. The internship runs for 6 months with a stipend of ₹5,000 per month, and you get to work on real defence research problems alongside DRDO scientists.
The notification was released on 8 June 2026 and the last date to apply by email is 20 June 2026, so you have very little time. The internship starts on 3 August 2026 at ISSA, Metcalfe House, Civil Lines, Delhi. We at GovtJobsAlert.in have simplified the entire notification below — eligibility, stipend, documents and the exact email application process. Read carefully before you apply.
Key Highlights — DRDO ISSA Paid Internship 2026
ISSA is the DRDO lab that builds combat simulations, war-gaming models and systems-analysis tools for India’s defence establishment. For students of computer science and mathematics, an ISSA internship is a serious resume booster — it is paid, project-based and certificate-backed.
- Scheme Name: Paid Internship Scheme (06 Months) 2026-27
- Total Slots: 25
- Stipend: ₹5,000 per month (₹30,000 total for 6 months)
- Location: ISSA, Metcalfe House, Civil Lines, Delhi
- Internship Start: 3 August 2026
- Last Date to Apply (Email): 20 June 2026
Internship Slots — DRDO ISSA Paid Internship 2026
| Discipline Group | Slots |
|---|---|
| Computer Science / Computer Engineering / IT / Allied Branches | 25 (combined) |
| Mathematics / Applied Mathematics / Operational Research / Statistics | 25 (combined) |
The 25 slots are combined across both discipline groups — the notification does not split them branch-wise. Selection is purely on academic merit, so a strong scorecard is your real ticket here.
Who is Eligible for DRDO ISSA Paid Internship 2026?
Educational Qualification
- Final-year students only — currently in the final year of B.E. / B.Tech (Computer Science, Computer Engineering, IT and allied branches) or M.Sc. / M.Tech (Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Operational Research, Statistics, or the CS/IT stream)
- The course must be full-time with First Division from a recognized Indian university or institute
- A good academic record with 75% or above marks, or CGPA 7.5+ on a 10-point scale
- Only Indian nationals can apply; students who studied or are studying outside India are not eligible
- The application must be routed through your college — a reference/request letter on college letterhead signed by your Principal or HOD (format given as Annexure ‘B’ in the notification) is mandatory
If you are an engineering student or a postgraduate student in maths or statistics, and your scores meet the bar, you tick every box.
Age Limit
The notification does not prescribe any age limit — eligibility is purely by final-year student status and academic merit.
What is the Stipend for DRDO ISSA Paid Internship 2026?
This is a paid internship, not a salaried job — but for a student, the package is genuinely useful.
- Stipend: ₹5,000 per month
- Total: ₹30,000 for the full 6 months
- Payment: two installments of ₹15,000 each — first after completing 3 months, second after completing 6 months, credited directly to your bank account
- Attendance: minimum 15 working days per month of physical presence at ISSA is mandatory
Along with ₹30,000 in stipend, you earn a DRDO internship certificate on successful completion — a credential that carries real weight in placements, GATE-based PSU interviews and research admissions.
Do note: there is no TA/DA for joining, and lodging, boarding and transport in Delhi are entirely your own responsibility. Plan your stay before you accept.
What is the Selection Process for DRDO ISSA Paid Internship 2026?
The process is refreshingly simple — no written exam, no interview.
- Email your complete application before the last date
- ISSA shortlists candidates purely on academic merit (75%+ marks or 7.5+ CGPA is the minimum bar; higher scores improve your chances)
- Selected candidates are informed by email in the 2nd/3rd week of July 2026
- At joining, you submit the original college referral letter, a police verification certificate, signed undertakings under the Indian Official Secrets Act 1923 and MoD IT Rules, your bank details, and originals of your marksheets, Aadhaar and college ID with 3 passport-size photographs
Rejected candidates are not contacted, so if you don’t hear back by late July, treat it as not selected this round.
How to Apply for DRDO ISSA Paid Internship 2026?
The application is by email only — no online portal, no hard copy. Keep scanned copies of these ready: filled application form (Annexure ‘A’ from the notification PDF), college reference letter (Annexure ‘B’), 10th and 12th marksheets, all semester marksheets, character certificate, brief bio-data, Aadhaar card and college ID card.
- Download the notification PDF and print the application form given as Annexure ‘A’ (link in Essential Links below)
- Fill the form and get the Annexure ‘B’ reference letter signed by your Principal or HOD on college letterhead
- Scan the filled form, reference letter and all documents into ONE single PDF
- Name the PDF as your name in small letters plus birth year — for example, rahulkumar2004.pdf
- Write the email subject as “Application for paid internship with [your branch/discipline]”
- Email the single PDF to hrd.issa@gov.in before 20 June 2026
Emails received after 20 June 2026 will not be considered — do not wait for the last day.
What are the Important Dates for DRDO ISSA Paid Internship 2026?
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | 8 June 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply (Email) | 20 June 2026 |
| Intimation to Selected Students | 2nd/3rd week of July 2026 |
| Internship Start Date | 3 August 2026 |
Application Fees — DRDO ISSA Paid Internship 2026
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| All Candidates | No Fee |
There is no application fee for this internship scheme — one more reason for every eligible final-year student to apply.
Essential Links — DRDO ISSA Paid Internship 2026
- Download Official Notification & Application Form PDF
- Visit DRDO ISSA Internship Page on Official Website
- Join WhatsApp Channel for Government Jobs
- Join Telegram Channel for Government Jobs
A DRDO lab internship with stipend, certificate and real research exposure — for a final-year student, this is about as good as it gets. If your marks meet the 75% bar, get your college letter signed this week and email your application before 20 June 2026. For more internships and government job updates, keep visiting GovtJobsAlert.in.