NPOL DRDO JRF Recruitment 2026 (Walk-in Interview)

Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), a DRDO laboratory under India’s Ministry of Defence, has released Advertisement No. NPOL/JRF/01/2026 to recruit Junior Research Fellows (JRF) for research projects at the laboratory. Eligible candidates are required to attend a walk-in interview at the venue mentioned below. This recruitment is suitable for candidates who meet the discipline-wise qualification requirements and can report in person with the required documents.

NPOL is hiring across seven engineering and science disciplines. The recruitment is conducted through a walk-in interview (no online application or separate exam). The interview is scheduled for Saturday, 10 October 2026 at 9:30 AM, and selection will be based on the walk-in interview process as per DRDO/NPOL norms. The fellowship is initially awarded for two years and may be extended as per DRDO rules. NPOL also maintains an empanelment list valid for one year, though empanelment does not automatically guarantee a fellowship offer.

Important Dates

Vacancy Details

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

NPOL has discipline-wise eligibility requirements for the JRF position. For Computer Science & Engineering, candidates must have either a BE/B.Tech in Computer Science Engineering (1st Division) with a valid GATE score, or an ME/M.Tech in Computer Science Engineering (1st Division) at both graduate (B.Sc/B.Tech) and postgraduate levels.

For Mechanical Engineering, candidates must have either a BE/B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering (1st Division) with a valid GATE score, or an ME/M.Tech in Mechanical Engineering (1st Division) at both levels.

For Chemical Engineering / Rubber Technology / Polymer Technology / Nanotechnology / Materials Science, candidates must have either a BE/B.Tech in any of these fields (1st Division) with a valid GATE score, or an ME/M.Tech in the same fields with 1st Division at both graduate and postgraduate levels.

For Opto Electronics, candidates must have either a BE/B.Tech in Opto Electronics (1st Division) with a valid GATE score, or an ME/M.Tech in Opto Electronics (1st Division) at both levels. Additionally, candidates with a BE/B.Tech in Electrical & Electronics Engineering or Electronics & Communication Engineering are eligible if they have at least one paper in Fibre Optics/Optoelectronics/Laser Technologies and also have a valid GATE score (1st Division required).

For Electrical & Electronics Engineering / Electronics & Communication Engineering / Instrumentation Engineering, candidates must have either a BE/B.Tech in any of these branches with 1st Division and a valid GATE score, or an ME/M.Tech in the same branches with 1st Division at both levels.

For Physics, candidates must have a postgraduate degree in Basic Science relevant to the discipline with 1st Division and a valid NET/GATE.

For Oceanography / Ocean Technology / Meteorology, candidates must have either a postgraduate degree in Basic Science relevant to the discipline with 1st Division and a valid NET/GATE, or an ME/M.Tech in Oceanography/Ocean Technology/Meteorology with 1st Division at both levels.

NET note: For this recruitment, NET is treated as inclusive of other relevant national-level fellowships awarded by Central Government departments/agencies. Equivalence note: Acceptable equivalent subjects/disciplines will be decided as per RAC, DRDO norms, and the Director, NPOL’s decision on qualification equivalence will be final.

Age Limit

The upper age limit is 28 years as on the date of the walk-in interview, i.e., 10 October 2026. Age relaxation is applicable for SC/ST/OBC candidates as per standard Government of India norms.

Application Fee

No application fee details are provided in the notification. Since the recruitment is through a walk-in interview with no online application, candidates should confirm any fee-related requirements directly from the official DRDO/NPOL updates if needed.

How to Apply

1. Attend the walk-in interview in person at Bhavan’s Varuna Vidyalaya, NPOL Campus, Thrikkakara P.O., Kochi – 682021 on 10 October 2026 at 9:30 AM.
2. Carry original certificates/testimonials, including your community certificate (if applicable for age relaxation) and your valid GATE/NET scorecard.
3. Bring self-attested photocopies of all relevant testimonials and certificates.
4. Carry a valid original photo ID such as Voter’s ID, Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, or Driving Licence.
5. Bring one recent passport-size colour photograph.
6. Send a one-page bio-data in advance to hrd.npol@gov.in so NPOL can make administrative arrangements for your interview slot.

Salary & Pay Scale

Selection Process

Selection for the NPOL JRF recruitment is based on a walk-in interview. There is no online application and no separate written examination mentioned in the notification. After the interview, NPOL prepares a one-year panel of eligible candidates; however, fellowship offers depend on actual vacancies arising during that panel validity period.

Candidates who meet the discipline-wise qualification requirements and the age criteria should plan to attend the walk-in interview on 10 October 2026 well prepared with originals, self-attested copies, and the one-page bio-data emailed in advance.