The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has opened applications for a six-month paid internship at its Defence Materials and Stores Research & Development Establishment (DMSRDE) in Kanpur.
The opportunity is open to eligible final-year engineering and science students. Applications must reach DMSRDE by September 28, 2026, at 5 pm.
The latest notice was published on the DRDO website on September 16.The internship offers nine positions under Branch Code 01. Selected students will receive a monthly stipend of ₹5,000 for the six-month programme. The internship will be conducted at DMSRDE in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh.
DRDO Internship 2026: Who Can Apply
The programme is designed for final-year students pursuing full-time undergraduate or postgraduate programmes in engineering and science.
Eligible engineering disciplines include Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science and Technology, Materials Science Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Textile Engineering.
Students pursuing postgraduate science programmes in Chemistry, Material Science and Textile can also apply under the specified eligibility conditions.
Applicants must be studying at a recognised Indian university or institute.
The DRDO notice specifies that candidates should have at least 65% marks or a CGPA of 6.5 or above. Additionally, they should be from an AICTE- or UGC-approved institution.
The age limit is below 28 years as of September 28, 2026.
Nine Internship Positions Available
The nine vacancies are grouped under a single branch code covering the listed engineering and science disciplines.
The internship will run for six months. Students who successfully complete the programme will receive a completion certificate. This will be given after project evaluation, submission of the project report and completion of other required formalities.
The programme is intended to provide students with exposure to research and project work at DMSRDE. This is a DRDO laboratory focused on defence materials and related technologies.
How Will DRDO Select Students?
Selection will be based on academic merit and may include an online interview or interaction, depending on requirements.
DRDO has stated that applications will be considered subject to satisfactory verification of documents.
The organisation will notify selected students through the email address provided in their applications. In addition, the institute’s Dean, Head of Department, Director or Principal must send a request letter for the internship.
DRDO’s notice says the programme is intended for highly deserving and meritorious students.
DRDO Internship 2026: Stipend and Duration
Selected students will receive ₹5,000 per month for six months.The stipend is subject to the attendance requirement.
Students must be present at the laboratory for at least 15 working days in a month to qualify for the stipend. Payment will be made in two instalments.
The first will be paid after three months of the internship and the second after completion of six months.
The money will be transferred directly to the student’s bank account.
DRDO has also clarified that completing the internship does not create any entitlement to employment with the organisation.
Application Deadline and Process
Candidates must submit an advance copy of their application and required documents by email to director.dmsrde@gov.in on or before September 28.
A hard copy of the relevant documents must also be sent by Speed Post or submitted by hand at the DMSRDE main gate in Kanpur.
The envelope must clearly mention “Application for Paid Internship” along with the relevant branch code.
Applications received after the deadline or containing incomplete or incorrect information will be rejected.
The required documents include the application form, an institutional request letter, academic mark sheets, institute identification, student biodata and other documents specified in the official notice.
Important Dates
The application deadline is September 28, 2026, at 5 pm. In addition, DRDO has given October 13, 2026 as the tentative date for informing selected students.
The internship is scheduled to begin on October 26, 2026, according to the notice.
DMSRDE has also stated that it will not provide boarding or lodging. Students selected for the programme will therefore have to arrange their own accommodation in Kanpur.
Other DRDO Opportunities Open This Month
The Kanpur internship is one of several opportunities currently listed by DRDO.
The organisation’s official vacancies page also lists a Junior Research Fellowship opportunity at the Microelectronics Research and Development Centre (MTRDC), Bengaluru. Applications are running until October 15.
DRDO has also opened a paid internship opportunity at its Centre for Advanced Systems and Development, Bengaluru, for eligible BE/B.Tech and M.Sc students. Applications are open until October 11.
A Junior Research Fellowship opportunity is also available at the LRDE in Bengaluru, with the current notice open until October 8.
Students interested in research, engineering and defence technology should check the individual notices. This is important because eligibility, application procedures and deadlines vary between DRDO laboratories.
For the DMSRDE Kanpur internship, the immediate deadline is September 28, 2026.
Curated news reports, in-depth analysis, and special features by India’s Opinion editorial team.
