DRDO Internship 2025: Application Process, Eligibility & Last Date for Engineering Students

The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has announced various internship opportunities for students and recent engineering graduates. These positions are open to candidates who have completed or are pursuing their BE/B.Tech or BSc. The DRDO Internship 2025 is a golden opportunity for students who are passionate about the Defense Research and Development. Every year, the DRDO Department offers internships to students in their various research centers. It helps the students gain hands-on experience in cutting-edge technology and boosts their careers in the technological field. The main aim of launching this internship is to provide research and development exposure to the graduates and non-graduate students. In this blog, we will discover the various aspects of the DRDO Internship, including the types of internships, how to apply, eligibility criteria, important dates, and much more. So, stay tuned with us throughout the blog.

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DRDO Internship 2025 for Engineering Students and Science Students

The DRDO Internship 2025 is open to all engineering and science graduates and post-graduate students. The main aim of launching this internship scheme is to provide the most valuable experience to the students in the DRDO Labs/Estts. It allows the students to get hands-on experience in the cutting-edge defense research and development activities carried out by the DRDO Department, especially in the defense technology sector.

This internship allows the students to work with the expert scientists and the engineers working in various domains like aerospace, electronics, computer science, mechanical, and physics. This internship nurtures young talent by enhancing their technical skills through innovation and real-world projects. The DRDO Internship helps to shape the future careers of youngsters in research and technology.

Various Features of the DRDO Internship 2025

Different salient features of the DRDO Internship 2025 are as follows:

The internship training is offered in the different research departments of the DRDO, through which students can gain real-world experience in the various departments of the DRDO.

Interns can get the opportunity to be associated with the ongoing projects in the DRDO Labs /Estts.

Interns will only be permitted to work in the unclassified areas of the DRDO Labs/Establishments.

This Internship training of the students is subject to the vacancies at the labs and also requires the approval of the lab Director of the DRDO.

DRDO doesn’t need to provide employment opportunities to the students after the completion of their internship program.

Also, DRDO is not obliged to compensate in case of any injury during the internship period of the student.

DRDO Internship 2025: Important Dates

Description	Important Dates
DRDO internship 2025 last date for Application	14 July 2025
Information provided to the selected students for the Interview	22 July 2025
Interview Date	26 July 2025
Internship start date	1st August 2025

Why Apply for the DRDO Internship Program 2025?

Various reasons are mentioned below that one should apply for the DRDO Internship Program 2025:

This internship provides mentorship from the top scientists and engineers.
It provides exposure to cybersecurity, Advanced AI techniques, missile technology, aerospace, and much more.

A prestigious certificate and a Recommendation letter that boost your career prospects.

Hands-on experience with real projects based on advanced defense research.

How to Apply for the DRDO Internship 2025?

Below is a step-by-step guide to apply for the DRDO Internship 2025:

Step 1: Choose Your Preferred DRDO Lab

DRDO has over 50 laboratories across India, each working in different areas like missiles, cybersecurity, aerospace, artificial intelligence, robotics, and more. Start by visiting the official DRDO website and exploring the list of labs. Pick the one that matches your field of study or research interest. This helps you apply where your skills will be most relevant.

Step 2: Prepare a Strong Application

Once you’ve decided on the lab, get your application ready. It should include:

An internship request letter addressed to the lab director.

Your updated resume, highlighting your technical skills, research experience, and academic achievements.

A Letter of Recommendation (LOR) from one of your professors who knows your work well.

A No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your college, allowing you to take up the internship.

Make sure your documents are neat, complete, and well-organized. A professional and well-written application creates a good first impression.

Step 3: Send Your Application

Once everything is ready, email your application to the HR or Admin department of the lab you’ve selected. Some DRDO labs also have online application portals where you can upload your documents directly. Check the lab’s official website for the latest guidelines.

Step 4: Prepare Yourself for the Interview

The most important and final step is to prepare yourself for the interview. Once you send your application to the DRDO lab admin, you have to prepare yourself for the interview round. Your interview will decide whether you are selected for the DRDO Internship or not.

DRDO Internship Application Form 2025

Candidates who are willing to apply for the DRDO Internship 2025 must fill out their application form in the offline mode. Those students who want to check and download the application form format and know the detailed information about the internship can download the format from the official website of the DRDO.

Duration of the Internship and Selection Procedure

DRDO Internship 2025 differs between the colleges and the institutions. DRDO Internship opens twice a year, once in March (also known as Summer Internship) and once in November (also known as Winter Internship). The Duration of the Internship is generally two to six months. In this, the M.Tech students generally do a 2-month internship, and the Ph.D students mostly prefer to do a 6-month internship. After the completion of the internship, one professional certificate will be provided to the students, which will help a lot in their future endeavours.

On the other hand, if we talk about the selection procedure of the students, then it is based on the academic performance and the Final Interview conducted by the DRDO authorities. Selected students are advised to complete all the required documentation, including the submission of the application form and the security bond signed by the student as well as the Institution.

Stipend provided to the students during the Internship Period

Although most of the DRDO Internships are unpaid, some departments provide the DRDO Paid Internship 2025 with a stipend of Rs 5,000 every month to the students.

The stipend will be given to the students in 2 installments, the first after 3 months and the second after their internship period.

Moreover, in a month, 15 days of physical attendance are compulsory to receive your full stipend.

The stipend will be credited directly to the student’s bank account. Also, subsidized meals and snacks are available at the DRDO canteen.

Also Read: EHRMS Gujarat Anganwadi | Joseph Mundassery Scholarship

What are the various types of DRDO Internship 2025?

DRDO offers different types of internships depending on their academic level and the research interests which are as follows:

Internship Type	Duration	Eligibility Criteria	Application Deadline for the Internship
Summer Internship	4 to 8 weeks	UG/PG in Science or Technology, or Engineering	March-April 2025
Semester Internship	3 to 4 months	Students who are involved in the research projects	It may vary by the DRDO lab
Project Internship	3 to 6 months	Final-Year Students or graduates	Still Rolling the Applications

1. Summer Internship

Duration: 4-6 weeks

Eligibility: Open to 3rd and 4th-year B.E./B.Tech students, as well as postgraduate students.

Best For: Students who want short-term research experience and hands-on exposure to defense technology.

2. Semester Internship (Long-Term Internship)

Duration: 4-6 months

Eligibility: Available for final-year B.Tech, M.Tech, MSc, and Ph.D. students.

Best For: Those who are working on a thesis or a long-term academic project in collaboration with DRDO laboratories.

3. Dissertation / Project-Based Internship

Duration: 3-6 months (may vary based on project requirements)

Eligibility: M.Tech or M.Sc. students who need research support for their dissertation or final project.

Best For: Students conducting specialized research under the guidance of DRDO scientists.

4. Industrial Training Internship

Duration: 4-6 weeks

Eligibility: Engineering students, especially those pursuing B.Tech in Mechanical, Electronics, Computer Science, Aerospace, or related fields.

Best For: Students who need to complete mandatory industrial training as part of their degree program and want real-world exposure in a defense-related environment.

Key Departments of DRDO Offering Internships

DRDO is divided into various technological departments that provide internship opportunities to students. Those DRDO departments that are offering the internship opportunity are as follows:

Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE)- Specialized in Aerospace and UAVs
Research Centre Imarat (RCI)- It specializes in all kinds of Missile systems
Defense Electronics Research Lab (DLRL)- It specializes in Cybersecurity and Electronics
Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR)- This department specializes in AI or Machine Learning
Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Science (INMAS)- This department specializes in Biomedical Research.

Eligibility Criteria for DRDO Internship

The Eligibility Criteria for DRDO Internship are as follows:

Candidates who want to enroll in the Internship must be students of B.E./B.Tech, M.E./M.Tech, M.Sc., or Ph.D. in their relevant fields.

Candidate must be enrolled in a recognized Indian University.

An individual must have a minimum CGPA of 7.5 (It may differ according to the DRDO Lab/Establishments).

The candidate must obtain a No Objection Certificate from their institution or college.

The student must be in the 2nd or 4th year in the UG degree and in the final year if pursuing the PG Degree.

Documents Required for DRDO Internship

Candidates must attach the following documents with their application form:

Copy of marksheets of completed semesters with more than 60% CGPA.
Your Resume/CV
Reference or Request Letter from your college Principal or Director.
Copy of College ID and Aadhar Card.
Character Certificate from your college.
Police Verification Certificate from your residential area.

DRDO Chess Summer Internship 2025

Unlike the other Internship opportunities, the Defense Research and Development Organization has launched the Chess Summer Internship 2025. It is a paid Internship Program at CHESS (Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences, Hyderabad). It is not a normal college internship. It’s a full 6 months paid internship under India’s Frontline Defense Tech Lab, where a candidate will learn about the high-end laser systems, optics and more.

Some more information about the DRDO Chess Summer Internship is as follows:

Total Seats Available	20 seats
Total Stipend Given to the Students	Total Rs 30,000 (Rs 5,000 per month)
Application Last Date	15 July 2025
Internship Duration	6 months
Mode of Application	Email Only
Age Limit	Less than 28 years
Educational Qualifications	Must be in final year of B.E./B.Tech./M.E./M.Tech./M.Sc. in relevant field.Moreover, minimum 75% CGPA is required to get selected.

FAQs about DRDO Internship 2025

Q-1) What is the last date of application for DRDO Internship 2025?

A- The last date of application for DRDO Internship 2025 is 14 July 2025.

Q-2) Who is eligible for DRDO Internship?

A- To be eligible for a DRDO internship, you must be enrolled in a recognized undergraduate or postgraduate program in engineering or science, and have a minimum academic score (often 60% to 75%, depending on the specific program).