Date: October 20, 2026
Place: New Delhi, India
Education News: Student Internships, Engineering Careers and Research Opportunities
New Delhi, Education news: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) announced 30 paid internship positions for eligible engineering and science students through its Combat Aircraft Systems Development and Integration Centre (CASDIC). The six-month programme offers selected interns a stipend of ₹5,000 per month and an opportunity to gain practical experience in a professional research environment.
The internship is intended for eligible final-year Bachelor of Engineering (BE) and Bachelor of Technology (BTech) students, along with second-year Master of Science (MSc) students who meet the prescribed academic and age requirements. The available positions cover electrical and electronics-related disciplines, computer science and information technology, and mechanical engineering.
Important update: The reported application deadline was October 11, 2026. As of October 20, the deadline has passed, so students should not assume that applications are still being accepted for this particular intake. Candidates interested in future opportunities should monitor official notifications for new application dates and eligibility conditions.
DRDO Internship 2026: Key Highlights
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Defence Research and Development Organisation |
| Laboratory | Combat Aircraft Systems Development and Integration Centre (CASDIC) |
| Internship duration | Six months |
| Total positions | 30 |
| Monthly stipend | ₹5,000 |
| Total stipend over six months | ₹30,000, subject to programme conditions |
| Eligible courses | BE/BTech and MSc, as specified in the notification |
| Selection | Academic merit and an online interview or interaction, if required |
| Reported application deadline | October 11, 2026 |
| Current status | Reported deadline has passed |
How Many Internship Positions Are Available?
The CASDIC internship notification listed 30 positions across three broad academic categories.
| Engineering or science discipline | Number of positions |
|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics and Communication, and Electronics and Telecommunication | 12 |
| Computer Science and Information Technology | 13 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 5 |
| Total | 30 |
The distribution gives computer science and information technology students the largest number of positions in this intake, followed by electrical and electronics-related disciplines. The number of positions available in a future intake may differ.
Who Is Eligible for the DRDO Internship?
The reported CASDIC notification specifies academic, institutional and age requirements. Applicants must meet the criteria for their particular course.
Educational qualifications
For BE/BTech students:
- Candidates must be in the final year of their engineering programme.
- They must have a minimum CGPA of 7.5 in previous semesters.
- Their institution must be approved by the relevant authority, as specified in the notification.
For MSc students:
- Candidates must be in the second year of their MSc programme.
- They must have secured at least 70% marks in the first year.
- They must meet the other conditions specified in the internship notice.
Applicants must also be below 25 years of age under the reported eligibility criteria.
Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee selection. Candidates are shortlisted according to the available positions, academic records and the selection process specified by the organisation.
What Is the Stipend for the DRDO Internship?
Selected CASDIC interns are offered a stipend of ₹5,000 per month for six months, amounting to ₹30,000 over the complete programme.
The stipend is subject to the attendance requirements and other conditions specified in the notification. The reported arrangement provides payments in instalments after the required periods of internship have been completed.
Students should also understand that a stipend is not the same as a salary from permanent employment. Accommodation, transport and other personal expenses should be checked against the official terms before accepting an internship offer.
How Does the DRDO Internship Selection Process Work?
The reported selection process is based on academic performance and may include an online interview or interaction.
The process can involve the following stages:
- Eligibility screening: Applications are checked against the required course, year of study, academic performance and age criteria.
- Academic assessment: Candidates’ previous academic records are considered.
- Interview or interaction: An online interaction may be conducted where required.
- Document verification: Applicants may be asked to provide supporting academic and institutional documents.
- Selection communication: Selected candidates receive further instructions through the contact details provided in their applications.
The reported process does not specify a separate written entrance examination. However, candidates should read the official notification carefully because selection requirements can vary between laboratories and internship intakes.
How Can Students Apply for Future DRDO Internships?
The application deadline for the CASDIC intake covered here was October 11, 2026, and has passed. Students should therefore look for a new official notification rather than relying on the expired application schedule.
For future opportunities, candidates can follow these steps:
- Visit the official DRDO website and open its vacancies section.
- Identify the laboratory offering the internship.
- Read the full advertisement and check the application deadline.
- Confirm the eligible degree, year of study, academic requirements and age limit.
- Prepare the prescribed application form and supporting documents.
- Follow the submission method stated in the notification, which may differ by laboratory.
- Retain the application acknowledgement and monitor official communications.
Official information: DRDO vacancies and internship notifications
Students should use only the application method and contact details provided in the relevant official advertisement. They should not assume that an email address or application form used by one DRDO laboratory applies to another.
What Can Students Gain From a Research Internship?
A research internship can help students understand how classroom knowledge is applied in a professional environment. Its value depends on the work assigned, the supervision available and the student’s participation.
Potential learning benefits include:
- Practical exposure: Understanding how technical concepts are applied to real projects.
- Research experience: Learning how to examine a problem, review information and document findings.
- Teamwork: Working with supervisors and other professionals.
- Technical communication: Learning to present observations and explain technical decisions.
- Career awareness: Understanding the expectations and working practices of a research organisation.
Students should not assume that every intern will work on the same project or receive access to every facility. The actual assignment depends on the programme and the laboratory’s requirements.
Does Completing a DRDO Internship Guarantee a Job?
No. Completing an internship does not guarantee permanent employment at DRDO.
An internship is a short-term learning opportunity, whereas recruitment to a permanent position follows a separate process with its own eligibility requirements and selection procedures.
Students should treat the programme as an opportunity to gain experience, learn about research careers and strengthen their understanding of their chosen field—not as a confirmed route to a government job.
Important Difference: DRDO Internship Stipends Can Vary
Students should be careful when comparing internship advertisements. DRDO operates multiple laboratories, and different internship schemes may offer different stipends, durations, academic requirements and deadlines.
The ₹5,000 monthly stipend discussed in this article relates to the reported CASDIC intake. Other laboratory-specific programmes may offer different amounts, including a total stipend of ₹30,000 over six months.
A headline mentioning a ₹30,000 stipend may refer to the total payment across the internship, rather than a monthly payment. Students should always check the official notification to understand the payment schedule and conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the DRDO paid internship 2026?
It is a six-month internship programme announced by DRDO’s CASDIC for eligible engineering and science students, with 30 reported positions and a stipend of ₹5,000 per month.
2. What is the stipend for the CASDIC internship?
The reported stipend is ₹5,000 per month for six months, amounting to ₹30,000 over the complete programme, subject to its conditions.
3. Who can apply for the internship?
The reported intake was open to eligible final-year BE/BTech students and second-year MSc students who met the prescribed academic and age criteria.
4. What is the last date to apply?
The reported last date for the CASDIC intake was October 11, 2026. That date has passed as of October 20, 2026.
5. Is there a written examination for selection?
The reported selection process is based on academic merit and may include an online interview or interaction. Candidates should check the official notice for the exact procedure.
6. How many positions were announced?
The reported intake included 30 positions: 12 in electrical and electronics-related disciplines, 13 in computer science and information technology, and five in mechanical engineering.
7. Does the internship guarantee a permanent job?
No. Completing an internship does not guarantee permanent employment. Any future job application must follow the relevant recruitment notification and selection process.
8. Where can students find new DRDO internship notifications?
Students can check the official DRDO vacancies page and read the advertisement issued by the relevant laboratory for the latest eligibility conditions and application dates.
Conclusion
The DRDO CASDIC paid internship offered 30 positions for eligible engineering and science students, with a six-month duration and a reported stipend of ₹5,000 per month. The programme provides a potential route to practical learning and research exposure for students who meet its requirements.
However, the reported application deadline of October 11, 2026, has passed. Students should check official notifications for future opportunities, verify the exact conditions for each laboratory and remember that an internship does not guarantee permanent employment.
Global Education News will continue to cover student internships, research opportunities, career pathways and important education updates for students across India.
