DRDO Paid Internship 2026: Apply by 11 October

Combat Aircraft Systems Development and Integration Centre (CASDIC), a premier lab under DRDO working on Electronic Warfare systems for the Indian Air Force, has opened applications for 30 paid internship seats across three disciplines (Computer Science (13), Electronics & Communication (12), and Mechanical Engineering (5)) based at their Bengaluru campus.

The six-month internship carries a stipend of ₹5,000 per month, which is modest but the draw here isn’t the money: it’s six months inside a defence R&D facility working on EW systems for the IAF, which is a genuinely unusual entry point for a final-year engineering student. That experience is worth more on a resume than most private-sector internship certificates, especially if you’re aiming for DRDO/ISRO/PSU careers or defence-adjacent work later.

The eligibility bar is real, though. BE/B.Tech students need a minimum CGPA of 7.5 across all previous semesters (that’s a cumulative requirement, not just recent performance) and M.Sc students need at least 70% in their first year. The age cap is 25 years. I

f your academic record meets this, the process is application-by-email followed by an online interview; CASDIC selects on merit. One practical thing to plan around: boarding and lodging expenses are entirely on the candidate, there’s no reimbursement, and the internship is physically at the Bengaluru lab. If you’re not in Bengaluru or willing to relocate for six months, factor that cost in before applying. For more government and defence internship openings, check the Internships and Government Jobs sections on FreshersJob4U.

Read the Notification and Apply

Quick Overview

About the Internship

CASDIC works on Electronic Warfare (EW) systems for the Indian Air Force under DRDO, which means the technical environment is defence-grade, security-conscious, and unlike anything a typical product or service-sector internship offers. Selected interns will work on project assignments relevant to their discipline under DRDO scientists, submit a project report at the end of the term, and go through an evaluation before the completion certificate is issued.

The three-discipline structure (EC, CS, and ME) means the work differs significantly by branch: EC interns are likely involved in EW system-level work, CS interns in software, signal processing tools, or data systems, and ME interns in structural or integration-related work on aircraft systems.

One important distinction from many corporate internships: CASDIC makes it explicit that completing this internship creates no right to employment. Don’t apply if a conversion offer is part of your expectation. It isn’t on the table, and the notification is clear about that.

Vacancy Details

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

Applications are open to two groups:

• BE/B.Tech students in their final year, with a minimum CGPA of 7.5 across all previous semesters. The “all previous semesters” clause means a single low semester will still pull your cumulative average down. This isn’t a “recent performance” threshold, it’s a lifetime academic record requirement.
• M.Sc. students in their 2nd (final) year, with a minimum of 70% marks in their 1st year exam.

The degree must be from a full-time course at an AICTE or UGC-approved college or university: distance education or part-time programmes don’t qualify. Students must also provide the CGPA-to-percentage conversion formula used by their institute at the time of application.

Age Limit

Candidates must be below 25 years of age. No category-wise age relaxation is mentioned in the official notification.

Not sure if you fall within the age bracket? Our Government Exam Age Calculator works out your exact age against cutoffs like this in a few seconds.

Who Should Apply?

• Final-year BE/B.Tech or 2nd-year M.Sc. students in EC, CS, or ME with a strong cumulative academic record (CGPA 7.5+ / 70%+ first-year PG marks)
• Students at AICTE/UGC-approved institutions enrolled in full-time programmes
• Candidates who are genuinely interested in defence R&D: the work environment is security-sensitive and focused on defence systems for the IAF, which is only meaningful to you if that’s a domain you want exposure to
• Students who can be physically present in Bengaluru for the full six-month term (December 2026 to May/June 2027), including at least 15 working days per month: the stipend payment is tied to this attendance requirement
• Candidates aiming for PSU/DRDO/ISRO careers who want early exposure to a defence R&D lab on their profile

Who Is This Role Not For?

• Students who cannot commit to a minimum 15 working days per month in-person in Bengaluru: the stipend is not paid for months where this threshold isn’t met, and the completion certificate requires the full six-month term
• Candidates looking for a conversion opportunity into a DRDO job: the notification explicitly states that CASDIC/DRDO has no obligation to offer employment, and the internship creates no right to a job
• Final-year students with a CGPA below 7.5 (cumulative across all semesters), or M.Sc. students with less than 70% in their first year: the threshold is firm and document-verified at joining
• Students who have already applied against the August 2025 CASDIC internship advertisement: the notification specifically asks these candidates not to apply again
• Candidates who need a salary/accommodation package. There is no boarding or lodging support, and no reimbursement for living expenses

Stipend

The stipend is ₹5,000 per month across all three disciplines (EC, CS, and ME) with no variation by branch. Payment is made in two instalments: the first after three months, and the second at the end of the six-month term. Both instalments are transferred directly to the intern’s bank account. There’s a meaningful condition attached: the monthly stipend applies only when the intern is physically present at the lab for at least 15 working days in that month. A month where attendance falls short doesn’t count toward payment.

Selection Process

CASDIC will shortlist candidates based on their marks in previous exams, then conduct an online interview or interaction with shortlisted applicants. Selection is merit-based throughout; no separate written test is mentioned. The selection process has two practical takeaways: your academic scorecard (CGPA/percentage) is the primary screening filter before you ever reach the interview stage, so candidates with borderline marks may not progress to the interview regardless of other strengths.

And since the interview is online, candidates outside Bengaluru can still go through the interview process without travelling, only the actual internship requires physical presence.

• Stage 1: Shortlisting based on academic performance (CGPA / marks in previous semesters/year)
• Stage 2: Online interview / interaction
• Stage 3: Selected candidates notified via email (by 13 November 2026) with joining instructions
• Stage 4: Document verification at the time of joining (01 December 2026)

Incomplete or erroneous applications, and applications received after the deadline, will be rejected without further communication. There is no provision to raise grievances for rejected applications.

How to Apply

1. Download the official application format from the notification (attached format in the PDF advertisement: use it exactly as given, do not use a self-made format)
2. Fill in all fields: name, date of birth, Aadhaar number, college details, discipline, branch code, degree, CGPA with conversion formula, achievements, and contact details. Affix a passport-size photo (4.5 × 3.5 cm) in the space provided.
3. Prepare a brief biodata of under 300 words highlighting your academic achievements and any relevant work
4. Obtain a Reference / Request Letter from your college Principal or HOD, printed on college letterhead, addressed to the Centre Head, CASDIC, in the format provided in the notification. This letter is mandatory, no application will be processed without it.
5. Gather self-attested copies of: all previous semester marksheets, and your Aadhaar card
6. Scan all documents (filled application form, reference letter, marksheets, Aadhaar) into a single submission package
7. Email everything to hrd.casdic@gov.in with the subject line exactly as: “Application for paid internship for the year 2026 with Branch code [EC / CS / ME]” — replace the bracket with the branch code you are applying for
8. Submit before 11 October 2026. Emails received after this date will not be considered under any circumstances.

Documents Required at the Time of Joining

Shortlisted candidates will need to bring the following originals to CASDIC on the joining date for verification (originals will be returned immediately after verification):

• All BE/B.Tech or M.Sc. previous semester/year marksheets (originals)
• Original Reference/Request Letter from college (for paid internship)
• Original Bonafide Certificate from college
• No Objection Certificate (NOC) from college on letterhead, confirming the student is relieved for internship at CASDIC and will be present for minimum 15 working days per month
• Police Verification Certificate from hometown or place of residence
• Undertaking for adherence to the Indian Official Secrets Act, 1923 (in the format attached to the notification)
• Undertaking to follow IT Rules and Regulations applicable to the Ministry of Defence (in the format attached to the notification)
• Bank account details for stipend transfer
• Original Aadhaar Card and College ID Card
• 4 copies of recent passport-size colour photographs

The Police Verification Certificate and the two undertakings (Official Secrets Act and IT Rules) are not things you can arrange on short notice: start the police verification process well before the joining date if you anticipate being selected.

Important Dates

• Advertisement Date: 11 September 2026
• Last Date to Apply: 11 October 2026
• Shortlist Intimation: 13 November 2026 (via DRDO website and/or email)
• Internship Start Date: 01 December 2026

Important Links

About CASDIC – DRDO

Combat Aircraft Systems Development and Integration Centre (CASDIC) is a laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of Defence, Government of India. It specialises in Electronic Warfare (EW) systems for the Indian Air Force, working on the development and integration of combat aircraft systems. CASDIC is located at the Old DARE Complex in C V Raman Nagar, Bengaluru, a campus with a long history in defence electronics research. As a DRDO lab, it operates under the security protocols of the Ministry of Defence: interns are required to sign undertakings under the Indian Official Secrets Act and to follow Defence Ministry IT rules for the duration of their stay.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Who is eligible to apply for the CASDIC DRDO Paid Internship 2026?
Final-year BE/B.Tech students with a minimum CGPA of 7.5 across all semesters, or 2nd-year M.Sc. students with at least 70% marks in their 1st year, enrolled full-time at an AICTE/UGC-approved college, and below 25 years of age.

Q2. What is the last date to apply?
11 October 2026. Applications received after this date will not be considered. The email must reach hrd.casdic@gov.in on or before this date.

Q3. Can I apply for more than one branch (EC, CS, and ME)?
The notification does not explicitly address this, but since you must mention the branch code in the email subject line, you would need to send separate applications for each branch. Confirm with CASDIC directly at 080-25047686 if you want clarity before applying to multiple branches.

Q4. What is the stipend, and when is it paid?
₹5,000 per month, paid in two instalments: first after 3 months, second at the end of the 6-month term. The monthly stipend applies only when the intern is present for at least 15 working days that month. If you leave the internship midway, no payment is made and no certificate is issued.

Q5. Is accommodation provided by CASDIC?
No. Boarding and lodging expenses are entirely on the candidate. CASDIC does not provide accommodation and does not reimburse living costs.

Q6. Will this internship help me get a job at DRDO?
Not directly. The notification explicitly states that CASDIC/DRDO is under no obligation to offer employment to interns, and completing the internship creates no right to a job. If you’re targeting a permanent DRDO position, you’ll need to apply through the standard CEPTAM or SET routes separately.

Q7. I applied under the August 2025 CASDIC internship advertisement. Do I need to apply again?
No. The notification specifically says candidates who already applied against the August 2025 advertisement do not need to apply again.

Q8. What documents do I need to arrange before joining if selected?
Beyond the usual marksheets and Aadhaar, the two that take time are: (a) a Police Verification Certificate from your hometown or residence, and (b) the two undertakings per the Official Secrets Act and IT Rules formats provided in the notification. Don’t leave these to the last week: police verification especially can take two to three weeks depending on your location.

Source & Verification

• Source: CASDIC Official Advertisement No. CASDIC/HRG/PDINTERN/2026/01, dated 11 September 2026
• Organisation: Combat Aircraft Systems Development and Integration Centre (CASDIC), DRDO, Ministry of Defence
• Official Website: www.drdo.gov.in
• Application Email: hrd.casdic@gov.in
• Last Checked: 16 September 2026

FreshersJob4U is not affiliated with CASDIC, DRDO, or the Ministry of Defence. This post is for informational purposes only. Candidates should verify all details, including the current application status and any updates, directly from the official DRDO website or by contacting CASDIC at 080-25047686 before applying.

Rohit

Engineering graduate and founder of FreshersJob4U. I write detailed job guides, interview prep resources, and career roadmaps for freshers and early-career professionals in India. This site started from my own experience with the scattered, confusing fresher job search — I wanted to build something cleaner.