DRDO DHR&V Recruitment 2026: The Directorate of Human Resource & Vigilance at DRDO has opened a distinct kind of recruitment — not for fresh talent, but for retired or soon-to-retire senior scientists and military officers to continue contributing through Chair positions and Fellowships. With 15 posts spanning three tiers of seniority, this is squarely aimed at former Distinguished Scientists, Outstanding Scientists, Scientist ‘G’ equivalents, and their military counterparts at Lieutenant General and Major General rank.
The application itself is entirely offline — no portal, no online form — sent by post to DRDO’s headquarters, with an advance copy allowed by email.
DRDO Chair: Retired Distinguished Scientist (DS) or equivalent from DRDO/other scientific-academic institutions at Pay Level-16, or a retired Lieutenant General (or equivalent) at Pay Level-16.
DRDO Distinguished Fellowships: Retired Outstanding Scientist (OS) or equivalent at Pay Level-15, or a retired Lieutenant General equivalent at Pay Level-15.
DRDO Fellowships: Retired Scientist ‘G’ or equivalent at Pay Level-14, or a retired Major General equivalent at Pay Level-14.
Age Limit
Candidates must be within 5 years of superannuation from their parent organisation.
Honorarium
Post
Monthly Honorarium
DRDO Chair
₹1,25,000
DRDO Distinguished Fellowships
₹1,00,000
DRDO Fellowships
₹80,000
This is a fixed amount capped at the difference between the last basic pay drawn and the basic pension — it doesn’t increase during the contract, and no allowances apply beyond Transport Allowance (no DA, HRA, government accommodation, medical, or telephone reimbursement).
Selection Process
A screening committee examines all applications received.
Shortlisted names go to a selection committee for review.
The selection committee’s final recommendations go to the Competent Authority for approval.
Attach self-attested copies of your photograph, signature, ID proof, and relevant service/qualification certificates.
Review everything before submission.
Send the completed form by Speed Post/Registered Post to the address specified in the notification — an advance copy can also go to director-dhrv@gov.in.
Ensure it reaches before 16 October 2026, and keep a photocopy for your own records.
Q1. Who is eligible for these DRDO positions?
Retired or soon-to-retire senior scientists (DS/OS/Scientist ‘G’ equivalent) or military officers (Lt. General/Major General equivalent), within 5 years of superannuation.
Q2. How many posts are open, and at what level?
15 total — 2 DRDO Chair, 7 Distinguished Fellowships, 6 Fellowships, in descending order of seniority and honorarium.
Q3. What’s the last date to apply?
16 October 2026, offline only.
Q4. What’s the pay for these roles?
₹1,25,000/month for Chair, ₹1,00,000 for Distinguished Fellowships, and ₹80,000 for Fellowships — capped against pension already drawn.
Q5. Is there a written test or interview?
No formal test — a screening committee shortlists applications, which go to a selection committee for final recommendation.
Practical Tip
Since the honorarium is explicitly capped at “last basic pay minus pension already drawn,” calculate your actual net entitlement before applying rather than assuming the full advertised figure — officers with a higher pension may find the effective monthly amount considerably below the headline number.
