Overview of DRDO Chairs & Fellowships Recruitment 2025
The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has announced a prestigious opportunity for retired scientists and defence officers through its DRDO Chairs & Fellowships program 2025. This contractual engagement offers retired professionals a chance to contribute to cutting-edge defence research while receiving attractive honorariums.
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Advertisement Number: DRDO/DOP/C&F-2025-01
Issuing Authority: Directorate of Personnel, DRDO Headquarters, New Delhi
Total Positions: 22 (14 DRDO + 8 Non-DRDO)
Positions Available & Eligibility Criteria
Summary of Available Positions
| Position | DRDO Positions | Non-DRDO Positions | Total | Monthly Honorarium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DRDO Chair | 3 | 1 | 4 | ₹1,25,000 |
| DRDO Distinguished Fellowship | 4 | 5 | 9 | ₹1,00,000 |
| DRDO Fellowship | 7 | 2 | 9 | ₹80,000 |
| Total | 14 | 8 | 22 | – |
1. DRDO Chair Positions
Number of Vacancies: 4 (3 DRDO + 1 Non-DRDO)
Eligibility Requirements:
- Scientists retired from the rank of Distinguished Scientist (DS) or equivalent
- Must have served in Pay Level-16 or above
- Retired Lt. General or equivalent from Armed Forces with technical background
- Applicable to DRDO or other Scientific/Academic Institutions
Monthly Honorarium: ₹1,25,000
2. DRDO Distinguished Fellowship
Number of Vacancies: 9 (4 DRDO + 5 Non-DRDO)
Eligibility Requirements:
- Scientists retired from the rank of Outstanding Scientist (OS) or equivalent
- Must have served in Pay Level-15 or above
- Retired Lt. General or equivalent from Armed Forces with technical background
- Applicable to DRDO or other Scientific/Academic Institutions
Monthly Honorarium: ₹1,00,000
3. DRDO Fellowship
Number of Vacancies: 9 (7 DRDO + 2 Non-DRDO)
Eligibility Requirements:
- Scientists retired from the rank of Scientist ‘G’ or equivalent
- Must have served in Pay Level-14 or above
- Retired Maj. General or equivalent from Armed Forces with technical background
- Applicable to DRDO or other Scientific/Academic Institutions
Monthly Honorarium: ₹80,000
Who Can Apply: Detailed Eligibility
Eligible Organizations
Non-DRDO includes:
- Tri Services (Army, Navy, Air Force)
- Scientific Institutions of Central Government
- Academic Institutions of Central Government
- Autonomous Bodies under Central Government
Age Limit
Maximum of 5 years after superannuation for all three positions.
Educational Qualifications
- B.Tech / B.E.
- M.Sc.
- M.Tech
- Ph.D.
Retirement Status
- Already retired officers
- Officers due to retire by 31st December 2025
Areas of R&D Activities
Selected candidates will work in the following specialized domains:
- Aeronautics
- Armaments
- Combat Vehicles
- Communication Engineering
- Computer Science/IT
- Electronics
- Life Science
- Instrumentation
- Material Science
- Missiles
- Naval Systems
Work will be conducted at various DRDO Labs, Establishments, and Units across India.
Salary & Benefits Structure
Important Note on Honorarium Calculation
The fixed monthly honorarium is calculated as:
Monthly Honorarium = Last Basic Pay – Basic Pension
What’s Included:
- Fixed monthly honorarium as per position
- Transport Allowance (as admissible)
- Paid leave at 1.5 days per completed month of service
What’s NOT Included:
- Annual increment or percentage increase
- Dearness Allowance (DA)
- House Rent Allowance (HRA)
- Government Accommodation
- Medical reimbursement
- Telephone/Broadband reimbursement
Contract Terms & Tenure
- Initial Contract Period: 1 year
- Maximum Extension: Up to 3 years total
- Review Process: Annual review based on performance and deliverables
- Start Date: From the date of charge assumption
- Working Requirements: Attend office on all working days at assigned lab/establishment
How to Apply: Step-by-Step Application Process
Application Deadline
30 days from the date of publication on DRDO website (https://www.drdo.gov.in)
Application Submission Method
Postal Address:
The Director
Director of Personnel
DRDO, Ministry of Defence
Room No. 229 (DRDS-III)
DRDO Bhawan, Rajaji Marg
New Delhi-110011Email: dte-pers.hqr@gov.in
Envelope Marking: Caption the envelope as “Application for DRDO Chair/DRDO Fellow”
Important Application Requirements
- Paper Size: A-4 size paper
- Dual Submission: Send both postal and email copies
- Endorsement Mandatory: Applications must be endorsed by:
- Concerned Lab/Establishment Director
- Cluster DGs where you wish to serve
Documents Required
Submit the following documents with your application:
- Copy of PPO (Pension Payment Order) & Identity Card issued at retirement
- Copy of Aadhar Card
- Copy of PAN Card
- One recent passport-size colored photograph
- All applicable Annexures as per application format
Application Form Sections
The application proforma requires:
- Area/Field of Specialization with proposed work area
- Personal details and contact information
- Service record details
- Educational qualifications and training
- Proposed area of work (100 words)
- Complete service record (Annexure-I)
- Current employment details if any (Annexure-II)
- List of publications (Annexure-III)
- Additional relevant information (Annexure-IV)
- Identified DG Cluster and DRDO Lab/Establishment
- Recommendations from Director and DG
Selection Process
Three-Stage Selection
- Screening Committee: Initial examination of all applications
- Shortlisting: Screening committee recommends shortlisted candidates
- Selection Committee: Reviews shortlisted names and recommends final list
- Final Approval: Competent Authority approves the final selection
Important Instructions & Guidelines
General Instructions
- Number of positions may vary
- Ensure eligibility regarding discipline, experience, and pay level
- Do not change contact details during the application process
- Mobile number, email address, and residential address are vital
- Place of work will be specified DRDO Labs/Establishments/Units
Liability to Serve
- Selected candidates must be willing to serve anywhere in India
- Must attend office on all working days at assigned location
Caution
Serious Warning: Misrepresentation, falsification, or concealing of facts detected at any stage will result in immediate cancellation of candidature without notice.
Contact Information
DRDO Directorate of Personnel
Address:
Directorate of Personnel
DRDO Headquarters
Rajaji Marg
New Delhi-110011
Phone: 011-23007218
Fax: 011-23014576
Email: dte-pers.hqr@gov.in
Website: https://www.drdo.gov.in
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I apply for multiple positions?
Yes, but you must submit separate applications for each category (DRDO Chair, Distinguished Fellowship, or Fellowship).
2. What is the maximum age limit for these positions?
The age limit is up to 5 years after superannuation for all positions.
3. Is the honorarium amount fixed?
Yes, the honorarium is fixed based on the calculation: Last Basic Pay minus Basic Pension. No annual increments are provided.
4. Are there any allowances provided?
Only Transport Allowance is provided. No DA, HRA, medical reimbursement, or accommodation is provided.
5. How long is the contract period?
The initial contract is for 1 year, extendable up to a maximum of 3 years based on annual performance reviews.
6. Do I need endorsement from DRDO officials?
Yes, your application must be endorsed by the concerned Lab/Establishment Director and Cluster DGs where you wish to work.
7. Can private sector retirees apply?
No, only those retired from Central Government, its Autonomous Bodies, Tri Services, or government scientific/academic institutions are eligible.
8. What if I’m currently working elsewhere?
You must provide details of your current employment in Annexure-II of the application.
9. Where will I be posted?
You can be posted to any DRDO Lab, Establishment, or Unit across India. You must identify your preferred location in the application.
10. What happens if I provide false information?
Candidature will be cancelled immediately without notice if any misrepresentation or falsification is detected.
Key Takeaways
- 22 prestigious positions available for retired scientists and defence officers
- Attractive honorariums ranging from ₹80,000 to ₹1,25,000 per month
- Flexible 1-3 year contracts with annual performance reviews
- Diverse R&D domains including aeronautics, missiles, electronics, and more
- Mandatory endorsements required from DRDO officials
- Apply within 30 days of advertisement publication on DRDO website
- Work anywhere in India at designated DRDO facilities
This is an excellent opportunity for retired professionals to continue contributing to India’s defence research capabilities while receiving competitive compensation. Ensure all eligibility criteria are met and documents are properly endorsed before submission.
