Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), a laboratory of DRDO under the Ministry of Defence based in Kochi, has announced recruitment for Junior Research Fellow (JRF) positions under Advertisement No. NPOL/JRF/01/2026. The notification lists four fixed vacancies in Mechanical Engineering, with positions in other engineering and science disciplines shown as anticipated. Selection is through a walk-in interview, and the fellowships offer young engineers and scientists a chance to work on naval research in areas ranging from electronics and materials to oceanography and meteorology.
NPOL Recruitment 2026 - Junior Research Fellow Posts
Posted 28 Sept 2026Updated 28 Sept 2026NPOL/JRF/01/2026
Total Vacancies
4
Last Date
—
Apply Mode
Walk-in
Contract
Status
Application Closed
Recruitment status
Walk-in interview held on 10 Oct 2026
- Notification18 Sept
- Walk-in10 Oct
- Walk-in Held10 Oct
About NPOL Junior Research Fellow Recruitment 2026
Job Overview
- Organization
- Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory
- Advertisement No.
- NPOL/JRF/01/2026
- Post Name
- Computer Science & Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and 5 more
- Job Location
- Kochi, Kerala
- Who Can Apply
- Candidates from anywhere in India
- Job Type
- Contract
- Age Limit
- Up to 28 years
- Gender
- All
- Nationality
- Indian
- Credentials Required
- Valid GATE qualification for the engineering disciplines; valid NET/GATE qualification for Physics and Oceanography/Ocean Technology/Meteorology, valid as on the date of walk-in interview
- Pay Scale
- Rs. 37,000 per month plus House Rent Allowance as admissible under the rules
- Tenure
- Initially two years, extendable as per rules
Vacancy Breakdown
Computer Science & Engineering
Anticipated
Mechanical Engineering
04
Chemical Engineering / Rubber Technology / Polymer Technology / Nanotechnology / Materials Science
Anticipated
Opto Electronics
Anticipated
Electrical & Electronics Engineering / Electronics & Communication Engineering / Instrumentation Engineering
Anticipated
Physics
Anticipated
Oceanography / Ocean Technology / Meteorology
Anticipated
Total4
| Post Name | Total |
|---|---|
| Computer Science & Engineering | Anticipated |
| Mechanical Engineering | 04 |
| Chemical Engineering / Rubber Technology / Polymer Technology / Nanotechnology / Materials Science | Anticipated |
| Opto Electronics | Anticipated |
| Electrical & Electronics Engineering / Electronics & Communication Engineering / Instrumentation Engineering | Anticipated |
| Physics | Anticipated |
| Oceanography / Ocean Technology / Meteorology | Anticipated |
| Grand Total | 4 |
Eligibility Details
Computer Science & Engineering
B.E/B.Tech in Computer Science Engg in 1st Division with valid GATE qualification, OR M.E/M.Tech in Computer Science Engg in 1st Division at both Graduate and Post Graduate level
Mechanical Engineering
BE/B.Tech in Mechanical Engg in 1st Division with valid GATE qualification, OR ME/M.Tech in Mechanical Engg in 1st Division at both Graduate and Post Graduate level
Chemical Engineering / Rubber Technology / Polymer Technology / Nanotechnology / Materials Science
BE/B.Tech in Chemical Engineering/Rubber Technology/Polymer Technology/Nanotechnology/Materials Science in 1st Division with valid GATE qualification, OR ME/M.Tech in the same fields in 1st Division at both Graduate and Post Graduate level
Opto Electronics
BE/B.Tech in Opto Electronics in 1st Division with valid GATE qualification, OR ME/M.Tech in Opto Electronics in 1st Division at both Graduate and Post Graduate level, OR BE/B.Tech in Electrical & Electronics Engg/Electronics & Communication Engg (with at least one paper on Fibre Optics/Optoelectronics/Laser Technologies) in 1st Division with valid GATE qualification
Electrical & Electronics Engineering / Electronics & Communication Engineering / Instrumentation Engineering
BE/B.Tech in these fields in 1st Division with valid GATE qualification, OR ME/M.Tech in these fields in 1st Division at both Graduate and Post Graduate level
Physics
Post Graduate Degree in Basic Science pertaining to the subject/discipline in 1st Division with valid NET/GATE qualification
Oceanography / Ocean Technology / Meteorology
Post Graduate Degree in Basic Science pertaining to the subject/discipline in 1st Division with valid NET/GATE qualification, OR ME/M.Tech in Oceanography/Ocean Technology/Meteorology in 1st Division at both Graduate and Post Graduate level
| Post | Qualification |
|---|---|
| Computer Science & Engineering | B.E/B.Tech in Computer Science Engg in 1st Division with valid GATE qualification, OR M.E/M.Tech in Computer Science Engg in 1st Division at both Graduate and Post Graduate level |
| Mechanical Engineering | BE/B.Tech in Mechanical Engg in 1st Division with valid GATE qualification, OR ME/M.Tech in Mechanical Engg in 1st Division at both Graduate and Post Graduate level |
| Chemical Engineering / Rubber Technology / Polymer Technology / Nanotechnology / Materials Science | BE/B.Tech in Chemical Engineering/Rubber Technology/Polymer Technology/Nanotechnology/Materials Science in 1st Division with valid GATE qualification, OR ME/M.Tech in the same fields in 1st Division at both Graduate and Post Graduate level |
| Opto Electronics | BE/B.Tech in Opto Electronics in 1st Division with valid GATE qualification, OR ME/M.Tech in Opto Electronics in 1st Division at both Graduate and Post Graduate level, OR BE/B.Tech in Electrical & Electronics Engg/Electronics & Communication Engg (with at least one paper on Fibre Optics/Optoelectronics/Laser Technologies) in 1st Division with valid GATE qualification |
| Electrical & Electronics Engineering / Electronics & Communication Engineering / Instrumentation Engineering | BE/B.Tech in these fields in 1st Division with valid GATE qualification, OR ME/M.Tech in these fields in 1st Division at both Graduate and Post Graduate level |
| Physics | Post Graduate Degree in Basic Science pertaining to the subject/discipline in 1st Division with valid NET/GATE qualification |
| Oceanography / Ocean Technology / Meteorology | Post Graduate Degree in Basic Science pertaining to the subject/discipline in 1st Division with valid NET/GATE qualification, OR ME/M.Tech in Oceanography/Ocean Technology/Meteorology in 1st Division at both Graduate and Post Graduate level |
Age Limit
Upper age limit 28 years as on the date of the walk-in interview (10-10-2026)
Age Relaxation
Relaxable for candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and OBC categories as per Government of India norms
Selection Process
- 1Walk-in Interview
Interview conducted on the notified date and time; a panel is drawn from the interview for available and future vacancies and operates for one year, and empanelment alone does not entitle a candidate to an offer of fellowship
Salary Structure
Rs. 37,000 per month plus House Rent Allowance as admissible under the rules
How to Apply
- 1Report on 10.10.2026 (Saturday) at 0930 hrs at Bhavan's Varuna Vidyalaya, in the campus of Naval Physical & Oceanographic Laboratory, Thrikkakara P.O., Kochi 682021
- 2Carry all original certificates and testimonials, community certificate if applicable, and valid GATE/NET score card
- 3Bring a set of self-attested copies of all testimonials and certificates
- 4Carry an original ID proof such as Voter's ID, Aadhaar card, PAN card or Driving License
- 5Bring one recent colour passport-size photograph
- 6Optionally e-mail a one-page bio-data to [email protected] in advance for administrative arrangements
Reporting Venue
Bhavan's Varuna Vidyalaya, in the campus of Naval Physical & Oceanographic Laboratory, Thrikkakara P.O., Kochi 682021
Reporting time: 09:30 hrs
Eligible candidates appear directly for the walk-in interview on 10.10.2026 at 0930 hrs at Bhavan's Varuna Vidyalaya in the NPOL campus, Thrikkakara P.O., Kochi. They must produce all original certificates, testimonials, community certificate and valid GATE/NET score card, a set of self-attested copies of all testimonials and certificates, an original ID proof and one recent colour passport-size photograph. A one-page bio-data may be e-mailed in advance to [email protected].
Documents to Carry / Upload
•All original certificates and testimonials
•Community certificate (if applicable)
•Valid GATE/NET score card
•Self-attested copies of all testimonials/certificates
•Original ID proof (Voter's ID/Aadhaar card/PAN card/Driving License)
•One recent colour passport-size photograph
Important Details
- A panel is drawn from the interview for the vacancies available and future vacancies and will operate for one year, but empanelment alone does not entitle a candidate to an offer of fellowship, which depends on vacancies arising during the year.
- The Director, NPOL, reserves the right not to select any candidate if suitable candidates are not available.
- Candidates with essential qualification degrees from foreign universities should obtain equivalence from the Association of Indian Universities, Delhi, and submit it; all qualifications must be from recognized universities or institutions.
- Candidates working in Government, Public Sector Undertakings or autonomous bodies should apply through proper channel.
- An offer of fellowship does not confer any right for absorption in DRDO.
- Any additional information or amendments will be updated only on the DRDO website, and in case of ambiguity in the Hindi version the English version prevails.
Contact
Email: [email protected]
Frequently Asked Questions
Can candidates with a degree from a foreign university apply for the NPOL JRF posts?
Yes, but they must obtain an equivalence certificate from the Association of Indian Universities, Delhi, and submit it along with the application.
Do government or PSU employees need to apply through a particular route?
Yes. Candidates working in Government, Public Sector Undertakings or autonomous bodies should apply through proper channel.
Does being empanelled after the interview guarantee a fellowship?
No. The panel operates for one year, but empanelment by itself does not entitle a candidate to an offer of fellowship, which depends on vacancies arising during the year.
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