DRDO NSTL Internship Program 2026: Stipend, Eligibility, How to Apply & Selection Tips

DRDO NSTL Internship Program 2026: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has released the official notification for the Paid Internship Programme 2026 at the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam. This internship opportunity is open for final-year B.E./B.Tech students and second-year M.Sc students from various engineering and science disciplines. 

According to the official DRDO NSTL Internship 2026 notification NSTL/HRD/INT/2026/02, a total of 35 internship positions are available. The internship will be conducted for 06 months, and selected candidates will receive a monthly stipend of ₹5,000. Interested and eligible students must submit their applications through email before March 23, 2026. 

DRDO NSTL Internship 2026 offers students an excellent opportunity to gain practical exposure in defence research and underwater technologies for the Indian Navy while working at one of DRDO’s premier laboratories.

DRDO NSTL Internship 2026 

The Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) located in Visakhapatnam is a premier laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organization working on advanced underwater defence technologies for the Indian Navy. 

Through this internship program, NSTL aims to provide hands-on research exposure to bright and meritorious engineering and science students. Selected interns will get an opportunity to work on real defence research projects, learn about modern technologies, and gain valuable industry experience during the six-month internship period. 

Candidates should carefully read the official notification before applying and ensure they meet all the eligibility requirements. 

DRDO NSTL Internship 2026 Overview 

*Organization: Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), DRDO

*Advertisement Number: NSTL/HRD/INT/2026/02 

*Total Internship Positions: 35 

*Eligible Candidates: Final-year B.E./B.Tech and second-year M.Sc students

*Application Mode: Email Application

*Internship Duration: 06 Months

*Monthly Stipend: ₹5,000

*Age Limit: Below 25 years (as on 01 May 2026)

*Selection Process: Merit & Interview

*Internship Location: NSTL, Visakhapatnam

*Application Email: intern-hrd@gov.in 

DRDO NSTL Internship 2026 Branch-Wise Vacancy Details 

The Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) has announced 35 internship seats across multiple engineering and science disciplines.

• Chemical Engineering (CE) – 03 Posts

• Mechanical Engineering (ME) – 05 Posts

• Electrical Engineering (EE) – 04 Posts

• Electronics & Communication Engineering (ECE) – 06 Posts

• Electronics & Instrumentation Engineering (E&I) – 02 Posts

• Naval Architecture (NA) – 03 Posts

• Computer Science / Information Technology (CS) – 08 Posts

• M.Sc Physics (PH) – 02 Posts

• M.Sc Chemistry (CH) – 02 Posts 

DRDO NSTL Internship 2026 Important Dates

• Notification Release Date: 09 March 2026

• Last Date to Submit Application: 23 March 2026 (05:00 PM)

• Intimation to Selected Candidates: Second Week of April 2026

• Internship Joining Date: 01 May 2026

DRDO NSTL Internship Eligibility Criteria 2026 

Candidates applying for the DRDO NSTL Internship must satisfy the following eligibility conditions. 

Educational Qualification 

For B.E./B.Tech Students

• Candidates must be pursuing final year of engineering in the relevant discipline.

• A minimum CGPA of 7.5 on a 10-point scale in all previous semesters is required. 

For M.Sc Students

• Candidates must be studying in the second year (3rd or 4th semester) of the postgraduate programme.

• Students must have minimum 75% marks in the first-year examination. 

Additional Requirement

• Candidates must be enrolled in a full-time course from an AICTE or UGC approved college or university.

• Equivalent qualifications will not be accepted. 

Age Limit (As on 01/05/2026) 

• Minimum Age: 21 years 

• Maximum Age: 25 years 

DRDO NSTL Internship Selection Process 2026 

The selection process for the DRDO-NSTL internship 2026 will be conducted in the following stages. 

Merit-Based Shortlisting: Initially, candidates will be shortlisted based on their academic performance such as CGPA or percentage obtained in previous semesters or academic years. 

Interview / Interaction: Shortlisted candidates may be invited for an online or offline interview conducted by NSTL officials. 

Final Selection: Final selection will be based on overall merit and interview performance. Only selected candidates will receive communication regarding joining procedures through email. 

DRDO NSTL Internship 2026 Stipend and Duration 

• Internship Duration: The internship will be conducted for a fixed period of 06 months from the date of joining. 

• Monthly Stipend: Selected interns will receive a stipend of ₹5,000 per month. 

• However, interns must remain present at the laboratory for at least 15 working days per month to be eligible for the stipend. 

Payment Structure

The stipend will be paid in two installments:

• First installment after 03 months of internship

• Second installment after 06 months of internship

• The amount will be transferred directly to the student’s bank account. 

DRDO-NSTL Internship 2026 Certificate

Students who successfully complete the internship will receive a certificate of completion. 

The certificate will be awarded only after:

• Completion of minimum 3 months internship

• Submission of the project report

• Successful evaluation of the project work

If a student leaves the internship before completion, no certificate or stipend will be issued. 

How to Apply for DRDO NSTL Internship 2026?

Candidates who want to apply for the DRDO NSTL Paid Internship Program 2026 must submit their application via email only. Applications will be accepted until 23 March 2026. 

Follow the steps below to apply:

Step 1: Download the official application format from the notification.

Step 2: Fill the application form carefully and attach a passport-size photograph.

Step 3: Collect scanned copies of required documents such as marksheets, Aadhaar card, bio-data, and reference letter from the college.

Step 4: Attach all documents to the email application.

Step 5: Send the email to intern-hrd@gov.in 

Step 6: Use the subject line: “Application for paid internship with branch code” (Example: Application for paid internship with CS).

Step 7: Ensure the application email is sent before 23 March 2026 (05:00 PM). 

Documents Required for DRDO NSTL Internship Application 2026

Candidates must attach the following documents while submitting their email application.

• Filled Application Form (as per prescribed format)

• Reference / Request Letter from College

• Mark sheets of previous semesters or academic years

• Aadhaar Card copy

• Brief Bio-data (within 300 words)

Incomplete applications or applications received after the deadline will be rejected. 

Important Links:

• Notification PDF: Click Here

• Official Website: Click Here

DRDO NSTL Internship 2026 FAQs

Q.1. What is the stipend for DRDO NSTL Internship 2026?

Ans. Selected interns will receive a monthly stipend of ₹5,000 during the six-month internship period.

Q.2. What is the last date to apply for DRDO NSTL Internship 2026?

Ans. The last date to submit the email application is 23 March 2026 (05:00 PM).

Q.3. Who can apply for DRDO NSTL Internship?

Ans. Final-year B.E./B.Tech students with minimum CGPA 7.5 and second-year M.Sc students with at least 75% marks in first year can apply.

Q.4. What is the duration of DRDO NSTL Internship?

Ans. The internship duration is 06 months.