DRDO ADA Project Assistant-I Recruitment 2026 – Apply Online for 111 Posts
Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), an autonomous DRDO laboratory under the Ministry of Defence, has invited meritorious Indian Nationals to register for engagement as Project Assistant-I on a tenure basis, across seven engineering disciplines, with a combined 111 tentative vacancies.
DRDO ADA Project Assistant-I 2026 at a Glance
| Organisation | Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), DRDO |
| Advertisement No. | ADA:ADV-138:2026, dated 3 August 2026 |
| Post | Project Assistant-I |
| Total Tentative Vacancies | 111 |
| Registration Mode | Online at ada.gov.in |
| Registration Closes | 13 August 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Age Limit | 28 years (as on 13 August 2026), relaxable for SC/ST/OBC-NCL as per rules |
| Tenure | 2 years initially, extendable by 1 year at a time up to 2 more years, subject to performance |
Discipline-wise Vacancies
| Engineering Discipline | Equivalent Disciplines Accepted | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science Engineering | Information Science / Information Technology | 15 |
| Electronics & Communication Engineering | Electronics / Telecommunication / Electronics & Instrumentation | 20 |
| Aeronautical Engineering | Aerospace | 10 |
| Electrical & Electronics Engineering | Electrical / Electrical & Instrumentation / Power Electronics | 20 |
| Mechanical Engineering | Production / Industrial Production | 43 |
| Metallurgy Engineering | Material Science | 1 |
| Civil Engineering | Structural | 2 |
| Total | 111 |
Qualifications and Selection Method
For each discipline, candidates qualify through one of the following routes:
- Interview only: B.E./B.Tech with a valid GATE score; M.E./M.Tech from an IIT/NIT; or (for Computer Science stream) B.Sc. + M.Sc. with a valid GATE/NET score
- Shortlisting by Written Test, followed by Interview: B.E./B.Tech with M.E./M.Tech; B.E./B.Tech with 2 years of relevant experience; B.Sc. + M.Sc. with 2 years of relevant experience (Computer Science stream only); or plain B.E./B.Tech
The written exam follows the same syllabus as GATE and carries negative marking for wrong answers; candidates should bring a scientific calculator. The date for determining qualification and age is the closing date of registration, 13 August 2026.
Date and Venue
The written test and interview will be conducted in Bangalore. Tentative dates for the written test are 16 August, 23 August or 30 August 2026, depending on the number of registered candidates. Candidates should check the ADA website frequently for the confirmed schedule.
Stipend
| Candidate Category | Stipend |
|---|---|
| B.E./B.Tech (First Class) only | ₹31,000 per month plus HRA as per rules |
| All other qualifying candidates | ₹37,000 per month plus HRA as per rules |
General Conditions
- Only Indian Nationals can apply
- The engagement is purely on a tenure basis and confers no right to continuation, absorption or regularisation in ADA
- ADA reserves the right to operate the panel flexibly across disciplines based on requirements for up to 6 months
- Candidates presently employed in government departments, PSUs or autonomous bodies must produce a No Objection Certificate at the interview
- Candidates must bring their Aadhaar card in original; mobile phones, pen drives and smart watches are strictly prohibited inside the ADA campus/venue
- No TA/DA is admissible for attending the written test/interview
- Part-time experience, apprenticeship, training periods or teaching experience will not be counted towards relevant experience
How to Apply
Eligible candidates should register online at ada.gov.in before 13 August 2026, 5:00 PM, and then report for the written test/interview with a duly filled application form (per the format in the official notification), original certificates, and self-attested copies of all supporting documents relating to qualification, experience and category. Registration alone is not the application; candidates should plan logistics for the written test/interview date published on ADA’s website.
Official Notification
Download the Official DRDO ADA Project Assistant-I Notification PDF