The Solid State Physics Laboratory (SSPL), DRDO, is conducting a walk-in interview for 23 fellowship positions - 16 Junior Research Fellow (JRF) and 07 Research Associate (RA) posts in Physics and Electronics - at the SJB Auditorium, SSPL Complex, Lucknow Road, Timarpur, Delhi-110054, starting 1st September 2026 at 0930 hours. No online application is required; eligible candidates simply need to report with their documents on the scheduled date.
DRDO SSPL JRF & RA Recruitment 2026 Official Notification
This section gives a snapshot of the recruitment drive so candidates can quickly check whether they qualify and when to appear. SSPL, functioning under the Ministry of Defence, has released Advertisement No. 625/SSPL/HR/JRF&RA/Rectt/2026-27/Main/01 dated 23rd July 2026 for hiring research fellows through a walk-in-interview mode rather than an online application process.
Download DRDO SSPL JRF & RA Recruitment 2026 Official Notification PDF
DRDO SSPL JRF & RA Recruitment 2026 - Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organization | DRDO Solid State Physics Laboratory (DRDO SSPL), Ministry of Defence |
| Posts | Junior Research Fellow (JRF), Research Associate (RA) |
| Total Vacancies | 23 (16 JRF + 07 RA) |
| Mode of Recruitment | Walk-in Interview (no online application) |
| Interview Start Date | 1st September 2026 |
| Venue | SJB Auditorium, SSPL Complex, Lucknow Road, Timarpur, Delhi-110054 |
| Reporting Time | 0930 hours on the scheduled date |
*Some vacancies are regular positions and some are project-specific; the fellowship may be terminated on completion of the concerned DRDO project.
DRDO SSPL JRF & RA Recruitment 2026 - Important Dates
Candidates often want to know exactly which date applies to their discipline, since SSPL has split the interview across four separate days by post and subject. The advertisement was released on 23rd July 2026, and the interview process runs across four dates in September 2026 based on discipline and fellowship type.
| S. No. | Discipline | Interview Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | JRF (Physics) | 01st September 2026 |
| 2 | RA (Physics) | 02nd September 2026 |
| 3 | JRF (Electronics) | 08th September 2026 |
| 4 | RA (Electronics) | 09th September 2026 |
All candidates, regardless of discipline, must report at the SJB Auditorium, SSPL Complex by 0930 hrs on their respective interview date. If the number of candidates turning up is higher than expected, SSPL has stated that a screening test may be conducted on the same date before the actual interview.
DRDO SSPL JRF & RA Recruitment 2026 - Vacancy Breakdown
Anyone wondering exactly how many seats are open under each fellowship category can refer to this breakdown. SSPL has notified 16 Junior Research Fellow (JRF) posts and 07 Research Associate (RA) posts, split further between the Physics and Electronics disciplines as reflected in the interview schedule above.
| Post | Category/Discipline Split | Number of Fellowships |
|---|---|---|
| Junior Research Fellow (JRF) | Physics + Electronics | 16 |
| Research Associate (RA) | Physics + Electronics | 07 |
| Total | - | 23 |
The asterisk (*) indicates that some of these positions are regular vacancies, while others are tied to specific DRDO projects and may be terminated once that project concludes. SSPL has also reserved the right to increase, decrease, or cancel the notified fellowships depending on prevailing government policy and funding availability.
DRDO SSPL JRF & RA Recruitment 2026 - Eligibility Criteria
Candidates checking whether they meet the eligibility bar should note that SSPL has set separate educational qualifications and age limits for the JRF and RA posts. Both posts require a background in Physics or Electronics, but the RA post additionally expects research experience or a doctoral qualification.
JRF (Junior Research Fellow) Eligibility
- Qualification (any one of the following):
- Post Graduate Degree (M.Sc. or equivalent) in Physics/Electronics with First Division, along with a valid NET qualification, OR
- Graduate Degree (B.E./B.Tech in Engineering Physics/Electronics) with 1st Division, with NET/GATE qualified, OR
- Post Graduate Degree (M.E./M.Tech) with 1st Division at both Graduate and Post Graduate level
- Upper Age Limit: Maximum 28 years
RA (Research Associate) Eligibility
- Qualification (any one of the following):
- Ph.D. or equivalent degree in Physics/Electronics, OR
- M.E./M.Tech with 3 years of research experience in Semiconductor Materials, Devices Fabrication and Characterization, along with at least one research paper published in a Science Citation Index (SCI) journal
- Upper Age Limit: Maximum 35 years
Candidates who have already submitted their Ph.D. thesis are also eligible to apply for the RA post. However, the Research Associateship will be formally awarded only after the candidate receives the degree or a provisional certificate, and this must happen on or before the date the offer is issued.
Age Relaxation
Candidates from SC/ST/OBC categories are entitled to age relaxation as per prevailing Government of India rules. No specific number of years is mentioned in the advertisement, so applicable category candidates should carry category certificates to confirm the exact relaxation at the time of the interview.
DRDO SSPL JRF & RA Recruitment 2026 - Selection Process
Candidates preparing for the interview should know that selection is primarily interview-based, with a possible screening round added if turnout is high. This keeps the process relatively quick compared to a multi-stage written-exam recruitment.
- Document Verification: On arrival at the SJB Auditorium, candidates' Appendix 'A' application forms and original/attested documents are checked.
- Screening Test (if required): If the number of candidates exceeds manageable limits on a given day, SSPL may conduct a screening test on the same date.
- Walk-in Interview: Shortlisted or all eligible candidates (depending on turnout) are interviewed by the selection panel on their respective discipline's scheduled date.
- Result & Offer: Based on performance, selected candidates are offered the JRF/RA fellowship, subject to fund availability for the concerned project.
Since this is a same-day walk-in process, candidates can realistically expect to know their outcome for that discipline on or shortly after the same interview date, though SSPL has not published a specific result timeline in the notification.
How to Apply: Walk-in Interview Steps
Since there is no online application, candidates need to be well-prepared with physical documents rather than digital submissions. Here is the step-by-step process to attend the SSPL walk-in interview.
- Download and fill Appendix 'A' (the application form included in the official advertisement) in your own handwriting or print, providing full personal, educational, and experience details.
- Affix a recent passport-size photograph on the right top corner of the Appendix 'A' form.
- Attach attested copies of all mark sheets/certificates, caste certificate (if applicable), experience certificates, and publications (if any).
- Obtain a "No Objection Certificate" (NOC) in advance if you are currently working in a Government department, Public Sector Undertaking, or Autonomous Body.
- Report to the SJB Auditorium, SSPL Complex, Lucknow Road, Timarpur, Delhi-110054 by 0930 hours on the date applicable to your post and discipline.
- Carry original documents for on-the-spot verification along with the attested photocopies.
DRDO SSPL JRF & RA Recruitment 2026 - Salary
Candidates naturally want clarity on take-home pay before attending the interview. SSPL has clearly specified the monthly stipend for both fellowship categories in the advertisement itself.
| Post | Monthly Stipend |
|---|---|
| Research Associate (RA) | ₹67,000 per month |
| Junior Research Fellow (JRF) | ₹37,000 per month |
Selected candidates will be paid as per the provision of funds available for the project, up to the Probable Date of Completion (PDC) of that project. This means the payment continuity is tied to the funding and duration of the specific DRDO project the fellow is engaged on.
Documents Required at the Interview
Carrying the correct set of documents is essential since SSPL will verify everything on the spot rather than through a prior online upload. The following list covers everything mentioned in the official notification.
- Duly filled Appendix 'A' application form with photograph affixed
- Attested copies of all educational mark sheets and certificates
- Caste certificate (for SC/ST/OBC candidates claiming relaxation)
- Experience certificates, if claiming research or work experience
- Copies of published research papers/publications, if any
- No Objection Certificate (NOC), mandatory for candidates currently employed in Government/PSU/Autonomous Bodies
- A recent passport-size photograph
Candidates should also note that no electronic gadgets are permitted inside the SSPL lab premises, so mobile phones and similar devices should ideally be left outside or with security before entering for the interview.
Important Terms and Conditions
A few structural points about the nature of this fellowship are worth understanding before you decide to attend. This is a temporary, project-linked engagement and not a path to permanent government service.
- The fellowship does not confer any right to absorption or regular appointment in DRDO.
- The fellowship may be terminated at any time during the tenure with one month's prior notice from SSPL, and fellows may similarly resign with one month's notice.
- SSPL reserves the right to amend, modify, or cancel the advertisement, and the notified number of fellowships may be increased, decreased, or cancelled based on government policy and project requirements.
DRDO SSPL JRF & Research Associate Important Links
- Official Notification PDF: Click here
- Official Website: Click here
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