DRDO SSPL Paid Internship 2026 Notification Out: Apply Offline, Eligibility, Stipend, Last Date & Complete Guide

The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has released Advertisement No. 625/HR/PaidInternship/2026/M/01 inviting applications for a 6-Month Paid Internship at the Solid State Physics Laboratory (SSPL), Lucknow Road, Timarpur, Delhi. This internship is open to final-year (last semester) students in relevant technical and science disciplines and is scheduled to start from December 2026/January 2027. Interested candidates must submit their duly filled application by post on or before 30 September 2026.

This detailed guide covers about SSPL, eligibility criteria, streams/disciplines, vacancy details, stipend structure, selection process, application procedure, required documents, and the complete terms and conditions governing the internship.

About Solid State Physics Laboratory (SSPL)

Solid State Physics Laboratory (SSPL) is a DRDO laboratory under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India, engaged in research on advanced semiconductor materials and devices. Its research domains include:

• Development of compound semiconductors (bulk crystal and epi-layer structure)
• MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems)
• MMICs (Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuits)
• Acoustic sensor systems
• Laser diodes
• IR (Infrared) sensors
• Nanotechnology

The laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for material preparation, characterization, device fabrication, and circuit design.

DRDO SSPL Paid Internship 2026 Overview

Eligible Streams and Qualification

Important Eligibility Note: Only Final Year Students (i.e., Last Semester students) currently pursuing the above-mentioned degrees are eligible to apply. This is not open to candidates who have already graduated or completed their course.

Vacancy and Duration Details

• Total Vacancies: 65
• Internship Duration: 6 Months
• Note: The number of internships may vary depending on the laboratory’s actual requirements at the time of selection.

Monthly Stipend and Payment Structure

Important: Only candidates offered the full 6-month duration internship are eligible to receive the stipend. Candidates offered shorter durations (as per the 4-week to 6-month range mentioned below) may not be entitled to the stipend on the same terms.

Other Expenses: Any additional expenditure such as lodging, boarding, transport, or medical costs during the internship must be borne by the candidate. DRDO does not cover these.

Internship Period Flexibility

• The internship period can range from a minimum of 4 weeks to a maximum of 6 months.
• Only candidates completing the full 6-month duration are eligible for the ₹5,000/month stipend.
• Candidates enrolled for a shorter period may request an extension, subject to the overall 6-month limit. Such requests are examined by the concerned laboratory from a financial and infrastructure perspective, and the outcome will be communicated before the expiry of the initial internship period.
• There is no provision for stipend beyond 6 months under this scheme.

Selection Process

Selection is based on:

• Screening of applications
• Interview-based selection

Exact screening criteria (academic percentage cut-offs, shortlisting ratio, etc.) have not been specified in the advertisement and will likely be at the discretion of SSPL/DRDO based on the applications received.

How to Apply – Step-by-Step (Offline Only)

Step 1 – Download/prepare the Application Form (format provided in the official advertisement).

Step 2 – Fill in all required details in BLOCK LETTERS, including:

• Post applied for (Paid Internship)
• Full name
• Father’s/Husband’s name
• Date of birth and present age
• Address for correspondence
• Permanent address (with proof)
• Mobile number and email ID
• Category (GEN/OBC/SC/ST)
• Graduate/Post Graduate status
• Educational qualification details (institute/university, passing year, maximum marks, marks obtained, percentage)
• Experience details, if any (with supporting documents)
• Any other relevant information

Step 3 – Affix a recent passport-size photograph on the application form.

Step 4 – Sign the declaration certifying that the particulars given are correct.

Step 5 – Attach the following along with the application:

• Character Certificate
• Recommendation letter/NOC from the candidate’s Institute, on the Institute’s letterhead, with the internship start date clearly mentioned
• Self-attested photocopies of all relevant educational and identity documents

Step 6 – Send the complete application by POST (hard copy only) to:

Director, SSPL
Kind Attention: HRD, SSPL
DRDO, Lucknow Road, Timarpur, Delhi – 110054

Step 7 – Ensure the application reaches the above address on or before 30 September 2026.

Important: Candidates should apply through their respective institutes, in coordination with the relevant DRDO laboratory (SSPL), as per the application procedure.

Documents Required

• Duly filled Application Form (in the prescribed format)
• Recent passport-size photograph (affixed on the form)
• Character Certificate
• Recommendation Letter/NOC from Institute (on letterhead, mentioning internship start date)
• Self-attested photocopies of all relevant educational documents
• Proof of permanent address
• Experience certificate, if applicable

Terms and Conditions of the Internship

The following guidelines and general terms apply to all candidates selected under this Paid Internship scheme:

1. Duration Flexibility: Internship period ranges from 4 weeks minimum to 6 months maximum; only those completing the full 6-month duration receive the ₹5,000/month stipend.
2. Stipend Payment: Paid via electronic transfer in two equal installments – after 3 months and after 6 months – subject to a minimum 15 days’ attendance per month.
3. Personal Expenses: Lodging, boarding, transport, medical, and any other incidental expenses are to be borne entirely by the candidate.
4. Extension Requests: Candidates may request extension of their internship period (within the overall 6-month cap); this is evaluated by the laboratory based on financial and infrastructural feasibility.
5. Relevant Field: Internship will be provided only in fields relevant to DRDO’s ongoing research.
6. Institute-Routed Applications: Candidates must apply through their respective institutes, which correspond with the relevant DRDO laboratory.
7. Official Secrets Act, 1923: Interns will be granted duty/tasks only for the internship period, considering the nature of DRDO’s work, and will be liable under the provisions of the Indian Official Secrets Act, 1923, along with DRDO’s internal rules and regulations.
8. Restricted Access: Interns will be granted access to non-classified areas only within the DRDO laboratory.
9. Termination Clause: Failure to comply with laboratory rules/regulations, or any breach of the Security Act, will result in termination of the internship without notice.
10. Liability for Injuries: DRDO will not be responsible for any injuries sustained during the internship period.
11. Equipment Handling: Candidates must handle DRDO-provided equipment (computers, etc.) carefully; failure to do so makes them liable to compensate DRDO for any damage or degradation.
12. Confidentiality: Candidates must not disclose or publish any restricted/confidential DRDO-related information on any platform (newspaper, periodical, social media, etc.). Violation will invite action under the Official Secrets Act and DRDO’s rules. An undertaking to this effect will be obtained from selected candidates.
13. Attendance & Working Hours: Attendance is to be marked as per the laboratory’s process; working hours follow the laboratory’s standard timing.
14. Leave Policy: No leave is granted except Sick Leave, and only on production of a valid medical prescription. Gazetted/closed holidays applicable at the laboratory will also apply to interns.
15. No Employment Guarantee: Completion of the internship does NOT guarantee employment at DRDO.

Application Form Fields (Reference)

For candidates preparing their submission, the official application form requires the following fields to be filled:

Plus a recent passport-size photograph affixed at the designated space, along with signature, name, address, and date at the bottom of the form.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who can apply for the DRDO SSPL Paid Internship 2026?

Only final year (last semester) B.E./B.Tech. or M.Sc./M.Tech. (ongoing) students in Physics, Chemistry, Electronics, Electrical, Material Science, Quantum Technology, Laser Optics, Semiconductor Device, or equivalent disciplines.

2. What is the internship duration?

6 months, though the scheme allows a flexible range from 4 weeks to 6 months; only the full 6-month duration is eligible for the stipend.

3. What is the monthly stipend?

₹5,000/- per month (fixed), paid in two installments of ₹15,000 each (after 3 months and after 6 months).

4. How many vacancies are available?

65 vacancies, though this number may vary based on the laboratory’s requirements.

5. What is the last date to apply?

30 September 2026.

6. Is the application process online or offline?

Offline only – the application must be sent by post (hard copy) to the Director, SSPL.

7. Where is the internship located?

Solid State Physics Laboratory, Lucknow Road, Timarpur, Delhi – 110054.

8. Does this internship guarantee a job at DRDO?

No. Completion of the internship does not guarantee employment at DRDO.

9. Can I apply directly without going through my institute?

No – candidates are required to apply through their respective institutes, which correspond with the relevant DRDO laboratory. A recommendation letter/NOC on institute letterhead is mandatory.

10. When does the internship start?

December 2026 or January 2027.

11. Will I get leave during the internship?

No leave is granted except Sick Leave with a valid medical prescription; laboratory-applicable gazetted/closed holidays will apply.

The DRDO SSPL Paid Internship 2026 offers final-year students in Physics, Electronics, Material Science, and allied disciplines a valuable 6-month hands-on research opportunity in advanced semiconductor materials and devices at a premier Ministry of Defence laboratory, along with a fixed stipend of ₹5,000/month. Interested and eligible final-year students should coordinate with their institute at the earliest to prepare the required recommendation letter and complete documentation, ensuring their application reaches SSPL on or before 30 September 2026.

For the latest updates on shortlisting, interview schedule, and further DRDO internship notifications, bookmark this page and check back regularly.