DRDO DRDL Consultant Recruitment 2026: Level 08 & 12 Posts for Retired Officials | Last Date 11th March

DRDO DRDL Consultant Recruitment 2026: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) invites applications from retired officials of the Central Government, State Government, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), and Autonomous Bodies who possess substantial experience in the functioning of Central Government Ministries and Departments.

Eligible candidates will be engaged as Consultants on a short-term contract basis in accordance with the specified Terms of Reference (TOR).

This engagement is project-based and primarily linked to the DHRUVASTRA-ASM weapon system project.

DRDO DRDL Consultant Recruitment 2026 – Overview

Organization	DRDO – DRDL, Hyderabad
Post Type	Consultant (Contract Basis)
Pay Levels	Level-12 & Level-08
Engagement Period	1 Year (Extendable)
Mode of Engagement	Project-based
Last Date	11th March 2026

DRDO DRDL Consultant Recruitment 2026 – Post Details

Post 1: Consultant (Level 12)

• Post Name: Consultant
• Post Code: 336
• No. of Posts: 01
• Pay Level: Level-12
• Category: Technical
• Location: DRDL, Hyderabad

Post 2: Consultant (Level 8)

• Post Name: Consultant
• Post Code: 337
• No. of Posts: 01
• Pay Level: Level-08
• Category: Admin
• Location: DRDL, Hyderabad

DRDO DRDL Consultant Recruitment 2026 – General Terms & Conditions

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has laid down certain conditions for engaging retired officials as Consultants at Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad.

Interested candidates should carefully review the following requirements before applying.

Experience Requirement:

DRDO is looking for experienced retired professionals who:

• Have served in Central Government, State Government, PSUs, Autonomous Bodies, Universities, or Government R&D Organizations.
• Possess strong practical knowledge in the specific technical area mentioned in the Terms of Reference (TOR).
• Have previously worked in DRDO (such candidates may receive preference during selection).
• Have good communication skills (both written and spoken) along with strong analytical and interpersonal abilities.

DRDO wants experienced professionals who can contribute immediately without additional training.

Age Limit:

• Applicants must not be more than 63 years old as on the last date of application submission.

DRDO DRDL Consultant Recruitment 2026 – Salary & Allowances for Pensioners

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has defined a clear and structured pay system for pensioners engaged as Consultants at Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) in Hyderabad.

If you are a retired Government official already receiving pension, here is how your remuneration will be calculated.

Monthly Remuneration for Pensioners:

Consultants who are drawing pension will receive a fixed monthly payment.

• The consultancy fee will be calculated by subtracting the basic pension from the last basic pay drawn at the time of retirement.
• The final amount determined at the time of engagement will remain fixed throughout the contract period.
• There will be no annual increments or percentage increases during the consultancy tenure.

This ensures a transparent and standardised compensation structure.

Monthly Conveyance Allowance:

In addition to the fixed remuneration, pensioner consultants will receive a monthly conveyance allowance to cover commuting expenses between residence and workplace:

• ₹3,000 per month – For retirees up to Pay Level 11.
• ₹5,000 per month – For retirees from Pay Level 12 to 14 and above.

The conveyance allowance is provided as a fixed amount and does not vary during the contract period.

Important Notes:

• The remuneration once fixed will remain unchanged during the contract period.
• No annual increment or additional service benefits will be provided.
• The engagement is purely on a contractual basis.
• The consultancy will not be treated as regular government employment.

Salary for Non-Pensioners (PSU Retirees)

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has fixed a consolidated monthly salary for non-pensioner Consultants engaged at Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad.

Pay Structure:

• PSU Pay Scale ₹80,000 – ₹2,20,000 (Level 12)
  → ₹60,000 per month + ₹5,000 conveyance allowance.
• PSU Pay Scale ₹50,000 – ₹1,60,000 (Level 08)
  → ₹40,000 per month + ₹3,000 conveyance allowance.

Important Notes:

• Salary is paid as a consolidated monthly amount.
• No annual increment or additional benefits are applicable.
• The amount remains fixed during the contract period.

DRDO DRDL Consultant Recruitment 2026 – NPS Salary, Benefits

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has specified separate rules for Government employees retired under the National Pension Scheme (NPS), along with important conditions for engagement at Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad.

Remuneration for NPS Retirees

For Government employees retired under NPS:

• 30% of the last basic pay drawn at retirement will be deducted.
• The remaining amount will be fixed as the monthly remuneration.
• The amount once fixed will remain unchanged during the contract period.

Conveyance Allowance:

• ₹3,000 per month – Up to Pay Level 11.
• ₹5,000 per month – Pay Level 12 to 14 and above.

Other Allowances & Benefits:

Consultants are not eligible for:

• Dearness Allowance (DA)
• Government accommodation
• CGHS / medical reimbursement
• Transport facility
• Personal staff
• Any additional service benefits

However, if required to travel within India for official duties, TA/DA will be paid as per the pay level from which the officer retired.

Pension During Consultancy:

• Retired Government officials will continue to draw their pension and dearness relief (if applicable).
• Consultancy engagement will not be treated as re-employment.

Cooling-Off Period:

There must be a minimum gap of 15 days between the date of retirement and appointment as Consultant.

DRDO DRDL Consultant Recruitment 2026 – How To Apply

• Eligible retired officials from Central/State Government, PSUs, or Autonomous Bodies can apply as follows:

Application Mode:

• Submit application in prescribed format (Appendix-A).
• Attach required supporting documents.
• Also submit Appendix-B (Terms & Conditions).

Postal Address:

Send application to:

The Director
Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL)
Government of India, Ministry of Defence, DRDO
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex
Kanchanbagh PO, Hyderabad – 500058
Telangana

Email Option:

Applications may also be sent to:
doms.drdl@gov.in

Subject Line:
“Application for Consultant & Pay Level”

Important Instructions:

• Incomplete or ineligible applications will be rejected.
• Applications sent to any other address will not be accepted.
• Separate applications must be submitted for each Post Code.
• Applications received after the last date will not be considered.

Last Date to Apply

• 11th March 2026.

Important Links & Dates:

Official Advertisement	Click Here
Offiical Website	Click Here
Last Date To Receipt Application	11th March 2026
Home Page	Click Here

DRDO DRDL Consultant Recruitment 2026 – Post Code 336 (Pay Level 12 Technical)

The Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is inviting applications for Consultant (Technical) under Post Code 336, Pay Level 12 for specialized ATGM missile projects.

Nature of Engagement:

• The position is project-based, not against a regular vacant post.
• Engagement is specifically for ATGM (Anti-Tank Guided Missile) projects and Transfer of Technology (ToT) activities related to missile production.

Objective of the Consultant Appointment:

The primary objective is to provide high-level technical expertise in the design, integration, documentation, and production support of ATGM-class missile systems.

The Consultant will work on missile systems such as:

• NAG
• NAG-Mk2
• HELINA
• DHRUVASTRA
• MPATGM
• Long Range ATGM

Key Responsibilities:

Design & Development of Electrical Systems:

• Develop and refine Electrical Integration Schemes.
• Design and improve On-board Power Pack systems.
• Support missile Checkout systems.

Finalization & Updating of Technical Documents:

• Update engineering drawings for:
  • Flight Cable Harness.
  • On-board Power Pack PCB.
  • Checkout systems.
• Prepare and revise Transfer of Technology (ToT) documents for missile production

TSQD Documentation:

• Preparation and continuous updation of Technical Specification & Quality Documents (TSQD).

Production Support & Technical Guidance:

• Provide expert support to production agencies in:
  • Procurement of electrical integration systems.
  • On-board power pack components.
  • Inspection and testing procedures.

Indigenization & Component Validation:

• Identify alternate/indigenous components.
• Conduct technical validation and trial verification.
• Update drawings and technical documents accordingly.

Qualification & Acceptance Testing:

• Support qualification testing.
• Oversee acceptance testing of missile systems and subsystems.

Category of Work:

• Technical.

Required Pay Level at Retirement:

• Applicants must have retired from Pay Level 12 at the time of superannuation.

Required Domain Expertise & Work Areas:

The Consultant must possess deep technical experience in the following specialized areas related to ATGM missile systems such as NAG, NAG-Mk2, HELINA, DHRUVASTRA, and MPATGM:

On-Board Power Pack Development:

• Design and development of onboard power pack subsystems.
• Engineering of PCB-based power solutions for missile applications.

Cable Harness Systems:

• Development of flight cable harness and ground cable harness.
• Integration and validation of electrical connectivity systems.

Checkout & Launch Control Systems:

• Design and development of checkout systems.
• Integration of launch control systems.
• Development of test consoles and jigs for missile integration.

Transfer of Technology (ToT) Documentation:

• Preparation of technical documentation for production agencies.
• Standardization and updating of ToT documents.

Qualification & EMI-EMC Testing:

• Conducting qualification testing (QT).
• Managing EMI-EMC testing for missile subsystems.
• Supporting environmental validation tests.

Production & Procurement Support:

• Providing technical guidance to production agencies.
• Assisting in procurement of onboard power pack components.
• Supervising inspection, assembly, integration, and trial validation.

Missile Qualification Testing:

• Supporting environmental qualification testing for NAG-Mk2 and MPATGM.
• Conducting EMI-EMC qualification tests for missile systems.

Technical Documentation Updates:

• Issuing amendments and revision sheets for engineering drawings.
• Updating documentation for missile programs such as NAG and HELINA.

Preparation of Technical Manuals:

• Developing ISPL, MRLS, STP, and user operation manuals.
• Documentation support for onboard power pack PCB systems, cable harnesses, and checkout systems for advanced ATGM missile variants.

Required Expertise & Eligibility Criteria:

The Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) under Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) requires highly experienced technical professionals with strong missile system expertise.

Below are the essential qualifications and skills required for engagement:

Educational Qualification:

• Minimum Diploma in Electronics & Communication Engineering from a recognized institution.

Professional Experience:

• At least 35 years of Research & Development (R&D) experience.
• Hands-on experience in:
  • Electrical integration and checkout of missile systems.
  • Design and evaluation of onboard power pack PCBs.
  • Development of flight and ground cable harness systems.
  • Integration and testing of ATGM-class missiles such as:
    • NAG
    • NAG-Mk2
    • HELINA
    • DHRUVASTRA
    • MPATGM

Testing & Validation Knowledge:

The applicant should have strong familiarity with:

• Environmental testing procedures for missile subsystems.
• Test methods and qualification standards.
• Inspection and evaluation processes for missile components.

Documentation & ToT Expertise:

Candidates must possess prior experience in:

• Preparing and updating Transfer of Technology (ToT) documents.
• Technical documentation for production agencies.
• Drafting and revising TSQD (Technical Specification & Quality Documents).
• Updating engineering drawings and system documentation.

Core Technical Competencies:

The Consultant should have proven knowledge in:

• Electrical Integration Schemes for ATGM missiles.
• Onboard power pack subsystem development.
• Flight cable harness design and integration.
• Missile checkout and system validation.

Key Responsibilities:

The Consultant engaged at Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) under Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will be responsible for the following technical and project-based activities related to ATGM missile systems.

Major Tasks to be Performed:

Coordination with Production Agencies:

• Work closely with multiple production units to ensure smooth Transfer of Technology (ToT) for:
  • Onboard Power Pack (OBPP).
  • Flight Cable Harness (FCH).
  • Missile integration systems.
• Support missile programs such as MPATGM, NAG, and HELINA.

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Preparation & Updation of Technical Documents:

• Draft and update:
  • TSQD (Technical Specification & Quality Documents).
  • Transfer of Technology (ToT) documents.
• Maintain documentation for:
  • Onboard Power Pack PCB subsystems.
  • Flight Cable Harness systems.
  • Integration and checkout systems of ATGM missiles.

User & Technical Documentation:

• Prepare and revise ISPL, MRLS, STP, and MET documents.
• Develop user manuals and operational documentation for:
  • Power pack PCB systems.
  • Cable harness systems.
  • Missile integration and checkout processes.

Development of Test Equipment:

• Design and develop:
  • Test jigs.
  • Simulators.
  • Support systems for ATGM missile integration and validation.

Production & Procurement Support:

• Provide technical assistance in procurement of:
  • Onboard power pack components.
  • Flight cable harness connectors.
  • Checkout and integration systems.
• Guide production agencies in inspection, assembly, integration, and trial validation.

Missile Integration & Testing Support:

• Oversee integration and checkout for:
  • Environmental testing.
  • Qualification testing.
  • EMI-EMC validation (especially for NAG-Mk2 missile).

Engineering Updates & Indigenization:

• Update engineering drawings and technical documents based on:
  • Assembly feedback.
  • Inspection observations.
  • Trial results.
• Identify and validate alternate components to replace obsolete items.
• Issue necessary revision sheets and alteration notifications for missile programs like NAG and HELINA.

Duration of Engagement:

• Initial tenure: One Year.
• Extension: May be extended further as per organizational norms and project requirements.

Consultant (Admin) – Post Code 337, Pay Level 08:

Post Specific Terms of Reference (TOR)

The engagement is under Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), a premier laboratory of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Nature of Engagement:

The Consultant will be hired for specific project-based administrative tasks related to the DHRUVASTRA-ASM missile project.

This is not a regular vacancy but a task-oriented engagement focused on project administration, coordination, and financial management.

Objective of Appointment:

The primary objective is to provide administrative and financial support for smooth execution and closure of missile projects. Key areas include:

• Project Administration & Coordination.
• Financial management and accounting.
• Project closure formalities.
• Handling sanctions and PDCs (Project Deliverable Commitments).
• Addressing audit observations.
• Providing technical logistics support during flight trials.

Category of Work:

• Administrative (Admin).

Pay Level:

• The Consultant should have retired at Pay Level 08 at the time of superannuation.

Required Discipline / Domain:

The engagement requires hands-on experience in the following administrative and project management areas:

Project Administration & Finance:

• Project administration and coordination.
• Financial management and accounting procedures.
• Handling sanctions and Project Deliverable Commitments (PDCs).
• Managing project closure activities.

Audit & Compliance:

• Addressing audit observations.
• Ensuring compliance with financial and procedural guidelines.
• Maintaining documentation for audit review.

Technical Logistics Support During Trials:

The Consultant will provide logistics coordination during flight trials and weapon system integration activities at various defence locations, including:

• Indian Air Force trial establishments.
• Air Force Station Jaisalmer.
• Air Force Station Leh (High Altitude Trials).
• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Bengaluru (Weapon System Integration Support).

Responsibilities may include coordination of materials, documentation, approvals, and on-site administrative assistance.

Required Experience & Skills:

Applicants must have:

• Minimum 15 years of experience in:
  • Project administration.
  • Finance and accounting.
  • Project closure processes.
  • Handling audit observations.
  • Technical logistics coordination.

Essential Knowledge Areas:

The Consultant should be well-versed in:

• Directives for Project Formulation & Management (DPFM) 2021.
• DRDO Procurement Manual.
• Latest Delegation of Financial Powers guidelines.

Strong familiarity with defence project documentation and compliance frameworks is essential.

Key Responsibilities:

The Consultant engaged at Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) under Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will handle administrative, financial, and logistics coordination duties for ongoing defence projects.

Major Tasks to be Performed:

Coordination & Meeting Management:

• Maintain records of meetings with:
  • User Directorates.
  • Certification agencies.
  • Integration agencies.
• Track action points and ensure timely follow-up.
• Schedule and document periodic review meetings.

Administrative & Logistics Support:

• Provide administrative assistance at laboratory level.
• Support logistics planning during flight trials at various operational locations.
• Coordinate arrangements required for smooth execution of trial activities.

Audit & Compliance Monitoring:

• Review pending audit objections regularly.
• Issue reminders to concerned teams for timely compliance.
• Maintain statutory records and expenditure registers for audit submission.
• Examine monthly expenditure statements received from PCDA (R&D) related to project accounts.

Financial Scrutiny & Sanctions:

• Scrutinize financial proposals.
• Obtain approvals from the competent financial authority (CFA).
• Communicate sanction approvals to the concerned officers.

Procurement Support:

• Assist in initiating procurement proposals for:
  • Hardware.
  • Plant and machinery.
  • Other project-related equipment.
• Coordinate with stores and procurement sections to expedite the process.

Vehicle Hiring & Payments:

• Support hiring of vehicles for:
  • Local movement.
  • Transportation of project materials.
• Process related sanctions and payment documentation.

Project Closure & Inter-Laboratory Coordination:

• Liaise with participating laboratories to ensure proper financial documentation.
• Maintain accurate accounts to prevent delays during project closure.

Duration of Engagement:

• Initial period: One Year.
• Extendable based on project requirements and organizational norms.

DRDO Consultant Recruitment 2026 – Terms and Conditions of Engagement:

The following terms apply to Consultants engaged in laboratories, establishments, and units of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Scope of Work:

• The Consultant will perform duties strictly as per the approved Terms of Reference (TOR).
• Tasks will be assigned by the Director of the concerned DRDO Laboratory, Establishment, or Unit where the Consultant is engaged.

Working Hours:

• Working hours will be the same as those followed by the respective DRDO laboratory or unit.
• Under special circumstances, the Consultant may be required to work on holidays or beyond normal working hours. No additional compensation or leave will be granted for such extended work.

Duration of Consultancy:

• The engagement will initially be for one year from the date of signing the contract agreement. Extension may be considered based on performance and organizational requirements.

Remuneration and Allowances:

• Payment will be made as per Government of India guidelines dated 06 July 2022.
• The total amount of remuneration plus pension must not exceed the last pay drawn at the current rate of Dearness Allowance (DA). Mandatory deductions, if applicable, will be made.
• Remuneration for a particular month will be paid in the subsequent month. Apart from remuneration and conveyance allowance, no other facilities or benefits will be provided.

Review and Termination:

• The Secretary, Department of Defence (R&D), reserves the right to review or terminate the consultancy services at any time.

Professional Conduct and Ethics:

• The Consultant must perform duties with skill, diligence, efficiency, and integrity.
• He or she must adhere to the Contract Agreement, Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA), Government conduct rules, and applicable Information Security regulations.

Liability:

• The Department will not be responsible for any loss, accident, injury, or damage arising during the execution of duties, including travel-related activities.

Leave Policy:

• Paid leave may be allowed at the rate of 1.5 days for each completed month of service. Accumulation of leave beyond a calendar year may not be permitted.

Restriction on Private Engagement:

• During the consultancy period, the Consultant must not engage in any private business or professional activity that could conflict with Government interests.
• The engagement is temporary and project-specific in nature.

Declaration:

• The applicant is required to submit a signed declaration confirming unconditional acceptance of all the above terms and conditions for engagement as a Consultant in DRDO.

Disclaimer:

This post is meant for informational purposes only. Job seekers are advised to check and cross-verify all details with the official DRDO advertisement and the official website for the latest information on eligibility, application deadlines, fees, and selection process. We are not responsible for any changes, updates, or modifications made by the concerned authority after this publication.

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