Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), Bengaluru, Karnataka, Project Assistant I Recruitment 2026 - Apply Online

DRDO Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) Project Assistant-I Recruitment 2026 :
The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India, has released the ADA Project Assistant-I Recruitment 2026 Notification for the engagement of meritorious Indian Nationals on a tenure basis. The recruitment has been announced through Advertisement No. ADA:ADV-138:2026, dated 03 August 2026.

A total of 111 tentative vacancies are available for the post of Project Assistant-I across seven engineering disciplines. These disciplines include Computer Science Engineering, Electronics and Communication Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Metallurgy Engineering, and Civil Engineering.
Eligible candidates can complete the online registration through the official ADA website, ada.gov.in, up to 13 August 2026, 5:00 PM. The selection process will be based on an interview or a written test followed by an interview, depending on the candidate's qualification pathway. The written test and interview will be conducted in Bangalore.

DRDO Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) Project Assistant-I Recruitment 2026 Overview :
Recruiting Organisation: Aeronautical Development Agency, ADA.
Parent Ministry: Ministry of Defence, Government of India.
Advertisement Number: ADA:ADV-138:2026.
Notification Date: 03 August 2026.
Post Name: Project Assistant-I.
Total Vacancies: 111 tentative posts.
Nature of Engagement: Tenure basis.
Initial Tenure: Two years.
Application Mode: Online.
Registration Last Date: 13 August 2026, up to 5:00 PM.
Written Test and Interview Location: Bangalore.
Official Website: ada.gov.in.

DRDO Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) Project Assistant-I Recruitment 2026 Vacancy :
The ADA Project Assistant-I Recruitment 2026 includes 111 tentative and anticipated vacancies across seven engineering disciplines. The discipline-wise vacancy distribution is as follows :
Computer Science Engineering: 15 posts.
Electronics and Communication Engineering: 20 posts.
Aeronautical Engineering: 10 posts.
Electrical and Electronics Engineering: 20 posts.
Mechanical Engineering: 43 posts.
Metallurgy Engineering: 1 post.
Civil Engineering: 2 posts.
Total: 111 posts.
Mechanical Engineering has the highest number of vacancies, with 43 posts, followed by Electronics and Communication Engineering and Electrical and Electronics Engineering, with 20 posts each. Computer Science Engineering has 15 posts, while Aeronautical Engineering has 10 posts. Metallurgy and Civil Engineering have 1 and 2 posts respectively.
The notification does not provide a separate category-wise SC, ST, or OBC vacancy breakup. ADA has also reserved the right to operate the selection panel flexibly across disciplines for available and future anticipated vacancies for a period of six months.

DRDO Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) Project Assistant-I Recruitment 2026 Eligibility Criteria :
Candidates applying for ADA Project Assistant-I Recruitment 2026 must fulfil the prescribed nationality, educational qualification, experience, and age requirements.
Only Indian Nationals are eligible to apply.
The required qualification must be obtained from a recognised University.
All prescribed educational qualifications must be in First Class.
Qualification and age will be considered as on 13 August 2026, which is the closing date of registration.
Candidates applying through an experience-based qualification route must possess the required relevant experience.
Part-time experience, apprenticeship training, training periods, teaching experience, and trainee experience will not be counted towards the required relevant experience.

DRDO Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) Project Assistant-I Recruitment 2026 Eligibility Criteria Educational Qualification :
The educational qualification varies according to the engineering discipline and qualification pathway. Candidates must carefully check the qualification applicable to their discipline.

Computer Science Engineering.
Eligible qualification pathways include :
B.E./B.Tech with a valid GATE score.
M.E./M.Tech from an IIT or NIT.
B.Sc. plus M.Sc. with a valid GATE or NET score.
B.E./B.Tech with M.E./M.Tech.
B.E./B.Tech with two years of relevant experience.
B.Sc. plus M.Sc. with two years of relevant experience.
B.E./B.Tech.

Electronics and Communication Engineering :
Eligible pathways include :
B.E./B.Tech with a valid GATE score.
M.E./M.Tech from an IIT or NIT.
B.Sc. plus M.Sc. with a valid GATE or NET score.
B.E./B.Tech with M.E./M.Tech.
B.E./B.Tech with two years of relevant experience.
B.Sc. plus M.Sc. with two years of relevant experience.
B.E./B.Tech.

Aeronautical Engineering :
Candidates may qualify through :
B.E./B.Tech with a valid GATE score.
M.E./M.Tech from an IIT or NIT.
B.E./B.Tech with M.E./M.Tech.
B.E./B.Tech with two years of relevant experience.
B.E./B.Tech.

Electrical and Electronics Engineering :
The applicable qualification pathways include :
B.E./B.Tech with a valid GATE score.
M.E./M.Tech from an IIT or NIT.
B.E./B.Tech with M.E./M.Tech.
B.E./B.Tech with two years of relevant experience.
B.E./B.Tech.

Mechanical, Metallurgy, and Civil Engineering :
For Mechanical Engineering, Metallurgy Engineering, and Civil Engineering, the notification provides similar qualification pathways, including :
B.E./B.Tech with a valid GATE score.
M.E./M.Tech from an IIT or NIT.
B.E./B.Tech with M.E./M.Tech.
B.E./B.Tech with two years of relevant experience.
B.E./B.Tech.
Candidates claiming an equivalent qualification should ensure that the qualification is recognised under the applicable provisions. Relevant experience must meet the requirements specified by ADA.

DRDO Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) Project Assistant-I Recruitment 2026 Eligibility Criteria Age Limit :
The maximum age limit for ADA Project Assistant-I Recruitment 2026 is :
Maximum Age: 28 years.
Age Reckoning Date: 13 August 2026.
Age Relaxation: Applicable to SC, ST, and OBC Non-Creamy Layer candidates as per the applicable rules.
The notification does not specify the exact number of years of relaxation for SC, ST, and OBC-NCL candidates. Candidates should therefore refer to the applicable Government of India rules or the official ADA notification for the relevant provisions.

DRDO Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) Project Assistant-I Recruitment 2026 Eligibility Criteria Stipend :
Selected candidates will receive a monthly stipend along with HRA as per applicable rules.
B.E./B.Tech First Class candidates: ₹31,000 per month, plus HRA.
Candidates under higher qualification or experience pathways: ₹37,000 per month, plus HRA.
The stipend offered by ADA makes this recruitment an important opportunity for engineering graduates and postgraduates seeking project-based experience in an organisation associated with India's aerospace and defence research activities.

DRDO Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) Project Assistant-I Recruitment 2026 Eligibility Criteria Tenure :
The engagement will initially be made for a period of two years.
Important tenure conditions are :
Initial tenure is two years.
The tenure may be extended for up to another two years.
Extension may be granted one year at a time.
Extension depends on satisfactory performance.
Performance will be assessed by a Review Committee.
The engagement is purely on a tenure basis.
The appointment does not provide any right to continuation beyond the approved tenure.
The engagement does not confer any right to absorption or regularisation in ADA.

DRDO Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) Project Assistant-I Recruitment 2026 Eligibility Criteria Application Fee :
The official notification does not mention any application or registration fee for the ADA Project Assistant-I Recruitment 2026. Candidates should nevertheless follow the instructions displayed on the official ADA website while completing online registration.

DRDO Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) Project Assistant-I Recruitment 2026 Important Dates :
The important dates for ADA Project Assistant-I Recruitment 2026 are :
Notification Release Date: 03 August 2026.
Online Registration Closing Date: 13 August 2026, 5:00 PM.
Qualification and Age Cut-off Date: 13 August 2026.
Tentative Written Test Dates: 16 August 2026, 23 August 2026, or 30 August 2026.
Written Test and Interview Venue: Bangalore.
The tentative written test dates may change depending on the number of registered candidates. Candidates should regularly check the official ADA website for the final schedule.

DRDO Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) Project Assistant-I Recruitment 2026 Selection Process :
The selection process depends on the qualification pathway through which the candidate becomes eligible.
Interview Only.
Candidates may be considered directly for an interview when they qualify through routes such as :
B.E./B.Tech with a valid GATE score.
M.E./M.Tech from an IIT or NIT.
B.Sc. plus M.Sc. with a valid GATE or NET score, where applicable to Computer Science and Electronics and Communication Engineering.
Written Test and Interview.
Candidates qualifying through other routes may first be shortlisted through a written test and then called for an interview. These routes include :
B.E./B.Tech with M.E./M.Tech.
B.E./B.Tech with two years of relevant experience.
B.E./B.Tech alone.
Other qualification pathways specified in the notification.
The written test will follow the GATE syllabus applicable to the relevant engineering discipline. The test will include negative marking for wrong answers. Candidates appearing for the written examination are advised to carry a scientific calculator.

DRDO Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) Project Assistant-I Recruitment 2026 Documents Required :
Candidates should keep the following documents ready for the written test or interview :
Duly filled application form in the prescribed format.
Recent passport-size photograph affixed to the first page.
Original educational qualification certificates.
Self-attested copies of educational certificates.
Relevant experience certificates, wherever applicable.
Caste certificate, wherever applicable.
Valid GATE or NET score proof, wherever applicable.
Original Aadhaar Card.
No Objection Certificate from the employer, if currently working in a Government department, PSU, or autonomous body.
English transcript for documents issued in languages other than English.
Other supporting documents required by ADA.

How to Apply for DRDO Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) Project Assistant-I Recruitment 2026 :
Eligible candidates can follow these steps to complete the ADA Project Assistant-I application process :
Visit the official ADA website, ada.gov.in.
Open the Project Assistant-I Recruitment 2026 registration link.
Select the relevant engineering discipline.
Choose the applicable qualification pathway.
Enter personal and educational details carefully.
Complete the online registration before 13 August 2026, 5:00 PM.
Download or complete the prescribed application form.
Affix a recent passport-size photograph on the top right corner of the first page.
Keep original certificates and self-attested copies ready.
Carry the original Aadhaar Card.
Carry valid GATE or NET proof, where applicable.
Carry an NOC if currently employed in a Government department, PSU, or autonomous body.
Check the ADA website for the confirmed written test or interview schedule.
Report at Bangalore on the notified date with all required documents.
Carry a scientific calculator if appearing for the written test.
Online registration alone does not constitute a complete application. Candidates must bring the prescribed application form and supporting documents when appearing for the written test or interview.

DRDO Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) Project Assistant-I Recruitment 2026 Important Instructions :
Candidates should carefully follow all instructions issued by ADA.
Only Indian Nationals can apply.
Qualification and age will be reckoned as on 13 August 2026.
The engagement is purely tenure-based.
The appointment does not provide any right to absorption or regularisation.
ADA may operate the selection panel flexibly across disciplines for available and future anticipated vacancies for six months.
Part-time experience, apprenticeship training, training periods, teaching experience, and trainee experience will not be counted as relevant experience.
Only registered candidates will be permitted to appear for the written test or interview.
Registration alone does not constitute a complete application.
Mobile phones, pen drives, smart watches, and other electronic items are prohibited inside the ADA campus or written-test venue.
No TA or DA will be paid for attending the written test or interview.
Candidates must provide genuine and accurate information.
Misrepresentation or falsification of information may result in cancellation of candidature and legal action.
Candidates should regularly visit the official ADA website for recruitment updates and confirmed examination dates.