If you’re a final-year B.Tech student dreaming of working on real defence research — AI, Robotics, secure communication systems — here’s an opportunity you simply cannot miss. The CAIR DRDO Paid Internship 2026 has officially been announced with 50 seats open for talented engineering students across CSE, IT, AI-ML, and ECE disciplines. The internship runs for a full 6 months from July to December 2026, right at the heart of India’s premier defence AI laboratory in Bengaluru. Jobs Guides brings you every important detail you need to apply fast and confidently.
The last date is just around the corner — 4 June 2026 — so don’t wait.
Overview : CAIR DRDO Paid Internship 2026
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Centre for Artificial Intelligence & Robotics (CAIR), DRDO |
| Post Name | Paid Intern |
| Total Posts | 50 |
| Location | Bengaluru, Karnataka |
| Apply Mode | Email (Offline) |
| Internship Duration | 1 July 2026 – 31 December 2026 |
| Who Can Apply | Final-year B.E./B.Tech students (CSE/IT/AIML/ECE) |
| Stipend | ₹5,000 per month (Fixed) |
| Official Website | drdo.gov.in |
About CAIR, DRDO
The Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR) is one of India’s most advanced defence research labs, operating under DRDO and the Ministry of Defence. It focuses on Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Command & Control Systems, and Information & Communication Security for battlefield applications. Getting selected here — even as an intern — gives you exposure that very few engineering students ever get. This is not just an internship; it’s an entry into India’s defence innovation ecosystem.
CAIR DRDO Paid Internship 2026 Vacancy Breakdown
Out of 50 internship slots, 44 posts are for Computer Science, Computer Engineering, IT, Information Science, AI-ML, or equivalent streams, and 6 posts are for Electronics & Communication, Electronics Engineering, or Electrical & Electronics Engineering.
CAIR DRDO Paid Internship 2026 Age Limit
The official notification does not specify any age limit for this internship. It is meant for students currently pursuing their final year of B.E./B.Tech.
CAIR DRDO Paid Internship 2026 Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| All Categories | No Fee |
| Payment Mode | Not Applicable |
There is no application fee mentioned in the official notification. This is completely free to apply.
Selection Process
Selection for the CAIR DRDO Paid Internship 2026 is purely merit-based with a structured academic scoring system:
- 10th Marks (Physics & Maths): 10% weightage
- 12th Marks / Diploma Final Semester (Physics & Maths): 15% weightage
- B.E./B.Tech completed semester percentages: 75% weightage
- Interview: Conducted only if needed for shortlisted candidates — online or via email invite
Your B.Tech performance matters the most here, so strong academic records will give you a clear edge.
CAIR DRDO Internship Education Qualification 2026
- For 44 Posts (CSE Branch): Final year of B.E./B.Tech in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Technology, Information Science, AI-ML, or equivalent — with First Division
- For 6 Posts (ECE Branch): Final year of B.E./B.Tech in Electronics & Communication or equivalent — with First Division
- Candidates must be currently pursuing their final year (not completed)
- A Letter of Recommendation (LOR) from the college Principal/Head is mandatory, clearly permitting the student to attend the 6-month internship
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SCAIR DRDO Paid Internship 2026 stipend Details
The fixed monthly stipend is ₹5,000 per month for the full 6-month duration — totalling ₹30,000. This is paid in two installments: ₹15,000 after completing 3 months and ₹15,000 after completing 6 months. No additional allowances are provided; boarding, lodging, transport, and medical costs are borne by the intern.
CAIR DRDO Paid Internship Required Documents 2026
- Filled Application Form in .docx format only (no PDFs/scanned copies)
- 10th Mark Sheet
- 12th Mark Sheet / Diploma Mark Sheet (if applicable)
- All completed B.E./B.Tech semester mark sheets
- Character Certificate
- Letter of Recommendation (LOR) from college Principal/Head
- Updated CV
- College ID Card
- Aadhar Card
- Police Verification Certificate (required at time of joining, not application)
How to Apply
- Download the official Application Form from the notification at drdo.gov.in
- Fill the form in .docx format only — scanned PDFs will be rejected
- Save the file using your name in lowercase + year of birth (e.g., rahulkumar2002.docx)
- Attach all required scanned documents
- Email everything to ad-hrt.cair@gov.in with the subject line: “Application for Internship – May 2026”
- Apply through your institute
⚠️ Important: Applications not in .docx format will be outright rejected. Double-check before sending!
CAIR DRDO Paid Internship Notification 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Released | 19 May 2026 |
| Application Start Date | 19 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 4 June 2026 |
| Internship Start Date | 1 July 2026 |
| Internship End Date | 31 December 2026 |
CAIR DRDO Paid Important Links
| Link Name | Action |
|---|---|
| Apply Online / Official Notification PDF | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
| Join WhatsApp Channel | Click Here |
| YouTube Channel | Click Here |
FAQs – CAIR DRDO Paid Internship 2026
What is the last date to apply for CAIR DRDO Paid Internship 2026?
The last date is 4 June 2026. Applications must be emailed to ad-hrt.cair@gov.in before this date.
What is the stipend amount?
Selected interns receive ₹5,000 per month (total ₹30,000), paid in two installments over 6 months.
Can a student in 7th semester apply?
As per the official notification, only final-year B.E./B.Tech students currently enrolled are eligible. Apply through your institute.
Is there any application fee?
No. There is no application fee for this internship. The process is completely free.
Conclusion – CAIR DRDO Paid Internship 2026
The CAIR DRDO Paid Internship 2026 is a rare, government-backed opportunity for engineering students to gain hands-on experience in cutting-edge defence research. With 50 seats across CSE/IT/AI-ML and ECE streams, a ₹5,000/month stipend, and real exposure to India’s national defence technology projects, this is one of the most prestigious internships an engineering student can land. If you meet the eligibility — final year, First Division — act now because the last date is 4 June 2026.
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Jagannath Mahato is a B.Tech graduate in Computer Science from Bokaro, Jharkhand with 3 years of experience covering government jobs, banking, SSC, and technical recruitments across India. Every update on Jobs Guides is personally verified before publishing — so you always get accurate, trustworthy information.