India's Defence Ministry Opens iDEX iDEAL Internship 2027 for Students; Applications Close 30 November

The programme

The Department of Defence Production, through Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) and the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO), has opened applications for the iDEX Defence Exploration and Learning (iDEAL) Internship 2027.

A notice dated 4 November 2026, published on the iDEX careers page, describes a stipend-based internship of three or six months, intended to give students exposure and practical experience in managing projects on niche technology development in defence and aerospace.

The Directorate of Public Relations in the Ministry of Defence, posting for the Department of Defence Production, said applications should be made through https://idex.gov.in/career and that the last date is 30 November 2026, 5 PM.

The official notice's key dates, which it labels tentative, give the same last date and say the internship is to begin at DIO on 4 January 2027.

The careers page states that applications must be in before 5 PM on 30 November 2026.

That page lists 10 internship posts as tentative and says the actual number may vary.

It describes the hiring as being on a full-time basis through a competitive mode.

The notice itself does not give a headcount or set out a detailed selection procedure, such as a written test or interview.

Stipend, place and working arrangements

Selected interns are eligible for a monthly stipend of Rs 30,000 (about $320) for a six-month internship, or Rs 20,000 (about $213) for a three-month internship.

The notice says the maximum duration can be extended on a need basis.

Interns who complete the programme successfully are eligible for a certificate of experience issued by iDEX or the Ministry of Defence.

The internship is in person only.

All interns must report to the DIO office at the 8th Floor, Konnectus Towers-II, Bhavabhuti Marg, New Delhi, 110002, and be physically present there during the internship.

Office hours are 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday to Friday.

Regular attendance is mandatory, and interns are expected to be punctual and professional.

In addition to official holidays, interns are entitled to six days of leave on a six-month internship and three days on a three-month internship.

The notice states that the programme is neither a job nor an assurance of a job with the authority.

Interns who show exceptional skill, dedication and a strong fit in the iDEX ecosystem may, however, be offered relaxations in the iDEX-DIO recruitment process, as deemed suitable.

Eligibility

The programme is generally open to Indian citizens who have the specified educational qualifications from a recognised university.

The notice says a candidate's age should not exceed 26 years as on 30 November 2026.

The careers page uses the wording "below 26 years" as on the same date.

Eligible applicants are:

• Undergraduate students in their final year, or students who have graduated from a science and engineering or technology degree programme in the year of application
• Postgraduate students who are pursuing a postgraduate course, or who have graduated in the year of application, provided their bachelor's degree meets the undergraduate condition above

Candidates who have undergone, or are undergoing, apprenticeship training under the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) or the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) in any other establishment or organisation are not eligible.

Suppression of facts or false information will lead to disqualification, and canvassing in any form will also result in disqualification.

The notice does not list individual degree titles beyond science and engineering or technology, a minimum percentage of marks, or a nationality category other than Indian citizens.

How to apply

Applications are accepted only online, through the form at https://idex.gov.in/d/s/form/ideal_internship_November_2026.

Applications sent by any other mode will not be considered.

The careers page and the advertisement are at https://idex.gov.in/career.

The official notice is at https://idex.gov.in/uploads/pdf/1794546016_73c8407ea49810e17d98.pdf.

Students who need a no-objection certificate must obtain one from their college or institution, on letterhead and signed by the head of department or the principal, in the format given as Annexure 1 to the notice.

That certificate must state that the applicant is a bona fide student, that the institution has no objection to their applying for and joining the internship from January 2027 for three or six months, that they are not registered for a course requiring class attendance during the internship, and that their conduct has been found satisfactory.

The notice does not publish a wider list of documents to be uploaded with the form.

Applications must reach the online form before 5 PM on 30 November 2026.

Dollar figures use the Reserve Bank of India reference rate of Rs 93.81 per US dollar on 11 November 2026.