DAE Graduate Fellowship Scheme Fellowship

DGFS is not a separate open M.Tech. scholarship application. In the 2026 cycle, an applicant first had to meet the OCES/DGFS engineering eligibility rules, be selected for OCES through the BARC Training Schools selection process, and independently secure admission in the same academic year to an approved M.Tech. specialization at a DGFS institute.

The 2026 brochure lists the eligible engineering screening disciplines as mechanical, chemical, metallurgical, electrical, electronics, computer science, instrumentation, and civil engineering. For these routes, the qualifying degree is B.E., B.Tech., B.Sc. (Engineering), or a five-year integrated M.Tech. in the applicable discipline, with at least 60% aggregate marks or a 6.0/10 CGPA (or equivalent). Eligibility, age limits, admissible degree names, and institute-specialization combinations are cycle-specific and should be checked in the next official brochure rather than inferred from 2026 rules.

• For GATE-based screening in 2026, a valid GATE 2024, 2025, or 2026 score in the applicable GATE paper was accepted.
• The 2026 recruitment notice was for Indian nationals; its maximum age reference date was August 1, 2026, with category-specific relaxations.
• Admission to IIT Bombay or IIT Madras is the candidate's responsibility; selection by DAE does not substitute for the institute's M.Tech. admission requirements.

DGFS-2026 is a two-year M.Tech. fellowship. The first year is institute course work. After completing that course work, the fellow undertakes DAE-assigned project work. Following successful completion of the M.Tech., the fellow must complete a four-month OCDF at the BARC Training School in Mumbai before appointment.

The orientation course follows the degree rather than replacing any part of it, so applicants should plan for the two-year postgraduate programme plus the post-degree OCDF requirement.

• M.Tech.: two years.
• DAE-linked project work: after one year of institute course work.
• OCDF: four months after the M.Tech. and before joining the assigned DAE unit.

The degree curriculum is the approved M.Tech. programme at the relevant DGFS institute and specialization. The distinctive DGFS component is the project: DAE assigns it, and it is jointly supervised by a DAE guide and an institute guide, aligning the research with DAE programme requirements and the fellow's specialization.

The 2026 brochure also says fellows must participate in teaching apprenticeship (TA) work during the M.Tech. where required under the DGFS institute's terms and conditions. OCDF is a separate four-month orientation at BARC Training School, Mumbai.

• Institute-led M.Tech. course work in an approved specialization.
• DAE-assigned project with joint DAE and institute supervision.
• Teaching apprenticeship where prescribed by the institute.
• Four-month OCDF after the degree.

For the 2026 recruitment cycle, OCES/DGFS selection used two stages: screening followed by a selection interview. Screening could be through the BARC computer-based online examination or through an eligible GATE score; the final selection decision was based solely on interview performance, subject to medical fitness.

Candidates who excel in the OCES selection interview may be offered the DGFS route only if they independently obtain qualifying M.Tech. admission at an approved DGFS institute and specialization in that academic year. Thus, applicants must manage both the BARC selection route and the separate postgraduate institute admission route.

• Screening: BARC online examination or valid GATE score, as allowed for the annual cycle.
• Selection: BARC Training Schools interview after shortlisting.
• DGFS condition: selection for OCES plus independent admission to the listed M.Tech. option.
• Medical fitness is required before stipend release in the 2026 cycle.

For DGFS-2026, DAE states a stipend of ₹74,000 per month during the two-year fellowship and reimbursement of M.Tech. tuition fees. It additionally specifies a ₹60,000 annual contingency grant for each of the two years for project-related expenses and possible BRNS Fast Track Project support of up to ₹4,00,000 for necessary project equipment or consumables, based on actual amounts paid. These are 2026-cycle terms and may be revised in future notices.

Hostel boarding and lodging at the DGFS institute is mandatory during the M.Tech. The brochure does not state that every personal expense is covered, so candidates should confirm hostel, mess, insurance, travel, and institute-specific charges directly with the allotted institute.

The funding is tied to a service obligation: the personal indemnity bond requires at least three years of DAE service after training. Its eventual amount depends on the support actually paid, including tuition and relevant project support.

• 2026 monthly stipend: ₹74,000 for two years.
• 2026 tuition treatment: M.Tech. tuition reimbursed.
• 2026 contingency support: ₹60,000 per year for two years.
• Mandatory institute-hostel residence during the M.Tech.
• Minimum post-training service commitment: three years.

A fellow who successfully completes the M.Tech. proceeds to the four-month OCDF and then joins DAE as Scientific Officer 'C'. For the 2026 scheme, IIT Bombay fellows are allocated to BARC and IIT Madras fellows to IGCAR; BARC may post an officer at any of its facilities in India. Allocation is made at the beginning of the M.Tech. programme based on DAE programme needs and selection-interview merit.

The official 2026 material describes the appointment as a Group A gazetted Government of India post. BARC's career page lists the Scientific Officer 'C' entry level as Level 10, basic pay ₹56,100 under the 7th Central Pay Commission matrix; actual monthly pay depends on increments, allowances, location, and prevailing government orders, so it should be treated as variable rather than a guaranteed take-home amount.

• Complete M.Tech. and OCDF successfully.
• Join as Scientific Officer 'C' in DAE.
• 2026 location pathway: BARC after IIT Bombay, or IGCAR after IIT Madras.
• Further academic development may be available during a DAE career, including Ph.D. opportunities through HBNI as described in DAE recruitment material.