The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), an autonomous organisation under the Department of Defence Research & Development (DRDO), Ministry of Defence, Government of India, has released the official ADA Recruitment 2026 notification inviting online applications for various project-based contract posts. This recruitment drive is aimed at hiring administrative as well as technical support personnel to assist with India’s advanced aerospace development programmes such as LCA (Tejas), LCA Mark-II, AMCA, and other defence R&D projects.
Recruitment Overview
Under Advertisement No. ADA:ADV-136/2025 dated 10 December 2025, ADA has announced a total of 43 vacancies for different posts on a limited tenure contract basis. These posts are offered on a programme-based manpower hiring model and applications were accepted online only through the ADA official website www.ada.gov.in.
The recruitment offers an opportunity for eligible candidates with relevant qualifications to work in a prestigious government research environment, contributing to cutting-edge aerospace and defence projects.
Vacancy Details and Job Roles
The ADA Recruitment 2026 includes the following posts:
- Project Admin Assistant (PAA)
- Project Senior Admin Assistant (PSAA)
- Project Admin Officer (PAO)
- Project Technical Assistant (PTA)
- Project Senior Technical Assistant (PSTA)
In total there are 43 vacancies across these roles, each having varying eligibility requirements and responsibilities.
These positions support both administrative operations (such as office coordination, documentation, and logistics) and technical functions (related to engineering and technical assistance) for project execution within ADA.
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility for ADA Recruitment 2026 varies by post:
- Education:
- Administrative posts (PAA, PSAA, PAO) typically require a Bachelor’s degree in disciplines like B.A., B.Com., B.Sc., BCA, or equivalent from a recognised university.
- Technical posts (PTA, PSTA) require a 3-year Diploma in Engineering or a Bachelor’s degree in Science, Engineering, or allied technical field.
- Age Limit:
- Generally, the maximum age for assistant roles is around 35 years, for senior assistant or senior technical roles around 45 years, and for admin officer roles up to 50 years (as per post specifications).
- Nationality: Applicants must be Indian citizens.
Candidates should verify eligibility details as mentioned in the official ADA notification PDF before applying to ensure they meet minimum qualifications and experience requirements.
Application Process
The ADA Recruitment 2026 application process was conducted online through the official ADA portal at www.ada.gov.in. Eligible candidates had to:
- Visit the ADA website and register with valid credentials.
- Complete the online application form by entering personal, educational, and contact information.
- Upload required documents (such as scanned photo, signature, educational certificates, age proof, and category certificates if applicable).
- Review the form carefully and submit it before the application deadline.
- Keep a printout or downloaded copy of the submitted application form for future reference.
The online application window was open from 19 December 2025 to 29 January 2026 (till 16:00 hrs).
Selection Process
The selection process for ADA Recruitment 2026 includes multiple stages based on the nature of the post:
- Skill Test: For certain administrative or technical support roles.
- Written Test: To assess job-relevant knowledge and aptitude.
- Personal Interview: Interaction with a selection board to evaluate suitability for the role.
The exact stages applicable to each post are detailed in the official notification. Candidates should prepare accordingly and attend all required evaluation rounds as specified by ADA.
Salary and Benefits
Selected candidates under ADA Recruitment 2026 will receive consolidated monthly remuneration based on their post and level of responsibility. The salary ranges approximately as follows:
- Project Admin Assistant / Project Technical Assistant: ₹35,220 per month
- Project Senior Admin Assistant / Project Senior Technical Assistant: Around ₹47,496 to ₹50,224 per month
- Project Admin Officer: Around ₹59,276 per month
These salaries are consolidated on a contract basis and may include annual increments as per ADA policy.
Although these are contractual positions, working with ADA offers valuable exposure to defence research environments and structured project work under the Ministry of Defence.
Job Location
The primary work location for ADA Recruitment 2026 is Bengaluru, Karnataka. However, some positions may include responsibilities that involve collaboration across different project sites or defence research units in India, depending on project requirements.
Final Notes
ADA Recruitment 2026 presents a significant opportunity for candidates with relevant administrative or technical qualifications to join a prestigious government research agency. Interested applicants should always refer to the official notification and instructions available at ada.gov.in for complete details on eligibility, application procedures, selection criteria, and job specifications