DIO iDEX Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 6 Program Director & Executive Posts

Introduction

The Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) has announced a fresh recruitment drive for its Project Management Team under the iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) initiative. This is a great opportunity for professionals with experience in innovation, entrepreneurship, program management, or start-up ecosystems to work with one of India's most impactful defence innovation programs.

Recruitment Overview

DIO, functioning under the Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, is hiring Individual Consultants purely on a contract basis for 4 distinct roles in its iDEX Project Management Team. The notification, bearing Advertisement No. DIO/Advertisement/IC-PM/2026(I), was released on 8th July 2026, with the online application window closing on 10th August 2026 at 5:00 PM.

Vacancy Details

A total of 6 vacancies are on offer across the following positions:

Post Name	Vacancies
Program Director (PD)	2
Deputy Program Director (DPD)	1
Program Executive (PE)	2
Deputy Program Executive (DPE)	1

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility varies by post and combines both educational qualification and relevant work experience in fields tied to innovation and program management.

Educational Qualification

• Program Director: Master's degree (Science/Management/Technology or equivalent) with 10 years' post-qualification experience, or Bachelor's degree with 12 years' experience.
• Deputy Program Director: Master's degree with 6 years' experience, or Bachelor's degree with 8 years' experience.
• Program Executive: Master's degree with 2 years' experience, or Bachelor's degree with 4 years' experience.
• Deputy Program Executive: Master's degree (freshers eligible) or Bachelor's degree with 1 year of experience.

Candidates must also show experience in areas such as innovation and entrepreneurship, business development, program or grant management, consulting, communications and outreach, hackathon design, product management, IT operations, or finance/accounting.

Age Limit

Candidates' age is reckoned as on 10th August 2026:

• Program Director: Below 55 years
• Deputy Program Director: Below 40 years
• Program Executive: Below 30 years
• Deputy Program Executive: Below 26 years

Age Relaxation

Not Mentioned in Official Notification.

Application Fee

Not Mentioned in Official Notification — no fee details are specified in the advertisement.

Selection Process

1. Online application screening
2. Shortlisting of eligible candidates
3. In-person interview at New Delhi, or via Video Conferencing (may include skill tests, group discussions, or quizzes)
4. Final selection by the "Interview & Selection" Committee

Shortlisted candidates will be notified by email; no travel expense claims will be entertained for attending interviews.

Salary Details

Selected consultants will receive a consolidated monthly consultancy fee, inclusive of all taxes:

• Program Director: ₹1,80,000 – ₹2,40,000
• Deputy Program Director: ₹1,40,000 – ₹1,80,000
• Program Executive: ₹80,000 – ₹1,20,000
• Deputy Program Executive: ₹40,000 – ₹80,000

An annual increment of up to 10% applies based on appraisal, though the fee cannot exceed 1.80 times the initial monthly consultancy fee over the course of the engagement.

Important Dates

Event	Date
Notification Released	8th July 2026
Last Date to Apply Online	10th August 2026 (5:00 PM)

Required Documents

While the notification does not list a detailed document checklist, applicants are required to upload all supporting documents as a single PDF file within the prescribed size, wherever mentioned in the online application form.

How to Apply

1. Visit the official iDEX website: idex.gov.in
2. Navigate to the Career section
3. Fill out the online application form with personal, qualification, and experience details
4. Upload required documents as a single PDF file
5. Submit the application before 5:00 PM on 10th August 2026

Applications submitted through any mode other than the official online portal will not be considered.

Important Instructions

• The engagement is purely contractual and does not confer any right to permanent absorption in DIO.
• The place of posting is New Delhi, though candidates may be deputed elsewhere as per DIO's requirements.
• Consultants must not be engaged in any other trade, business, or remunerative commitment during their tenure.
• Engagement is subject to signing a Consultancy Contract (Undertaking/Bond) on ₹200 stamp paper.
• DIO reserves the right to increase, decrease, or cancel the number of positions, and is not obligated to explain its hiring decisions.

Official Notification Summary

The notification, issued by DIO under reference number DIO/Advertisement/IC-PM/2026(I) dated 8th July 2026, invites applications for hiring Individual Consultants across 4 posts in the Project Management Team supporting iDEX — India's flagship defence innovation and start-up funding programme launched in April 2018.

Why You Should Apply

This role offers a chance to directly contribute to India's defence innovation ecosystem, working alongside start-ups, MSMEs, incubators, and R&D institutions under a nationally significant government initiative — with competitive consultancy compensation and meaningful annual growth potential.

Conclusion

Candidates meeting the eligibility criteria for Program Director, Deputy Program Director, Program Executive, or Deputy Program Executive roles should apply online via idex.gov.in before the 10th August 2026 deadline. For queries, contact eo-dio@ddpmod.gov.in or call 011-20832018.