ICMR JRF Examination

ICMR holds a national level examination for determining the eligibility of Indian National candidates for the award of Junior Research Fellowships (JRF). ICMR JRF Examination is the first step in the process of admission to the Ph.D/ Research Programme through council's support. Candidates with Post Graduate Degree in Basic Science or in Professional Course are eligible to apply. The award of JRF is made on merit basis by holding an entrance examination once a year, usually held in the first/second week of July. The award of Fellowship to the successful eligible candidates will depend on their finding placement in a medical college / hospital/ university/ institution of higher learning and research as applicable. A total of 150 Fellowships are awarded. 120 Fellowships are awarded for work in the field of Biomedical Sciences with emphasis on Life Sciences (like microbiology, physiology, molecular biology, genetics, human biology, bioinformatics, biotechnology, biochemistry, biophysics, immunology, pharmacology, zoology, environment science, botany, veterinary sciences etc.). 30 Fellowships are awarded for work with emphasis on Social Sciences like psychology, sociology, home science, statistics, anthropology, social work and health economics. The candidates selected for the JRF programme of ICMR would be permitted to enroll for the Ph.D. programme of any University recognised by the UGC/MCI. However, the JRF programme would not have any connection with the Ph.D. programme. The validity of fellowship awarded to a candidate is 6 months. Another 100 candidates are selected for consideration for positions of JRF under various research schemes of ICMR (subject to fulfilling the conditions for appointment under the schemes) for the duration of that scheme. These JRFs would also be permitted to complete Ph.D. while working in the scheme, if enrolled. The validity of result will be 2 year for placement in ICMR funded projects. Fellowship amount: Fellowship for JRF / SRF is Rs. 25000 / 28000 p.m. plus House Rent Allowance (HRA) as per norms and an annual contingency grant of Rs. 20000. Continuation of the fellowship every year is based on the satisfactory performance of the candidates, as decided by the competent authorities.