ICMR-Junior Research Fellowships

ICMR JRF Examination is the first step in the process of admission to the Ph.D/ Research Programme through council's support. Test for ICMR JRF fellowship are conducted at the five centres viz. Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai once a year. The award of JRF is made on merit basis by holding an entrance examination after issuing a countrywide admission notice. The admission notice is published in leading English Newspapers of India usually during March/April and also on the website. The entrance examination is usually held in the first/second week of July.

ICMR holds a national level examination for determining the eligibility of Indian National candidates for the award of Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) through Indian Council of Medical Research. The award of Junior Research Fellowship to the successful eligible candidates will depend on their finding placement in a medical college / hospital / university / national laboratory / institution of higher learning and research as applicable.

A total of 150 Fellowships would be awarded. 120 Fellowships would be 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, zoology, Environment Science, botany, veterinary sciences, bio-informatics etc.). Thirty Fellowships would be awarded for work with emphasis on Social sciences like psychology, sociology, home science, statistics, anthropology and social work.

(I-i) Two separate merit lists, one comprising the candidates qualifying for life sciences and the second for those candidates qualifying for social sciences, will be made on the basis of their performance in the above test.
(I-ii) The candidates selected for the JRF programme of ICMR would be permitted to enroll themselves 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 will be six months.
Another 100 candidates would be 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 two years for placement in ICMR funded projects.
SC/ST/OBC/Physically Handicapped (PH) applicants will be given such special consideration as per policy guidelines.Candidates qualifying for the award of JRF will receive fellowship from ICMR.
Duration and Emoluments:
The existing value of the fellowship is at present Rs. 8000/- (Rupees Eight thousand only) Per month. It will be revised from time to time as decided by the ICMR.

The duration of fellowship will initially be limited till three years carrying a monthly stipend of Rs. 8000/- and an annual contingency grant up to Rs. 7,500/- per annum. The progress of research work would be evaluated annually through annual progress reports. On completion of two years as JRF the stipend of a fellow may be increased to Rs. 9,000/- p.m. for 3rd year on the basis of assessment of candidate's research progress / achievements. Upon such a recommendation, the fellow will be called SRF. In the event of the Committee not recommending upgradation, the fellow will continue as JRF with a stipend of Rs. 8000/- per month for the 3rd year or his/her fellowship may be terminated depending on the decision of the Committee. The duration as SRF may be for a maximum duration of 3 years. Thus, the total tenure as JRF plus SRF shall not exceed 5 (five) years.

The successful candidates would be notified by post and notice published in Employment Newspaper. The list also would be available on the ICMR website. Joining time: Selected candidates must join their respective course on the prescribed date as indicated in their admission letter. The selection of those who fail to join by the specified date shall automatically stand cancelled.

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