Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) About ICMR JRF
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in collaboration with Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh will hold a National level examination for the award of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), for Indian national candidates at Bengaluru, Bhopal, Bhubaneshwar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Srinagar (J&K) and Varanasi etc.
A total of 150 Fellowships would be awarded. [120 fellowships in the field of Biomedical Sciences with emphasis on Life Sciences (like microbiology, physiology, molecular biology, genetics, human biology, biotechnology, biochemistry etc
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) About ICMR JRF
Q1. When the ICMR-JRF entrance examination is usually announced? When it is usually held?
Answer : The examination notice is published in leading English Newspapers of India usually during March/April and also on the websites of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh. The entrance examination is usually held once a year in first/second week of July, on a Sunday.
Q2. Where will be the Centres for the written examination located?
Answer : Test fo ICMR JRF is conducted at thetwelve Centres viz., Bengaluru, Bhopal, Bhubaneshwar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Srinagar (J&K) and Varanasi.
Q3. What is the eligibility criterion for appearing in the entrance examination? Answer : You should have a Post Graduate degree inbasic science or Post Graduate degree in professional course (B.Tech in biomedical sciences are not eligible) with 55% marks for General/Other Backward Class (OBC) and 50% for SC/ST/Physically Handicapped (PH)/Visually Handicapped (VH). The upper age limit is 28 years [relaxable up to five years in case of candidates belonging to SC/ST/PH/VH and female candidates, three years in the case of OBC category].
Q4. What is the number of fellowships awarded annually? What are the subjects? Can I also apply for other JRF appointments?
Answer : A total of 150 Fellowships would be awarded; 120 for work in the field of biomedical sciences with emphasis on life sciences and 30 for social sciences. Another 100 candidates would be selected for consideration for positions of JRF under various research projects of ICMR only (subject to fulfilling the conditions for appointment under the projects) for the duration of that project. These JRFs would also be permitted to complete Ph.D. while working in the project, if enrolled. The validity of result will be two years for placement in ICMR funded projects for this category.
Q5. What is the pattern of the written examination? Do I have to attempt all the questions?&
Answer : The paper will consist of two Sections.
The Aptitude Section (Section A) will have 50 questions on
(i) scientific phenomenon in everyday life;
(ii) general knowledge in sciences; and
(iii) common statistics. All these 50 questions would be compulsory with each question carrying 1 mark.
The subject specific section (Sections B & C) would pertain to (B) Life sciences and (C) Social sciences. Each question carries one mark. The candidate may attempt questions in either of the two areas. Each area of section B & C would have 100 questions and the candidate may attempt any 75 questions in the predesigned area of Section B or C. Candidates are required to indicate the option for Section B or C in the application form too. Negative marking @ 0.25 will be made for each of the wrong answer. If the candidate attends more than 75 questions in Section B or C, then only the first 75 questions will be evaluated. The questions in both the Sections would appear in English only.
Q6. What is the duration of the written examination?
Answer . The test will consist of one paper of two hours duration.
Q7. Can I have a look at the sample paper for JRF examination?
Answer. The specimen paper for ICMR-JRF is available at: http://icmr.nic.in/jrf/jrf_specimen.pdf
Q8. Is there any syllabus for the examination?
Answer. The syllabus is as per PG level by University Grants Commission (UGC), New Delhi
Q9. Is there any aggregate marks cut-off for selection?
Answer. The final result will be based on aggregate of 55% marks obtained in both the Sections for General category and OBC and 50% for SC/ST and PH/VH.
Q10. What is criterion for results for selection?
AAnswer. 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 exam.
Q11. What is the admission procedure after selection?
Answer. The list of successful candidates would be available on the ICMR website. Selected candidates must join their respective course on the prescribed date as indicated in their admission letter.
Q12. Can I enroll myself in any research institute/organization for my JRF work?
Answer. The candidates selected for the JRF programme of ICMR would be permitted to enroll themselves for the Ph.D. programme (the Ph.D. topic should be strictly pertaining to health research) of any University or government college recognized by the UGC/ or any medical college recognized by Medical Council of India (MCI).
Q13. What will be the validity of JRF awarded?
Answer. The validity of fellowship awarded to a candidate will be one year.
Q14. What will be my joining time?
Answer. 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.
Q15. What is the tenure of the fellowship?
Answer. JRF is generally for first two years. Only after successful assessment by the Review Committee, JRF may be upgraded as SRF after 22 months of commencement of work either on the date when Review Committee meets but not before completion of two years. And SRF is generally for three years or submission of Ph.D. whichever is earlier. However, total duration is five years. The fellowship can be terminated at any time on a month’s notice if the progress of the work is not satisfactory or on receipt of adverse reports from the Guide. In the event if the fellow leaves before completing one year, he/she may be required to refund the stipend drawn by him/her from the date of joining to the date of leaving the fellowship.
Q16. What is the stipend amount that I will be getting? And what is amount of House Rent Allowance (HRA) and contingency for the fellowship?
Answer. 1st year Rs.25,000/- 2nd year Rs.25,000/- 3rd year or thereafter whenever upgraded as a SRF Rs.28,000/- till submission of PhD thesis or 5th year, whichever is earlier (Terms and conditions may be adopted from ICMR Fellowship rules available at http://icmr.nic.in/). The HRA will be given as per rules. If the fellow gets accommodation in the institute hostel then he/she will not be eligible for drawing HRA. The contingent amount for JRF/SRF will be Rs. 20,000/- per annum.
Q17. How and when will I receive the funds from ICMR?
Answer. One needs to send the duly filled and signed mandate form for receiving e-payments along with a photocopy of a cancelled cheque (should be clearly scanned) for purpose of verification of the concerned bank account where money (stipend) is to be remitted. Relevant certificates from hostel warden / AO specifying the date of joining hostel facility should be submitted to avail HRA. If residing in a private accommodation, proof of rent paid from the land lord should be submitted.
Q18. Do I have to send reports annually or quarterly?
Answer. The Fellow shall submit annual reports for 1st year and all annual report thereafter as per the prescribed standard ICMR proforma.
Q19. When should I submit the annual reports?
Answer. The first annual report should be submitted after 10 months from the date of commencement of the fellowship (through the Guide along with his/her appraisal) giving complete factual details of the research work done. Subsequent annual reports as per the standard proforma should be submitted through the Guide two months before completion of the fellowship year.
Q20. Is the Utilization Certificate (UC) also required?
Answer. Annual UC is needed from April to March each financial year.
Q21. Can I transfer my fellowship from one institute to other?
Answer : A Fellow will not be allowed transfer from one institution to another except in special circumstances with the prior approval of the DG, ICMR. No Travelling Allowance (TA) will be paid as a result of such a transfer.
How to prepare for ICMR JRF Exam life science ?
Answer :
- Make your own strategy. You can do better preparation and it is possible to crack ICMR JRF exam in life sciences and it is not very tedious task.
- If you are interested in self-study then it depends on you which study materials you are going to choose. But Personally we will recommend some strategy while choosing books for ICMR JRF exam. You have to read best books for ICMR JRF Life Sciences Exam and choose books in this form:
- Content –wise (means followed the Syllabus of ICMR JRF Exam)
- Exam –specific books like ICMR JRF or national level examinations like CSIR-NET
- Practice Questions similar to CSIR-NET Life Sciences Exam or ICMR JRF exam And the Most important point, you have to read at least 5-6 Hours in a day.
- If you think that your preparation touch the optimum mark, then you can check your preparation by participating in Online test series of ybstudy. After appearing in Online exam, you will get All India Rank, score card, time taken to solve each question, hints & solutions , percentage, comparison with toppers, part-wise performance, cut-off analysis etc.
- You can also read some books as a reference, its your choice and you know better which books to be consulted for ICMR JRF perspective.