ICMR JRF Exam Application Form | Details | Apply Online

Applications are invited for full time PhD Programme under ICMR JRF/SRF Scheme for individuals with high academic records. Candidates wants to admitted to the PhD programme are eligible to receive Junior Research fellowship for 3 years followed by Senior Research Fellowship for the next two years provided all programme requirements are met. The Junior Research Programme is a unique initiative for Masters degree students and young researchers. For PhD Research, PhD degree research and practice.

The ICMR provides research projects developed at the ICMR with structured oversight, guidance and academic support throughout a Three year calendar. The aim is to support long-term needs of research groups, both scientifically and for professional development, This endeavour has experienced remarkable success, with the annual cohorts having completed all aspects of the programme.

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 on July 12,2020.

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, bioinformatics, biophysics, immunology, pharmacology, zoology, botany, environmental sciences and veterinary Medicine (excluding Agriculture extension/ Soil Sciences, etc) and thirty (30) fellowships for the work with emphasis on Social Sciences like psychology, sociology, home science, statistics anthropology, social work, public health/health economics (agriculture economics will not be considered).

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. 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 the 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.

Educational Qualification:
MSc/MA or equivalent degree with minimum 55% marks for General/OBC candidates and 50% for the SC/ST & Physically Handicapped (PH) and Visually Handicapped (VH) candidates in the subjects mentioned above.  Candidates appearing in the final year examination (2020-2021) can also apply.

APPLICATION FEES :
₹ 1000/- (General/OBC) &

₹ 800/- (SC/ST/PH/VH). 

EMOLUMENTS /REMUNERATION:
The duration of fellowship will initially be limited to two years. The following remuneration will be paid to the Fellow:

ICMR JRF

1. For 1st year Rs. 25,000/-
2. For 2nd year Rs. 25,000/-
3. For 3rd year Rs. 25,000/-

ICMR SRF

1. For 1st year Rs. 28,000/-
2. For 2nd year and above Rs. 28,000/-

The selected applicant may join the fellowship within six months (as mentioned in the award letter) after declaration of results.

CONTINGENT GRANT: Research Scholars of ICMR JRF are eligible for a Contingency Education Grant Rs. 20,000/- p.a. (with effect from 1.4.2008)

TENURE OF FELLOWSHIP :
The tenure for the ICMR JRF will be two/three years. The duration of a SRF will be for a maximum of three years. ICMR 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 Annual Progress Report (APR) is not satisfactory or failure of submission of up-gradation report on time 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.

AGE LIMIT :
The upper age limit for admission to the eligibility test is 28 years as on 12-07-2020 (relaxable up to five years in case of candidates belonging to SC/ST/PH/ VH/female candidates and three years in the case of OBC.

JOINING TIMING :
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.

METHOD OF SELECTION FOR ICMR JRF

Scheme of Test
The test will consist of one paper of 2 hours duration. The paper will consist of 2 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 questions would be compulsory with each question carrying 1 mark. The subject Specific Section (Section B & C) would pertain to (B) Life Sciences and (C) Social Science. 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.

Each question carries one mark. Negative marking @ 0.25 will be made for each of the wrong answer. The questions in both the sections would appear in English only.

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 physically handicapped.

The test will be held in the following streams:
(1) Aptitude test (common for all)

(2) Life Sciences

(3) Social Sciences. Subjects covered under Life Sciences include microbiology, physiology, molecular biology, genetics, human nutrition, human biology, biotechnology, biochemistry, biophysics, immunology, pharmacology, zoology, environmental sciences, botany, public health veterinary science and bio-informatics. Subjects covered under Social Sciences include psychology, sociology, home sciences, statistics, anthropology, social work and health economics.

IMPORTANT DATES for ICMR JRF

• Admit card will be released –
   Last week of June 2020

• Exam day  –  12-Jul-2020

• Result will be announced –
   Last week of July 2020

PROCEDURE FOR APPLYING ICMR JRF EXAM
Before applying, candidates are advised to go through the admission notice published in the advertisement in various Newspapers and the instructions given therein carefully. Fill in the application form according to the instructions given in this prospectus and the admission notice. Incomplete applications will not be considered and no correspondence will be entertained.

Information bulletin/brochure, online application form and other details will be available at both PGIMER, Chandigarh website http://pgimer.edu.in and ICMR, New Delhi website: www.icmr.nic.in. Candidates may visit the websites. The last date for filling of online application is 16.06.2020. Only online application will be accepted, no other mode of submission of application will be accepted.

IMPORTANT GUIDELINES :

APPLICATION :
Persons who have been selected in the JRF examination conducted by ICMR are eligible to apply  for the JRF. The applications have to be submitted on the prescribed form to the Director General,  (Attention : Head, HRD), Indian Council of Medical Research, V. Ramalingaswami Bhawan,  Ansari Nagar, Post Box 4911 New Delhi-ll0029   ‘

The applicants must fulfill the following conditions:

1. The applications should be sent through the Guide and the Head of the Institute where the applicant proposes to work. If employed, a certificate from his/her employer to accept the fellowship should be submitted
2. The applicant should not draw any stipend or salary or be in receipt of any other type of financial  assistance except leave salary during the fellowship. A certificate to this effect must be furnished by the applicant is proposed to be carried out during the fellowship must be submitted with the application.
3. A detailed plan of work, (two copies), for a specific time bound research project on which research.
4. The fellowship can be terminated at any time on a month’s notice by ICMR if the progress of work is not satisfactory or on receipt of an adverse report from the Guide.
5. The fellowship can also be terminated forthwith if the particulars given in the application form for fellowship are found to be incorrect or false.
6. The Council also reserves the right to terminate fellowship forthwith without assigning any reason.
7. The first assessment shall be made at the end of the 1st year. The second assessment shall be made at the end of 2nd year.
8. If the Guide finds the work satisfactory the JRF shall be promoted to Senior Research Fellow (SRF) for a period of another 3 years.
9. Each Fellow shall submit the following after 18 months of joining the Fellowship.
10. Up-gradation letter from JRF to SRF, duly recommended and forwarded by the Guide and recommended, forwarded and signed by Institutional committee members including external members in the field. Up-gradation report should be submitted upon completion of 22 months as a JRF and if delayed due to unavoidable circumstances, like administrative delay with a valid reason, before completing three years of fellowship. Failure to submit the up-gradation report as mentioned above will lead to termination of the fellowship after completing 3 years as JRF.
11. If the progress is not found satisfactory, and up-gradation report is not submitted latest within 3 years then the JRF may be allowed to continue for one more year as JRF after the second year and then his/her fellowship will be terminated at the end of 3rd year period. The local Institution/Guide shall review his/her case in the 3rd year and make a recommendation whether extension for another year should be given. The final decision on grant of extension shall vest in the Director General, ICMR.
12. In the event of the JRF leaving before completing one year, he/she will be required to refund the stipend drawn by him/her from the date of joining to the date of leaving the fellowship.

HRA & Medical Benefits:

1. All Research Fellows may be allowed hostel accommodation wherever available and those residing in hostel provided by parents of other University/Institute will not be eligible for HRA.
2. Medical benefits will be allowed to a Fellow as per the rules of the Institution where they are working. ICMR will not bear any financial burden in this regard. Leave Salary and Other Service Benefits: A Fellow will be eligible for the casual leave & Maternity Leave as per rules of the Institution.

PAYMENT OF FUNDS

1. The Council will pay the fellowship stipend and the contingent grant to the Head of the Institute for disbursement to the Fellow. The University/Institution shall be responsible for proper utilization of the grant and for rendition of accounts to ICMR.
2. The payment of stipends and contingent expenditure will be governed by the following procedure:
3. Grant to cover fellowship stipend and contingencies for the Fellow will be paid to the Head of the Institutions in four quarterly installments.
4. The first installment will be released as soon as a report, duly forwarded by the Guide is received regarding the assumption of charge by the Fellow.
5. The last three months grants stipend, contingency & HRA may be release after received the certificate of submission of Ph.D. Thesis.

TRANSFER OF FELLOWSHIP

1. The fellow should carefully choose the host Institution, guide/supervisor, availability of necessary infrastructural and other facilities etc. to carry out his/her research work before joining.
2. Request for transfer of the fellowship will not be entertained after completing one year as JRF in a particular institution/organization, except on compelling circumstances for which the fellow & his/her guide should submit proper justification, which is up to the competent authority of ICMR to review and approve for the same.
3. In case of transfer within one year, the ‘No Objection’ Certificate should also be produced by the fellow from supervisor & Head of Department of University/Institute from where transfer is sought and consent of the guide/host Institute where fellowship is sought to be transferred by giving reasons of transfer.
4. No fellow will be allowed to join another Institute without seeking prior approval from ICMR. If the candidate leaves the parent Institute/University and joins elsewhere without approval of ICMR, his/her fellowship will be terminated from the date of resignation of his institution/organization where he joined initially. 
5. ONLY in special circumstances, the fellowship may be transferred with the prior approval of the DG, ICMR. No T.A. will be paid as a result of such a transfer.