Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) [until 2023 batch]
The program has been now revised as Biomedical Research Eligibility Test (BRET) from the year 2024 onwards, for details please visit DHR website
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 12 centres viz. Bengaluru, Bhopal, Bhubaneshwar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Srinagar and Varanasi 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.
TA 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, Pharmacology, zoology, Environment Science, botany, veterinary sciences, bio-informatics etc.). Thirty Fellowshipswould be awarded for work with emphasis on Social sciences like psychology, sociology, home science, statistics, anthropology, social work and Health Economics.
1. 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.
2. 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.
The existing value of the fellowship is at present Rs. 31000/- (Rupees Thirty one thousands only) per month and an annual contingency grant up to Rs. 20,000/- per annum. The local institution shall review the performance of JRF after two years through an appropriate Review Committee constituted by the Head of the institution. The fellow may be awarded SRF after successful assessment by the Review Committee.
The successful candidates would be notified by post. The list also would be available on the ICMR website.
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.
Duration- five years or completion of PhD whichever is earlier.
Emoluments- As per the ICMR Office Order No. 
(216 KB)16/139/2014-AdminII dated 11.06.2019
Within one year from the date of issue of award letter
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