ICMR-Junior Research Fellowship (ICMR-JRF)

What is the ICMR-Junior Research Fellowship?

The ICMR-Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) is a national fellowship for young postgraduates who want to pursue research in biomedical, life-science and health social-science areas. It is run by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the apex body for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research in India, under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

According to ICMR, the fellowship supports selected candidates to work towards a PhD or to carry out research in ICMR institutes, medical colleges, universities and other recognised research centres. A key change to note: from 2024, the JRF selection has been folded into the Biomedical Research Eligibility Test (BRET), so candidates now apply for BRET rather than a stand-alone JRF exam.

Key features

• Monthly stipend of Rs 31,000 in the first and second years.
• House Rent Allowance as per central government rules where hostel accommodation is not provided.
• Annual contingency grant of Rs 20,000 for research-related expenses.
• About 150 fellowships per cycle across Life Sciences and Social Sciences.
• Two-year JRF tenure, upgradable to Senior Research Fellow at Rs 35,000 per month.

Who is eligible for the ICMR-JRF?

You can apply if:

• You hold a master's degree (MSc or equivalent) in a relevant Life Sciences or Social Sciences subject with the minimum marks specified by ICMR.
• You are within the upper age limit — ICMR's notifications set this at 28 years, with relaxations for reserved categories, women and persons with benchmark disabilities.
• You appear for and qualify the BRET / JRF examination conducted by ICMR.

You cannot apply if:

• You do not hold the required postgraduate qualification in an eligible subject.
• You are over the age limit and do not qualify for any relaxation.
• You are seeking a direct grant without qualifying the examination. The fellowship is awarded only through the test, not on application alone.

Because the JRF is a merit-cum-examination fellowship, there is no route to it by nomination or by application to ICMR outside the notified BRET cycle.

What documents are required for the ICMR-JRF?

How to apply for the ICMR-JRF

1. Watch the ICMR fellowships page (icmr.gov.in/fellowships) for the current BRET / JRF notification and read the eligibility, subjects and age limit.
2. Register and fill the online application for the examination within the notified dates, entering your qualification and category details.
3. Upload your photograph, signature and any required documents, and pay the application fee if applicable.
4. Download the admit card and appear for the computer-based examination on the scheduled date.
5. Check the result and merit list published by ICMR; qualified candidates receive a fellowship award letter.
6. Join a recognised host institution within the validity period stated in the award letter to start drawing the fellowship.

How much benefit does the ICMR-JRF provide?

An ICMR Junior Research Fellow draws a stipend of Rs 31,000 per month during the first two years, plus House Rent Allowance as admissible and an annual contingency grant of Rs 20,000 for consumables, travel and other research expenses. After two years, on satisfactory assessment, the fellow can be upgraded to Senior Research Fellow with a stipend of Rs 35,000 per month for the remaining research tenure.

The fellowship is paid to the individual scholar through the host institution. It is a research-support benefit, not a personal welfare payment, and is contingent on the fellow being engaged in approved research work.

Help and contact

• ICMR (headquarters): icmrhqds[at]sansad[dot]nic[dot]in
• Phone: 011-26588895
• Fellowships portal: icmr.gov.in/fellowships

Candidates should confirm the exact stipend, number of fellowships, subjects and age limit against the current BRET / JRF advertisement on the ICMR website, since these are revised from cycle to cycle.