ICMR JRF 2023: Result (Declared), Answer Key Dates, Selection Process

ICMR JRF, or Indian Council of Medical Research Junior Research Fellowship, is awarded to candidates who want to pursue postdoctoral courses with the help of this organisation. Candidates who qualify for the ICMR JRF exam are awarded grants by ICMR to complete their PhD course. The examination is conducted by the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh. Information pertaining to the ICMR JRF 2023 grants and entrance test can be found on the official website of both these institutions. The entrance exam is the gateway for admission to PhD and research programme and it is conducted annually in computer-based mode. ICMR will award a total of 150 Fellowships through this exam, 120 in the field of Biomedical Sciences and the rest 30 in Social Sciences.

Candidates applying for ICMR JRF 2023 are advised to go through the eligibility criteria before filling the application form. If a candidate is found ineligible, his/her fellowship will be discontinued.

Age limit

• The upper age limit for candidates belonging to unreserved category is 28 years. He/she should not be older than 28 years as on September 30, 2023.
• A relaxation of 3 years has been given to those belonging to OBC category. The age limit for such candidates is 31 years.
• For the candidates belonging to SC/ST/PwD category, the upper age limit is 33 years (relaxation of 5 years). Female candidates applying for ICMR JRF 2022 can also apply until the age of 33.

Qualification

Applicant must possess an MSc or MA degree from a recognised institute

Minimum marks required in the qualifying examination

The total number of fellowships granted every year by ICMR is 150. Out of these, 120 will be awarded in the field of Biomedical Sciences and the remaining 30 will be awarded in the field of Social Sciences.

Areas covered under Biomedical Sciences: Life Sciences such as microbiology, Physiology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Human Biology, Bioinformatics, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Immunology, Pharmacology, Zoology, Environment Science, Botany, Veterinary Sciences and Bio-informatics

Areas covered under Social Sciences: Psychology, Sociology, Home Science, Statistics, Anthropology, Social Work and Health Economics

The selection process for ICMR JRF 2023 starts with the release of the application form. ICMR JRF application form 2023 was available online till June 18 on the website of ICMR and PGIMER. Candidates had to register first to submit application form. 

Admit cards are issued to the candidates who successfully complete the application process. The admit card for ICMR JRF 2023 will be released online. 

The result will be released for candidates who appeared for the exam. Two separate merit lists will be prepared for the candidates who qualify for the examination. The first one will include the names of those qualifying for life sciences and the other for those qualifying for social sciences. The selected candidates will have six months to enrol into a PhD course in an institution recognised by UGC/MCI. However, this PhD course will have no connection to the research fellowship.

ICMR JRF 2023 exam centre list has been released by ICMR along with the official information brochure. The table given below enlists the name of the exam centre where the exam will be held.

Initially, the duration of the fellowship will be for two years. During this period the fellow will be working as a Junior Research Fellow and will receive a stipend of Rs 31,000 per month.

Based on the performance of the candidate during this period, the duration can be increased by another three years. Subsequently, the fellowship will be upgraded to Senior Research Fellowship. A Senior Research Fellow will receive Rs 35,000 as monthly remuneration.

Apart from the stipend/remuneration, a candidate will also be entitled to a ‘Contingent Grant’ of Rs 20,000 per annum. This grant can be used for the acquisition of relevant books and documents, purchase of chemicals, reagents, stationery postal charges, registration fees for attending scientific conferences and train fare for attending outstation tours.