Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), NEW Delhi
(For the award of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in Life Science and Social Science from ICMR – Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi)
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi an apex body in India for the formulation, coordination and promotion of Biomedical Research under Department of Health Research, MOH & FW, is one of the oldest Medical Research Organizations in the world which has completed more than 100 years of its existence. The Governing Body of the ICMR is presided over by the Hon’ble Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare.
About ICMR JRF Entrance Examination:
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 seven centres viz. Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Guwahati and Mumbai once in every year. The award of JRF is made on merit basis by holding an entrance examination after issuing a countrywide admission notice. The admission notice will be published in leading English Newspapers of India usually during March/April and also on the website of ICMR (http://www.icmr.nic.in/). The entrance examination is usually held in the 1st or 2nd week of July every year. 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.
Total Number of Fellowships awarded every year for ICMR JRF Examination:
A total of 150 Fellowships would be awarded every year. Among this, 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 Fellowships would be awarded for work with emphasis on Social sciences like Psychology, Sociology, Home science, Statistics, Anthropology, Social work and Health Economics.
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 recognized 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.
Another 100 candidates (a separate list will be published) 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.
How to Apply for ICMR JRF Examination?
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.
Educational Qualifications for ICMR JRF Entrance Examination:
M.Sc./M.A. or equivalent degree with minimum 55% marks for General/OBC Candidates and 50% for the SC/ST & physically handicapped candidates in the subjects mentioned under the head method of selection. A candidate who is appearing / has appeared in the final year (IV/VI Semester whichever is applicable, and final year where Semester system is not there) of M.Sc./M.A. or Equivalent Examination during current year can also apply for the test as RA (Result Awaited). Such candidates will have to submit the attestation format (given in the end of application) duly certified by the Head of the Department/ Institute over his/her signature and rubber stamp (with address and name) where he/she is appearing in the final year examination. However, such candidates shall be admitted to the Test provisionally and shall be considered eligible for JRF only after they submit the proof of having passed the Master’s Degree examination with requisite percentage. The M.Sc./M.A. or equivalent degree mark sheet must be submitted to ICMR, latest (tentatively) by 30th of September (last date will be included in the brochure of current year examination) otherwise candidature will automatically be forfeited.
Age Limit for ICMR JRF Examination
The age limit for ICMR JRF Examination for admission to the eligibility test is 28 years (upper age limit relatable up to 5 years in case of candidates belonging to SC/ST, physically handicapped (PH) and female candidates, 3 years in the case of OBC category).
Application Fee for ICMR JRF Examination
- For General Candidates: Rs. 1000.00/- (Rs. One Thousand only)
- For SC/ST/PH Candidates: Rs. 800.00/- (Rs. Eight Hundred only)
Syllabus of ICMR JRF Examination
As prescribed by UGC for the CSIR-UGC JRF Examination. (Click here for the detailed syllabus of ICMR JRF Entrance Examination – Life Science)
Method of selection of ICMR JRF Entrance Examination
Scheme of Test of ICMR JRF Entrance Examination
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:
a). Scientific phenomenon in everyday life
b). General knowledge in sciences
c). 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 entrance test of ICMR JRF will be held in the following streams:
a. Aptitude test (common for all)
b. Life Sciences
c. Social Sciences.
Subjects covered under Life Sciences stream of ICMR JRF Entrance Examination:
Microbiology, Physiology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Human nutrition, Human Biology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Immunology, Pharmacology, Zoology, Environmental sciences, Botany, Veterinary science, Bio-informatics.
Subjects covered under Social Sciences Stream of ICMR JRF Examination:
Psychology, Sociology, Home sciences, Anthropology, Social work, Health economics
Duration and Remuneration of ICMR JRF (Fellowship Amount of ICMR JRF):
- Candidates qualifying for the award of JRF will receive fellowship from ICMR.
- The value of the fellowship is at present Rs. 25,000/- (Rupees twenty five thousand only) per Month. (Click here to see the Revised Rate of Fellowship as on 2014)
- The duration of fellowship will initially be limited till two years carrying a monthly stipend of Rs. 25,000/- and an annual contingency grant of Rs.20,000/-per annum.
- The progress of research work would be evaluated annually through annual progress reports.
- On completion of two years as JRF the stipend of a fellow may be increased to Rs.28,000/- p.m. for 3rd year on the basis of assessment of candidate’s research progress / achievements. Upon such a recommendation, the fellow will be called SRF. In the event of the Committee not recommending up gradation, the fellow will continue as JRF with a stipend of Rs. 25,000/- per month for the 3rd year or his/her fellowship may be terminated depending on the decision of the Committee.
- The duration as SRF may be for a maximum duration of 3 years.
- The total tenure as JRF plus SRF shall not exceed 5 (five) years.
- The successful candidates would be notified by post and notice published in Employment Newspaper. The list also would be available on the ICMR website.
- Joining time for ICMR JRF: 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.
Monitoring Mechanism for ICMR JRF:
The fellow shall submit annual reports for 1st year and annual report thereafter as per the prescribed standard proforma. 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
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