ICMR Exam

Educational Qualification

• ICMR-JRF: M.Sc. / MA in Life Sciences or Social Sciences with at least 55% marks
• Scientist posts: Ph.D. / MD with relevant research experience

Age Limit

• JRF: 28 years
• Scientist B: Up to 35 years

Age Relaxation

Nationality / Domicile

• Open to Indian citizens
• Certain posts may also allow subjects of Nepal/Bhutan as per Government of India rules

Vertical Reservation

ICMR recruitment follows the Government of India reservation policy:

• SC: 15%
• ST: 7.5%
• OBC (NCL): 27%
• EWS: 10%
• UR: Remaining vacancies

Horizontal Reservation

• PwBD: 4% across notified disability categories
• Ex-servicemen: As per applicable rules
• Women reservation: Where specifically provided in the notification or applicable rules

Special Notes

• Reservation is applied as per the policy in force on the notification date
• Final roster and category-wise vacancies are announced in the official advertisement

Stages of Selection

1. Computer Based Test (CBT)

2. Interview for scientist posts

CBT Structure

Marking Scheme

• Objective-type questions
• Negative marking is applied
• The common penalty is 0.25 to 0.33 marks per wrong answer, as specified in the notification

Interview for Scientist Posts

• Conducted after CBT for shortlisted candidates
• Tests subject understanding, research aptitude, communication skills, and suitability for the post
• Interview carries separate weightage as per the official recruitment rules

The selection process generally includes:

1. Online application

2. CBT

3. Shortlisting based on CBT performance

4. Interview for scientist posts

5. Final merit preparation

6. Document verification and appointment as per rules

Final merit depends on the notified selection criteria, category rules, and post-specific recruitment guidelines.

General Studies / Awareness

• History
• Geography
• Polity
• Economy
• Environment
• Science & Technology
• National Current Affairs

Aptitude / Reasoning

• Quantitative aptitude
• Arithmetic
• Data interpretation
• Logical reasoning
• Analytical reasoning
• Series
• Coding-decoding
• Data sufficiency

Language

• English comprehension
• Grammar
• Vocabulary
• Hindi, where prescribed in the notification

Subject-Specific Syllabus

• Life Sciences or Social Sciences at the standard of the qualifying degree
• For scientist posts, the relevant technical/research subject as mentioned in the notification

Application Steps

1. Visit the official website: https://www.icmr.gov.in

2. Open the recruitment/online application link

3. Register using a valid email ID and mobile number

4. Fill in personal, academic, and category details

5. Upload required documents in the prescribed format

6. Pay the application fee, if applicable

7. Submit the form and save the confirmation page

Documents Required

• Recent passport-size photograph
• Signature
• Educational certificates and mark sheets
• Category certificate, if applicable
• PwBD certificate, if applicable
• Identity proof
• Any other document mentioned in the notification

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Entering incorrect category or qualification details
• Uploading documents in the wrong format or size
• Missing the application deadline
• Forgetting to save the submitted application and fee receipt
• Ignoring the official notification instructions

The fee structure is notified separately for each recruitment cycle.

Typical pattern:

• General / OBC: Fee payable
• SC / ST / PwBD / Women: Usually exempted or charged a nominal fee, depending on the notification

Payment modes commonly include:

• Net banking
• UPI
• Debit card
• Credit card

Vacancies are announced in the official recruitment advertisement and vary by year, sanctioned strength, and post requirement. Category-wise breakup is published in the notification.

Pay / Fellowship

• JRF: ₹37,000 per month fellowship plus HRA
• Scientist-B: Level 10, ₹56,100–₹1,77,500

Allowances and Benefits

• Dearness Allowance
• House Rent Allowance
• Transport Allowance
• Medical facilities
• LTC
• NPS employer contribution
• Other post-specific allowances, wherever applicable

Cutoffs vary by vacancy count, paper difficulty, and number of applicants. Official category-wise cutoffs are released with the final result.

Books and Resources

• NCERT Class 6–12 for fundamentals
• Lucent’s General Knowledge
• R.S. Aggarwal for Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning
• Wren & Martin for English
• Standard subject textbook for Life Sciences or Social Sciences
• Monthly current affairs compilations

Study Plan

• First 3 months: Build concepts and core subject knowledge
• Next 3 months: Solve previous-year papers and sectional tests
• Final 2 months: Full-length mocks, revision, and error analysis

Mock-Test Advice

• Practice in timed conditions
• Track accuracy and negative-marking losses
• Revise weak areas after every test
• Maintain short notes for quick revision

After selection, candidates join the notified cadre after probation or training, as applicable. Posting may be across ICMR offices, field units, or district-level establishments depending on administrative requirements.

Career growth typically includes:

• Time-bound MACP benefits
• Departmental promotions
• Senior supervisory and administrative roles over time

• ICMR official website: https://www.icmr.gov.in
• Notification archive: https://www.icmr.gov.in
• Syllabus PDF: https://www.icmr.gov.in
• National Career Service: https://www.ncs.gov.in
• India.gov.in: https://www.india.gov.in

1. What is the ICMR Recruitment / JRF Entrance Examination?

It is a competitive recruitment examination conducted by ICMR for filling notified posts through a merit-based selection process.

2. Which organization conducts the ICMR exam?

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) conducts the exam.

3. Is the ICMR exam open to candidates from all over India?

Yes. It is a central recruitment process open to eligible Indian nationals across India.

4. What is the minimum educational qualification for ICMR JRF?

M.Sc. or MA in Life Sciences or Social Sciences with at least 55% marks.

5. What is the age limit for ICMR JRF and what relaxations apply?

The age limit for JRF is 28 years. Relaxation is 3 years for OBC, 5 years for SC/ST, and 5 years for women, as applicable.

6. Does ICMR recruitment follow reservation rules for SC, ST, OBC, EWS and PwBD categories?

Yes. Reservation is implemented as per Government of India rules, including vertical and horizontal reservation.

7. What is the exam pattern for the ICMR CBT?

The CBT has Section A on aptitude with 50 questions and Section B on Life Sciences or Social Sciences with 100 questions.

8. Is there negative marking in the ICMR exam?

Yes. Negative marking is applied for wrong answers, usually 0.25 to 0.33 marks per incorrect response as per the notification.

9. What subjects are covered in the ICMR syllabus?

The syllabus includes general awareness, aptitude, reasoning, English or Hindi where prescribed, and subject-specific content from the qualifying degree level.

10. Is there a separate interview for scientist posts?

Yes. Scientist posts generally include an interview after the CBT for shortlisted candidates.

11. How can I apply for the ICMR exam?

Apply online through the official website by registering, filling the form, uploading documents, paying the fee, and submitting the application.

12. What documents are usually required during online application?

Photograph, signature, educational certificates, category certificate, PwBD certificate if applicable, identity proof, and any documents specified in the notification.

13. What is the application fee for the ICMR exam?

The fee is notified separately for each recruitment cycle. General and OBC candidates usually pay the prescribed fee, while SC, ST, PwBD, and women candidates often receive exemption or concession.

14. Where can I download the official notification and syllabus?

Both are available on the official website: https://www.icmr.gov.in

15. Are previous year papers available on the official website?

Yes. Previous papers and related recruitment documents are typically available through the official website’s recruitment section.

16. What is the salary for ICMR JRF after selection?

The JRF fellowship is ₹37,000 per month plus HRA.

17. What is the pay scale for Scientist-B in ICMR?

Scientist-B is in Level 10 with a pay scale of ₹56,100–₹1,77,500.

18. How are vacancies and cutoffs decided in ICMR recruitment?

Vacancies are based on sanctioned posts and notification requirements. Cutoffs depend on exam difficulty, applicant volume, and the number of available vacancies.

19. What is the selection process after the CBT?

Candidates are shortlisted based on CBT performance, followed by interview for scientist posts, document verification, and final appointment as per rules.

20. What is the official website for ICMR recruitment?

The official website is https://www.icmr.gov.in

All cycle-specific details such as dates, vacancy numbers, cutoffs, fee amounts, and syllabus variations must be verified from the latest official notification on the ICMR website before applying or preparing.