ICMR JRF

Not under that name. ICMR's Fellowships page lists it as 'Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) [until 2023 batch]' and states that the programme 'has been now revised as Biomedical Research Eligibility Test (BRET) from the year 2024 onwards'. The fellowship is the same; the entrance test is now BRET, run with the Department of Health Research.

It is a computer-based test of 150 multiple-choice questions to be answered in 180 minutes — one paper of three hours. It has three sections of about 50 questions each: Section A on aptitude and analytical skills, Section B on general and interdisciplinary biomedical fundamentals, and Section C on a discipline you choose when you apply. You may navigate freely across all sections during the test.

Candidates with an M.Sc. or equivalent postgraduate degree such as M.Tech or M.Pharm in one of the listed disciplines — among them Life Sciences, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Nursing, Biostatistics, Pharmacology, Public Health and Social Work — with a minimum of 55 per cent marks for General, EWS and OBC candidates and 50 per cent for SC, ST and PwBD candidates.

ICMR states that a tentative total of 250 candidates shall be selected, subject to the availability of budgetary provisions and in accordance with DHR guidelines. The validity of the result is one year.

No. Qualifying puts you on the combined merit list; the fellowship begins only once you find a Guide and enrol for a Ph.D. on a topic strictly pertaining to ICMR health research. The first 60 per cent of eligible candidates may enrol at any UGC-recognised University or Institute of National Importance. The remaining 40 per cent must enrol at one of the 27 ICMR institutes or centres and are registered under the ICMR-Faculty of Medical Research under AcSIR.

Rs 37,000 a month in the first and second years, and Rs 42,000 a month from the third year or whenever upgraded to SRF, until submission of the Ph.D. thesis or the fifth year, whichever is earlier. The contingency amount is Rs 20,000 per annum. HRA is given as per rules, but not to a fellow who has institute hostel accommodation.

Yes. The top 10 per cent of the merit list receive an 'Exemplary Performance Reward', entitling them to a research contingency of Rs 1,00,000 per annum for the JRF tenure only, and making them eligible to apply for a one-time DHR international travel grant support subject to availability of funds.

ICMR does not publish a date in the documents available here. It says only that the examination notice appears in leading English newspapers usually during March or April and on the DHR and ICMR websites, and that the examination is usually held once a year, tentatively in the first or second week of July, on a Sunday. Treat that as the usual rhythm and wait for the year's notice.

ICMR's BRET FAQ does not say. No marking scheme is stated in the documents read for this record, so none is reported. Check the year's examination notice before assuming.