Photo: Esculab, Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
If you want to do a PhD in medicine and life sciences, the ICMR Junior Research Fellowship (ICMR-JRF) is a big opportunity. It is a scheme of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Department of Health Research (DHR). This fellowship helps advance medical research in India and builds the next generation of medical scientists. A selected student gets ₹37,000 a month as JRF and later ₹42,000 a month as SRF. Selection happens through the DHR-BRET exam, which has been conducted by AIIMS since the 2025 cycle. In the 2025 cycle, 500 students were selected — 300 in List I and 200 in List II. With this fellowship, students can do research at the country’s big medical institutes.
How much money is given
The ICMR-JRF pays as follows.
- JRF: ₹37,000 a month — for the first 2 years.
- SRF: ₹42,000 a month — for the next 3 years.
- HRA — a housing allowance is also given.
- Contingency: ₹20,000 a year — for research expenses.
- Exemplary performance reward: ₹1,00,000 a year — as extra contingency for the top 10% of students.
- Total duration: 5 years — 2 years as JRF and 3 years as SRF.
The fellowship is a stepping stone to a research career in medicine.
Who can apply
This fellowship is for students of medical and biomedical subjects.
- A Master’s degree in life sciences or biomedical sciences with 55% marks. For SC, ST and PwBD students, 50% marks are enough.
- Age not more than 28 years. For SC, ST, PwBD and women applicants, the age limit is 33 years.
- The applicant must qualify the DHR-BRET exam.
- Selection is on the basis of the exam merit — 500 students were selected in 2025.
- The applicant should have an interest in medical research and a good academic record.
How to apply
Applications are made online on the icmr.gov.in and dhr.gov.in websites. First check the new notice on the websites, then fill the application and upload academic certificates, caste certificate (if applicable) and a photograph. Then the DHR-BRET exam has to be taken, which is conducted by AIIMS. The 2026 exam was held on 10 January 2026. The next cycle is DHR-BRET 2027, expected in March or April 2027 — check icmr.gov.in and dhr.gov.in for the dates. Never pay anyone for applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How much money is given under ICMR-JRF? A: ₹37,000 a month as JRF and ₹42,000 a month as SRF, plus HRA and a ₹20,000 yearly contingency. Q2: How is the selection done? A: Through the DHR-BRET exam, conducted by AIIMS. Q3: Who can apply? A: Students with a Master’s in life or biomedical sciences with 55% marks; age up to 28 years (33 years for reserved categories and women). Q4: When is the next exam? A: DHR-BRET 2027 is expected in March or April 2027; check the dates on icmr.gov.in.
Useful links
- ICMR official website: https://www.icmr.gov.in/
- DHR official website: https://dhr.gov.in/
- ICMR-JRF on MyScheme: https://www.myscheme.gov.in/schemes/icmr-jrf
- Also see the ICSSR Doctoral Fellowship: https://www.viksitharyana.com/english/central-government-icssr-doctoral-fellowship-haryana/
- Next Action: see all 726 Central Government schemes — https://www.viksitharyana.com/english/kendra-sarkar-ki-yojnayen-2/
