ICMR- Post Doctoral Fellowship 2026

The ICMR Post Doctoral Fellowship (ICMR-PDF) scheme offers promising fresh PhD, MD, or MS graduates a chance Read More... to conduct advanced research in health sciences at ICMR institutes. Read less

Details

Are you a recent PhD, MD, or MS graduate looking to dive deeper into medical research? The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) offers a fantastic opportunity through its Post Doctoral Fellowship (ICMR-PDF) scheme. This initiative is designed to nurture young talent and boost high-quality research in critical health areas across India.

What Is This Scheme?

The ICMR-Post Doctoral Fellowship (ICMR-PDF) is a program by the Indian Council of Medical Research, under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. Its main goal is to encourage advanced research in health sciences. It provides a platform for fresh PhD, MD, or MS degree holders to work and gain experience at ICMR's various institutes and centres.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

This fellowship is ideal for Indian nationals who have recently completed their PhD, MD, or MS degrees. It's a chance to continue or expand upon their doctoral research in areas like basic sciences, infectious and non-communicable diseases, reproductive health, and nutrition.

Why This Scheme Is Important

The scheme plays a crucial role in building a strong pool of skilled researchers in India's health sector. By offering access to modern research facilities and expert guidance, it aims to enhance the quality of health research and contribute to significant advancements in healthcare.

Objective

The ICMR Post Doctoral Fellowship (ICMR-PDF) scheme offers promising fresh PhD, MD, or MS graduates a chance to conduct advanced research in health sciences at ICMR institutes.

Benefits

Monthly Fellowship:₹65,000/- per month along with HRA and NPA as per Government rules.
Contingency Grant:₹3,00,000/- per year for research-related expenses.
Travel Support:Up to 25% of the contingency grant for national travel related to research work.
Tenure Duration:2 years, extendable by 1 more year based on performance.
Refund Clause:Fellowship amount must be refunded if leaving before 1 year.
Fund Disbursement:Fellowship and contingency grants are released every six months.
Accommodation Facility:Accommodation may be provided (HRA not applicable if provided).
Medical & Leave Benefits:As per ICMR rules for fellows.

Sources and references

Official Website

Who Can Apply?

You must be an Indian national.
You should have completed your PhD, MD, or MS degree (awarded) within the last three years from the application deadline. Provisional degree holders can also apply.
Your proposed research must be a continuation of your PhD or MD/MS research work. Applications deviating from this will not be considered.
The maximum age limit is 32 years. This is relaxable by up to 5 years for candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC/PH categories, and for women candidates, as of the application deadline.
Age relaxation of up to 3 years can be granted to deserving candidates based on their past work, publications, and awards, upon a request from the sponsoring Director/Director-in-Charge. The Director General, ICMR has the final discretion on this recommendation.
The supervisor or guide for the Post-Doctoral Fellowship must hold a minimum designation of Scientist-C.
Postgraduate medical students can also pursue this fellowship in MCI-recognized medical colleges that have already produced at least three batches of postgraduate graduates.

Important Notes:

Just receiving your result notification, certificate, or completing your Viva-voce/Thesis submission is not enough. Your degree must be awarded.
It is mandatory to submit a Plagiarism check report along with a declaration.
You can find a list of ICMR Institutes/Centers and their areas of research on the ICMR website.

How to Apply

To apply for the ICMR-Post Doctoral Fellowship, you need to submit your application with all the required documents to the following address:

Director General,
Sh. Kishor Toppo, Technical Officer-C,
Division of Human Resource Development,
Indian Council of Medical Research Headquarters,
Ansari Nagar, New Delhi-110029.

Please ensure all necessary documents are attached and that your proposal meets the scheme's requirements.

Documents You Need to Submit

Your recent passport-size photograph.
Attested copy of your School Leaving Certificate or Secondary School Certificate for date of birth verification.
Attested copies of your Mark Sheets/Grade Cards and Degrees.
Attested copy of your Caste certificate, if applicable.
Reprints of your research publications.
A one-page summary of your PhD thesis.
Attested copies of acceptance letters for papers that are accepted for publication, along with pre-prints.
A detailed research proposal outlining your planned work.
Testimonials from two referees. One of these must be your PhD Guide.
A Plagiarism Check Report, verified by the ICMR-RIO (Regional Information Officer).

Official Document Format

You can find the required document formats here: Click here.

FAQ’s

What exactly is the ICMR- Post Doctoral Fellowship (ICMR-PDF) Scheme?

The ICMR-PDF scheme is an initiative by the Indian Council of Medical Research to offer high-quality research opportunities. It's for recent PhD, MD, or MS graduates who want to conduct advanced research in areas like basic science, communicable and non-communicable diseases, and reproductive health including nutrition at ICMR Institutes and Centers.

How many fellowships does ICMR plan to offer each year?

ICMR aims to provide fifty (50) fellowships annually for candidates to work at ICMR Institutes/Centers, which are equipped with state-of-the-art research facilities.

Who is responsible for implementing this fellowship program?

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), a part of the Government of India, is the body implementing this scheme.

Can the age limit be relaxed for candidates with exceptional profiles?

Yes, for candidates who have demonstrated significant work, publications, or received awards, the age can be relaxed by up to 3 years. This relaxation is considered based on a request from the sponsoring Director/Director-in-Charge and requires approval from the Director General, ICMR upon recommendation from the screening committee.

What is the monthly stipend offered under this fellowship?

Eligible ICMR-PDF fellows will receive a consolidated monthly fellowship of ₹65,000. Additionally, they will get House Rent Allowance (HRA) as per Government of India rules and Non-Practicing Allowance (NPA) if applicable.

What is the eligibility for candidates applying for this fellowship?

You are eligible if you are an Indian national and have completed your PhD/MD/MS degree within three years of the application deadline. Those who have received their provisional degree can also apply. Importantly, your proposed research must be a continuation of your previous PhD or MD/MS work.

What is the tenure of the fellowship?

The fellowship is granted for two years. It can be extended for a maximum of one additional year, provided the candidate demonstrates outstanding performance and receives recommendations from the Director/Officer-in-Charge of their respective ICMR Institute/Center.

Is there a specific requirement for the fellowship supervisor?

Yes, the supervisor or guide for the Post-Doctoral Fellowship must have a minimum designation of Scientist-C.

How is the selection process for the fellowship carried out?

Candidates are selected based on interviews conducted by a specially formed Selection Committee appointed by the Director General of ICMR. The committee evaluates candidates based on their publications, citations, and the impact factors of their work.

What is the amount of the contingency grant provided to the fellow?

Fellows will receive an annual contingency grant of ₹3,00,000 to support their research activities.

What is the maximum age to apply for the fellowship?

The upper age limit for applicants is 32 years. However, this limit is extended by up to 5 years for candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC/PH categories and for women candidates, calculated as of the application closing date.

Where should the application form and related documents be sent?

Applications along with all necessary documents should be sent to the Director General, care of Sh. Kishor Toppo, Technical Officer-C, Division of Human Resource Development, Indian Council of Medical Research Headquarters, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi-110029.