Who Should Apply? (Quick Eligibility Check)
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), operating under the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, has officially released an employment notification for senior medical and research professionals. Candidates who wish to serve in premier scientific leadership roles can now apply for 5 Director (Group 'A' – Scientific) positions. This recruitment drive offers senior research scientists and medical professionals a chance to spearhead healthcare initiatives across premier research institutes.
Detailed Vacancy & Eligibility Breakdown
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi |
| Advertisement No. | ICMR/DIR/02/2026-R&PCell |
| Post | Director (Group 'A' – Scientific) at ICMR-NIMR, ICMR-NITM, ICMR-RM NIHR, ICMR-NIHR North and ICMR-NIHR South |
| Pay | Rs. 1,44,200 to Rs. 2,18,200 a month (Level-14, 7th CPC) plus usual allowances as admissible to ICMR employees |
| Mode of Filling | Direct Recruitment/ Deputation (including Short Term Contract)/ Absorption |
| Contract Term | Tenure of 5 years (extension rules differ for direct recruits and deputationists) |
| Experience Required | 15 years, including 05 years in a managerial position handling R&D projects |
| Age Limit | Not exceeding 58 years |
| Application Fee | Rs.1500/- (non-refundable); SC/ST/Women/PwD/EWS exempted |
| Job Location | Dwarka (New Delhi), Belagavi, Patna (Bihar), NIHR North, NIHR South; all India transfer liability under the Council |
| How to Apply | Online only, on recruitment.icmr.org.in |
| Last Date to Apply | 30.11.2026 till 5:30 PM |
| Selection | Shortlisting on eligibility, further shortlisting if needed, then interview |
| Post | Required R&D Experience Area |
|---|---|
| Director-National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR), Dwarka, New Delhi* | Research & Development related to Malaria |
| Director-National Institute of Traditional Medicine (NITM), Belagavi* | Research & Development related to Integrative/ Traditional Medicine |
| Director-Rajendra Memorial National Institute of Health Research (RM NIHR), Patna, Bihar | Research & Development related to Communicable Diseases, or Non-Communicable Diseases, or Reproductive Health, or Child Health, or Nutrition |
| Director-National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) North | Research & Development related to Communicable Diseases, or Non-Communicable Diseases, or Reproductive Health, or Child Health, or Nutrition |
| Director-National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) South | Research & Development related to Communicable Diseases, or Non-Communicable Diseases, or Reproductive Health, or Child Health, or Nutrition |
Applicants seeking career opportunities in the capital region can also explore all latest Delhi Government Jobs for parallel central and state openings. The positions involve managing major research and development projects, guiding scientific teams, and directing institutional growth across various research hubs in India.
What Posts Are Available? – Post & Discipline Breakdown
The recruitment notification under advertisement number ICMR/DIR/02/2026-R&PCell calls for applications for 5 regular Group 'A' Scientific posts. Successful candidates will be appointed as Director across multiple ICMR institutions with all-India transfer liability.
| Post Name | Total Vacancies | Job Level | Initial Tenure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Director (Group 'A' – Scientific) | 5 | Officer / Group A (Level 14) | 5 Years initial tenure (Extendable) |
Posting locations include premier research centers such as Dwarka (New Delhi), Belagavi, Patna, and other ICMR institutions across the country. Candidates seeking similar high-level research openings can also check out ICAR-NIAP Young Professional-II Walk-in Interview 2026 recruitment details for alternative research career pathways.
Who Is Eligible? – Education, Age & Domicile
To qualify for the ICMR Director positions, applicants must fulfill strict educational and professional milestones mandated by the council. The qualification criteria are tailored for senior medical and scientific specialists.
- Educational Qualifications: Candidates must hold an MD/MS or equivalent degree recognised by MCI/NMC, OR an MBBS or equivalent degree with an MPH (Master of Public Health), OR a Master's Degree in Biomedical Sciences / MBBS with a Ph.D. in a biomedical subject.
- Experience Requirements: A minimum of 15 years of R&D experience in biomedical sciences is mandatory, which must include at least 5 years in a managerial position handling major R&D projects.
- Age Limit: The maximum age of the applicant must not exceed 58 years as on the last date of application.
- Age Relaxation: Age relaxations apply as per Government of India instructions and may be extended for exceptionally meritorious candidates with the explicit approval of the Governing Council.
What Is the Salary & Official Benefits?
Selected candidates will be placed in the highest echelons of the central government pay structure, receiving remuneration corresponding to Level 14 of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix. Professionals who also want to check more Graduate jobs in Delhi can review how central research pay scales compare with other sectors.
- Pay Scale: Rs. 1,44,200 to Rs. 2,18,200 per month.
- Starting Basic Pay: Rs. 1,44,200/- per month.
- Allowances & Perks: Usual allowances including Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and Transport Allowance (TA) as admissible to ICMR employees under central government rules.
- Estimated Gross Salary: Approximately Rs. 2,62,434 per month with an in-hand salary of around Rs. 2,25,000 per month.
- Employment Nature: Permanent position with an initial tenure of 5 years, extendable up to another 5 years or until superannuation.
Selection Process & Exam Pattern Breakdown
The recruitment methodology is designed to evaluate senior leadership capability and technical acumen without any preliminary written examination.
- Stage 1 (Initial Shortlisting): Screening of applications based on age, essential qualifications, and documented R&D experience.
- Stage 2 (Refined Shortlisting): Further shortlisting based on higher relevant experience or specialized qualifications if the applicant pool is large.
- Stage 3 (Personal Interview & Verification): Shortlisted candidates are invited for a personal discussion / interview and document verification.
Note on Selection: There is no written test prescribed for these scientific posts. Selection rests entirely on candidate credentials, professional background performance, and expert interview evaluation.
Important Dates & Schedule Guidance
Candidates must keep track of all official timelines to ensure timely submission of their applications.
- Application Submission Deadline: 30 November 2026 up to 5:30 PM.
- Fee Payment Deadline: 30 November 2026.
- Exam Date: Not Applicable (Direct Interview Selection).
What Is the Application Fee & Payment Mode?
The application fee structure is regulated according to candidate categories to support inclusive participation.
- General / Unreserved Candidates: Rs. 1,500/-
- OBC Candidates: Rs. 1,500/-
- SC / ST / Women / PwD / EWS Candidates: Fully Exempted (Rs. 0/-)
- Payment Mode: Online payment via Net Banking, Debit Card, Credit Card, or UPI through the official recruitment portal.
How to Apply? (Step-by-Step Walkthrough)
Eligible and interested candidates must submit their applications through the designated online portal. Follow these structured steps to complete your submission:
- Step 1: Visit the official ICMR recruitment portal at https://recruitment.icmr.org.in.
- Step 2: Register using a valid email ID and mobile number to generate login credentials.
- Step 3: Log in and fill out the online application form with precise personal, educational, and professional experience details.
- Step 4: Upload self-attested scanned copies of required documents, including date of birth proof, educational marksheets (MBBS, MD/MS, Ph.D.), detailed experience certificates, and category certificates if applicable.
- Step 5: Pay the requisite application fee of Rs. 1,500/- online (if applicable to your category).
- Step 6: Review all entered details carefully and submit the application before 30 November 2026 at 5:30 PM. Save a printout of the final confirmation page for future reference.
What Can Get Your Application Rejected?
ICMR maintains strict screening guidelines. Avoid these common pitfalls to prevent your application from being summarily rejected:
- Submitting applications after the closing deadline of 30 November 2026, 5:30 PM.
- Providing incomplete application forms or failing to attach mandatory supporting documents and precise experience certificates issued by competent authorities.
- Failing to submit separate applications and fees when applying for more than one Director post.
- Supplying false information, incorrect service dates, or concealing material facts during any stage of recruitment.
- Attempting to use outside political or external influence, which leads to immediate disqualification.
Editor's Key Advisory for Candidates
Candidates currently employed in Central Government, State Government, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), or autonomous bodies must obtain and upload a proper No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their current employer. Ensure that all experience certificates explicitly indicate precise service dates and managerial responsibilities to satisfy the 15-year R&D and 5-year managerial criteria without ambiguity.
Official Recruitment Links
Access verified portals and official notifications directly through these links:
- Apply Online Portal: https://recruitment.icmr.org.in
- Download Notification PDF: Official Advertisement PDF
- ICMR Official Website: https://recruitment.icmr.org.in
