ICMR is looking for five Directors to head its institutes in Delhi, Belagavi and Patna and at two NIHR centres, and applications close on 30.11.2026 at 5:30 PM.
This is a senior science job. It is a Group A post at Pay Level 14 (a grade on the government pay chart, called the Pay Matrix), and you need 15 years of experience.
ICMR will fill the posts by direct recruitment (hiring from outside), deputation (a temporary move from your current government or research job) or absorption (a deputation officer becoming permanent ICMR staff).
Quick Navigation
Recruitment Overview
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Post Name | Director (Group A, Scientific) – 5 posts |
| Organization | Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi |
| Notification / Advertisement No. | ICMR/DIR/02/2026-R&PCell |
| Location | Delhi (NIMR), Karnataka (NITM), Bihar (RM NIHR); NIHR North and South places are not named |
| Total Vacancies | 5 Director posts, one for each institute (the notice gives no number per post and no category-wise split) |
| Qualification | MD/MS, or MBBS with MPH, or Master’s/MBBS with PhD in Biomedical Sciences, plus 15 years’ experience |
| Age Limit | Maximum 58 years as on 30.11.2026 Check your age eligibility → |
| Selection Process | Shortlisting → Interview (personal discussion) |
| Pay Scale | Rs 1,44,200 to 2,18,200 a month (Pay Level 14) plus allowances |
| How to Apply | Apply online only at recruitment.icmr.org.in |
| Official Notification | Download Notification PDF |
| Official Website / Apply Online | ICMR Recruitment Portal |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Circular signed | 02.11.2026 |
| Application start date | Not specified in notification (apply links were already live on 04.11.2026) |
| Last date to apply online | 30.11.2026 till 5:30 PM |
| Interview (personal discussion) | Not announced yet |
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| All other candidates | Rs 1,500 (non-refundable) |
| SC / ST / Women / PwD / EWS | Nil (exempt) |
| How to pay | Online, through the link in the application form |
| Applying for more than one post | Separate application and fee for each post |
Vacancy Details
| Post | Institute | Place |
|---|---|---|
| Director, NIMR* | National Institute of Malaria Research | Dwarka, New Delhi |
| Director, NITM* | National Institute of Traditional Medicine | Belagavi, Karnataka |
| Director, RM NIHR | Rajendra Memorial National Institute of Health Research | Patna, Bihar |
| Director, NIHR North | National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) North | Not named in notice |
| Director, NIHR South | National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) South | Not named in notice |
* The NIMR and NITM posts are against lien vacancies and are subject to reversion of the lien holder. In plain words, a lien is the right to return to a post, so the person holding it may come back and the post would then go back to them. The notice gives no category-wise vacancy split.
Eligibility Criteria
| Criterion | Detail |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian citizens only |
| Qualification (direct recruitment), option 1 | MD/MS or equal degree recognised by MCI/NMC |
| Qualification, option 2 | MBBS (MCI/NMC recognised) with an MPH from a recognised university |
| Qualification, option 3 | Master’s in a Biomedical Sciences subject, or MBBS, with a PhD in a Biomedical Sciences subject |
| Total experience | 15 years |
| Managerial experience | 5 years leading research projects on your own (as PI or Co-PI, or head of a research group, centre, institute or lab) |
| Pay level service | 2 years in Pay Level 13-A, or 7 years in Pay Level 13, or equal |
| A PhD counts as | 4 years of experience |
| MD/MS counts as | 3 years of experience |
| MVSc counts as | 2 years of experience |
| MPH / M.Tech / ME | Not counted as experience |
| Time spent earning the minimum degree | Does not count towards experience |
| Research area for NIMR | Malaria |
| Research area for NITM | Integrative or traditional medicine |
| Research area for RM NIHR, NIHR North and South | Communicable or non-communicable diseases, reproductive health, child health, or nutrition |
| Age limit | Not more than 58 years Check your age eligibility → |
| Who can come on deputation | Scientists from Central or State Government, autonomous bodies, research institutes or universities |
| Deputation condition | Hold an equal post on a regular basis, or have the same qualification and experience as direct recruits |
| Maximum age for deputation | 58 years on 30.11.2026 |
| ICMR scientists | Cannot take deputation; they apply as direct recruits |
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| Government of India rules | The usual age relaxations apply; the notice does not list the years |
| Exceptionally meritorious candidates | Age limit may be relaxed, based on CV and experience, with approval of the President, Governing Council, ICMR |
In short, you need 15 years of experience, at least 5 of them leading research work yourself, and you must be 58 or younger. Some degrees count as experience (a PhD is 4 years, an MD/MS is 3), but an MPH counts as none.
Who Should Apply
- This is a tenure post: 5 years to start with, which can be extended by up to 5 more years or until retirement, whichever comes first.
- You can be posted at any of five institutes, and the job carries an all-India transfer liability, which means ICMR can move you to another place in the country.
- The Dwarka (NIMR) and Belagavi (NITM) posts are lien vacancies, so the person holding the lien may return and the post would go back to them.
- Your research experience must match the institute: malaria for NIMR, traditional medicine for NITM, and disease, reproductive health, child health or nutrition work for the other three.
- If you already work at ICMR, you cannot come on deputation and must apply as a direct recruit; if you work for a government body or PSU, you must show a No Objection Certificate (written permission from your employer) at the interview stage.
Selection Process
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Stage 1: Shortlisting | ICMR shortlists everyone who meets the age, qualification and experience rules, and may shortlist further if too many qualify. |
| What ICMR prefers | It generally calls candidates with more experience in the relevant field, or with a higher qualification. |
| Stage 2: Interview | Shortlisted candidates get an interview (called personal discussion in the notice). Date, place and marks are not announced. |
| At the interview | Government, PSU and government-funded research staff must bring a No Objection Certificate (NOC) with an undertaking to be relieved within one month. |
In short, there is no written exam in this notice. ICMR checks your papers first and then interviews the shortlisted people. No marks or interview date have been given.
Salary and Benefits
| Component | Detail |
|---|---|
| Post level | Group A (Scientific) |
| Pay level | Level 14 of the Pay Matrix (7th CPC) |
| Pay range | Rs 1,44,200 to Rs 2,18,200 |
| Allowances | Usual allowances, as for ICMR employees |
| Tenure (direct recruitment) | 5 years, extendable by up to 5 years, or until retirement, whichever is earlier |
| Tenure (deputation) | 5 years; extendable by up to 5 years only if the officer is absorbed in ICMR |
| After the tenure (ICMR scientists) | Given a Scientist G post at ICMR until retirement, with pay protected |
| Absorption (outside scientists) | Can be considered as Scientist G after 5 years of continuous regular service as Director, if a vacancy exists |
In plain terms, pay starts at Rs 1,44,200 a month and can rise to Rs 2,18,200 within Level 14, with the usual allowances on top.
How to Apply
- Open the ICMR Recruitment Portal at recruitment.icmr.org.in.
- Choose the Director post you want. The portal lists each post on its own.
- Fill in the online form and upload your self-attested documents (see the list below).
- Pay the Rs 1,500 fee online, unless you are SC, ST, a woman, PwD or EWS.
- Submit the form before 5:30 PM on 30.11.2026 and save a copy for yourself.
Note: Apply only online. If you want more than one post, send a separate application, with the fee where it applies, for each post.
Documents Required
| Document | Format / Notes |
|---|---|
| Proof of date of birth | Self-attested copy |
| Educational qualification certificates | Self-attested; upload the ones for the degree you claim |
| Experience certificates | Issued by the Head of Office, Organization or HR, with the period and dates of service |
| No Objection Certificate (NOC) | At the interview, for government, PSU and government-funded research staff |
The notice does not give photo or signature size rules.
Important Links
| Link | Open |
|---|---|
| Download Official Notification (PDF) | Download PDF |
| Apply Online / ICMR Recruitment Portal | Apply Online |
| Join Telegram Channel | Join Telegram |
| Join WhatsApp Channel | Join WhatsApp |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Do not use one form for several posts; each post needs its own application and its own fee.
- Do not wait for the last evening, because the portal closes at 5:30 PM on 30.11.2026 and late applications can be rejected.
- Upload experience certificates that show your exact period and dates of service, because incomplete applications can be rejected.
- Do not count an MPH, M.Tech or ME as experience, and do not count the years you spent earning your minimum degree.
- ICMR scientists should not apply on deputation; they must apply as direct recruits.
- The fee is not refunded, and any outside influence, political or otherwise, can disqualify you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last date to apply for ICMR Director posts?
You can apply online until 5:30 PM on 30.11.2026.
How many Director posts are there?
There are five Director posts, at NIMR Dwarka, NITM Belagavi, RM NIHR Patna, NIHR North and NIHR South, and the notice does not give a number for each.
What qualification is needed?
You need an MD/MS, or an MBBS with an MPH, or a Master’s or MBBS with a PhD in a Biomedical Sciences subject, plus 15 years of experience.
What is the age limit?
You must not be more than 58 years old, and the age can be relaxed for exceptionally meritorious candidates.
What is the salary of an ICMR Director?
The pay is Level 14 of the Pay Matrix, Rs 1,44,200 to Rs 2,18,200, plus the usual allowances.
What is the application fee?
The fee is Rs 1,500, and SC, ST, women, PwD and EWS candidates pay nothing.
How do I apply?
Apply only online at recruitment.icmr.org.in, and send a separate application for each post.
Can ICMR scientists apply on deputation?
No, ICMR scientists cannot take the deputation route and must apply as direct recruits.
Disclaimer: The information above has been compiled from the official notification for the convenience of job seekers. Candidates are advised to verify all details from the official website before applying.
