ICMR’s National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE) in Chennai has opened 8 Scientist jobs, from Scientist-B up to Scientist-D, and pay goes up to Rs 2,09,200 a month. The posts are open to doctors, biomedical science graduates with a master’s degree, Pharm-D holders and veterinary graduates who have research experience. You can apply online until 26.11.2026, 5:30 PM, and anyone selected can be transferred to any ICMR centre in India.
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Recruitment Overview
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Post Name | Scientist-D (Medical), Scientist-D (Non-Medical), Scientist-C (Medical), Scientist-C (Medical – Microbiology), Scientist-B (Medical), Scientist-B (Non-Medical – Disease Modelling), Scientist-B (Veterinary) |
| Organization | Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE), Chennai |
| Notification / Advertisement No. | ICMR/NIE/01/2026-RPCell |
| Location | Tamil Nadu (Chennai) |
| Total Vacancies | 8 (Scientist-B: UR 2, SC 1, EWS 1 – category split not stated for Scientist-C and Scientist-D) |
| Qualification | MBBS (medical posts), master’s degree in a biomedical subject or Pharm-D (non-medical posts), B.V.Sc and AH (veterinary post), plus experience – see table below |
| Age Limit | Maximum 45 years as on 26.11.2026 (varies by post — see table below) Check your age eligibility → |
| Selection Process | Eligibility shortlisting → Computer-based test (MCQs) or interview, or both |
| Pay Scale | Rs 56,100 to 2,09,200 a month, depending on the Pay Level (a government pay grade) |
| 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 |
|---|---|
| Notification date (date on the signed notice) | 07.10.2026 |
| Online application starts | Not specified in notification |
| Last date to apply online | 26.11.2026, till 5:30 PM |
| Test or interview date | Not announced yet. ICMR will put it on its website. |
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| All other candidates | Rs 1,500 (non-refundable) |
| SC / ST / Women / PwBD / EWS | Nil (exempt from the fee) |
PwBD means persons with benchmark disabilities, and EWS means Economically Weaker Section. You pay online through the link inside the application form.
Vacancy Details
| Post | Pay Level and Scale | Vacancies | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scientist-D (Medical) | Level 12 (Rs 78,800 – 2,09,200) | 1 | Not stated |
| Scientist-D (Non-Medical) | Level 12 (Rs 78,800 – 2,09,200) | 1 | Not stated |
| Scientist-C (Medical) | Level 11 (Rs 67,700 – 2,08,700) | 1 | Not stated |
| Scientist-C (Medical – Microbiology) | Level 11 (Rs 67,700 – 2,08,700) | 1 | Not stated |
| Scientist-B (Medical) | Level 10 (Rs 56,100 – 1,77,500) | 2 | UR 1, SC 1 |
| Scientist-B (Non-Medical – Disease Modelling) | Level 10 (Rs 56,100 – 1,77,500) | 1 | UR 1 |
| Scientist-B (Veterinary) | Level 10 (Rs 56,100 – 1,77,500) | 1 | EWS 1 |
| Total | 8 |
UR means unreserved (open to everyone), and SC means Scheduled Caste. ICMR says the number of vacancies is provisional and may change.
Eligibility Criteria
| Criterion | Detail |
|---|---|
| Qualification – medical posts | MBBS or an equivalent degree recognised by MCI/NMC (the medical councils) |
| Qualification – non-medical posts | Master’s degree in a biomedical sciences subject from a recognised university, or a Pharm-D degree recognised by UGC/PCI |
| Qualification – veterinary post | B.V.Sc and AH degree recognised by VCI (the veterinary council) |
| Experience needed | Scientist-D: 8 years. Scientist-C: 4 years. Scientist-B: no minimum number of years is stated. |
| Age limit | Scientist-D: not above 45 years. Scientist-C: not above 40 years. Scientist-B: not above 35 years. The date to count age on is the last date of application, 26.11.2026. Check your age eligibility → |
| Age relaxation | As per Government of India rules. The notice does not give a category-wise table. The ICMR Director-General can also relax the age limit for exceptionally meritorious candidates, with reasons recorded in writing. |
| Citizenship | Indian citizens only |
| Transfer | Direct recruitment with all-India transfer liability under the Council |
| Relaxation for merit | Qualification and experience may be relaxed for exceptionally meritorious candidates, with the Director-General’s approval |
What ICMR prefers (not compulsory)
| Post | Preferred qualification | Preferred experience |
|---|---|---|
| Scientist-D (Medical) | MD/MS, or MPH, or a PhD in a biomedical subject | Research and development work in epidemiology or public health, shown through publications, presentations, technical reports or research grants |
| Scientist-D (Non-Medical) | PhD in a biomedical subject | Same as above |
| Scientist-C (Medical) | MD/MS, or MPH, or a PhD in a biomedical subject | Same as above |
| Scientist-C (Medical – Microbiology) | MD/MS, or MPH, or a PhD in a biomedical subject | Research work in microbiology, immunology, immunogenetics, molecular biology or next-generation sequencing |
| Scientist-B (Medical) | None listed | Research work in epidemiology or public health |
| Scientist-B (Non-Medical – Disease Modelling) | None listed | Research work in infectious disease modelling |
| Scientist-B (Veterinary) | None listed | Research work in veterinary epidemiology and public health |
How experience is counted
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| PhD | Counts as 4 years of experience, however long it took to finish |
| MD/MS or equivalent | Counts as 3 years of experience |
| MPH or M.Tech | Does not count as any experience |
| Time spent earning the minimum degree | Does not count towards experience |
| Type of work accepted | Research and development work in biomedical sciences, in government, public sector or private institutions, if it fits the job |
In short: Scientist-D needs 8 years and Scientist-C needs 4 years, and a PhD can count as 4 of those years and an MD/MS as 3, as long as that time was not spent earning your minimum degree.
Selection Process
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| 1. Shortlisting | Everyone who meets the minimum age, qualification and experience is shortlisted first. If too many people qualify, ICMR may shortlist further. It usually prefers candidates with more experience or a higher qualification. |
| 2. Computer-based test | Multiple-choice questions on the understanding of research methods. The test only qualifies you, and the minimum is the 75th percentile. |
| 3. Interview | Held for shortlisted candidates. Government, public sector and government-funded research employees must bring a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer at this stage. |
| Final selection | The notice says selection is based on the test or the interview or both. It gives no marks or weightage. |
In short: ICMR may hold a test, an interview, or both, and it has not said which. If there is a test, it only qualifies you, and the 75th percentile means you must score better than about 75 out of every 100 candidates.
Salary and Benefits
| Component | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scientist-D | Level 12 – Rs 78,800 to 2,09,200 a month |
| Scientist-C | Level 11 – Rs 67,700 to 2,08,700 a month |
| Scientist-B | Level 10 – Rs 56,100 to 1,77,500 a month |
In plain terms: you start at about Rs 56,100 a month as a Scientist-B, Rs 67,700 as a Scientist-C and Rs 78,800 as a Scientist-D. The notice does not list allowances such as DA (dearness allowance) or HRA (house rent allowance), so your in-hand pay will differ.
How to Apply
- Go to recruitment.icmr.org.in and register. Your registration details cannot be changed later, so fill them in carefully.
- Log in with the user ID and password sent to your email and mobile number, then click “Go to Application Form”.
- Fill in each section and upload your documents. Click “Save and Next” to move ahead.
- Check every detail, take a printout, and then click Submit.
- Pay the fee online by net banking, credit card or debit card if you are not exempt. Your application counts as complete only after the payment goes through.
Note: ICMR does not accept offline forms. Keep the final printout, because ICMR may ask you to bring it with your documents later.
Documents Required
| Document | Format / Notes |
|---|---|
| Passport-size photograph | Unattested, clear, with no cap or goggles (spectacles are allowed). The notice does not give a pixel or KB size. Keep a few extra copies for the test and document check. Resize your photo and signature → |
| Signature | Upload as the form asks. The notice does not give a size. |
| Educational certificates and mark sheets | Self-attested scans, from Matric (Class 10) onwards |
| Date of birth proof | Self-attested scan |
| Category certificate | SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD, only if it applies to you |
| MCI/NMC registration certificate | For the medical posts |
| Experience certificates | Self-attested scans for the experience you claim |
| No Objection Certificate (NOC) | Only at the interview stage, for those working in government, a public sector undertaking or a government-funded research agency. It must say you will be relieved within one month of getting the appointment order. |
Important Links
| Link | URL |
|---|---|
| Download Official Notification (PDF) | Download Notification PDF |
| Apply Online | ICMR Recruitment Portal |
| Official Website | ICMR Official Website |
| Join Telegram Channel | Join Telegram Channel |
| Join WhatsApp Channel | Join WhatsApp Channel |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Apply only once. If you send more than one application, ICMR cancels all of them and does not tell you.
- Check your name, date of birth, category and marks before you submit. ICMR does not change any details after submission.
- Upload every certificate you claim. ICMR checks documents only at the scrutiny stage, and false or hidden information can cancel your candidature at any point, even after appointment.
- Make sure you meet the age, qualification and experience rules on 26.11.2026 itself, because the online system rejects applications that do not.
- Do not wait for the last day. ICMR advises applying well in advance.
- Use a clear photograph. An unclear photo, or one that does not look like you on the exam day, can get you rejected.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last date to apply for ICMR NIE Chennai Scientist posts?
The last date is 26.11.2026, and the online form closes at 5:30 PM.
How many posts are there, and where?
There are 8 Scientist posts at ICMR-NIE in Chennai, and selected people can be transferred to any ICMR centre in India.
What qualification and experience do I need?
Medical posts need an MBBS, non-medical posts need a master’s degree in a biomedical subject or Pharm-D, and the veterinary post needs a B.V.Sc and AH, plus 8 years of experience for Scientist-D and 4 years for Scientist-C.
What is the age limit?
You must be not above 45 years for Scientist-D, 40 years for Scientist-C and 35 years for Scientist-B.
What is the application fee?
The fee is Rs 1,500, and SC, ST, women, PwBD and EWS candidates do not have to pay.
How do I apply?
You can apply only online at recruitment.icmr.org.in, and offline forms are not accepted.
How will ICMR select candidates?
ICMR will use a computer-based test, an interview, or both, and the test only qualifies you at the 75th percentile.
What is the pay for these posts?
Scientist-B is at Level 10 (Rs 56,100 to 1,77,500), Scientist-C is at Level 11 (Rs 67,700 to 2,08,700) and Scientist-D is at Level 12 (Rs 78,800 to 2,09,200), all per month.
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.
