Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi

Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) for Indian Nationals.

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), in collaboration with PGIMER, Chandigarh will hold a National Level Examination at Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata Mumbai, Guwahati and Hyderabad on July 18th, 2010 (Sunday), for the award of Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) for Indian Nationals.
A total of 150 Fellowships would be awarded of which, 120 will be in Life Sciences stream (like Microbiology, Physiology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Human Biology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, Biophysics, Immunology, Pharmacology, Zoology, Environmental Sciences, Botany, Veterinary Sciences etc) and 30 in Social Sciences stream (like Psychology, Sociology, Home Science, Statistics, Anthropology, Social work & Health Economics).

Another 100 candidates would be selected for consideration for positions of JRF under various research schemes of ICMR (subject to fulfilling the conditions for appointment under the schemes) for the duration of that scheme. These JRFs would also be permitted to complete Ph.D. while working in the scheme, if enrolled.

The validity of result will be two years for placement in ICMR funded projects. The award of Junior Research Fellowship to the successful eligible candidates will depend on their finding placement in a Medical college /Hospital /University /National Laboratory /Institution of higher learning and research as applicable.

The candidates selected for the JRF programme of ICMR would be permitted to enroll themselves for the Ph.D. programme of any University recognised by the UGC/MCI. The validity of fellowship awarded to a candidate will be six months.

Applicant should hold an M.Sc/M.A or equivalent Degree with minimum 55% marks for General/OBC Candidates and 50% for the SC/ST & Physically Handicapped (PH) candidates in the subjects mentioned above. Those appearing in the final year examination in 2009-10, can also apply. The upper age limit for admission to the eligibility test is 28 years as on 30-09-2010 which is relaxable up to 5 years in case of candidates belonging to SC/ST/PH/ female candidates and 3 years in the case of OBC.

Information bulletin containing the application form and other details can be had from http://pgimer.nic.in and http://icmr.nic.in Candidates may apply in the downloaded form together with requisite fee by Demand Draft taken in the name of DIRECTOR, PGIMER, Chandigarh.

Prescribed application form along with Information Brochure will be available from the office of Registrar, Academic Section, PGIMER, Chandigarh-160012, at the counter at Room No. 309, 3rd Floor, Kairon, Admn. Block & from ICMR, New Delhi, on payment of Rs. 500/- (General & OBC) and Rs. 300/- (SC/ST/PH), by cash, from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm and from 2.30 pm to 3.30 pm on all working days except Saturdays (On Saturday forms will be available at PGIMER, Chandigarh only, from 10.30 am to 12 noon).

They can be obtained by Post, by sending a request to reach latest by 23.04.2010, accompanied by a self addressed thick envelope of size 8" x10" bearing Postage stamp of Rs. 50/- and requisite Bank draft [Rs. 500/- (General & OBC) and Rs. 300/- (SC/ST/PH)], drawn in favour of 'DIRECTOR,PGIMER, Chandigarh', preferably from any SBI Branch payable at SBI Medical Institute Branch (Code No. 1524), Chandigarh with the words 'Application form ICMR-JRF Exam -2010', inscribed on the envelope, SC/ST/OBC/PH candidates should submit a copy of the certificate from the competent authority in English or Hindi along with bank draft.

Application form duly completed must reach the Registrar; Academic Section PGIMER, Chandigarh-160012 by Registered/Speed post latest by 28.04.2010.

Applicants from remote areas /regions may submit their application forms duly completed latest by 03.05.2010.
The Entrance Examination will be held in the streams (1) Aptitude test (common for all) (2) Life Sciences (3) Social Sciences. Subjects covered under Life Sciences include Microbiology, Physiology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Human Biology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, Biophysics, Immunology, Pharmacology, Zoology, Botany, Environmental Sciences and Veterinary Sciences. Subjects covered under Social Sciences include Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Social Work, Home Sciences, Statistics & Health Economics.
The test will consist of one paper of 2 hours duration, having 2 Sections. The Aptitude Section (Section A) will have 50 questions on (i) scientific phenomenon in everyday life (ii) general knowledge in sciences and (iii) common statistics. All these questions are compulsory with each question carrying 1 mark.

The subject Specific Section (Section B & C) would pertain to (B) Life Sciences and (C) Social Sciences. A candidate may attempt questions in either of the two areas. Each area of section B & C would have 100 questions and the candidate may attempt any 75 questions in the predesigned area of Section B or C. Candidates are required to indicate the option for Section B or C in the application form too. Each question carries one mark. Negative marking @ 0.25 will be made for each of the wrong answer. The questions in both the sections would appear in English only. The qualifying marks will be 55% for General Category and OBC and 50% for SC/ST and physically handicapped.

For more details, icmr.nic.in