ICMR- Post Doctoral Fellowship
The ICMR Post Doctoral Fellowship supports fresh Ph.D./MD/MS holders in advanced research at ICMR Institutes.
Key facts
| Fellowship | ₹65,000 per month, plus allowances |
|---|---|
| Contingency grant | ₹3,00,000 per year |
| Who | Indian nationals with a Ph.D./MD/MS completed within the last 3 years |
| Age | Up to 32 years (relaxations for SC/ST/OBC/PwD and women) |
| Number | About 50 fellowships a year |
| Where | ICMR institutes / centres |
| Apply | Offline to the Director General, ICMR — routed through the sponsoring ICMR institute |
| Application window | Fellowships are advertised and awarded in cycles (about 50 a year). Apply against the current advertisement, routed through a sponsoring ICMR institute. |
Benefits
Beneficiaries receive a monthly fellowship of ₹65,000 along with additional allowances and a contingency grant of ₹3,00,000 per annum. Medical benefits and leave are also provided as per ICMR rules.
Full guide
What the fellowship offers
The ICMR Post Doctoral Fellowship gives fresh doctoral researchers the means to do advanced biomedical and health research at ICMR institutes. A fellow receives ₹65,000 a month plus allowances, along with a contingency grant of ₹3,00,000 a year to fund the research work, and medical benefits and leave as per ICMR rules. Around 50 fellowships are awarded each year.
Who can apply
The fellowship is for early-career researchers. You are eligible if:
- You are an Indian national who completed a Ph.D./MD/MS within the last three years (a provisional Ph.D. is accepted)
- You are up to 32 years old, with relaxations for SC/ST/OBC/PwD and women candidates
- You have a research proposal relevant to your doctoral work
- Your application is routed through a sponsoring ICMR institute / centre
How to apply
Download the application form from the ICMR website, fill it in completely (use “NA”/“Nil” rather than leaving blanks), and attach the documents — educational certificates, publications, your research proposal and a plagiarism-check report. Send the completed application to the Director General, ICMR, New Delhi, routed through the ICMR institute/centre that will host your research. Note that leaving before completing a year means refunding the fellowship drawn.
Documents you need
- Ph.D./MD/MS certificate (provisional accepted) and educational certificates
- A detailed research proposal relevant to your doctoral work
- List of publications and a plagiarism-check report
- Passport-size photograph and identity proof
Who can apply
- Age up to 32
- For: researcher
- not income tax payer
- no government employee in family
- poor household
Indian nationals who have recently completed their Ph.D./MD/MS within three years can apply. Applicants must not be income tax payers, should not have government employees in their family, and must come from poor households. The maximum age limit is 32 years, with some relaxations for specific categories.
Who is not eligible
- Candidates whose Ph.D./MD/MS was completed more than 3 years ago
- Applicants above the age limit (after any applicable relaxation)
- Applications not routed through a sponsoring ICMR institute / centre
How to apply
Applications must be submitted offline to the ICMR headquarters with all required documents.
- Visit the ICMR official website and download the application form.
- Complete the application form and sign where necessary.
- Ensure no sections are left blank; use 'NA' or 'Nil' as applicable.
- Attach all required documents, including self-attested photocopies.
- Send the completed application to the Director General, ICMR, New Delhi.
- Ensure the application is routed through the sponsoring ICMR Institute/Centre.
Documents required
- Passport-size Photograph
- Attested copy of School Leaving/ High School/Secondary School Certificate
- Attested copies of Mark Sheets/Grade Cards & Degrees
- Attested copy of the Caste certificate, if applicable
- Reprints of publications
- One-page summary of Ph.D. thesis
- Attested copies of Letter(s) of Acceptance for paper(s) accepted for publication & pre-prints
- Detailed research proposal
- Testimonials from two Referees (One should be Ph.D. Guide)
- Plagiarism Check Report verified by ICMR-RIO
Common problems and how to fix them
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| Ph.D. degree not yet awarded | You can apply with a provisional Ph.D. degree — you do not have to wait for the final degree certificate. |
| Just above the age limit | The limit is 32, but relaxations apply for SC/ST/OBC/PwD and women candidates — check whether one applies to you. |
| Application not accepted | The application must be routed through the sponsoring ICMR institute/centre where you will work, not sent directly on its own. |
| Thinking of leaving early | If you leave before completing one year, you must refund the fellowship received from your date of joining to the date of leaving. |
Frequently asked questions
What is the age limit for applicants?
The maximum age limit is 32 years, with possible relaxations for SC/ST/OBC/PH and women candidates.
What documents are required for the application?
Applicants need to submit a passport-size photograph, educational certificates, publications, a research proposal, and a plagiarism check report, among others.
Can I apply if I have not yet received my Ph.D. degree?
Yes, candidates who have received their provisional Ph.D. degree can apply.
What happens if I leave the fellowship early?
If a fellow leaves before completing one year, they must refund the fellowship amount received from the date of joining to the date of leaving.
How many fellowships are offered each year?
ICMR offers fifty fellowships annually for eligible candidates.
Is there a specific format for the research proposal?
Yes, the research proposal must be detailed and relevant to the applicant's Ph.D. or MD/MS research work.
How much is the fellowship?
₹65,000 a month plus allowances, and a contingency grant of ₹3,00,000 a year.
Who is eligible?
Indian nationals with a Ph.D./MD/MS completed within the last 3 years, up to age 32 (with relaxations).
How many fellowships are there?
About 50 a year.
Can I apply with a provisional Ph.D.?
Yes — a provisional Ph.D. degree is accepted.
Where do I apply?
Offline to the Director General, ICMR, routed through the sponsoring ICMR institute.
Always confirm the latest details on the official portal before applying.
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