ICAR-National Research Centre for Orchids (ICAR-NRCO), Pakyong, Sikkim has released a Walk-in-Interview Notification No F.No: NRC(O)/ ADMN/27(A)/ 2026-27, dated 30th of April 2026 for 5 posts — 1 Senior Research Fellow (SRF) under DUS Project and 4 Young Professional-I vacancies across Plant Biochemistry, Genetics & Plant Breeding, Social Sciences, and Biotechnology. The monthly salary for SRF is ₹37,000–₹42,000/- per month (plus HRA), and Young Professional-I posts is ₹30,000/- per month. Graduates and postgraduates in Horticulture, Agriculture, and related life sciences can apply.
These are purely contractual, temporary posts — candidates from Darjeeling, Gangtok, Siliguri, and other parts of Northeast India are especially encouraged to apply for this vacancy. Please read this article carefully and go through the official notification before submitting your application to understand all the vacancy details properly.
Table of Contents
- Quick Summary of ICAR-NRCO Walk-in Interview 2026
- About ICAR-National Research Centre for Orchids
- Important Dates — ICAR-NRCO Walk-in Interview 2026
- Vacancy Details & Salary — ICAR NRCO SRF and Young Professional-I Posts 2026
- Eligibility Criteria
- Selection Process — ICAR-NRCO Walk-in Interview 2026
- Application Fee
- How to Apply for ICAR-NRCO Recruitment 2026
- Important Links at ICAR-NRCO Official Website
- FAQs — ICAR-NRCO Walk-in Interview 2026
Quick Summary of ICAR-NRCO Walk-in Interview 2026
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | ICAR-National Research Centre for Orchids (ICAR-NRCO), Pakyong, Sikkim |
| Name of the Post | Senior Research Fellow (DUS Project) & Young Professional-I (4 disciplines) |
| Total Vacancy | 05 (Five) |
| Salary/Pay Scale | SRF: ₹37,000–₹42,000/- p.m. + HRA; Young Professional-I: ₹30,000/- p.m. |
| Additional Salary Benefits | HRA as per ICAR norms for SRF (subject to revision from time to time) |
| Application Mode | Offline/Online (Hybrid — Bio-data via Email) |
| Eligibility | M.Sc. / B.Sc. in Horticulture, Agriculture, Life Sciences & related fields |
| Selection Process | Merit-based shortlisting followed by Walk-in-Interview (Online/Offline) |
| Place of Posting | ICAR-NRC for Orchids, Pakyong, Sikkim & Darjeeling Campus, West Bengal |
| Government / Private Job | Government Sector (Contractual/Temporary) |
| Last Date of Application | 18th of May 2026 |
| Who Can Apply | Freshers & Experienced both (Experience preferred) |
| Interview Date | To be intimated via email one week prior to the interview |
About ICAR-National Research Centre for Orchids
ICAR-NRC for Orchids is a premier research institute under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India. Located at Dikling Road, Pakyong, Sikkim-737106, the centre focuses on conservation, improvement, and commercialisation of orchid genetic resources — one of India’s most valuable horticultural crops. The institute also supports research in floriculture, plant biochemistry, genetics, and agricultural extension.
The selected candidates will work under the guidance of leading scientists including Dr. L. C. De, Principal Scientist (Floriculture & Landscaping) & P.I (DUS Project), and departmental scientists like Dr. Suman Natta (Plant Biochemistry) and Dr. Chandan Gowda H. (Agricultural Extension). The Administrative Officer overseeing this recruitment is Rajendra Kumar Meena.
You can learn more about the institute at the official ICAR website: www.icar.org.in
Important Dates — ICAR-NRCO Walk-in Interview 2026
If you are looking at ICAR research Jobs in Sikkim in 2026, timing really matters. With only 5 vacancies and a short application window, candidates who act quickly have a much better chance of getting their documents in order. Research recruitment at ICAR institutes has been seeing strong competition in recent years — especially in Northeast India — so missing a deadline by even a day can close the door entirely. Make sure you prepare your bio-data well in advance and don’t wait until the last moment.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | 30th of April 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply (Email Bio-data) | 18th of May 2026 |
| Interview Date (Online/Offline) | To be communicated via email, one week before the interview |
Vacancy Details & Salary — ICAR NRCO SRF and Young Professional-I Posts 2026
These 5 ICAR-NRCO vacancies cover both research and field-level scientific work. The SRF post is directly linked to the DUS Project, which requires stronger academic credentials. If you are from Pakyong, Gangtok, Darjeeling, or Siliguri, this jobs are practically best for you.
| Post Name | Vacancies | Pay Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Research Fellow (Under DUS Project) | 01 | ₹37,000/- p.m. (Yr 1–2) + HRA; ₹42,000/- p.m. (Yr 3 onwards) + HRA |
| Young Professional-I (Plant Biochemistry) | 01 | ₹30,000/- per month |
| Young Professional-I (Genetics & Plant Breeding) | 01 | ₹30,000/- per month |
| Young Professional-I (Social Sciences) | 01 | ₹30,000/- per month |
| Young Professional-I (Biotechnology) | 01 | ₹30,000/- per month |
| Total | 05 |
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Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for ICAR-NRCO SRF and Young Professional-I posts include both educational qualifications and age requirements. Each post has its own academic requirement, so candidates should read the details carefully. Make sure you meet every condition before applying.
Educational Qualification:
Senior Research Fellow (DUS Project):
- Essential: M.Sc. in PGR/PBG/Horticulture from a recognised University/Institution with NET qualification
- Desirable: Ph.D. in PGR/PBG/Horticulture
- Candidates with relevant experience will be given preference
- Related subjects may be considered if no suitable candidate is available in the above subjects
Young Professional-I (Plant Biochemistry):
- Essential: B.Sc. (Food Technology/Horticulture/Agriculture) from a recognised University/Institution
- Desirable: M.Sc. in Biochemistry/Food Technology with experience in phytochemistry and nutritional biochemistry
- Candidates with relevant experience will be given preference
Young Professional-I (Genetics & Plant Breeding):
- Essential: B.Sc. (Horticulture/Agriculture) from a recognised University/Institution
- Desirable: M.Sc. in Genetics/Plant Breeding/Biotechnology/Agriculture/Horticulture with experience in plant breeding and molecular biology
- Candidates with relevant experience will be given preference
Young Professional-I (Social Sciences):
- Essential: B.Sc. (Horticulture/Agriculture) from a recognised University/Institution
- Desirable: M.Sc. in Agricultural Extension/Agricultural Economics
- Candidates with relevant experience will be given preference
Young Professional-I (Biotechnology):
- Essential: B.Sc. (Horticulture/Agriculture) from a recognised University/Institution
- Desirable: M.Sc. in Agricultural Biotechnology
- Candidates with relevant experience will be given preference
Age Limit:
- Senior Research Fellow: Upper age limit is 35 years for men and 40 years for women. Age relaxation as per Government rules.
- Young Professional-I (all disciplines): Minimum 21 years, maximum 45 years. Age relaxation as per Government of India rules.
(Age to be calculated as of the date of interview)
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Selection Process — ICAR-NRCO Walk-in Interview 2026
There is no written exam for ICAR-NRCO vacancies 2026 — your merit, academic record, and relevant experience will determine whether you get the interview call.
- Shortlisting — Candidates will be shortlisted based on merit (academic scores and experience)
- Walk-in-Interview — Selected candidates will be called for interview via email one week before the interview date
- Interview Mode — Hybrid (Online via ZOOM or Offline at ICAR-NRCO, Pakyong, Sikkim — candidate must choose at the time of application; no change allowed after submission)
- Document Verification — Original documents will be verified at the time of joining for selected candidates
Note: No TA/DA will be paid for attending the offline interview. Pakyong is approximately 32 km from Gangtok, and taxis are regularly available from Gangtok taxi stand.
What is the last date to apply for ICAR-NRCO Walk-in Interview 2026? – 18th of May 2026
Application Fee
There is no application fee mentioned for this walk-in interview. As per the notification, candidates simply need to submit their bio-data via email. No payment details have been provided in the official notification — no fee is applicable for this recruitment.
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How to Apply for ICAR-NRCO Recruitment 2026
Getting your application right is the most important step here. The institute requires a typed bio-data in a specific prescribed format — handwritten applications will be rejected outright. Candidates from Darjeeling, Gangtok, Siliguri, and Pakyong who wish to appear offline should also keep the interview logistics in mind when planning their application.
- Download the application form from the official ICAR-NRCO Notification. The link for the Notification is provided below in the important link section
- Type and fill in all details in the form in capital letters — do NOT fill by hand
- Take a printout, paste your photograph in the designated space, and sign the form
- Scan the duly filled and signed form in PDF format
- Merge the scanned form with all annexures (school/college mark sheets, certificates, experience documents) into a single PDF file
- All documents must be self-attested before scanning
- If currently employed, attach a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your employer
- Email the complete PDF to: orchidsdropbox2024@gmail.com with the subject line: “Application for Walk-in-Interview”
- Email your application on or before 18th of May 2026 — applications received after the closing date will not be entertained
- Indicate your preferred mode of interview (Online/Offline) in the application form — this cannot be changed later
- Only one interview will be conducted even if you apply for more than one post — choose wisely
If you are confused about sending email with attachments , read our simple guide on how to send email for Jobs with attachments
Important Links at ICAR-NRCO Official Website
Candidates applying for the SRF and Young Professional-I posts are advised to visit these important links for downloading the official PDF and application details provided below:
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Notification PDF | Download Official Notification PDF — ICAR-NRCO Walk-in Interview 2026 [Application form is in the Page no 5 of the PDF Notification] |
| Apply Online / Send Application (prepare your CV and documents read and click Apply Via Gmail link) | Apply via Gmail |
This recruitment is for candidates with special knowledge in agriculture, horticulture, biotechnology, or plant science. General science graduates without related subjects may have low chances. Experience in research, lab work, or field work will help a lot. The SRF post is highly competitive because it needs NET qualification and a relevant M.Sc. degree. A Ph.D. will give extra advantage. For Young Professional-I posts, B.Sc. candidates can apply, but M.Sc. holders with practical experience will get preference.
There are only 5 posts, and candidates from Sikkim, West Bengal, and Northeast India are likely to apply. The salary is ₹30,000–₹42,000 per month, but these are temporary contract jobs with no guarantee of permanent ICAR employment. For fresh M.Sc. graduates wanting research experience in orchids or agriculture, this can be a good opportunity.
FAQs — ICAR-NRCO Walk-in Interview 2026
1. Will TA/DA be reimbursed for attending the offline walk-in interview at Pakyong?
No. The notification clearly states that no TA/DA will be paid for attending the offline interview at ICAR-NRCO, Pakyong, Sikkim. Candidates attending in-person must arrange and bear their own travel costs. Pakyong is about 32 km from Gangtok, and taxis are readily available from the Gangtok taxi stand.
2. Can I apply for more than one Young Professional-I post at ICAR-NRCO?
Yes, you can tick more than one post in the application form. However, only a single interview will be conducted even if you apply for multiple posts. So choose your preferred post carefully and make sure your bio-data highlights the most relevant skills for that discipline.
3. Is NET qualification mandatory for all posts, or only for the SRF post?
NET qualification is mandatory only for the Senior Research Fellow (SRF) under the DUS Project. For all four Young Professional-I posts, NET is not required. However, relevant experience and a desirable postgraduate qualification will give you a clear advantage during merit-based shortlisting.
4. What happens if I miss the 18th of May 2026 deadline?
Applications received after the closing date will not be entertained under any circumstances. The notification is firm on this. So make sure your complete bio-data with all self-attested supporting documents is emailed to orchidsdropbox2024@gmail.com well before the deadline.
5. Is this a permanent government job, and can I get absorbed into ICAR after the contract?
No. This appointment is purely on a contractual and temporary basis. There is no provision for re-employment after the contract ends, and selected candidates have no right or claim to regular appointment at ICAR. The contract is project-based and ends upon project completion, fund utilisation, or as decided by the institute — whichever comes first.
About the Author
Sandeep – I Manage the Job Posts at India Job Alerts, ensuring every post is cross-referenced with official government gazettes and department notifications. Specializing in the West Bengal and Sikkim Jobs Notification & All India Jobs , to provide insights into exam patterns, syllabus changes, and application deadlines so that it actually helps our youths. Know more