The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has released the ICMR NIE recruitment notice for Scientist posts in Chennai. As per Advertisement No. ICMR/NIE/01/2026-RPCell on icmr.gov.in, the posts are at the National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE). Online applications close on 26 November 2026 at 5:30 PM.
The notice lists 8 posts across Scientist-D, Scientist-C and Scientist-B. It is for Indian citizens with medical, biomedical, pharmacy or veterinary degrees who want research jobs. A post-wise breakdown of vacancies, salary and eligibility follows. All posts are direct recruitment at ICMR-NIE, Chennai, with all-India transfer liability under the Council. Candidates should check all details in the article below.
Information verified from the official ICMR notification, Advertisement No. ICMR/NIE/01/2026-RPCell.
Last verified: 7 October 2026.
Under the ICMR NIE recruitment, the Indian Council of Medical Research is filling 8 Scientist posts at ICMR-NIE, Chennai. The notice is Advertisement No. ICMR/NIE/01/2026-RPCell. The last date to apply online is 26 November 2026, 5:30 PM, on recruitment.icmr.org.in. Selection is through a computer based test, an interview or both.
Table of Contents
- Quick Summary of ICMR NIE Scientist Posts 2026
- About the Indian Council of Medical Research
- Chennai posting and how it compares
- Important dates for ICMR NIE recruitment
- Vacancy details and salary
- Eligibility for ICMR NIE Scientist posts
- Selection process
- Application fee
- How to apply for ICMR NIE recruitment
- Important Links
- Should you apply?
- FAQs
Quick Summary of ICMR NIE Scientist Posts 2026
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) |
| Institute | ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE), Chennai |
| Posts | Scientist-D, Scientist-C, Scientist-B |
| Total Vacancy | 8 Posts |
| Salary | Level 12, Level 11 and Level 10 (pay table below) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Eligibility | MBBS, Masters in Biomedical Sciences, Pharm-D or B.V.Sc & AH, with experience for Scientist-D and C |
| Age Limit | 45 years (D), 40 years (C), 35 years (B) |
| Selection Process | Computer-based test (MCQs), interview or both |
| Application Fee | ₹1,500 (exempt for SC, ST, Women, PWD, EWS) |
| Place of Posting | Chennai, with all-India transfer liability |
| Last Date | 26 November 2026, 5:30 PM |
| Who Can Apply | Indian citizens |
About the Indian Council of Medical Research
ICMR is an autonomous organisation under the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. It carries out biomedical and health research with national and international agencies.
The Council has its headquarters in New Delhi. It also runs 28 institutes and centres, and a large number of field stations, across the country. The National Institute of Epidemiology in Chennai is the unit that fills the posts under the ICMR NIE recruitment.
Chennai posting and how it compares
All 8 posts in the ICMR NIE recruitment are at ICMR-NIE in Chennai. The city has rail, road and air links to the rest of India. Candidates from Siliguri, Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Sikkim face a long trip for any test or interview, most likely by train or flight.
Scientist posts at ICMR institutes are research jobs. The notice lists peer-reviewed publications, scientific presentations, technical reports and research grants as desirable experience. Candidates can compare these posts with other latest jobs across India before applying.
This is added context, not part of the official notification. Confirm with the hiring office.
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Important dates for ICMR NIE recruitment
The notice gives one deadline. The portal closes on the last date at 5:30 PM, and the notice asks candidates to apply well before that day. ICMR may reject applications received after the closing date.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Last date to apply online | 26 November 2026, 5:30 PM |
| Cut-off for age, qualification and experience | 26 November 2026 |
Vacancy details and salary
The ICMR NIE recruitment lists 7 post types with 8 vacancies in total. Pay is shown as printed in the notice.
| Post | Level | Posts | Pay Scale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scientist-D (Medical) | 12 | 1 | ₹78,800 – ₹2,09,200 |
| Scientist-D (Non-Medical) | 12 | 1 | ₹78,800 – ₹2,09,200 |
| Scientist-C (Medical) | 11 | 1 | ₹67,700 – ₹2,08,700 |
| Scientist-C (Medical, Microbiology) | 11 | 1 | ₹67,700 – ₹2,08,700 |
| Scientist-B (Medical) | 10 | 2 | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 |
| Scientist-B (Non-Medical, Disease modelling) | 10 | 1 | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 |
| Scientist-B (Veterinary) | 10 | 1 | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 |
| Total | – | 8 | – |
Category-wise split
The notice gives a category split for the Scientist-B posts only.
| Post | Category | Posts |
|---|---|---|
| Scientist-B (Medical) | UR | 1 |
| Scientist-B (Medical) | SC | 1 |
| Scientist-B (Non-Medical, Disease modelling) | UR | 1 |
| Scientist-B (Veterinary) | EWS | 1 |
Eligibility for ICMR NIE Scientist posts
Only Indian citizens can apply for ICMR NIE recruitment. The online system does not accept an application from a candidate who misses any condition on the last date.
Minimum qualification and experience
| Post | Qualification | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Scientist-D (Medical) | MBBS or equivalent degree recognised by MCI/NMC | 8 years |
| Scientist-D (Non-Medical) | Master’s in a Biomedical Sciences subject, or Pharm-D recognised by UGC/PCI | 8 years |
| Scientist-C (Medical) | MBBS or equivalent degree recognised by MCI/NMC | 4 years |
| Scientist-C (Medical, Microbiology) | MBBS or equivalent degree recognised by MCI/NMC | 4 years |
The Scientist-B posts need the following minimum qualifications.
| Post | Qualification |
|---|---|
| Scientist-B (Medical) | MBBS or equivalent degree recognised by MCI/NMC |
| Scientist-B (Non-Medical, Disease modelling) | Master’s in a Biomedical Sciences subject, or Pharm-D recognised by UGC/PCI |
| Scientist-B (Veterinary) | B.V.Sc & AH degree recognised by VCI |
Desirable qualification and experience
- Scientist-D (Medical) and Scientist-C (Medical): MD/MS or equivalent degree recognised by MCI/NMC. An MPH from a recognised university or a PhD in a Biomedical sciences subject also qualifies.
- Scientist-D (Non-Medical): PhD from a recognised university in a subject related to Biomedical Sciences.
- Scientist-D, Scientist-C (Medical) and Scientist-B (Medical): research and development (R&D) experience in Epidemiology or Public Health.
- Scientist-C (Medical, Microbiology): R&D experience in Microbiology, Immunology, immunogenetics, Molecular biology or Next-generation sequencing.
- Scientist-B (Non-Medical, Disease modelling): R&D experience in infectious disease modelling.
- Scientist-B (Veterinary): R&D experience in veterinary epidemiology and public health.
The notice asks for this experience to be shown through peer-reviewed publications, scientific presentations, technical reports and research grants. The work can come from government, public sector or private institutions.
How experience is counted
- A PhD counts as 4 years of experience, whatever time the degree took.
- An MD/MS or equivalent degree counts as 3 years.
- An MPH or M.Tech counts as no experience.
- The time spent on the minimum qualification does not count towards experience for PhD and MD/MS.
- R&D experience related to Biomedical Sciences, relevant to the job, in government, public sector or private institutions is accepted.
The Director General (DG), ICMR may relax qualification and experience for exceptionally meritorious candidates. The DG must record the reasons in writing.
Age limit
| Post | Age limit |
|---|---|
| Scientist-D | Not exceeding 45 years |
| Scientist-C | Not exceeding 40 years |
| Scientist-B | Not exceeding 35 years |
Government of India age relaxation instructions apply. The DG, ICMR may also relax the limit for exceptionally meritorious candidates, with reasons recorded in writing. Candidates can check their age on the last date with the age calculator tool.
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Selection process
Selection in the ICMR NIE recruitment is through a computer-based test (MCQs), an interview or both. The test is of qualifying nature.
- ICMR shortlists every candidate who meets the minimum age, qualification and experience.
- If too many candidates qualify to call all for interview, ICMR shortlists further on criteria fixed by its Competent Authority.
- The computer-based test covers understanding of research methods. The minimum qualifying mark is 75 percentile.
- ICMR calls shortlisted candidates for the interview or personal discussion.
ICMR generally prefers candidates with higher experience or higher education at the shortlisting stage, as the Appointing Authority decides.
Candidates who work in Central or State Government, Public Sector Undertakings or government funded research agencies need a No Objection Certificate. They must submit it at the personal discussion, with an undertaking to be relieved within one month of receiving the appointment order.
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Application fee
The non-refundable application fee for ICMR NIE recruitment is ₹1,500. Candidates pay it online through the link in the application form.
SC, ST, Women, PWD and EWS candidates pay no application fee. The portal accepts payment through Net Banking, Credit Card or Debit Card only. The application is complete only after payment.
How to apply for ICMR NIE recruitment
- Open the online application portal recruitment.icmr.org.in and select online registration.
- Fill the registration form with care. ICMR does not allow changes to these details after registration.
- Use the Applicant login with the User ID and password sent to the registered email and mobile number.
- Select Go to Application Form, read the instructions and fill the form section by section. Use Save and Next to move ahead.
- Upload the photograph, signature and documents as the instructions say.
- Submit the form and pay the fee online.
- Take a printout of the form. Keep the hard copy with all uploaded documents for when ICMR asks for it.
ICMR accepts no offline applications. Candidates should apply only through the official portal at recruitment.icmr.org.in and never pay any agent or middleman for a government job.
For technical or payment queries, candidates can call 011-26589167 on working days between 9:30 AM and 5:30 PM (IST), or email query.rpcell@icmr.gov.in.
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Documents to keep ready
- Self-attested scanned copies of educational certificates from Matric onwards
- Detailed mark sheets for these courses
- Proof of date of birth
- Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD), where claimed
- Experience certificates
- MCI registration certificate
- Photograph, unattested, with no cap or goggles (spectacles are allowed)
- Signature
- No Objection Certificate for government, public sector and government funded agency employees, at the personal discussion
Important Links
| Details | Link |
|---|---|
| ICMR NIE Scientist notification (Adv. No. ICMR/NIE/01/2026-RPCell) | Download ICMR NIE Scientist notification PDF |
| Online application | Apply online at recruitment.icmr.org.in |
Should you apply?
This ICMR NIE recruitment suits candidates with MBBS, Masters, Pharm-D or B.V.Sc & AH degrees and a research record in epidemiology. The Level 12 and Level 11 posts ask for 8 years and 4 years of experience, so they suit senior researchers.
Competition is tight in every post type, because each has only 1 or 2 vacancies. ICMR prefers candidates with higher experience or higher education when it shortlists, so a stronger record of publications, reports and grants helps. The qualifying test uses a percentile cut-off, which compares candidates with each other.
The main trade-off is location. All posts are in Chennai and carry all-India transfer liability, so a later move is possible. Candidates who want a posting closer to home can check more government job openings before applying for the ICMR NIE recruitment.
This is added context, not part of the official notification. Confirm with the hiring office.
FAQs
What is the last date to apply for ICMR NIE recruitment 2026?
The last date is 26 November 2026, up to 5:30 PM. Candidates must apply online on recruitment.icmr.org.in and pay the fee, where applicable, before the portal closes. ICMR may reject applications received after the closing date.
What is the salary of Scientist posts at ICMR NIE Chennai?
Scientist-D posts pay Level 12 (₹78,800 – ₹2,09,200). Scientist-C posts pay Level 11 (₹67,700 – ₹2,08,700). Scientist-B posts pay Level 10 (₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500), as printed in the notice.
Is there a written test for ICMR NIE Scientist posts?
The ICMR NIE recruitment may use a computer-based test (MCQs), an interview or both. The test checks understanding of research methods. It is qualifying in nature, and the minimum qualifying mark is the 75 percentile.
Can candidates from North Bengal and Sikkim apply for ICMR NIE Scientist posts?
Yes, if the candidate is an Indian citizen and meets the age, qualification and experience rules on 26 November 2026. The posts are in Chennai with all-India transfer liability. Candidates from North Bengal and Sikkim should plan for a long trip and a posting far from home.
This is added context, not part of the official notification. Confirm with the hiring office.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I’m Sandeep Khati, founder of India Job Alerts. I completed my B. Tech. in Computer Science from Jalpaiguri Government Engineering College (JGEC) in 2010, then worked as a Systems Engineer at TCS. I moved into digital publishing in 2011, starting with SearchDarjeeling.com and later working as a web developer and designer at Darjeeling Informatics.
I launched India Job Alerts in April 2025. It’s my most focused project yet, built to publish verified Government and PSU job notifications for candidates in West Bengal, Sikkim, and across India. Before any post goes live, I personally check it against the official notification. Know more