ICMR Director Vacancy 2026: NIMR Dwarka, NITM Belagavi, RMNIHR Patna, NIHR North & South
If you are a senior medical scientist looking for a top leadership role, this is a rare chance. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has invited online applications for Director (Group ‘A’ – Scientific) at five of its institutes: NIMR Dwarka (New Delhi), NITM Belagavi, RMNIHR Patna, NIHR North and NIHR South. The pay is Level 14 of the Pay Matrix (₹1,44,200 – ₹2,18,200), with all-India transfer liability.
The notice does not print a vacancy count. It lists five Director posts, one for each institute. The last date to apply is 30 November 2026, up to 5:30 PM. Read this guide fully, because the experience rules are strict. Keep visiting GovtJobsAlert.in for more central government job notifications.
ICMR Director Recruitment 2026: Key Highlights
ICMR is an autonomous body under the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. It does biomedical and health research through its Delhi headquarters, 28 institutes and centres, and many field stations. This advertisement is for medical and healthcare leadership posts.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) |
| Advertisement No. | ICMR/DIR/02/2026-R&PCell |
| Post | Director (Group ‘A’ – Scientific) |
| Posts Listed | 5 (one per institute); no vacancy count printed |
| Pay | Level 14 (₹1,44,200 – ₹2,18,200), 7th CPC |
| Mode of Recruitment | Direct Recruitment / Deputation (including Short Term Contract) / Absorption |
| Who Can Apply | Indian citizens |
| Last Date | 30 November 2026, 5:30 PM |
Which Institutes Have ICMR Director Vacancy 2026?
Each institute has its own research area, and your experience must match it. Two posts are against lien vacancies and are subject to reversion of the lien holder.
| Post | Location | Required Research Area |
|---|---|---|
| Director, ICMR-NIMR | Dwarka, New Delhi (lien vacancy) | Malaria |
| Director, ICMR-NITM | Belagavi (lien vacancy) | Integrative / Traditional Medicine |
| Director, ICMR-RMNIHR | Patna, Bihar | Communicable or Non-Communicable Diseases, Reproductive Health, Child Health, or Nutrition |
| Director, ICMR-NIHR North | Location not stated | Same as RMNIHR |
| Director, ICMR-NIHR South | Location not stated | Same as RMNIHR |
What is the Eligibility for ICMR Director Recruitment 2026?
Direct Recruitment
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Qualification (any one) | MD/MS or equivalent (MCI/NMC recognised); OR MBBS with MPH; OR Master’s in Biomedical Sciences, or MBBS, with Ph.D. in a Biomedical Sciences subject |
| Total Experience | 15 years |
| Part (a) | 5 years in a managerial position, having handled R&D projects independently (PI or Co-PI of scientific studies, or head of research groups, centres, institutes or laboratories) |
| Part (b) | 2 years regular service in Pay Level 13-A, or 7 years in Pay Level 13 (or equivalent) |
Deputation (including Short Term Contract) / Absorption
Scientists from the Central or State Government, their recognised autonomous bodies, research institutes or universities can apply. They must either hold an analogous post on a regular basis, or have the same qualifications and experience as direct recruits. ICMR scientists cannot apply on deputation. They must apply under Direct Recruitment.
How Experience Is Counted
- Ph.D. counts as 4 years of experience, whatever time it took.
- MD/MS counts as 3 years; MVSc counts as 2 years.
- MPH, M.Tech and ME count as no experience.
- These credits exclude time spent earning your minimum essential qualification, which does not count.
- Experience must be in biomedical R&D (government, public sector or private), in the area listed for your post.
- Private-sector or foreign applicants: the Screening Committee decides the pay-scale equivalence.
- Qualifications and experience may be relaxed for exceptionally meritorious candidates, only with the approval of the President, Governing Council, ICMR, for reasons recorded in writing.
Who Should Apply, and Which Route Fits You
Start with your route. If you work at ICMR, you can only apply as a direct recruit. If you work in another central or state body, a research institute or a university, deputation is open if you hold an analogous post regularly or meet the direct-recruit requirements. Then match your own research area to the institute, because the notice asks for experience in that area. A strong record in malaria, for example, fits NIMR, while communicable disease, reproductive health or nutrition work fits RMNIHR and the two NIHR posts.
Age Limit
| Category | Maximum Age |
|---|---|
| All posts | 58 years |
| Deputation | 58 years as on the last date of applications (30 November 2026) |
The notice says age relaxation follows existing Government of India instructions, and may also be given to exceptionally meritorious candidates with the same approval. It prints no category-wise relaxation table, and gives no cut-off date for direct recruits.
🎂 Not sure if you meet the age criteria? Use our free Age Calculator for Government Exams to find your exact age on the cut-off date and instantly check your eligibility — including any age relaxation you qualify for. →
What is the Salary for ICMR Director 2026?
The post is in Level 14 of the Pay Matrix, ₹1,44,200 – ₹2,18,200 (7th CPC), plus the usual allowances admissible to ICMR employees. The notice prints no in-hand figure, so we do not guess one.
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Direct Recruitment tenure | 5 years, extendable by a maximum of 5 years, or till superannuation, whichever is earlier |
| Deputation tenure | 5 years (extendable by a maximum of 5 years, only if the person is absorbed in ICMR) |
| Deputation limit | Total deputation, including a previous ex-cadre post, ordinarily not above 5 years |
| ICMR scientists | Hold lien on their ICMR post; after the tenure they become Scientist ‘G’ till superannuation, with protected pay |
| Non-ICMR scientists | Can be considered for absorption as Scientist ‘G’ after 5 years of continuous regular service as Director, subject to a vacancy |
What is the Selection Process for ICMR Director 2026?
| Stage | Detail |
|---|---|
| Stage 1: Shortlisting | All candidates meeting the minimum age, qualification and experience are shortlisted |
| Stage 2: Further shortlisting | Only if too many are shortlisted to interview. ICMR may fix its own criteria; it generally prefers higher experience or higher qualification |
| Stage 3: Interview | Shortlisted candidates are called for an interview (personal discussion) |
Government, PSU and government-funded research employees must show a No Objection Certificate at the personal discussion, with an undertaking that they will be relieved within one month of the appointment order. If you want to prepare, see our interview preparation tips.
How to Apply Online for ICMR Director Recruitment 2026?
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Open the ICMR recruitment portal (link in Essential Links below) |
| 2 | Apply only online; no other mode is accepted |
| 3 | Fill in the form and upload self-attested proof of date of birth, educational qualifications and experience certificates |
| 4 | Pay the fee online through the link in the application form, if it applies to you |
| 5 | Submit by 5:30 PM on 30 November 2026 |
Experience certificates must come from the Head of Office, Head of Organisation or Head HR, and must clearly show the period and dates of service. Applying for more than one post? You must submit a separate online application, with fee, for each post. Incomplete applications, or those without supporting documents, can be rejected.
What are the Important Dates for ICMR Director 2026?
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Start Date | Not stated in the notice |
| Last Date for Online Applications | 30 November 2026, 5:30 PM |
| Age Reckoning Date (Deputation) | 30 November 2026 |
What is the Application Fee for ICMR Director 2026?
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General and others | ₹1,500 (non-refundable) |
| SC, ST, Women, PwD and EWS | Exempted |
The fee is paid online through the link in the application form. For portal or payment queries, email query.rpcell@icmr.gov.in.
Important Conditions to Remember
- Applications received after the closing date, for any reason, are liable to be rejected.
- False information or suppressed facts mean your candidature or services are liable to be terminated, even after joining.
- Any outside influence, political or otherwise, shall disqualify the candidate.
- ICMR may modify, cancel or republish the circular. Later updates appear only on the ICMR website.
- Any dispute falls under the jurisdiction of the courts in New Delhi.
ICMR Director Recruitment 2026: Essential Links
- Download Official Notification PDF
- Apply Online for ICMR Director Recruitment 2026 (all 5 posts, separate form per post)
- Visit ICMR Official Website
- Join WhatsApp Channel for Government Jobs
- Join Telegram Channel for Government Jobs
If you have the research record, do not wait for the last week. Check your experience against the area for your chosen institute, collect your certificates and apply by 30 November 2026. Find more postgraduate-level government jobs and updates on GovtJobsAlert.in.