ICMR NIE Recruitment 2026: Scientist-D, Scientist-C & Scientist-B Posts, Eligibility, Pay and How to Apply
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has invited online applications for 8 scientific vacancies at ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE), Chennai. The posts are Scientist-D, Scientist-C and Scientist-B, filled by direct recruitment, with pay from Level-10 (Rs 56,100) up to Level-12 (Rs 2,09,200). If you hold an MBBS, a Master’s in biomedical sciences, a Pharm-D or a B.V.Sc & AH degree with research experience, read on.
The last date to apply is 26 November 2026, till 5:30 PM. Each post has its own qualification, experience and age limit, so check your own row in the tables before you pay the fee. This guide covers every post, the selection steps and the conditions that can get an application rejected. Stay with GovtJobsAlert.in for the next updates.
Key Highlights of ICMR NIE Recruitment 2026
ICMR is an autonomous organisation under the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India. It runs biomedical and health research through its Headquarters at New Delhi and 28 Institutes and Centres. These posts are at NIE, Chennai, with all India transfer liability under the Council.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi |
| Institute | ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE), Chennai |
| Advertisement No. | ICMR/NIE/01/2026-RPCell |
| Posts | Scientist-D, Scientist-C, Scientist-B |
| Total Vacancies | 8 (provisional, may vary) |
| Mode of Recruitment | Direct Recruitment, with all India transfer liability |
| Who Can Apply | Indian Citizens |
| Last Date | 26 November 2026, till 5:30 PM |
How Many Vacancies Are There in ICMR NIE Recruitment 2026?
The notice prints no grand total. The 8 seats below are the sum of the post rows, and the notice says the number of vacancies is provisional and may vary. Only the Scientist-B posts show a category against the seat, so look at those rows closely.
| Post | Category Shown | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Scientist-D (Medical) | Not stated | 1 |
| Scientist-D (Non-Medical) | Not stated | 1 |
| Scientist-C (Medical) | Not stated | 1 |
| Scientist-C (Medical) – Microbiology | Not stated | 1 |
| Scientist-B (Medical) | UR 1, SC 1 | 2 |
| Scientist-B (Non-Medical) – Disease Modeling | UR 1 | 1 |
| Scientist-B (Veterinary) | EWS 1 | 1 |
The Scientist-B (Veterinary) seat is reserved for EWS.
Two posts are worth a special look. The Scientist-C Microbiology post asks for an MBBS holder, but the desirable experience is in Microbiology, Immunology, Molecular biology and Next generation sequencing. The Scientist-B Disease Modeling post is the only Non-Medical seat at that level, and it suits a Master’s or Pharm-D candidate with infectious disease modeling work. Pick the post that matches your published work, because shortlisting leans on experience.
What is the Eligibility for ICMR NIE Recruitment 2026?
Educational Qualification and Experience
Candidates must meet the essential qualification and experience on the last date of submission. The online system will not accept an application that fails this on the cut-off date.
| Post | Essential Qualification | Essential Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Scientist-D (Medical) | MBBS or equivalent degree recognised by MCI/NMC | 8 years |
| Scientist-D (Non-Medical) | Master’s in a subject related to Biomedical Sciences, 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 |
| Scientist-B (Medical) | MBBS or equivalent degree recognised by MCI/NMC | Not stated as essential |
| Scientist-B (Non-Medical) | Master’s in a subject related to Biomedical Sciences, or Pharm-D recognised by UGC/PCI | Not stated as essential |
| Scientist-B (Veterinary) | B.V.Sc & AH degree recognised by VCI | Not stated as essential |
The notice also lists desirable qualifications and experience. These are not essential, but ICMR says it generally prefers candidates with higher experience or higher education when it has to shortlist.
| Post | Desirable Qualification / Experience |
|---|---|
| Scientist-D (Medical) and Scientist-C (Medical) | MD/MS or equivalent, or MPH, or PhD in a biomedical subject; R&D in Epidemiology / Public Health |
| Scientist-D (Non-Medical) | PhD in a biomedical subject; R&D in Epidemiology / Public Health |
| Scientist-C (Microbiology) | MD/MS, MPH or PhD as above; R&D in Microbiology, Immunology, immunogenetics, Molecular biology, Next generation sequencing |
| Scientist-B (Medical) | R&D in Epidemiology / Public Health |
| Scientist-B (Non-Medical) | R&D in Infectious disease modeling |
| Scientist-B (Veterinary) | R&D in Veterinary epidemiology and public health |
Desirable experience must be shown through peer reviewed publications, scientific presentations, technical reports, research grants and similar work in Govt., public sector or private institutions.
How ICMR Counts Your Higher Degrees
| Rule | What It Means |
|---|---|
| PhD | Counted as 4 years of experience, whatever time it took |
| MD/MS or equivalent | Counted as 3 years of experience |
| MPH / M.Tech | Not counted as any experience |
| Time spent earning the minimum essential qualification | Does not count towards experience |
R&D experience related to biomedical sciences, relevant to the job, in Govt., public sector or private institutions is admissible. The notice adds that qualifications and experience may be relaxed for exceptionally meritorious candidates, with the approval of the DG, ICMR, for reasons recorded in writing. Do not count on this when you plan your application.
Age Limit
| Post | Maximum Age |
|---|---|
| Scientist-D | Not exceeding 45 years |
| Scientist-C | Not exceeding 40 years |
| Scientist-B | Not exceeding 35 years |
🎂 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. →
The notice says age relaxation follows the existing Government of India instructions, and that the age limit may also be relaxed for exceptionally meritorious candidates with the DG’s approval. It does not list category-wise years.
What is the Salary for ICMR NIE Scientist Posts 2026?
| Post | Pay Level | Pay Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Scientist-D (both) | Level-12 | Rs 78,800 – 2,09,200 |
| Scientist-C (both) | Level-11 | Rs 67,700 – 2,08,700 |
| Scientist-B (all three) | Level-10 | Rs 56,100 – 1,77,500 |
These are the pay scales printed in the notice. It does not list allowances, so confirm those with ICMR at the time of the offer. If you are a medical graduate with research work behind you, the jump from Scientist-B to Scientist-D is large, so match your years of experience to the right post.
What is the Selection Process for ICMR NIE Recruitment 2026?
| Stage | Detail |
|---|---|
| Computer Based Test (MCQs) | Based on the understanding of research methods; qualifying in nature, minimum 75 percentile |
| Interview | The notice says selection is based on the test, the interview, or both |
The notice says the selection would be made on the computer based test (MCQs) or interview or both. It does not fix which stage applies to which post, so watch the ICMR website for your call.
Shortlisting Criteria
All candidates who meet the minimum age, education and experience are shortlisted first. If too many qualify to call for interview, ICMR may shortlist further on criteria fixed by the Competent Authority. It generally prefers higher experience or higher education.
How to Apply Online for ICMR NIE Recruitment 2026?
Keep scanned, self-attested copies ready: educational certificates from Matric onwards, detailed marks certificates, date of birth proof, category certificate (SC, ST, OBC, EWS or PwBD, where it applies), experience certificates and your MCI registration certificate.
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Open the ICMR recruitment portal (link in Essential Links below) |
| 2 | Register carefully. The registration details cannot be changed once registered |
| 3 | Log in through “Applicant login” with the User ID and password sent to your email and mobile |
| 4 | Fill the form section by section using “Save and Next”. Upload every required document |
| 5 | Submit, then pay the fee online if you are not exempt. The application is complete only after payment |
| 6 | Take a printout of the final application and keep it safe |
The system will not move you to the next section if a mandatory field or document is missing. Apply well before the last date instead of waiting for the final hours, and fill your name, date of birth, category and marks with care, because no change is allowed after submission.
What are the Important Dates for ICMR NIE Recruitment 2026?
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application start date | Not stated in the notice |
| Last date for online application | 26 November 2026, till 5:30 PM |
| Test / interview dates | Not announced; further details are shown on the ICMR website |
What is the Application Fee for ICMR NIE Recruitment 2026?
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| All other candidates | Rs 1,500 (non-refundable) |
| SC, ST, Women, PWD, EWS | Exempted |
The fee is paid through the online link in the application form, by Net Banking, Credit Card or Debit Card only.
Conditions That Can Cost You the Post
| Condition | What It Means For You |
|---|---|
| Late application | An application received after the closing date, for whatever reason, is liable to be rejected |
| Incomplete form or missing documents | Liable to be rejected |
| Documents not self-attested | Your candidature will be cancelled and you will not be allowed to participate in the later stages of selection |
| Duplicate applications | All of them are cancelled, without any intimation |
| Wrong, false or suppressed information | If the information furnished is false, suppressed or incorrect at any stage, even after appointment, your candidature will be cancelled and you will be liable to be criminally prosecuted |
| Qualification short on the cut-off date | The application is not accepted |
| Govt., PSU and Govt.-funded research agency employees | Bring a No Objection Certificate from your employer at the time of personal discussion, with an undertaking that you will be relieved within one month of the appointment order |
| Outside influence | Any outside influence, political or otherwise, brought by or for a candidate shall disqualify them |
| Unclear photograph | The application will be rejected |
| Offline forms | Not accepted; a hard copy with documents is submitted only when ICMR asks for it |
ICMR may modify, cancel or publish this vacancy circular afresh. Any dispute falls under the Courts in New Delhi, and ICMR’s decision on acceptance or rejection is final.
ICMR NIE Recruitment 2026 Essential Links
- Download ICMR NIE Official Notification PDF
- Apply Online for ICMR NIE Recruitment 2026 – Scientist-D, Scientist-C & Scientist-B
- Visit ICMR NIE Official Website
- Join WhatsApp Channel for Government Jobs
- Join Telegram Channel for Government Jobs
If you meet the qualification for your post, apply by 26 November 2026, 5:30 PM. Candidates with a Master’s degree can also browse other post graduate government jobs, and medical graduates can see more medical and healthcare vacancies. Looking for work in the south? See Tamil Nadu government jobs on GovtJobsAlert.in.