The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi, has announced recruitment for 5 Director positions (Group 'A' – Scientific) across its premier national health research institutes. These prestigious leadership roles offer a competitive salary and the opportunity to drive medical research in India. The application window closes on 30 November 2026.
Overview
ICMR is recruiting Directors for five key research institutes: the National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR) in Dwarka, New Delhi; the National Institute of Traditional Medicine (NITM) in Belagavi; the Rajendra Memorial National Institute of Health Research (RM NIHR) in Patna, Bihar; the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) North; and the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) South. The posts are open for Direct Recruitment, Deputation (including Short Term Contract), and Absorption. Each position offers a fixed contract term of 5 years, with extension eligibility varying by recruitment mode. All positions are subject to all-India transfer liability under the Council.
Important Dates
| Event | Date / Deadline |
|---|---|
| Advertisement Number | ICMR/DIR/02/2026-R&PCell |
| Online Application Deadline | 30 November 2026, 5:30 PM |
| Mode of Filling | Direct Recruitment, Deputation (including Short Term Contract), Absorption |
| Contract Tenure | 5 years (extension rules differ by mode) |
Application Fee
| Applicant Category | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| General / OBC Candidates | ₹1,500 (non-refundable) |
| SC / ST / Women / PwD / EWS Candidates | Exempted |
Vacancy Details
| Post | Location | R&D Specialisation Required |
|---|---|---|
| Director | National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR), Dwarka, New Delhi | Malaria Research & Development |
| Director | National Institute of Traditional Medicine (NITM), Belagavi | Integrative / Traditional Medicine R&D |
| Director | Rajendra Memorial NIHR (RM NIHR), Patna, Bihar | Communicable Diseases, Non-Communicable Diseases, Reproductive Health, Child Health, or Nutrition R&D |
| Director | National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) North | Communicable Diseases, Non-Communicable Diseases, Reproductive Health, Child Health, or Nutrition R&D |
| Director | National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) South | Communicable Diseases, Non-Communicable Diseases, Reproductive Health, Child Health, or Nutrition R&D |
Eligibility
Educational Qualification: MBBS, M.Phil/Ph.D, Post Graduate (MD/MS/MPH) or equivalent qualification in a relevant medical or health research discipline. Full details are available in the ICMR Director Vacancy Circular PDF.
Experience: A minimum of 15 years of professional experience is required, of which at least 5 years must have been in a managerial position directly handling Research & Development projects in the relevant field of specialisation.
Age Limit: Candidates must not exceed 58 years of age as on the date of application.
Pay Scale: Level-14 under the 7th Central Pay Commission, ranging from ₹1,44,200 to ₹2,18,200 per month, plus all usual allowances admissible to ICMR employees.
How to Apply
- Visit recruitment.icmr.org.in to access the official ICMR recruitment portal.
- Register a new account or log in if you already have one.
- Locate the ICMR Director recruitment notification (Advertisement No. ICMR/DIR/02/2026-R&PCell) and click on the application link.
- Fill in all required fields in the online form: personal details, educational qualifications, work experience, and relevant R&D specialisation area.
- Upload scanned copies of all supporting documents, including MBBS/M.Phil/Ph.D certificates, Post Graduate degrees, experience letters, and any other credentials as specified in the notification.
- Select the applicable post and location from the options provided.
- Pay the application fee of ₹1,500 (if you do not qualify for exemption) using the available payment methods.
- Review your filled application carefully before final submission.
- Submit the application before 30 November 2026 at 5:30 PM; late submissions will not be accepted.
- Save and print your application number for future correspondence and selection process tracking.
Important Links
- Apply Online for ICMR Director Posts – Online application portal; last date 30 November 2026, 5:30 PM
- ICMR Director Vacancy Circular PDF – Full recruitment notification (Advertisement No. ICMR/DIR/02/2026-R&PCell)
- ICMR Official Recruitment Website – For updates and clarifications on this recruitment
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the age limit for applying?
A: Candidates must not exceed 58 years of age on the date of application. Age relaxation (if any) will be as per government rules and is detailed in the official notification.
Q: Is the application fee refundable?
A: No, the application fee of ₹1,500 is non-refundable for general and OBC candidates. SC, ST, Women, PwD, and EWS candidates are completely exempted from paying the fee.
Q: What is the minimum experience required?
A: You must have 15 years of total professional experience, with at least 5 years in a managerial position handling R&D projects in your relevant specialisation field.
Q: What is the pay scale and contract term?
A: The position carries a salary of ₹1,44,200 to ₹2,18,200 per month (Level-14, 7th CPC) plus allowances. The contract tenure is 5 years; extension eligibility depends on whether you are a direct recruit, deputationist, or absorbed candidate.
Q: Can I apply for multiple posts?
A: See the official notification for detailed guidelines on applying for multiple positions and location preferences.
Q: How will selection happen?
A: Selection involves shortlisting based on eligibility criteria, followed by further shortlisting if necessary, and then a formal interview with the ICMR selection committee.
Candidates are advised to verify all details, including eligibility, fee, and application procedures, on the official ICMR recruitment website before submitting their applications.