Scholarship
ICMR- Post Doctoral Fellowship(ICMR-PDF)
Overview
About ICMR-PDF
The ICMR Post Doctoral Fellowship (ICMR-PDF) is a central research fellowship run by the Indian Council of Medical Research, the Government of India's apex body for biomedical research. ICMR functions under the Department of Health Research within the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and the Director General of ICMR also holds the post of Secretary in that department. Selected fellows carry out their work at ICMR institutes and centres rather than at their own universities, and the council intends to offer around fifty such fellowships each year across its network of institutes.
The scheme is meant to give fresh doctoral researchers a structured period of full-time research in cutting-edge areas of basic science, communicable and non-communicable diseases, and reproductive health including nutrition. The benefit is a composite one: a consolidated monthly fellowship together with house rent allowance and an annual contingency grant towards research costs, all set out in ICMR's own guidelines.
It is aimed at individual researchers who have recently completed a Ph.D., MD or MS, and applications are open to Indian nationals only. Candidates are shortlisted and then selected through an interview before a committee constituted by the Director General, ICMR. The exact age limits, degree windows and financial figures are laid down in ICMR's eligibility rules, which an applicant should read in full before applying.
Sources: Indian Council of Medical Research – Post Doctoral Research · BioSpectrum India – ICMR invites applications for post-doc fellowship research programme in biomedical health
Who runs it
Provider
Ministry Of Health & Family Welfare
Central Government
Indian Council Of Medical Research, Government Of India
At a glance
Key details
| Level | Central |
| Scheme type | Central Sector Scheme |
| Category | Education & Learning |
| Beneficiaries | Individual |
| Benefit type | Composite |
| Application mode | Offline |
Calendar
Important dates
Across all open application cycles.
| Cycle | Stage | Date |
|---|
Who can apply
Eligibility criteria
| ICMR-PDF is open to Indian nationals only. | |
| Fresh PhDs/MD/MS within three years of completing their Ph.D./MD/MS degree (awarded) as on the last date of the application and also those who have received their provisional Ph.D./MD/MS degree can apply. | |
| The Post-Doctoral proposed research work should be the continuation of the Ph.D. or MD/MS research work. If not, then the application will not be considered. | |
| The maximum age limit is 32 years, relaxable up to 5 years in case of SC/ST/OBC/PH and women candidates, as on the last date of application. | |
| For deserving candidates age can be relaxed maximum up to a maximum of 3 years based on earlier work done, publications, awards, etc. along with the request by the sponsoring Director/Director-in-Charge. Director General, ICMR may consider and relax on the recommendation of the screening committee. | |
| The PDF Guide should have the minimum designation of Scientist-C grade. | |
| Postgraduate medical students are also permitted to carry out ICMR’s PDF in MCI-recognized postgraduate medical colleges wherein a minimum of three batches have obtained their postgraduate degrees. | |
| Note 01: Result notification/certificate or Viva-voce/Thesis submitted notification will not be considered. | |
| Note 02: It is mandatory to submit the Plagiarism check report along with the declaration to be submitted to ICMR along with the PDF proposal and application. | |
| Note 03: A list of ICMR Institutes/Centers and their niche Areas/R&D activities are available on the ICMR website. |
What you get
Award & benefits
- Monthly Fellowship: ₹65,000/- per month along with HRA and NPA as per Government rules. - Contingency Grant: ₹3,00,000/- per year for research-related expenses. - Travel Support: Up to 25% of the contingency grant for national travel related to research work. - Tenure Duration: 2 years, extendable by 1 more year based on performance. - Refund Clause: Fellowship amount must be refunded if leaving before 1 year. - Fund Disbursement: Fellowship and contingency grants are released every six months. - Accommodation Facility: Accommodation may be provided (HRA not applicable if provided). - Medical & Leave Benefits: As per ICMR rules for fellows.
What to prepare
Documents required
Step by step
How to apply
- 1Apply offline
See the official links below for the application portal.
Source
Official links
Questions
ICMR-PDF – FAQ
Disclaimer
Scheme details are compiled from myScheme, the Government of India’s official scheme-discovery platform, and are reproduced without alteration. Amounts, deadlines and eligibility change between cycles — always confirm on the official links above before applying. Expertie does not process applications or charge fees.