The ICMR JRF 2026 (Indian Council of Medical Research Junior Research Fellowship Entrance Examination), now officially conducted as the DHR-BRET (Biomedical Research Eligibility Test), is a national-level exam conducted by the Department of Health Research (DHR) and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) through AIIMS (aiimsexams.ac.in) to identify eligible candidates for the award of Junior Research Fellowships in Biomedical and Health Sciences. The ICMR JRF 2026 exam was conducted on 10 January 2026; the admit card was released on January 3, 2026 at aiimsexams.ac.in. ICMR JRF 2026 result / score card can be checked at the official website icmr.gov.in and aiimsexams.ac.in. The next cycle (ICMR JRF 2027 / DHR-BRET 2027) notification is expected in March/April 2027.
Latest (10 June 2026): ICMR JRF 2026 exam was conducted on 10 January 2026 via AIIMS portal (aiimsexams.ac.in). Result / score card is available at aiimsexams.ac.in. The exam is now called DHR-BRET (Biomedical Research Eligibility Test). Next cycle notification expected March/April 2027 at icmr.gov.in.
Quick Links
- ICMR JRF Admit Card
- ICMR JRF Answer Key & Response Sheet
- ICMR JRF Result
- ICMR JRF Previous Year Question Papers
ICMR JRF 2026 (DHR-BRET 2026)
The ICMR JRF (also called DHR-BRET — Biomedical Research Eligibility Test) is a national-level entrance test conducted annually by the Department of Health Research (DHR), Government of India in collaboration with ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research). From the 2025 cycle onwards, the examination has been renamed and revamped as DHR-BRET and is conducted through AIIMS via the portal aiimsexams.ac.in. The test is designed to identify eligible Indian candidates for the award of Junior Research Fellowships to pursue Ph.D. / research programmes in biomedical and health sciences at UGC-recognised universities or ICMR institutes.
The ICMR JRF 2026 (DHR-BRET 2026) examination was held on 10 January 2026 in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode across exam centres in India. Admit cards were released on January 3, 2026. Candidates who appeared can check their result and score card at aiimsexams.ac.in. ICMR awards approximately 250 fellowships per year through DHR-BRET, enabling selected candidates to pursue doctoral research in biomedical and health sciences with a stipend of Rs. 37,000 per month (JRF) and Rs. 42,000 per month (SRF).
ICMR JRF 2026 Official Portal – Candidates can check the ICMR JRF (DHR-BRET) result and score card at aiimsexams.ac.in. Official notifications are published at icmr.gov.in and dhr.gov.in.
ICMR JRF 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date (2026) |
|---|---|
| ICMR JRF (DHR-BRET) 2026 Notification | Released (Nov/Dec 2025) |
| Online Application Form Open | Nov/Dec 2025 (Closed) |
| Last Date to Apply | Closed |
| ICMR JRF Admit Card 2026 Released | 03 January 2026 |
| ICMR JRF 2026 Exam Date | 10 January 2026 (Conducted) |
| Answer Key / Response Sheet | Released at aiimsexams.ac.in (post-exam) |
| ICMR JRF 2026 Result | Available at aiimsexams.ac.in |
| Next Cycle (2027) Notification Expected | March / April 2027 |
ICMR JRF Eligibility Criteria
Candidates applying for ICMR JRF / DHR-BRET must fulfil the following eligibility requirements:
- Nationality: Candidate must be an Indian citizen.
- Educational Qualification: M.Sc. or equivalent Postgraduate (PG) degree (M.Tech / M.Pharma) in Life Sciences, Zoology, Botany, Biomedical Sciences, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Biotechnology, Biophysics, Bioinformatics, Forensic Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Food & Nutrition, Molecular Biology, Biological Sciences, Ecology, Immunology, Neurosciences, Veterinary Sciences, Nursing, Biostatistics, Pharmacology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Public Health, Social Work — with minimum 55% marks for General / OBC / EWS candidates and 50% for SC / ST / PwBD candidates.
- Age Limit (as on last date of application): Maximum 28 years (General); relaxation as per Govt of India norms for reserved categories and female candidates.
- Final Year Candidates: Candidates in final year of qualifying degree may also apply, subject to completing eligibility before joining.
ICMR JRF Exam Pattern (DHR-BRET)
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode of Exam | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Duration | 3 hours (180 minutes) |
| Total Questions | 150 MCQs |
| Total Marks | 150 |
| Sections | 3 (Section A, B, C — each 50 questions) |
| Marking Scheme | +1 per correct answer; –0.25 per wrong answer |
| Medium | English only |
ICMR JRF Section-wise Distribution
| Section | Subject / Content | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section A | Aptitude & Analytical Skills (Reading Comprehension, Reasoning, Data Interpretation, Quantitative Ability) | 50 | 50 |
| Section B | General & Interdisciplinary Biomedical / Life Science Knowledge (Cell Biology, Genetics, Immunology, Physiology, Biotechnology, Biosafety) | 50 | 50 |
| Section C | Domain-Specific Knowledge (Candidate’s chosen subject: Microbiology, Biochemistry, Biostatistics, Veterinary Science, Public Health, Nursing, Biotechnology, Social Sciences, Nutrition, Pharmacology, or Biological Sciences) | 50 | 50 |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
ICMR JRF Number of Fellowships
| Category | Number (Tentative) |
|---|---|
| Total DHR-BRET / ICMR JRF Fellowships | ~250 (subject to budgetary provisions) |
| Validity of Result / Fellowship Award | 1 year |
| Top 60% of qualified candidates | May enrol in any UGC-recognised university for Ph.D. |
| Remaining 40% | Must enrol in any of 27 ICMR institutes / AcSIR |
ICMR JRF Stipend
| Designation | Period | Stipend (Per Month) |
|---|---|---|
| Junior Research Fellow (JRF) | 1st & 2nd Year | Rs. 37,000 + HRA |
| Senior Research Fellow (SRF) | 3rd to 5th Year | Rs. 42,000 + HRA |
| Contingency (Annual) | Each Year | Rs. 20,000 |
| Top 10% (Exemplary Performance Reward) | JRF Tenure | Rs. 1,00,000 research contingency per annum |
JRF is upgraded to SRF after 22 months from commencement, subject to successful assessment by the Review Committee. Total JRF + SRF tenure is 5 years or until Ph.D. submission, whichever is earlier.
ICMR JRF Qualifying Marks
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Marks |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS / PwBD | 50% aggregate |
| SC / ST | 45% aggregate |
ICMR JRF Admit Card
The ICMR JRF Admit Card for the 2026 exam was released on 3 January 2026 at aiimsexams.ac.in. For future cycles, the admit card will be released approximately 7–10 days before the exam at the AIIMS portal. Candidates must carry a printed copy along with a valid government-issued photo ID to the exam centre.
ICMR JRF Answer Key & Response Sheet
The ICMR JRF Answer Key and response sheet for the 2026 exam are available at aiimsexams.ac.in after the examination. Candidates can match their responses and raise objections during the official window.
ICMR JRF Result
The ICMR JRF 2026 Result / merit list is available at aiimsexams.ac.in. A combined merit list of qualified candidates (scoring 50% or above for General / OBC / EWS / PwBD; 45% for SC / ST) is prepared. Approximately 250 candidates are selected as JRFs, with the top 10% receiving an Exemplary Performance Reward of Rs. 1,00,000 research contingency per annum. The validity of the fellowship award is 1 year from the date of issue of the award letter.
ICMR JRF 2026 – Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | ICMR JRF / DHR-BRET (Biomedical Research Eligibility Test) 2026 |
| Conducting Body | DHR (Department of Health Research) & ICMR, through AIIMS |
| Exam Level | National |
| Purpose | Award of JRF for Ph.D. / Research in Biomedical & Health Sciences |
| Mode of Exam | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Duration | 3 hours (180 minutes) |
| Total Questions / Marks | 150 / 150 |
| Sections | 3 (Section A + B + C, each 50 questions) |
| Total Fellowships | ~250 (subject to budgetary provisions) |
| 2026 Exam Date | 10 January 2026 (Conducted) |
| Admit Card 2026 | Released 3 January 2026 |
| Stipend (JRF) | Rs. 37,000 per month + HRA |
| Stipend (SRF) | Rs. 42,000 per month + HRA |
| Official Website | icmr.gov.in / aiimsexams.ac.in / dhr.gov.in |
ICMR JRF FAQs
The ICMR JRF 2026 (DHR-BRET 2026) entrance examination was conducted on 10 January 2026 in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode via the AIIMS portal aiimsexams.ac.in. The admit card was released on January 3, 2026.
ICMR JRF (now called DHR-BRET) is conducted by the Department of Health Research (DHR), Government of India, in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). From the 2025-26 cycle, the exam is administered through AIIMS via aiimsexams.ac.in. Official notifications are published at icmr.gov.in and dhr.gov.in.
Candidates must be Indian citizens with an M.Sc. or equivalent PG degree (M.Tech/M.Pharma) in Life Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Nursing, Pharmacology, Public Health, Social Sciences, or related fields with minimum 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/PwBD). The upper age limit is 28 years for General category, with relaxation for reserved categories.
Approximately 250 fellowships are awarded through ICMR JRF (DHR-BRET) per year, subject to budgetary provisions and DHR guidelines. The top 60% of qualified candidates may enrol for Ph.D. at any UGC-recognised university, while the remaining 40% must enrol in any of the 27 ICMR institutes/AcSIR.
ICMR JRF (DHR-BRET) is a 3-hour CBT with 150 MCQs for 150 marks. It has three sections of 50 questions each: Section A (Aptitude & Analytical Skills), Section B (General & Interdisciplinary Biomedical/Life Science Knowledge), and Section C (Domain-Specific Knowledge of the chosen subject). Each correct answer carries +1 mark; each wrong answer deducts 0.25 marks.
Selected candidates receive Rs. 37,000 per month as JRF (1st & 2nd year) and Rs. 42,000 per month as SRF (3rd–5th year), plus HRA as applicable and a contingency of Rs. 20,000 per annum. The top 10% of the merit list also receive an Exemplary Performance Reward of Rs. 1,00,000 research contingency per annum.
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