ICMR NIE Recruitment 2026: Apply for Scientist Posts

Bite-Sized Candidate Brief: ICMR New Delhi invites online applications for 8 permanent scientific posts at the National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE) in Chennai. If you have an MBBS degree with an MD or a Ph.D. in Epidemiology or Public Health, apply before 26 November 2026.

Recruitment Overview

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), an autonomous organization under the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, has published central recruitment notice ICMR/NIE/01/2026-RPCell. This recruitment seeks qualified scientific professionals to fill 8 core scientific positions at the National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE) in Chennai.

As the apex body in India for the formulation, coordination, and promotion of biomedical research, ICMR offers an exceptional platform for medical researchers and epidemiologists. Appointments are made under regular Central Government Direct Recruitment with comprehensive central service benefits. Online registrations remain open until 26 November 2026.

Institute Profile and National Health Role

The National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE) in Chennai is one of ICMR's premier national research institutes, recognized globally as a WHO Collaborating Centre for Leprosy Research and Epidemiology. NIE plays a pivotal role in national disease surveillance, infectious outbreak investigation, health systems evaluation, and clinical trial coordination across India.

Scientists appointed to NIE lead landmark public health projects, advise the Union Ministry of Health on epidemic preparedness, analyze large-scale disease surveillance data, and conduct field epidemiological training programs (India FETP). The institute provides sophisticated computational resources, high-throughput biosafety laboratories, and extensive demographic surveillance field sites across South India.

Vacancy Details and Discipline Breakdown

Under Advertisement No. ICMR/NIE/01/2026-RPCell, 8 regular scientific positions are available across three seniority tiers:

1. Scientist-D (Medical / Non-Medical): 2 Posts (Pay Level 12)

• Epidemiology & Outbreak Response: 1 Post (Unreserved)

• Biostatistics & Data Modeling: 1 Post (OBC - Non-Creamy Layer)

2. Scientist-C (Medical / Non-Medical): 3 Posts (Pay Level 11)

• Public Health & Chronic Disease Surveillance: 1 Post (Unreserved)

• Clinical Trials & Vaccine Evaluation: 1 Post (SC)

• Molecular Epidemiology: 1 Post (EWS)

3. Scientist-B (Medical / Non-Medical): 3 Posts (Pay Level 10)

• Field Epidemiology: 2 Posts (UR 1, OBC 1)

• Health Economics & Policy: 1 Post (UR)

All-India Transfer Liability: Selected candidates will initially be stationed at ICMR-NIE, Chennai, but are liable to serve at ICMR Headquarters in New Delhi or any of its 28 specialized institutes across India in the public interest.

Central Recruitment Summary Table

• Conducting Authority: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR, New Delhi)

• Assigned Research Institute: ICMR - National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE, Chennai)

• Advertisement Number: ICMR/NIE/01/2026-RPCell (Scientific Cadre)

• Cadre Designations: Scientist-B, Scientist-C, and Scientist-D (Medical & Non-Medical)

• Total Scientific Openings: 8 Regular Posts (Scientist-B: 3, Scientist-C: 3, Scientist-D: 2)

• Pay Scale Bands: Scientist-B: Level 10 (Rs. 56,100 to Rs. 1,77,500) | Scientist-C: Level 11 | Scientist-D: Level 12

• Initial Posting Station: ICMR-NIE Campus, Ayapakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu (All India transfer liability)

• Maximum Age Limits: Scientist-B: 35 Years | Scientist-C: 40 Years | Scientist-D: 45 Years as on 26 November 2026

• Educational Requirements: MBBS with MD/MS/MPH or Master Degree with Ph.D. in Epidemiology, Biostatistics, or Public Health

• Selection Mechanism: Academic Screening followed by Computer-Based Written Test and Expert Board Interview

• Registration Closing Date: 26 November 2026 (5:30 PM IST)

• Direct Central Application Portal: https://recruitment.icmr.org.in/

Detailed Eligibility Norms and Educational Qualifications

The qualification standards vary based on cadre tier and stream (Medical vs Non-Medical):

1. Scientist-D (Medical):

• Essential Qualification: Recognized MBBS degree with a post-graduate qualification (MD/MS/DNB in Community Medicine, Preventive and Social Medicine, Microbiology, or Medicine) plus 5 years of post-qualification research or teaching experience.

2. Scientist-D (Non-Medical):

• Essential Qualification: First-class Master's degree in Biostatistics, Statistics, Epidemiology, or Public Health from a recognized university, accompanied by a Ph.D. in the relevant discipline and 5 years of post-doctoral research experience.

3. Scientist-C (Medical):

• Essential Qualification: Recognized MBBS degree with MD/MS/DNB or recognized MPH with 4 years of clinical, field epidemiological, or research experience.

4. Scientist-C (Non-Medical):

• Essential Qualification: First-class Master's degree in Epidemiology, Life Sciences, or Health Economics with a Ph.D. and 3 years of research experience.

5. Scientist-B (Medical):

• Essential Qualification: MBBS degree recognized by the National Medical Commission (NMC) with permanent registration and 2 years of clinical research experience.

6. Scientist-B (Non-Medical):

• Essential Qualification: First-class Master's degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Statistics, or Life Sciences with 2 years of professional research experience, or second-class Master's degree with a Ph.D.

Age Ceiling and Statutory Relaxations

The cutoff date for determining the age limit is 26 November 2026:

• Scientist-B: Upper age ceiling is 35 Years.

• Scientist-C: Upper age ceiling is 40 Years.

• Scientist-D: Upper age ceiling is 45 Years.

• Permissible Relaxations:

- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): Up to 3 Years.

- SC and ST: Up to 5 Years.

- Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwD): Up to 10 Years.

- Departmental Candidates (ICMR / Central Govt employees): Up to 5 Years in accordance with central government service rules.

Salary Structure, Allowances, and Scientific Duties

Appointments offer complete Central Government pay parity under the 7th Central Pay Commission:

• Scientist-B Remuneration: Pay Matrix Level 10 (Rs. 56,100 to Rs. 1,77,500). Medical doctors receive Non-Practicing Allowance (NPA) at 20% of basic pay. Gross initial monthly salary is approximately Rs. 1,15,000 in Chennai.

• Scientist-C Remuneration: Pay Matrix Level 11 (Rs. 67,700 to Rs. 2,08,700). Gross initial monthly salary is approximately Rs. 1,35,000.

• Scientist-D Remuneration: Pay Matrix Level 12 (Rs. 78,800 to Rs. 2,09,200). Gross initial monthly salary is approximately Rs. 1,55,000.

• Additional Perks: Central Dearness Allowance (50%), House Rent Allowance (27% for Chennai), transport allowances, leave travel concessions (LTC), annual health checkups, and pension coverage under the National Pension System (NPS).

Key Daily Responsibilities:

Scientists lead epidemiologic investigations into seasonal infectious disease surges, oversee multi-centric cohort studies, draft technical policy briefs for the Ministry of Health, analyze genomic epidemiological data, manage bio-repositories, and mentor trainee epidemiologists.

Selection Methodology and Examination Scheme

ICMR implements an objective, two-tier selection system to identify top research talent:

• Tier 1: Computer-Based Written Test (CBT). Conducted in major metropolitan cities. The test assesses general scientific aptitude, research methodology, biostatistical analysis, and core epidemiological principles.

• Tier 2: Comprehensive Evaluation and Personal Interview. Candidates qualifying the written benchmark are invited for an in-depth Personal Interview before an expert selection committee constituted by the Director-General of ICMR.

• Weightage: Final merit lists are computed by combining written test performance (40% weightage) and personal interview evaluation (60% weightage).

Application Fee Structure

• General / Unreserved (UR), OBC, and EWS Candidates: Rs. 1,500.

• Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST): Fully Exempted (Nil).

• Women Candidates across all categories: Fully Exempted (Nil).

• Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwD): Fully Exempted (Nil).

Important Dates and Deadlines

• Online Application Portal Opening: 01 November 2026

• Online Application Submission Deadline: 26 November 2026 (5:30 PM IST)

• Online Fee Payment Last Date: 26 November 2026

• Written Examination Schedule: To be announced in December 2026

• Interview Schedule: January 2027 at ICMR Headquarters, New Delhi

Direct Official Action Links

• Direct Online Application Portal: https://recruitment.icmr.org.in/

• Official Notification Gazette PDF: https://www.icmr.gov.in/icmrobject/uploads/Recruitment/1791381044_icmr-ninadvertisementscientist-bcd.pdf

• ICMR Official Website: https://www.icmr.gov.in/

• NIE Chennai Official Portal: https://nie.gov.in/

• Technical Support Email: [email protected]