IGCAR JRF Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 50 Junior Research Fellowship Positions

IGCAR JRF Application 2026: The Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam, under the Department of Atomic Energy, has officially released a recruitment notification under Advertisement No. IGCAR/02/2026. This recruitment drive invites applications from young, talented, and motivated Indian nationals for the award of Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) across physical, chemical, and engineering sciences.

Selected candidates will get the opportunity to register for a Ph.D. program under the Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI). Below are the complete details, taken directly from the official notification, regarding important dates, age limits, qualifications, salary structure, selection filters, and application instructions.

IGCAR JRF Recruitment 2026: Official Overview

Job Attribute	Details
Organization Name	Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR)
Advertisement Number	Advt No. IGCAR/02/2026
Designation Name	Junior Research Fellow (JRF)
Short Core Education	B.E. / B.Tech / B.Sc Engg. / M.Sc / M.Tech / M.A
Application Mode	Online
Total Vacancies Available	50 Positions
Official Online Portal	www.igcar.gov.in

IGCAR JRF Recruitment: Important Dates

Official Notification Release Date: June 22, 2026
Starting Date for Online Form Submission: June 22, 2026 (10:00 Hrs)
Last Date for Online Form Submission: July 13, 2026 (23:59 Hrs)
Tentative Screening Test Date: August 2, 2026
Tentative Interview Schedule: Third week of August 2026 onwards

IGCAR JRF Application Fee Details

All Categories (General, OBC, EWS, SC, ST, PwD): Nil (There is no application fee mentioned for the JRF selection process in the official advertisement text).

IGCAR JRF Age Limit

The maximum age limit will be calculated as on the closing date of application submission (July 13, 2026):

Maximum Age Boundary: 28 Years
Age Calculator

Upper Age Relaxation Concessions

OBC Category Candidates: 3 Years upper limit relaxation
SC / ST Category Candidates: 5 Years upper limit relaxation
PwD Category Candidates (40% and more): 10 Years upper limit relaxation

IGCAR JRF Post-Wise Vacancy Breakup

Name of the Post	Total Vacancies	Research Discipline Segments
Junior Research Fellow (JRF)	50	Physical Sciences, Chemical Sciences, and Engineering Sciences
Grand Combined Total	50 Positions

IGCAR JRF Educational Qualification & Requirements

Candidates must possess a consistently good academic record with at least 55% aggregate marks at both graduation and post-graduation levels from a recognized university. (A 5% marks relaxation is allowed for SC/ST/OBC non-creamy layer/PwD candidates, bringing the threshold down to 50%).

The category-wise qualification mapping is detailed below:

Category – A (M.Sc. / Integrated M.Sc.):
- Physics: Must have Mathematical Physics/Numerical Methods at the M.Sc. level, and Chemistry as an ancillary subject at the B.Sc. level.
- Materials Science / Materials Science & Engg.: Requires Physics, Mathematics, and Chemistry at the B.Sc. level, OR a B.Sc. degree in Materials Science.
- Chemistry: Requires Physics and Mathematics as ancillary subjects at the B.Sc. level.
- Radiation Physics: Requires Physics/Chemistry and Mathematics as ancillary subjects at the B.Sc. level, and Mathematical Physics at the M.Sc. level.
Category – B (M.E. / M.Tech.): Must possess M.Tech./M.E. in Nuclear Engineering / Nuclear Science & Technology.
Category – C (B.E. / B.Tech. / B.Sc. Engg.): Must possess a graduation degree in Chemical, Computer Science, Electrical & Electronics, Electronics & Communication, Mechanical, or Metallurgical Engineering.
Category – D (Candidates with M.E. / M.Tech.): Admission to M.E./M.Tech. should be based on a valid GATE score matching appropriate disciplines under Category-C, Physics, or Chemistry. Candidates who joined M.E./M.Tech. without a valid GATE score must clear the IGCAR screening test.

Ineligibility Note: Degrees in Aerospace, Automobile, Production, Industrial Production, IT, Mechatronics, MCA, M.Sc Computer Science, and certain specialized polymer/petroleum engineering streams are explicitly NOT eligible to apply. Final year students graduating in 2025-2026 can apply but must produce final mark sheets by December 31, 2026.

IGCAR JRF Recruitment: Salary Structure

Selected fellows will receive a monthly stipend and annual grants structured according to their Ph.D. registration types:

Direct Ph.D. (Duration: 5 Years):
- 1st & 2nd Year: Rs. 37,000/- per month
- 3rd, 4th & 5th Year: Rs. 42,000/- per month
- Contingency Grant: Rs. 60,000/- per annum
Integrated Ph.D. Single/Double Degree (Duration: 6 to 7 Years):
- 1st Year: Rs. 25,000/- per month (plus a one-time book allowance of Rs. 30,000/-)
- 2nd & 3rd Year: Rs. 37,000/- per month
- 4th Year Onwards: Rs. 42,000/- per month
- Contingency Grant: Rs. 60,000/- per annum (applicable from the 2nd year onwards)

IGCAR JRF Recruitment: Selection Process

The recruitment stages consist of the following official evaluation protocols:

Shortlisting of applications based on academic records, GATE, or JEST scores
Screening Test (Written exam tentatively held at Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, and Hyderabad)
Personal Interview (Conducted in person at Kalpakkam)
Document Verification
Medical Fitness Examination (Conducted by the Medical Superintendent, DAE Hospital, Kalpakkam)

Screening Test Exemption Parameters

Category A: Candidates holding a valid UGC-CSIR-NET Fellowship, valid JEST score, or a valid GATE score after their Master’s degree are exempted from the screening test based on cut-offs decided by IGCAR.
Category C & D: Candidates with a valid GATE score above the specified cut-off can skip the screening test and directly face the Selection Interview.

Important Added Instructions & Hostel Rules

Accommodation Benefit: Shortlisted candidates appearing for the personal interview will be provided with accommodation at the DAE Township, Kalpakkam, for a maximum period of 48 hours from check-in. Selected fellows will get subsidized bachelor hostel accommodation during their tenure.
No Employment Rights: Awarding of this fellowship does not confer any claim or right for regular appointment or employment at IGCAR or any unit under the Department of Atomic Energy.
Employment NOC: Applicants working under any Central/State Govt, PSUs, or Autonomous bodies must submit a formal ‘No Objection Certificate’ at the time of document verification.

Important Documents Checklist

Printed copy of the finalized online application form with a recent signed photograph affixed
Valid Date of Birth proof (Aadhaar Card, Driving License, Passport, PAN Card, or Voter ID)
Educational passing certificates and mark sheets starting from SSC / Class 10th onwards
Valid scorecards/proof of qualifying examinations (GATE, UGC-CSIR-NET, or JEST)
Valid Category / Caste certificate (SC/ST/OBC format as prescribed for Central Govt jobs)
Disability certificate issued by a competent authority (if applicable)

How to Apply for IGCAR JRF Recruitment 2026

Open your web browser and visit the recruitment page: https://www.igcar.gov.in/recruitment.html.
Click on the live online application registration link for Advertisement No. IGCAR/02/2026.
Fill out the application field matrices carefully, avoiding typos and matching values with your school certificates.
Input details of your qualifying examination scores (GATE/JEST/NET) in the designated areas.
Select your preferred city choice center for the physical screening test evaluation.
Double-check all database blocks before executing the final submission protocol.
Take a clear printout of the generated application layout, sign it, and affix a passport-size photograph.
Monitor the official portal to download your generated screening test/interview admit card when published.

Important Links Table for IGCAR JRF

Target Link Type	URL Endpoint
Apply Online Link	Click Here
Official Notification PDF	Click Here
Official Website Portal	Click Here
WhatsApp Channel	Join Now
Telegram Channel	Join Now
Arattai Channel	Join Now
Home Page	Click Here

Source: Information is taken from the official notification released by the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam.

FAQ

Q1. What is the total number of fellowships available for IGCAR JRF 2026?

Ans: There are a total of 50 tentative JRF positions available across physical, chemical, and engineering science streams.

Q2. Is there any application fee for the IGCAR JRF application form?

Ans: No, the official advertisement layout does not state any mandate regarding an online registration or application process fee.

Q3. Who is exempted from the physical screening test stage?

Ans: Candidates holding a valid UGC-CSIR-NET Fellowship, or valid GATE/JEST national exam scores above the specified institutional cut-off limits are exempted from the screening test.

Q4. Can final year appearing students apply for this fellowship?

Ans: Yes, candidates graduating in the 2025-2026 session whose final results are awaited can apply. However, they must finish all academic parameters before applying and submit their final mark sheets by December 31, 2026.

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