ICAR-NRCO SRF and Young Professional-I Recruitment 2026

About This Job

ICAR-National Research Centre for Orchids is hiring 5 contractual research posts at Pakyong, Sikkim — 1 Senior Research Fellow (SRF) under the DUS Project and 4 Young Professional-I posts. If you have a B.Sc or M.Sc in Horticulture, Agriculture, or related life sciences, you can apply by emailing your bio-data. The last date to apply is 18 May 2026. Salary ranges from Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 42,000 per month depending on the post.

ICAR-NRCO Senior Research Fellow and Young Professional-I Recruitment 2026 - 5 Posts

ICAR-National Research Centre for Orchids (ICAR-NRCO), Pakyong, Sikkim has released walk-in interview notification number F.No: NRC(O)/ADMN/27(A)/2026-27 for 5 contractual research posts. The SRF post is linked to the DUS Project and needs NET qualification. There is no written exam — selection is based on merit shortlisting followed by walk-in interview (online via Zoom or offline at Pakyong). The selected candidate will be posted at ICAR-NRC for Orchids, Pakyong (Sikkim) and Darjeeling Campus (West Bengal).

Vacancy Breakdown by Post

• Senior Research Fellow (Under DUS Project): 1 post — Rs. 37,000/month (Year 1-2) + HRA; Rs. 42,000/month (Year 3 onwards) + HRA
• Young Professional-I (Plant Biochemistry): 1 post — Rs. 30,000/month
• Young Professional-I (Genetics & Plant Breeding): 1 post — Rs. 30,000/month
• Young Professional-I (Social Sciences): 1 post — Rs. 30,000/month
• Young Professional-I (Biotechnology): 1 post — Rs. 30,000/month

Who Can Apply?

For Senior Research Fellow (DUS Project)

• Essential: M.Sc in PGR / PBG / Horticulture from a recognised university with NET qualification
• Desirable: Ph.D in PGR / PBG / Horticulture
• Candidates with relevant experience will be given preference

For Young Professional-I (Plant Biochemistry)

• Essential: B.Sc (Food Technology / Horticulture / Agriculture) from a recognised university
• Desirable: M.Sc in Biochemistry / Food Technology with experience in phytochemistry and nutritional biochemistry

For Young Professional-I (Genetics & Plant Breeding)

• Essential: B.Sc (Horticulture / Agriculture) from a recognised university
• Desirable: M.Sc in Genetics / Plant Breeding / Biotechnology / Agriculture / Horticulture with experience in plant breeding and molecular biology

For Young Professional-I (Social Sciences)

• Essential: B.Sc (Horticulture / Agriculture) from a recognised university
• Desirable: M.Sc in Agricultural Extension / Agricultural Economics

For Young Professional-I (Biotechnology)

• Essential: B.Sc (Horticulture / Agriculture) from a recognised university
• Desirable: M.Sc in Agricultural Biotechnology

Age Limit

• Senior Research Fellow: Maximum 35 years for men and 40 years for women
• Young Professional-I (all disciplines): Minimum 21 years, Maximum 45 years
• Age is calculated as on the date of interview
• Age relaxation is given as per Government of India rules

Salary

• Senior Research Fellow (DUS Project): Rs. 37,000 per month (Year 1-2) + HRA; Rs. 42,000 per month (Year 3 onwards) + HRA — as per ICAR norms
• Young Professional-I (all 4 disciplines): Rs. 30,000 per month (consolidated)
• HRA for SRF is given as per ICAR norms and is subject to revision from time to time

Application Fee

• No application fee is charged. All candidates can apply for free.

Selection Process (No Written Exam)

Selection is based on the following stages:

1. Shortlisting: Candidates are shortlisted based on merit — academic scores and relevant experience
2. Walk-in Interview: Shortlisted candidates are called for interview via email, one week before the interview date. Mode is hybrid (Online via Zoom or Offline at ICAR-NRCO, Pakyong, Sikkim) — you must choose at the time of application and it cannot be changed later
3. Document Verification: Original documents will be verified at the time of joining for selected candidates

Note: No TA/DA will be paid for attending the offline interview at Pakyong. Only one interview will be held even if you apply for more than one post.

How to Apply

1. Download the official notification PDF from the ICAR-NRCO website. The application form is on page 5 of the PDF.
2. Type and fill in all details in capital letters — handwritten applications will be rejected.
3. Take a printout, paste your photograph in the designated space, and sign the form.
4. Scan the duly filled and signed form in PDF format.
5. Merge the form with all annexures (mark sheets, certificates, experience documents) into a single PDF file. All documents must be self-attested.
6. If currently employed, attach a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your employer.
7. Email the complete PDF to orchidsdropbox2024@gmail.com with the subject line "Application for Walk-in-Interview".
8. Email your application on or before 18 May 2026. Late applications will not be entertained.
9. Indicate your preferred mode of interview (Online or Offline) in the application form — this cannot be changed later.

Important Dates

• Notification Date: 30 April 2026
• Application Start: 30 April 2026
• Last Date to Apply (Email Bio-data): 18 May 2026
• Interview Date: To be communicated via email, one week before the interview

• Assist Principal Investigator on the DUS (Distinctness, Uniformity, Stability) project for orchid varieties
• Conduct laboratory and field experiments in plant biochemistry, genetics, breeding, or biotechnology as per the assigned discipline
• Collect, record, and analyse experimental data from orchid research trials
• Prepare research reports, technical documents, and progress notes for the project
• Assist scientists in molecular biology, phytochemistry, and tissue culture experiments
• Support extension activities, farmer interactions, and field surveys for social sciences work
• Maintain records of experiments, samples, and project consumables as per institute protocols