IGCAR JRF Recruitment 2026 — 50 Vacancies

About This Job

Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) is offering 50 Junior Research Fellowships at Kalpakkam. If you have the required science or engineering qualification, you can apply online from 22 June 2026 to 13 July 2026. The fellowship ranges from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 42,000 per month depending on the Ph.D. route and year. Selected fellows will register for Ph.D. under Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), subject to the rules of the programme.

IGCAR Junior Research Fellow Recruitment 2026 - 50 Posts

Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), under the Department of Atomic Energy, works on fast reactor technology and related fuel cycle research. This JRF recruitment covers physical sciences, chemical sciences and engineering sciences. The major benefit is that selected candidates can enter direct Ph.D. or integrated Ph.D. pathways through HBNI while working in advanced research areas at IGCAR.

Vacancy Breakdown

• Junior Research Fellowships: 50 positions
• Research Areas: Physical Sciences, Chemical Sciences and Engineering Sciences
• Work Location: IGCAR, Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu
• Note: The number of fellowships is approximate and may change as per requirement at the time of final selection.

Who Can Apply?

Common Academic Requirement

• You need a consistently good academic record with at least 55% aggregate at graduation and post-graduation levels where applicable.
• SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer) and PwBD candidates get relaxation from 55% to 50% as mentioned in the notice.
• Final-year candidates from academic year 2025-2026 can apply if they meet all other conditions and can submit final marksheets/certificates by 31 December 2026.

Eligible Qualification Categories

• Category A: Master's/Integrated M.Sc. in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science/Materials Science and Engineering or Radiation Physics with the subject combinations given in the notice.
• Category B: M.Tech/M.E. in Nuclear Engineering or Nuclear Science and Technology.
• Category C: B.E./B.Tech/B.Sc. Engg./B.Sc. Tech in Chemical, Computer Science, Electrical and Electronics, Electronics and Communication, Mechanical or Metallurgical Engineering.
• Category D: M.E./M.Tech candidates with valid GATE-based admission and eligible underlying discipline as described in the notice.

The listed research areas include condensed matter physics, radiation physics, chemical thermodynamics, radiochemistry, electrochemistry, computational chemistry, signal and image processing, non-destructive evaluation, robotics, structural mechanics and materials engineering. You should read the category-wise qualification table carefully because some degrees are accepted only with specific subject combinations, and some related degrees are clearly marked as not accepted.

Age Limit

• Maximum age is 28 years as on the closing date, 13 July 2026.
• OBC: relaxation up to 3 years.
• SC/ST: relaxation up to 5 years.
• PwBD: relaxation up to 10 years for benchmark disability of 40% or more.
• SSC/Matriculation/HSC certificate or birth certificate is accepted as proof of date of birth.

Salary

• Direct Ph.D.: Rs. 37,000 per month for first and second year; Rs. 42,000 per month from third to fifth year.
• Integrated Ph.D. single degree: Rs. 25,000 per month in first year, Rs. 37,000 per month in second and third year, and Rs. 42,000 per month from fourth to sixth year.
• Integrated Ph.D. double degree: Rs. 25,000 per month in first year, Rs. 37,000 per month in second and third year, and Rs. 42,000 per month from fourth to seventh year.
• Contingency Grant: Rs. 60,000 per annum as per the course table in the notice.
• Accommodation and Medical: selected fellows get subsidised bachelor hostel accommodation and CHSS medical facility as applicable.

Selection Process

IGCAR will shortlist candidates through screening test and interview, or direct interview for candidates meeting the exemption rules.

1. Application Scrutiny: IGCAR checks degree, academic record and GATE/JEST/UGC-CSIR-NET details given in the online form.
2. Screening Test: The test is tentatively scheduled on 02 August 2026 at Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, Bhubaneswar and Hyderabad, depending on candidate count.
3. Direct Interview Route: Some candidates with valid UGC-CSIR-NET Fellowship, JEST or GATE scores may be exempted from the screening test as per category rules.
4. Selection Interview: Interviews will be held in person at Kalpakkam, tentatively from the third week of August 2026.
5. Document Verification and Medical Fitness: final joining depends on original document verification and being found medically fit by DAE Hospital, Kalpakkam.

Scores and exemptions matter in this recruitment. IGCAR will use the details you enter in the online form for GATE, JEST or UGC-CSIR-NET fellowship while deciding screening test or direct interview shortlisting. Under the notice, these details cannot be changed later for shortlisting, so you should enter the correct exam, score and proof details before final submission.

How to Apply

1. Go to the official IGCAR recruitment page at igcar.gov.in or the linked JRF portal.
2. Open the JRF Exam 2026 application portal.
3. Register with your email ID, mobile number and correct personal details.
4. Fill in qualification, category, GATE/JEST/UGC-CSIR-NET and research-area details carefully.
5. Submit the online form before 13 July 2026, 23:59 hrs.
6. Print the submitted application, paste a recent passport-size photo and sign it for document verification.

No hardcopy application is accepted at the application stage. After final submission, you need to keep the printed application because the same printout, with photo and signature, is required during document verification before interview. IGCAR also warns applicants to use only official links and not respond to outside job offers or payment requests.

Important Dates

• Online Application Start: 22 June 2026, 10:00 hrs
• Last Date to Apply: 13 July 2026, 23:59 hrs
• Screening Test: 02 August 2026 (tentative)
• Interview: Third week of August 2026 (tentative)
• Final Certificate Submission for Result-Awaited Candidates: 31 December 2026

• Handle research work in physical, chemical or engineering science projects at IGCAR
• Prepare experiments, simulations, analysis reports and technical notes for assigned research areas
• Work with scientists and guides on fast reactor technology, materials, chemistry or engineering studies
• Keep laboratory records, research data, safety logs and progress documents updated
• Follow DAE, IGCAR, HBNI and laboratory safety rules during research work
• Assist in presentations, publications, reviews and Ph.D. academic requirements
• Monitor project milestones and report progress to the research supervisor