ICMR Nursing JRF Application Form 2026: Step-by-Step Guide

Always confirm dates, fees and eligibility on the official notification before applying.

How to fill the ICMR Nursing JRF application form 2026

The ICMR Nursing JRF (Junior Research Fellowship – Nursing Stream) application form is released online by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi. The entire process — from registration to payment — is conducted through the official ICMR portal at https://www.icmr.gov.in/. This guide walks you through each step so you can submit a flawless application. Missing a single detail can lead to rejection, so read carefully.

When is the application expected?

The application window typically opens 4–6 weeks before the exam date. For the 2026 cycle, the notification is expected in early 2026. Keep checking the official ICMR website and your registered email for updates.

Step-by-step registration process

Follow these steps exactly to complete your ICMR Nursing JRF application:

1. 1Visit the official ICMR website – Go to https://www.icmr.gov.in/. Look for the "Recruitment" or "Fellowship" section on the homepage.
2. 2Click on the ICMR JRF Nursing Stream link – The notification PDF and the online application link will be published together.
3. 3New user registration – Click "New Registration" and enter your:

• Full name (as per your M.Sc. Nursing degree certificate)
• Valid email ID (use one you check regularly)
• Active mobile number
• Create a password (minimum 8 characters with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols)

1. 1Log in with your credentials – After registration, you will receive an OTP on your email and phone. Enter it to activate your account.
2. 2Fill in personal details – Enter:

• Date of birth (as per your 10th/12th certificate)
• Gender
• Category (General/OBC/SC/ST/EWS/PwD)
• Nationality
• Aadhaar number (if required — check the notification)

1. 1Enter educational qualifications – Provide:

• M.Sc. Nursing degree details (university, year of passing, percentage/ CGPA)
• Any additional research experience or publications (if applicable)

1. 1Choose exam city preferences – Select your preferred test city from the list. Available in major Indian metros and tier-2 cities — see the official portal for the live list.
2. 2Upload documents – Follow the exact specifications (see next section).
3. 3Pay the application fee – Complete payment via online mode.
4. 4Preview and submit – Review every field carefully before final submission. Once submitted, you cannot edit most fields.
5. 5Download the confirmation page – Save the PDF and take a printout for future reference.

Documents required

Keep the following documents ready in scanned format before you start:

• Passport-size photograph – Recent, with white background (see specifications below)
• Signature – On white paper with black/blue ink
• M.Sc. Nursing degree certificate – Or provisional certificate if the original is awaited
• Mark sheets – All semesters/years of M.Sc. Nursing
• Category certificate – SC/ST/OBC/EWS (if applicable), issued by a competent authority
• PwD certificate – If claiming disability reservation
• Age proof – 10th or 12th certificate, or birth certificate
• Identity proof – Aadhaar card, PAN card, or passport
• Research experience certificates – If you have prior research work (optional but beneficial)

All documents should be in PDF or JPEG format, each under 200 KB unless the notification specifies otherwise.

Photo and signature specifications

The ICMR application portal has strict image requirements. If your photo or signature does not match, the system may reject your form. Follow these:

Photograph

• Format: JPEG/ JPG
• Size: 20 KB to 50 KB
• Dimensions: 200 x 230 pixels (width x height)
• Background: White or light grey (no shadows)
• Expression: Neutral, eyes open, ears visible
• Dress: Avoid white clothing (blends with background). No caps or sunglasses.

Signature

• Format: JPEG/ JPG
• Size: 10 KB to 30 KB
• Dimensions: 140 x 60 pixels
• Style: Sign in black or blue ink on white paper. Do not use a digital signature.

Tips for uploading

• Use a good scanner or a smartphone camera with adequate lighting.
• Crop the image to remove extra space around the face/signature.
• If the portal shows an error, resize using free online tools (e.g., PicResize, IrfanView).

Payment options and fee

The application fee for ICMR Nursing JRF is ₹1500.0 (verify with official source for current year). Payment can be made through:

• Debit card (all major banks)
• Credit card (Visa, Mastercard, RuPay)
• Net banking (SBI, HDFC, ICICI, and other major banks)
• UPI (Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm)

Important payment notes

• The fee is non-refundable under any circumstances.
• After payment, the portal will generate a transaction ID. Note it down.
• If payment is deducted but the form shows "unpaid," wait for 24 hours and check again. If the issue persists, contact ICMR helpdesk.
• No offline payment (demand draft/ cash) is accepted.

Application correction window

ICMR usually provides a limited correction window after the application deadline. During this period, you can modify certain fields such as:

• Exam city preference
• Category (if you made an error)
• Photograph and signature (if rejected)
• Contact details (email/phone)

What you cannot change

• Name
• Date of birth
• Educational qualifications (degree details)
• Gender

Corrections are typically allowed for 3–5 days after the form closes. A small fee (around ₹100–₹200 per correction) may apply. Keep checking the official website for the exact schedule.

Common mistakes to avoid

Avoid these errors to prevent rejection or disqualification:

1. 1Uploading a blurry or outdated photo – Use a recent photo with a clear background. Selfies or group photos cropped out are not acceptable.
2. 2Mismatched signature – Your signature on the form must match the one on your ID proof. Practice signing within the small box.
3. 3Wrong category selection – If you claim reservation, upload the correct certificate. Fake claims lead to cancellation.
4. 4Incorrect percentage calculation – Enter your aggregate percentage exactly as on your mark sheet. Do not round up or down arbitrarily.
5. 5Missing the deadline – The application window is usually open for 3–4 weeks. Do not wait until the last day — server overload is common.
6. 6Using an invalid email – All communication from ICMR goes to your registered email. Use a Gmail or Outlook account that you check daily.
7. 7Not saving the confirmation page – Without the confirmation PDF, you cannot prove you applied. Download and print it immediately.
8. 8Ignoring the correction window – Even if you make a mistake, you may have a chance to fix it. Monitor the official site closely.

Pro tip: Use mock tests to prepare

Once your application is submitted, shift focus to exam preparation. Practise with mock tests on PractiseExam.com to get familiar with the CBT format, time management, and the +1/-0.25 marking scheme. This will help you avoid negative marking on exam day.

Final checklist before submission

Before clicking "Submit," verify:

• [ ] All personal details are correct
• [ ] Photo and signature meet specifications
• [ ] Educational qualifications are entered accurately
• [ ] Category certificate is uploaded (if applicable)
• [ ] Fee payment is successful
• [ ] Confirmation page is downloaded

For a detailed syllabus breakdown, visit our ICMR Nursing JRF syllabus page. To build a study plan, check our preparation strategy guide. And for targeted practice, explore ICMR Nursing JRF mock tests on PractiseExam.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I edit my ICMR Nursing JRF application after submission?

A: Yes, ICMR usually opens a correction window for 3–5 days after the deadline. You can modify limited fields like exam city, category, photo, and signature. Name, date of birth, and degree details cannot be changed.

Q: What is the application fee for ICMR Nursing JRF?

A: The fee is ₹1500.0 (verify with official source for current year). It is non-refundable and can be paid via debit card, credit card, net banking, or UPI.

Q: What documents are needed for the ICMR Nursing JRF application?

A: You need a passport-size photo, signature, M.Sc. Nursing degree certificate and mark sheets, category certificate (if applicable), age proof, and identity proof. All documents should be in JPEG or PDF format under 200 KB.

Q: What are the photo specifications for ICMR Nursing JRF?

A: The photo must be JPEG format, 20–50 KB, 200x230 pixels, with a white or light grey background. No caps, sunglasses, or shadows. Signature should be 10–30 KB, 140x60 pixels, in black/blue ink on white paper.

Q: When will the ICMR Nursing JRF 2026 application form be released?

A: The exact date is not yet announced. Based on previous years, the notification is expected in early 2026. Keep checking https://www.icmr.gov.in/ for updates.

Q: Can I apply for ICMR Nursing JRF if I am in the final year of M.Sc. Nursing?

A: Yes, final-year students can apply, but they must provide their M.Sc. Nursing degree certificate before the fellowship begins. Provisional certificates are accepted during application.