NEELGYAN EXAM GUIDE
ICMR JRF and DHR-BRET Guide
ICMR Junior Research Fellowship Exam
Awaiting the next DHR-BRET notice examination cycle · Indian Council of Medical Research
Prepared by NeelGyan Team
Editorial source verification is still in progress
Current name
DHR-ICMR BRET
Current stage
Next notice awaited
Conducting body
DHR / ICMR with a national agency
Test duration
3 hours
Questions
150 MCQs
Next key date
Not announced
Awaiting the next DHR-BRET notice cycle tracker
- Legacy ICMR JRFRenamed from 2024
- BRET 2025 applicationClosed
- BRET 2025 examinationCompleted
- Next official noticeAwaiting announcementYou are here
- Application and testNot announced
On This Page
Exam Resources
About ICMR JRF
What is ICMR JRF?
The former ICMR JRF examination was renamed the DHR-ICMR Biomedical Research Eligibility Test, or BRET, from 2024. This legacy URL therefore explains the current official route instead of pretending that a separate ICMR-JRF form still exists.
ICMR's current FAQ describes a 150-question, three-hour CBT across aptitude, biomedical fundamentals and one chosen domain. It also records postgraduate qualification and marks rules.
No new 2026 application bulletin, date or fee was verified on the official ICMR pages by 2 August 2026. This guide remains source-limited and noindex until a current cycle notice can be reconciled.
Latest ICMR JRF / DHR-BRET Updates
Verified updates, newest first
ICMR JRF / DHR-BRET Highlights
Key verified exam details
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Legacy name | ICMR Junior Research Fellowship Exam |
| Current name | Biomedical Research Eligibility Test |
| Sections | Aptitude, biomedical fundamentals, chosen domain |
| Qualification | Relevant postgraduate degree |
| Selection | Combined merit under DHR rules |
| Editorial status | 2026 cycle not announced |
ICMR JRF / DHR-BRET Awaiting the next DHR-BRET notice Important Dates
Official notification and exam timeline
| Milestone | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Updated BRET FAQ publication | Published | |
| BRET 2025 extended application deadline | Closed | |
| Amended fellowship guidelines uploaded | Published |
ICMR JRF / DHR-BRET Application Process and Fees
Official application route and fee details
There is no verified ICMR JRF 2026 application window. Candidates should watch the DHR and ICMR websites for a DHR-BRET notice.
The current FAQ says applicants choose one discipline/domain and must meet the relevant postgraduate degree and marks rule.
Do not use the old ICMR-JRF archive as an active form and do not reuse a 2025 deadline for a future cycle.
| Item | Verified status |
|---|---|
| DHR-BRET 2026 application fee | Not announced |
| Payment method | Await current official bulletin |
- A previous-cycle fee is deliberately not presented as current.
ICMR JRF / DHR-BRET Eligibility Criteria
Qualification, age and other requirements
Academic route
Relevant PG degree
- Listed fields include life sciences, biomedical sciences, public health, nursing, biostatistics and allied areas.
Minimum marks
55% / 50%
- The relaxed threshold applies to SC, ST and PwBD in the current FAQ.
Age
35 years under amended guidelines
- Apply the cut-off and relaxation wording in the eventual live bulletin.
Research domain
Choose one domain
- Section C is drawn from the discipline selected in the application.
DHR-BRET Admit Card
Verified current-cycle status
Current status: No 2026 admit-card notice is available.
An admit card can be expected only after a valid current application notice and schedule.
ICMR JRF / DHR-BRET Exam Pattern and Selection Process
Stages, papers and qualifying rules
- BRET150-question CBT
- MeritCategory qualifying rule and combined list
- FellowshipAward letter, host and PhD registration
Current BRET Structure
| Section | Area | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| A | Aptitude and analytical skills | About 50 |
| B | General and interdisciplinary biomedical knowledge | About 50 |
| C | Chosen domain-specific knowledge | About 50 |
- The FAQ states 150 MCQs in 180 minutes with free navigation across sections.
ICMR JRF / DHR-BRET Syllabus Overview
Subjects and stages in the official syllabus
- The current structure combines research aptitude, broad biomedical fundamentals and one chosen discipline.
- The eventual cycle bulletin and syllabus must be checked before preparation because a 2026 cycle was not available.
Aptitude
Reading comprehension, reasoning, data interpretation and quantitative ability.
Biomedical foundations
Cells, genetics, physiology, immunology, infections, biosafety and bioethics.
Domain paper
One selected field such as biotechnology, public health, nursing or biological science.
Research readiness
Interdisciplinary understanding at the qualifying postgraduate level.
DHR-BRET Answer Key
Verified current-cycle status
Current status: No 2026 answer key is available.
Do not substitute an older ICMR-JRF key for a future BRET cycle.
DHR-BRET Result
Verified current-cycle status
Current status: No 2026 result is available.
Successful-candidate lists should be taken only from DHR/ICMR official pages.
DHR-BRET Qualifying Criteria
Verified current-cycle status
Current status: The next cycle's qualifying criteria are not announced.
The FAQ describes 50% for General-UR/OBC/PwBD/EWS and 45% for SC/ST, but the live bulletin must control the next cycle.
ICMR JRF / DHR-BRET Preparation Strategy
A syllabus-first preparation route
- Start with the official updated FAQ and map the three sections.
- Practise quantitative and analytical questions alongside the selected domain.
- Revise common biomedical foundations across disciplines.
- Wait for the live bulletin before locking the marking strategy.
Official-first preparation material
- ICMR updated BRET FAQ
- DHR amended fellowship guidelines
- Postgraduate texts for the chosen domain
ICMR JRF / DHR-BRET Previous Question Papers
Official question-paper resources
The legacy ICMR JRF archive contains historical notices, but it is not a current BRET application page.
A durable current official paper archive was not verified, so third-party memory papers should not be labelled official.
ICMR JRF / DHR-BRET Frequently Asked Questions
Is ICMR JRF still the official exam name?
The programme was renamed DHR-ICMR Biomedical Research Eligibility Test, or BRET, from 2024.
Is DHR-BRET 2026 open?
No verified 2026 application notice was found on official ICMR pages as of 2 August 2026.
What is the current BRET pattern?
The official FAQ describes 150 MCQs across three sections in three hours.
What degree is required?
A relevant MSc or equivalent postgraduate degree in a listed biomedical, life-science or allied discipline is the normal route.
How long is the fellowship result valid?
The current FAQ says the result is valid for one year; the award letter and live guidelines remain controlling.
Why is this page held from indexing?
The canonical slug is a legacy name and no current 2026 cycle notice or fee was available to reconcile fully.
Official Information and Sources
Primary notice and authority links
Related Biomedical Research Exams
Compare official national JRF and PhD eligibility routes
Verify Before You Apply
Eligibility, dates, fees, vacancies, pattern and status can change. Read the latest notice on the official authority’s website before applying. NeelGyan does not collect application fees or guarantee admission or selection.