ICMR Announces Assessment Interview Schedule Under HRSC Rules, 2025 for July 2026 Cycle

ICMR Releases HRSC Assessment Interview Schedule for July 2026 Promotion Cycle

ICMR has issued the assessment interview schedule under Health Research Scientist Cadre Rules, 2025 for the July 2026 cycle. Interviews will be held online for Scientist-B to G promotion levels.

New Delhi: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), under the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, has issued office memorandums announcing the schedule for Assessment Interviews under the Health Research Scientist Cadre (HRSC), Rules, 2025, for the July 2026 assessment cycle.

The assessment process covers eligible scientists from ICMR Headquarters, institutes and centres across India who are being considered for promotion under various scientific grades. The notified promotion categories include Scientist-B to Scientist-C, Scientist-C to Scientist-D, Scientist-E to Scientist-F, and Scientist-F to Scientist-G.

As per the official memorandums issued by ICMR on 27 May 2026, the assessment interviews will be conducted online through video conference before the Assessment Board or Departmental Peer Review Committee, depending on the promotion level. The interviews are scheduled for 18 June 2026 and 19 June 2026 at 09:30 AM.

Key Details of ICMR HRSC Assessment Interview Schedule

Scientists Listed for Assessment Interview

For promotion from Scientist-B to Scientist-C, seven scientists have been listed from ICMR, NICHR, NIMR, NIN, NIRBID and NIRTH. These include scientists from New Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Jabalpur.

For promotion from Scientist-C to Scientist-D, three scientists have been listed from NIE Chennai, NIIRNCD Jodhpur and NIV Pune / NIOH Nagpur.

For promotion from Scientist-E to Scientist-F, 27 scientists from ICMR Headquarters and various institutes and centres have been listed. The institutions represented include ICMR Headquarters New Delhi, NICPR Noida, NIE Chennai, NIMR New Delhi, NIN Hyderabad, NINE/NCDIR Bengaluru, NIOHR Ahmedabad, NIRBI Kolkata, NIRBID/NIIH Mumbai, NIRT Chennai, NITM Belagavi and RMRC Bhubaneswar.

For promotion from Scientist-F to Scientist-G, one scientist from ICMR-NIMR, New Delhi has been listed for assessment interview.

Candidate Briefing Requirement

ICMR has instructed the listed scientists to brief the expert panel during the assessment interview. Each scientist is expected to present a short summary within 3–4 minutes, highlighting their three best achievements during the assessment period.

This requirement indicates that the assessment process will focus not only on service eligibility but also on scientific contribution, research output, institutional role and measurable achievements during the review period.

Opt-Out Intimation Deadline

ICMR has also stated that if any scientist is not willing to appear in the assessment interview, the same must be communicated to ICMR Headquarters through the proper administrative channel. The deadline for such intimation is 5 June 2026.

For scientists attached to ICMR institutes and centres, the intimation must be routed through the respective Division Head, Director or Director-in-Charge, as applicable.

Significance of the HRSC Assessment Cycle

The Health Research Scientist Cadre plays an important role in strengthening India’s public health research ecosystem. Through this assessment cycle, ICMR is moving ahead with a structured promotion process for scientific personnel working across its headquarters and national research institutes.

The scheduled interviews are expected to support career progression of eligible scientists while ensuring a formal review of scientific achievements, institutional contributions and research leadership. The process is also significant for maintaining a strong research workforce within India’s premier medical research network.

ICMR’s nationwide network of institutes contributes to critical areas such as epidemiology, nutrition, tuberculosis research, malaria research, occupational health, reproductive and child health, non-communicable disease research, and regional medical research. Career advancement under the HRSC framework is therefore closely linked to the broader strengthening of India’s health research capacity.

Administrative Details

The office memorandums were issued by Reema Sharma, Assistant Director General (Administration), ICMR. Copies have been marked to all Division Heads, Directors and Directors-in-Charge of ICMR Headquarters, institutes and centres for information and necessary action. The memorandums have also been marked for uploading on the ICMR website.

Conclusion

The ICMR HRSC Assessment Interview schedule for the July 2026 cycle marks an important administrative step for scientific promotions within India’s medical research system. With interviews scheduled through online video conference mode, eligible scientists from multiple ICMR institutions will present their key achievements before the designated assessment authorities.

The assessment process is expected to contribute to transparent career progression, recognition of scientific excellence and continued strengthening of India’s health research leadership.

ICMR, HRSC Rules 2025, Health Research Scientist Cadre, Medical Research, Public Health Research, Scientist Promotion, Government Notification, Research Careers, Health Sector Jobs, Indian Council of Medical Research