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The Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) has released the notification for Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) 2026, inviting applications for 80 fellowships. This is a significant opportunity for candidates pursuing a Ph.D. in Historical Studies. Selected fellows will receive a monthly fellowship of ₹17,600/- plus an annual contingency grant. The online application process commenced on 20 March 2026, with the last date to apply online being 10 April 2026. Ensure you submit your application and hard copy before the deadlines.
ICHR JRF Recruitment 2026: Key Details
ProJobAlert.IN |
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| ICHR Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) 2026 Advertisement No.:- 01-1/2025-26/JRF Exam/ICHR | |
| Recruitment Authority | Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) |
| Post Name | Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) |
| Total Vacancies | 80 |
| Job Location | New Delhi (ICHR HQ) and across India for research activities |
| Start Date to Apply | 20 March 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 10 April 2026 (Online) 17 April 2026 (Hard Copy Printout) |
| Qualification | Ph.D. Registration in Historical Studies |
| Age Limit | As per ICHR norms (Refer Official Notification) |
| Selection Process | Online Entrance Test, Presentation-cum-Interview, Document Verification |
| Salary | ₹17,600/- per month + ₹16,500/- Contingency Grant per annum |
| Application Fees |
General/OBC/EWS: ₹500/- SC/ST/PwD: NIL Payment Mode: Online |
| Application Mode | Online + Hard Copy Submission |
| Syllabus & PYQs PDF | Download PDF |
| Official Notification | Download PDF |
| Official Website | www.ichr.ac.in |
| 👉 Apply Online Now | |
Important Date
- Notification Released: 20 March 2026
- Application Start: 20 March 2026
- Last Date : 10 April 2026 (Online)
- Correction Date: Update Soon
- Exam Date: Notify Soon
- Admit Card: Before the Examination
Age Limit
- Minimum Age: Not Specified
- Maximum Age: Not Specified
- Age Relaxation:
- As per Government of India rules for reserved categories.
- Note: Kindly Read Full Official Notification Before Apply.
Application Fees
- General / OBC / EWS: ₹500/-
- SC / ST / Persons with Disability (PwD): NIL
- Payment Mode: Online only
Qualification
- Candidates must be registered for a Ph.D. Programme in Historical Studies (Ancient / Medieval / Modern India) at a recognized university.
Full Eligibility
To be eligible for the ICHR Junior Research Fellowship 2026, candidates must meet specific academic criteria. The primary requirement is active registration in a Ph.D. program in Historical Studies at a recognized Indian university. This fellowship is a whole-time engagement, emphasizing dedicated research work.
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | Must be registered for a Ph.D. Programme in Historical Studies (Ancient / Medieval / Modern India) at a recognized university. |
| Research Engagement | The fellowship is a whole-time engagement for research work and cannot be combined with any other whole-time or part-time work. |
| Ph.D. Registration | Ph.D. Registration Certificate is mandatory at Stage-II (Presentation-cum-Interview). |
| Application Channel | Applicants should apply through the proper channel (recommended by Research Supervisor and forwarded by Head of Department/Centre/Principal). |
| Reservation | Usual reservation for SC, ST & PwD categories will be applied as per Government of India guidelines. |
Salary
The ICHR Junior Research Fellowship offers attractive financial support to enable scholars to focus entirely on their research. Selected candidates will receive a substantial monthly fellowship along with an annual contingency grant to cover various research-related expenses, ensuring a conducive environment for academic pursuits.
| Component | Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Fellowship | ₹17,600/- | (Rupees Seventeen Thousand and Six Hundred only) per month. |
| Annual Contingency Grant | ₹16,500/- | (Rupees Sixteen Thousand and Five Hundred only) per annum for research expenses. |
| Fellowship Period | Two years | Extendable up to one more year without financial commitment under special circumstances. |
- The fellowship is a whole-time engagement for research work.
- It cannot be combined with any other whole-time or part-time work.
- The last installment (last three months of Fellowship and contingency) may be withheld if the thesis is not submitted within the stipulated time.
Selection Process
The selection for the ICHR Junior Research Fellowship 2026 is a rigorous two-stage process designed to identify promising research scholars. Candidates will first undergo an online entrance test, followed by a presentation and interview round, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of their historical knowledge and research potential.
- Stage-I: Online Entrance Test (100 Marks)
- Stage-II: Presentation-cum-Interview (60 Marks)
- Document Verification: Mandatory for shortlisted candidates.
- Final Merit: Based on aggregate marks of Stage-I (100 Marks) + Stage-II (60 Marks) = 160 Marks.
Exam Pattern
The ICHR JRF Stage-I Online Entrance Test is crucial for shortlisting candidates. It comprises objective-type questions based on the chosen specialization in historical studies. There is no negative marking, allowing candidates to attempt all questions confidently. The exam is bilingual, catering to a wider range of applicants.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Type of Exam | Online Entrance Test (Objective Type) |
| Total Questions | 100 |
| Total Marks | 100 (1 mark per question) |
| Negative Marking | No Negative Marking |
| Medium of Exam | Bilingual (English & Hindi) |
| Subject Area | Candidate chooses specialization (Ancient / Medieval / Modern India) at the time of application. Questions will be based on this chosen area. |
| Exam Centers | New Delhi, Bengaluru, Guwahati, Pune |
- Stage-II (Presentation-cum-Interview): Carries 60 Marks.
- Candidates will make a presentation (8-10 minutes) on their registered Ph.D. research topic.
- The Presentation-cum-Interview will be conducted at ICHR's Headquarters, New Delhi, in hybrid mode.
- SC/ST/PwD candidates called for Stage-II will be reimbursed Second class (sleeper) Railway or bus fare for travel over 30 kms.
Post / Category Wise Vacancy
The ICHR Junior Research Fellowship 2026 offers a total of 80 fellowships across various categories. These fellowships are distributed with due consideration for reservation policies as per Government of India norms, ensuring equitable opportunities for all eligible Ph.D. scholars in historical studies.
| Post Name | Total Posts |
|---|---|
| Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) | 80 |
| Total | 80 (with usual reservation for SC, ST & PwD) |
Job Profile & Responsibility
As an ICHR Junior Research Fellow, your primary role is to undertake dedicated research work in your chosen area of historical studies. This involves in-depth investigation, critical analysis of sources, and contributing original insights to the field. Fellows are expected to maintain high academic standards, adhere to research ethics, and actively engage with the academic community, ultimately culminating in a significant scholarly contribution.
| Aspect | Responsibility |
|---|---|
| Research Execution | Conducting original and in-depth research in the chosen area of historical studies (Ancient/Medieval/Modern India). |
| Academic Engagement | Actively participating in academic discussions, seminars, and workshops relevant to the research topic. |
| Reporting | Submitting six-monthly/annual progress reports to the ICHR on the work undertaken. |
| Thesis Submission | Completing and submitting the Ph.D. thesis/monograph/book within the stipulated fellowship period. |
| Publication | Aiming for publication of research findings in peer-reviewed journals or as scholarly works, with due acknowledgment to ICHR. |
| Resource Utilization | Effectively utilizing the contingency grant for research-related expenses such as travel, books, archival materials, and software. |
- The fellowship requires a whole-time engagement, meaning it cannot be combined with other full-time or part-time employment.
- Fellows are encouraged to contribute fresh ideas and facts to India's historical understanding.
- Guidance from experts and networking within the academic community are integral parts of the fellowship.
How To Apply
Applying for the ICHR Junior Research Fellowship 2026 involves both an online application and the submission of a hard copy. It is crucial to follow all steps meticulously, including obtaining recommendations from your research supervisor and head of department, to ensure your application is complete and considered valid.
- Step 1: Apply Online through the official ICHR website www.ichr.ac.in.
- Step 2: Fill the Online Application Form with all required personal, educational, and research details. Choose your area of specialization (Ancient/Medieval/Modern India).
- Step 3: Pay Application Fee online (₹500/- for General/OBC/EWS; NIL for SC/ST/PwD).
- Step 4: Take Printout of the filled online application form (with auto-generated unique ID number).
- Step 5: Sign the Printout and attach self-attested copies of required documents, including:
- Ph.D. registration certificate.
- Certificates of educational qualifications.
- Research Proposal forwarded by Supervisor.
- Category Certificate (SC/ST/Physically Challenged), if applicable.
- Published Research Papers, if any.
- Certificate of Supervisor/Head of Department regarding suitability.
- Step 6: Send Hard Copy by Post to:
The Member Secretary, Indian Council of Historical Research, 35, Ferozeshah Road, New Delhi - 110001 - Important: Submission of both online application and hard copy with the unique ID is mandatory. Hard copies without a unique ID will not be accepted.
Important Links
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Download Notification | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
| Latest Govt Jobs 2026 | Click Here |
| All India Govt Jobs | Click Here |
| Home Page | Click Here |
FAQs
What is the last date to apply for ICHR JRF Recruitment 2026?
The last date for online application for ICHR JRF Recruitment 2026 is 10 April 2026. The hard copy of the application must be submitted by 17 April 2026.
What is the eligibility criteria for ICHR Junior Research Fellowship?
Candidates must be registered for a Ph.D. Programme in Historical Studies (Ancient/Medieval/Modern India) at a recognized university to be eligible for the ICHR JRF.
What is the fellowship amount for ICHR JRF?
Selected fellows will receive a monthly fellowship of ₹17,600/- along with an annual contingency grant of ₹16,500/- for a period of two years.
What is the selection process for ICHR JRF 2026?
The selection process involves a Stage-I Online Entrance Test (100 Marks) followed by a Stage-II Presentation-cum-Interview (60 Marks), and Document Verification.
Where will the ICHR JRF exam and interview be conducted?
The Stage-I Online Entrance Test will be held in New Delhi, Bengaluru, Guwahati, and Pune. The Stage-II Presentation-cum-Interview will be conducted at ICHR Headquarters, New Delhi.
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