ICAR CRRI Senior Research Fellow Recruitment 2026 Walk-in Date, Eligibility, Salary

Recruitment overview

ICAR - Central Rice Research Institute, Cuttack has invited eligible candidates for a walk-in interview for the post of Senior Research Fellow. The opening is connected to the project "Enhancing climate resilience and ensuring food security with genome editing tools" (EAP-420).

This is a single-vacancy, project-based position. The post is temporary and co-terminus with the scheme or project, which means the appointment will end when the project ends or when the approved period finishes, whichever happens earlier.

Vacancy and project details

If you are searching for a regular permanent ICAR appointment, this notification is not for that category. It is a research-project engagement tied to the project period.

Interview date, time and venue

The walk-in interview is scheduled for 30 April 2026 at 10:30 AM. Both the place of posting and the place of interview are ICAR-CRRI, Cuttack.

No candidate will be entertained after the time mentioned in the official notice, so candidates should reach the venue early enough for certificate verification.

Essential qualification explained

The official notice provides two qualification pathways. Candidates should match their academic background carefully with the correct route before attending the interview.

• M.Sc. in Biotechnology or Bioinformatics or Agricultural Science with a 4-year or 5-year Bachelor's degree.
• OR M.Sc. in Biotechnology or Botany or Life Sciences with a 3-year Bachelor's degree and a 2-year Master's degree, along with NET or GATE qualification and 2 years of research experience.

This distinction matters. Candidates from the 3-year Bachelor's plus 2-year Master's route should not ignore the NET or GATE and research experience requirement stated in the notice.

Desirable skills and job role

Beyond the essential qualification, the institute has mentioned specific desirable technical knowledge. This gives a useful indication of what the work will involve and what the interview may focus on.

• Knowledge in tissue culture
• Knowledge in genome editing
• Knowledge in genotyping

The job description is direct: genome editing and development of genome edited lines. Candidates with practical lab exposure in these areas should be prepared to explain their work clearly during the interview.

Salary and project duration

The fellowship amount is split by year of engagement. For the first and second year, the remuneration is Rs. 37,000 plus HRA per month. For the third year, it is Rs. 42,000 plus HRA per month.

The project duration mentioned in the notice is up to 30 September 2026 or till completion of the project, whichever is earlier. This means actual continuation depends on the project timeline and the applicable engagement period.

Age limit and relaxation

As on the date of interview, the maximum age is 35 years for men and 40 years for women. The notice also states that age relaxation for SC, ST and OBC candidates will be given as per Government of India norms.

Candidates who fall under a reserved category should carry the relevant supporting certificate if they intend to claim age relaxation.

Selection process

The walk-in process will involve a written-cum-personal interview as stated in the official notice. Candidates should therefore prepare for both subject-based assessment and direct questioning on their academic background, research exposure and project fit.

The institute has also said that if a large number of candidates appear for the walk-in interview, a screening test may be conducted to shortlist candidates for the interview stage. So even otherwise eligible candidates should be prepared for a shortlisting step on the same day.

Documents to carry on the interview day

Eligible candidates are advised to bring one recent passport-size photograph, original educational certificates from matriculation onwards, Xerox copies of those certificates, and the relevant experience certificate as required by the advertisement.

• One recent passport-size photograph
• Original educational certificates from matriculation onwards
• Xerox copies of educational certificates
• Relevant experience certificate, where applicable
• Duly filled biodata form downloaded from the website

The filled biodata form has to be deposited along with copies of certificates during certificate verification. Candidates already employed must also bring a no-objection certificate from their current employer.

Important terms candidates should not miss

This recruitment comes with a few conditions that are easy to overlook if you only focus on the interview date. The appointment is purely temporary, and selection does not create any right to absorption in CRRI or ICAR.

• The post is co-terminus with the project.
• No TA or DA will be paid for attending the interview.
• Canvassing in any form will lead to disqualification.
• The Director, ICAR-CRRI reserves the right to increase or decrease the number of posts or cancel the recruitment process.
• No candidate will be entertained after the reporting time mentioned in the notice.

These conditions matter because they affect whether attending the walk-in is practical for you and what expectations you should keep about the nature of the appointment.