Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
Human Resource Development Group
CSIR Complex, Library Avenue
Pusa,
New Delhi -110 012
Advertisement No. - 2026/DirectSRF/1, Date: 14/08/2026
INVITING APPLICATIONS FOR Direct SRF
The Human Resource Development (HRD) Group of COUNCIL OF SCIENTIFIC AND
INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH (CSIR), New Delhi, provides opportunities to bright young men
and women in the form of direct Senior Research Fellowships (SRFs) for training in
methods of research under the expert guidance of faculty members/ scientists working in
universities, laboratories and institutes of Government Departments and recognised
laboratories of industry in various fields of science and technology.
The Fellowships are tenable in all the universities and deemed universities / IITs/
postgraduate colleges/ government research establishments, including CSIR, R&D
establishments of recognised public sector, industrial firms and other recognised
institutions. Only Indian citizens are eligible for the award. The award is for fixed tenure
and does not imply any assurance or guarantee for subsequent employment by CSIR to
the beneficiary. CSIR reserves the right to determine the place of work in India best suited
to provide necessary facilities in the areas of science and technology in which the
awardee is to specialize. Selected Fellows must devote their full time to the approved
research programs. Fellows cannot take up any other remunerative jobs/ assignments
during their tenure.
Apply Online from 18/08/2026 to 17/09/2026 at https://srfra.csirhrdg.res.in
Only online applications will be accepted
A. SENIOR RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS
ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:
M.Sc./ B.E./ B.Tech. or equivalent degree with at least 55% marks and one publication in
Science Citation Indexed (SCI) Journal and should have completed at least two years of
post-M.Sc./ B.E./ B.Tech. research experience as on the last date of application, as
evidenced from fellowship or from date of registration for Ph.D.
OR
M.Tech./ M.E. or equivalent degree in engineering/ technology with at least 60% marks.
OR
B.E./ B.Tech. or equivalent degree with at least 60% marks and two years of research
experience as on the last date of application.
OR
M.B.B.S./ BDS or equivalent with at least 60% marks and one-year internship.
OR
B.Pharm./ B.V.Sc./ B.Sc. (Ag) or equivalent degree with at least 55% marks and one
publication in SCI Journal and should have completed at least three years of research
experience as on the last date of application, evidenced from fellowship or from date of
registration for Ph.D.
OR
M.Pharm. /M.V.Sc./ M.Sc. (Ag)/ M.Phil. or equivalent degree with at least 55% marks and
one publication in SCI Journal and should have at least one year research experience as
on the last date of application, evidenced from fellowship or from date of registration for
PhD.
Documents supporting the research, teaching experience (not below the undergraduate
level), and Ph.D. registration should be submitted online.
Those who have been awarded Ph.D./ M.D./ M.S./ MDS degrees or have submitted their
thesis for the award of Ph.D./ M.D./ M.S./ MDS degrees are not eligible for the position of
SRF.
B. EMPLOYED CANDIDATES:
These fellowships are held on a full-time basis. Therefore, simultaneous employment
elsewhere is not permitted. However, those desirous of pursuing higher studies but
employed presently, whether temporary or permanent, may apply with an undertaking
that, if selected, they will resign from the job before taking up the fellowship. The
application will be rejected if the undertaking is not provided.
C. STIPEND AND TENURE:
₹ 42,000/- per month during the entire tenure of fellowship or date of PhD viva-voce,
whichever is earlier. In addition, each SRF will receive a contingent grant of a maximum of
₹ 20,000/-per annum.
SRF will be tenable initially for a maximum of two years or depending upon the fellowship
tenure already availed. The term is extendable by one year on the basis of an assessment
of the progress already made as judged by a three-member assessment committee.
Those who have held or are holding equivalent fellowships awarded under various
schemes of all India grant-giving agencies such as DST, DBT, ICMR, UGC, ICAR, etc., may
apply subject to the condition that the total tenure inclusive of CSIR fellowship shall not
exceed three years. Those who have already availed, or would have availed by
17/09/2026, JRF for 5 years or SRF for 3 years from any source need not apply. The
combined tenure of JRF and SRF will not exceed five years. SRF will be terminated from
the date of PhD viva voce or completion of tenure, whichever is earlier. Those who are
already holding equivalent fellowship should specify the reason for applying. The
application is likely to be rejected if the reason is not specified.
D. OTHER CONDITIONS/ INFORMATION:
AGE LIMIT:
Senior Research Fellow (SRF) : Maximum 32 years as on the last date of application.
Upper age limit is relaxable by five years for SC/ ST/ Physically handicapped and women
candidates and three years in case of OBC (non-creamy layer) applicants.
E. SELECTION PROCEDURE FOR DIRECT SRF:
Selection will be made through interviews of candidates short-listed based on their
academic records, experience, research publications, and assessment of proposed
research work by discipline-wise high-level expert committees. The SC/ ST candidates
called for interview will be paid single second-class rail/ bus fare to and fro by the
shortest route from the station mentioned in the address for correspondence given in the
online application form, from (within India) to the place of interview on production of
documentary proof as per rule in force. Merely fulfilling the essential qualifications will
not entitle a candidate to be called for an interview. CSIR reserves the right to call or
not to call a candidate for interview. At any of the stages of selection process, it is found
that any candidate does not fulfil any of the eligibility conditions, his/ her candidature
will be summarily cancelled forthwith.
F. CANDIDATES APPLYING UNDER ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES (ENVIRON- 32):
Only those candidates desirous of working on one of the following broad topics may
apply under the Code ENVIRON - 32:
• Principles and scope of Environmental Sciences, Ecosystems, Pathways in
Ecosystems, Physicochemical and biological factors in the environment, etc.
• Structure and composition of atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere,
mass and energy transfer across various interfaces. Scale of meteorology, pressure,
temperature, precipitation, humidity, radiation and wind and atmospheric stability
etc.
• Environmental chemistry, chemical composition of air, water chemistry, soil
chemistry, toxic chemicals in environment, air pollution, climate change, etc.
• Biodiversity and its conservation; microflora of atmosphere; environmental
biotechnology, endangered and threatened species; environmental genomics; environmental health, environmental virology, environmental impact and risk
assessment, environmental materials, etc.
• Environmental geosciences- earth systems and biosphere; earth’s processes and
geological hazards, mineral resources and environment, water resources and
environment, land use planning, environmental geochemistry, etc.
• Solar radiation and its spectral characteristics, fossil fuels; physic-chemical
characteristics and energy content of coal, petroleum and natural gas; principles of
generation of hydroelectric power, geothermal energy, bioenergy- energy from
biomass and biogas, etc.
• Solid and Hazardous waste management, waste water technology and
management, etc.
Candidates applying under this code should have essential qualification as applicable to
other codes.
G. CANDIDATES APPLYING UNDER SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY STUDIES (STS – 71):
Only those candidates desirous of working on one of the following broad topics may
apply under Code STS-71:
• R & D Management (Planning, Priorities, Evaluation, Social and Economic Impact,
etc.)
• Intellectual Property laws, Policies, Management and evaluation, etc.
• Technology forecasting, Assessment and Management;
• Policies, Programs, and approaches for innovation policies, promotion instruments
and management;
• S & T Policies, Programs and interface with global economic agenda.
• S & T interface with Society, Polity and Production sectors.
• Studies on Technological Change in the Production Sectors.
• Studies on mobility of S & T professionals: Demands, Trends, Impact, etc.
• Studies on International competitiveness of Indian S & T.
• Societal impact in the open economy era.
Subject code should be carefully selected (given in Appendix I), and it should be directly
related to past education & experience and future areas of study. Identification of
irrelevant code or code not matching the proposed research topic may lead to the
rejection of the application.
Candidates applying under this code should have essential qualifications as applicable to
other codes, with the exception that a degree at the master’s level can also be in
management, social sciences, commerce, etc.
H. CANDIDATES APPLYING UNDER TRANS-DISCIPLINARY (TDR - 81):
The objective of fellowship in the transdisciplinary area is to encourage research in new and
emerging areas where boundaries between disciplines are transcended and knowledge and
perspectives from different disciplines are integrated.
Transdisciplinary research brings together two or more disciplines to generate new
knowledge through collaborations outside the limits of one’s own discipline.
Candidates applying under this code should have essential qualifications as applicable to
other codes.
Application received under this code and not having any Trans disciplinary component in
the proposed research topic may lead to rejection of the application.
Subject code should be carefully selected (given in Appendix I), and it should be directly
related to past education & experience and future areas of study. Identification of
irrelevant code or code not matching the proposed research topic may lead to the
rejection of the application.
I. INSTRUCTIONS TO THE CANDIDATES
The candidates should carefully read these instructions before submitting their
applications:
i. A candidate can apply in only one subject code. The code number of the subject
should be carefully selected (given in Appendix I) and indicated against the
appropriate column. It should be directly related to past education, experience, and
future area of study. Identification of irrelevant code or code not matching the
proposed research topic may lead to the rejection of the application. No change of
code would be permitted after submission of the online application.
Details from the time of obtaining the qualifying degree till the last date of
application should be mentioned clearly in column 19 of the application form. An
unaccounted period, if any, may lead to rejection.
ii. All the necessary documents, i.e. office orders supporting the research experience
mentioned in column 19 of the application form and proof of Ph.D. registration,
should be attached. Otherwise, the application will be rejected. No testimonial will
be accepted as proof of research experience.
iii. Candidates should be prepared to produce an original certificate, Ph.D. registration,
research experience (office orders), reprints & letter(s) of acceptance about papers
under publication, NET, and GATE certificate at the time of interview and later when
required.
iv. Applications will be processed on the basis of information provided in the online
application. (If the information given in the application form does not match with
the originals at the time of verification of documents, the candidate may not be
allowed to appear for the interview).
v. Those who have already applied three times and not called or not selected need not
to apply.
vi. The date of the interview will not be changed on request from candidates.
vii. Misrepresentation or hiding of facts shall lead to disqualification.
viii. Every effort is made by CSIR to have committees with wide-ranging expertise,
however, complaints of rejection on this account will not be entertained by CSIR.
ix. The decision of CSIR on all matters, including calling for interview, selection,
recommendation, placement, etc., shall be final. No correspondence in the matter
will be entertained.
x. The research supervisor should not be the blood relative.
xi. Canvassing in any form will be a disqualification. No interim enquiries will be
attended too.
There is no application fee.
IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS
1) Candidates need to apply online only.
2) Candidates need to register themselves before applying online.
3) Candidates are requested to carefully review the detailed advertisement and CSIRHRDG website before filling out the online application form to know the eligibility
criteria, prerequisites, and important online application instructions.
4) Read the FAQ section on the application portal to get answers to commonly asked
questions/queries.
5) Only one application per candidate will be accepted by the system.
6) Give your correct/working email ID, as all further correspondence will be through
email and CSIR - HRDG will not be responsible for any communication not received
due to an incorrect email ID.
7) To avoid a last-minute rush, candidates are advised to apply early and on time. CSIR
will not be responsible for the network or any other such problems. No extension on
the closing date will be given.
8) Once the application form is filled up, please save/submit it within 40 minutes;
otherwise, your session will expire, and you will need to re-login.
9) Candidates should keep ready the below documents as per given specifications.
(a) Photo
(b) Signature
(c) Age proof (DOB Certificate)
(d) Combined document: Qualifying degree + grade to % conversion certificate, if
any + PhD registration / submission/ award proof
(e) Caste certificate, if applicable then it is mandatory
(f) PwD certificate, if applicable, then it is mandatory
(g) Experience certificate (which includes fellowship OMs) and Employed candidates
have to submit duly signed undertaking for leaving the job if get selected for the
fellowship.
(h) Combined document: Duly signed and stamped declaration and undertaking
form by the candidate, supervisor, and Head of the institution (The format is
available at https://srfra.csirhrdg.res.in/online/download/undertaking_SRF_RA.pdf)
+ Research Proposal
(i) Combined document: First page of maximum 3 best research Papers in a single
pdf, if applicable.
Photo: Format - JPEG/JPG, dimension – 130x160 to 260x320, file size less than 150KB;
Signature: Format - JPEG/JPG, dimension – 90X25 to 225x100, file size less than 150KB.
Documents: The documents should have a .pdf extension only, file size less than 400KB.
Valid Filename: Should have only one extension, only Alpha-Numeric characters allowed
with a hyphen (-) and underscore (_), space not allowed, the File extension should be in
small letters. (Ex. msc degree (❌), mscdegree (✓), msc_degree (✓), msc-degree (✓)).
10) Email ID for any assistance: emr1.hrdg@csir.res.in
SUBJECT CODE (column 2 of the Application form)
Medical & Pharmaceutical Sciences MEDIC 11
Biochemistry, Biophysics, Immunology, Microbiology & Physiology of
Living Systems
LIFE 12
General Biology, Genetics & Molecular Biology GEN BIO 13
Organic Chemical Sciences CHEM 21
Inorganic & Analytical Chemical Sciences CHEM 22
Physical Chemical Sciences CHEM 23
Material Sciences CHEM 24
Earth, Ocean, Atmosphere & Planetary Sciences EARTH 31
Environmental Sciences ENVIRON 32*
Aeronautical, Civil, Mechanical, Chemical & Metallurgical Engineering
Sciences
ENG 41
Agro-Bio, Physico-, Chemico-, Food-, Leather & Textile Technology ENG 42
Electrical, Electronics, Instrumentation & Computer Engineering
Sciences
ENG 43
Mathematical (Mathematics, Operations Research, Statistics) Sciences MATH 51
Astronomy/Astro Physics/Nuclear Physics/Particle Physics/Plasma
Physics
PHYS 61
Atomic & Molecular Physics / Optics / Spectroscopy / Quantum
Informatics/ Theoretical Physics
PHYS 62
Condensed Matter Physics PHYS 63
Material Physics PHYS 64
Science & Technology Studies STS 71
#
(R&D Management & Planning, MIS, Manpower Planning etc.)
Trans Disciplinary Research TDR 81$
*
Applicants under this code should read the relevant para D above before filling up the application form.
# Applicants under this code should read the relevant para E above before filling up the application form.
$ Applicants under this code should read the relevant para F above carefully before filling up the application
form.
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