ICAR-IARI RA-III & SRF Recruitment 2026
Research Associate-III (RA-III) and Senior Research Fellow (SRF) – 02 Posts
DBT-funded research project | New Delhi | Application deadline: 06 September 2026
Information prepared from the official ICAR-IARI vacancy notification.
Deadline: 06 September 2026
SRF – 01
Total – 02
SRF ₹42,000 + 27% HRA
🔎 ICAR-IARI Recruitment 2026 – Quick Overview
The Division of Microbiology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi has invited applications for Research Associate-III (RA-III) and Senior Research Fellow (SRF) positions under a Department of Biotechnology (DBT)-funded project.
The project is titled “An Integrated Biomanufacturing Platform with CO₂ Capture for Novel Microbial Formulations Targeting Methane Reduction and Drought Resilience in Rice-Wheat Cropping Systems.”
The official notification states that applications must reach ICAR-IARI by 06 September 2026.
💼 Vacancy & Salary Details
| Post | Vacancies | Emoluments | Age Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research Associate-III (RA-III) | 01 | ₹67,000/month + 27% HRA | Maximum 40 years |
| Senior Research Fellow (SRF) | 01 | ₹42,000/month + 27% HRA | Maximum 35 years |
Age relaxation for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwBD/Ex-Servicemen/Women is applicable as per Government of India instructions.
🎓 Educational Qualification
Research Associate-III (RA-III)
- Ph.D. in Microbiology, Biotechnology, Life Sciences or a closely related discipline from a recognized university with at least 60% marks; OR
- Master's degree in the above disciplines with at least 3 years' research, teaching, or design-and-development experience and at least one research paper published in an SCI-indexed journal.
- Minimum 3 years' post-qualification research experience is required for placement at the RA-III level.
Senior Research Fellow (SRF)
- Master's degree in Microbiology, Life Sciences, Biotechnology or equivalent from a recognized university with at least 60% marks.
- Qualification through CSIR/UGC-NET, including Lectureship/Assistant Professorship, GATE, or an equivalent national-level examination conducted by specified Central Government departments/agencies, plus two years' research experience; OR
- Doctoral degree in Microbiology, Biotechnology or Life Sciences from a recognized university or equivalent.
🧪 Desirable Experience
The notification lists several desirable skills relevant to the project, including:
- Coordination of multi-institutional and multidisciplinary research workflows.
- Management of multi-location field trials following RCBD protocols.
- Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA) and Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) reporting.
- Preparation of technical manuals and training modules.
- Statistical analysis using R, SAS or equivalent software.
- Maintenance of specialized microbial repositories.
- Batch fermentation and microbial bio-formulation development.
- HPLC-based analytical techniques.
- Large-scale processing of soil and plant samples.
These are desirable qualifications; candidates should distinguish them from the essential eligibility requirements in the notification.
🏢 Posting Location & Work Profile
The official notification specifies the place of posting as Division of Microbiology, IARI, New Delhi-12.
Candidates should also note that extensive travel to selected field-trial locations will be required for project-related work.
📑 Recruitment Type – Is This Permanent or Contractual?
This recruitment should not be described as a regular permanent government recruitment.
- Nature: Project-based engagement
- Status: Purely time-bound and non-regular
- Project relationship: Co-terminus with the project
- Initial period: One year
- Continuation: Depends on progress reviewed every six months
- Regularization: No legal right to claim regularization
- Termination: Appointment may be terminated with one month's notice
Therefore, aspirants should understand this as a temporary research-project engagement, not a permanent cadre appointment.
🎯 Selection Process
The selection process begins with screening of applications against the essential and desirable qualifications.
- Submit the prescribed application form with supporting certificates and proof.
- Applications are screened against essential and desirable qualifications.
- Marks are awarded on a 0–10 scale for different screening parameters.
- A merit list is prepared based on the screening.
- Shortlisted candidates are called for an in-person interview.
- Interview shortlisting is stated to be in a 1:10 ratio.
- Shortlisted candidates are expected to be informed through email/phone latest by 14 September 2026.
- The actual interview date and time will be communicated to candidates selected for interview.
- Original documents must be produced during the interview for verification.
📝 Step-by-Step Application Guide
- Choose the post.
Decide whether you are applying for RA-III or SRF based on the exact eligibility conditions. - Download the official application form.
Use the application form attached to the ICAR-IARI notification. -
Fill in personal details.
Enter your name, parent/spouse details, date of birth, correspondence address, mobile number linked with WhatsApp, email and category. -
Enter educational qualifications.
Provide details for Matriculation, Intermediate, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. and other applicable qualifications as requested in the form. -
Add research experience.
Provide organization, position, period of service and project/PI details. -
Provide publication information.
The application form asks for the ten best research papers published in peer-reviewed journals with NAAS Score >7; review papers are not to be considered. -
Attach supporting documents.
Include self-attested copies of certificates and evidence supporting your claims. -
Submit the application.
Send the completed application with relevant certificates and proof as a single PDF by email to microbiologyiari@gmail.com, or send it by post to the address specified below. -
Apply separately for each post.
The notification specifically requires a separate application form for each post. -
Keep originals ready.
Shortlisted candidates must bring original documents to the interview for verification.
📂 Required Documents Checklist
- Completed ICAR-IARI application form
- Educational qualification certificates and mark sheets
- Date of birth proof
- Category certificate, if applicable
- PwBD certificate, if applicable
- Research experience certificates, where applicable
- Research publication details/supporting evidence
- CSIR/UGC-NET/GATE or equivalent examination proof, where applicable for SRF
- Self-attested copies of relevant certificates and claims
- NOC and experience certificate from present employer, if already employed
- Any other document specifically required by the official notification
- Original documents for interview-time verification
The checklist above combines the documents explicitly requested in the notification with standard document categories relevant to the stated eligibility. Candidates should verify their final document set against the official application form.
💳 Application Fee
Do not pay any person or unofficial website claiming that a fee is required for this recruitment unless ICAR-IARI itself officially publishes a revised instruction.
📅 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification / vacancy notice | 11 August 2026 |
| Employment News reference | 15 August 2026 |
| Last date for receipt of application | 06 September 2026 |
| Expected latest communication to shortlisted candidates | 14 September 2026 |
| Interview date/time | To be communicated to shortlisted candidates |
The official notification states that shortlisted candidates will be intimated latest by 14 September 2026 and that the interview date/time will be communicated separately.
📨 Where to Send the Application?
Email Submission
Send the completed application and relevant certificates/proof as a single PDF to:
microbiologyiari@gmail.com
Postal Submission
Dr. Rajeev Kaushik
Professor & Principal Scientist
Division of Microbiology
ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute
New Delhi – 110012
For postal applications, the envelope should clearly indicate: “For the Post ____ in DBT funded projects”.
Candidates applying for both posts must submit separate application forms.
📈 Career Growth & Benefits
Because these are project positions rather than regular cadre posts, candidates should not interpret the opportunity as carrying a guaranteed government promotion or permanent service pathway.
Potential Professional Benefits
- Experience in an ICAR-IARI research environment.
- Opportunity to work on DBT-funded agricultural biotechnology research.
- Exposure to microbiology, microbial formulation and agricultural research workflows.
- Potential experience in multi-location field trials and scientific data analysis.
- Research publication and project-execution exposure, subject to actual work and project requirements.
- Professional experience that may be useful for future research, academic or scientific positions.
🛡️ Important Instructions & Fraud Warning
- Use only the official ICAR-IARI notification and prescribed application form.
- Do not pay unofficial agents claiming guaranteed selection.
- Do not share OTPs, banking passwords or sensitive financial information with unknown persons.
- Verify any change in deadline or procedure from the official IARI website.
- Do not make false claims about qualifications, experience or publications.
- Canvassing in any form can lead to disqualification.
- Keep a copy of the submitted application and supporting documents.
- If applying by post, allow adequate delivery time.
🔗 Important Official Links
Use the following official sources for verification and application information.
📢 Follow Employment News Alerts
Follow our channels for recruitment updates, application guidance and reminders. For doubts, always verify important information against the original notification.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last date to apply for ICAR-IARI RA-III and SRF Recruitment 2026?
The completed application must reach ICAR-IARI on or before 06 September 2026.
How many vacancies are available?
There are 2 positions: 1 Research Associate-III and 1 Senior Research Fellow.
What is the salary for RA-III?
RA-III receives ₹67,000 per month plus 27% HRA.
What is the salary for SRF?
SRF receives ₹42,000 per month plus 27% HRA.
What is the age limit?
The upper age limit is 40 years for RA-III and 35 years for SRF, with applicable relaxation as per Government of India instructions.
Is this a permanent government job?
No. The notification describes the positions as purely time-bound, non-regular and co-terminus with the project.
Is there a written examination?
The notification describes screening of applications followed by an in-person interview for shortlisted candidates. It does not prescribe a separate written examination in the stated selection procedure.
Where will selected candidates be posted?
The place of posting is the Division of Microbiology, IARI, New Delhi-110012. Extensive travel to selected field-trial locations may also be required.
How should candidates apply?
The application may be submitted by email as a single PDF to microbiologyiari@gmail.com or by post to Dr. Rajeev Kaushik, Division of Microbiology, ICAR-IARI, New Delhi-110012.
Is an application fee required?
No application fee is specified in the official notification.
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⚖️ Disclaimer & Copyright Notice
Disclaimer: Employment News Alerts is an independent information website and is not affiliated with, controlled by, or officially connected with ICAR, IARI, DBT or any other government organization unless expressly stated.
This article is an original editorial explanation prepared from the official recruitment notification for informational and educational purposes. The official notification remains the controlling source for eligibility, dates, remuneration, application procedure and selection conditions.
Candidates must verify all details from the official ICAR-IARI notification before applying. Recruitment conditions may be amended, withdrawn or updated by the recruiting organization.
We do not guarantee selection, appointment, continuation, regularization, promotion, salary outcome or employment. Candidates are responsible for checking their own eligibility and submitting accurate information.
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Fraud warning: Never pay unofficial persons promising guaranteed government employment. Use official recruitment channels for verification.
