If you have looked at a research job notice from AIIMS, an ICMR institute or a medical college, you have seen post names like Project Research Scientist-II (Non-Medical) or Project Technical Support-III, and a pay line that only says "as per ICMR norms". This guide puts those norms in one place. Everything below comes from one official document: the ICMR guidelines for Non-Institutional Project Human Resource Positions, issued by the Indian Council of Medical Research on 18 October 2024 (No. 16/29/2023/Admn/E.Office No. 157401) and effective from that date. AIIMS New Delhi still links this same circular in its project advertisements of October 2026, so it is the rulebook those posts follow today.
The guide covers what each post is called now and what it used to be called, the minimum qualification for each one, the fixed monthly pay, how HRA, increments, leave and contract length work, and how to read an actual notice without missing a condition. At the end you will find real openings that use these exact pay levels, and answers to the questions people ask most.
What "non-institutional project positions" means
ICMR and the institutes it funds have two very different kinds of staff. Institutional staff are regular employees on sanctioned posts, recruited through formal exams and pay levels. Non-institutional project staff are hired for a specific research project that has its own grant, usually led by a Principal Investigator (PI) at an AIIMS, a medical college, a university or an ICMR institute. When the project's money or term ends, the post ends too.
The 2024 guidelines say this in their very first line: these positions are engaged "purely on temporary basis". That is the single most important thing to understand before you apply. A project post is a paid, useful step for building research experience, publications and contacts, but it is not a permanent government job and does not lead to one by itself.
The guidelines group the posts into three families:
- Scientific posts: Project Research Scientist I, II and III, each in a Medical and a Non-Medical version.
- Technical support posts: Project Technical Support I, II and III.
- Nursing support posts: Project Nurse I, II, III and IV.
Old names and new names
The circular renamed the old posts. Many older notices, CVs and experience certificates still use the old names, so it helps to know which new post each one became. When an old certificate says "Project Scientist-C", it means the same level as today's Project Research Scientist-II.
| Old name | New name (2024 guidelines) |
|---|---|
| Project Scientist-B (Medical) | Project Research Scientist-I (Medical) |
| Project Scientist-C (Medical) | Project Research Scientist-II (Medical) |
| Project Scientist-D (Medical) | Project Research Scientist-III (Medical) |
| Project Scientist-B (Non-Medical) | Project Research Scientist-I (Non-Medical) |
| Project Scientist-C (Non-Medical) | Project Research Scientist-II (Non-Medical) |
| Project Scientist-D (Non-Medical) | Project Research Scientist-III (Non-Medical) |
| Project Technician-I / II | Project Technical Support-I |
| Project Technician-III | Project Technical Support-II |
| Project Technical Assistant / Technical Officer | Project Technical Support-III |
| Project Auxiliary Maid | Project Nurse-I |
| Junior Nurse / Health Visitor / Lady Health Visitor | Project Nurse-II |
| Project Staff Nurse | Project Nurse-III |
| Assistant Nursing Superintendent / Head Nurse | Project Nurse-IV |
Scientific posts: qualification and pay
"Medical" posts are for people with a medical, veterinary or dental degree (MBBS, BVSc or BDS). "Non-Medical" posts are for science, engineering and other postgraduates. The pay below is the fixed monthly amount set by the guidelines; HRA is paid on top "as admissible", which we explain further down.
| Post | Minimum essential qualification | Pay per month |
|---|---|---|
| Project Research Scientist-I (Medical) | MBBS / BVSc / BDS or equivalent | ₹67,000 + HRA |
| Project Research Scientist-II (Medical) | MBBS / BVSc / BDS with three years' post-qualification experience; or MBBS / BVSc / BDS + a postgraduate degree (MD / MVSc / MDS / MPH or equivalent, including integrated PG); or MBBS / BVSc / BDS with PhD | ₹80,000 + HRA |
| Project Research Scientist-III (Medical) | MBBS / BVSc / BDS + postgraduate degree (MD / MVSc / MDS / MPH) with three years' post-qualification experience; or MBBS / BVSc / BDS with MPH or PhD and three years' post-qualification experience | ₹93,000 + HRA |
| Project Research Scientist-I (Non-Medical) | Postgraduate degree, including integrated PG; for Engineering / IT / CS, a four-year graduate degree | ₹56,000 + HRA |
| Project Research Scientist-II (Non-Medical) | Postgraduate degree with three years' post-qualification experience, or PhD; for Engineering / IT / CS, a four-year graduate degree with three years' experience | ₹67,000 + HRA |
| Project Research Scientist-III (Non-Medical) | Postgraduate degree with five years' post-qualification experience, or PhD with two years' experience; for Engineering / IT / CS, a four-year graduate degree with five years' experience, or a PG degree with three years' experience, or PhD | ₹78,000 + HRA |
Two changes from the older rules are worth noticing. First, the old Non-Medical posts asked for a first-class postgraduate degree, or a second-class one only with a PhD; the 2024 version simply says "postgraduate degree". Second, the Engineering / IT / CS route now accepts a four-year graduate degree for PRS-I without asking for first class. If a particular notice still asks for first class, follow the notice, because a PI can add a field or specialisation requirement in brackets against the post.
Technical support posts: qualification and pay
These are the lab, field and data posts that keep a project running: sample handling, lab equipment, field surveys, data entry and analysis. They suit diploma holders and graduates who want hands-on research work.
| Post | Minimum essential qualification | Pay per month |
|---|---|---|
| Project Technical Support-I | 10th + diploma (MLT / DMLT / ITI or equivalent) + two years' experience in the relevant subject or field; or a three-year graduate degree in the relevant subject + one year's experience | ₹18,000 + HRA |
| Project Technical Support-II | 12th in Science + diploma (MLT / DMLT / Engineering or equivalent) + five years' experience; or a three-year graduate degree in the relevant subject + two years' experience | ₹20,000 + HRA |
| Project Technical Support-III | Three-year graduate degree in the relevant subject + three years' post-qualification experience; or a postgraduate degree in the relevant subject; for Engineering / IT / CS, a four-year graduate degree | ₹28,000 + HRA |
Notice the pattern for PTS-III: a postgraduate degree alone is enough, with no experience. That makes PTS-III one of the most reachable posts for a fresh M.Sc. graduate who does not yet have the experience PRS-II asks for.
Nursing support posts: qualification and pay
| Post | Minimum essential qualification | Pay per month |
|---|---|---|
| Project Nurse-I | Two-year Auxiliary Nurse & Midwife (ANM) course | ₹18,000 + HRA |
| Project Nurse-II | Three-year General Nursing & Midwifery (GNM) course | ₹20,000 + HRA |
| Project Nurse-III | Four-year nursing course | ₹28,000 + HRA |
| Project Nurse-IV | Degree in Nursing from an institute recognised by the Nursing Council of India, with three years' experience as Staff Nurse | ₹40,000 + HRA |
How the money works: HRA, increments and leave
Consolidated pay. The figures above are consolidated monthly amounts. Unlike a regular government post, there is no pay level, no DA that rises every six months and no pension. You get one fixed amount, plus HRA.
HRA "as admissible". The guidelines do not print a single HRA percentage; they say HRA is paid as admissible, which depends on the city and the institute's own rules. Many notices spell it out. For example, a Banaras Hindu University ICMR project notice of 26 October 2026 offers its posts with "20% HRA". Always read the HRA line of the specific notice; if it is not given, ask the institute or assume nothing.
Increment. Note (f) of the guidelines gives an increment of 5% on the initial emoluments after every two completed years, subject to a performance review. So a PRS-I (Non-Medical) on ₹56,000 could move to ₹58,800 after two years if the review is positive. It is not automatic, and since most contracts are short, many people never reach it.
Leave. Note (j) gives 1.5 days of paid leave per completed month, counted on the project year, and it can accumulate for the length of the project.
Contract length
The guidelines are clear on tenure. A project staff contract is for up to one year at a time and can be extended up to three years, depending on the project's need and a performance review by the PI or Director, because three years is the average length of an ICMR project. In exceptional cases the Director General of ICMR can allow an extension up to five years.
Two rules catch people out. First, an engagement ends automatically if it is not extended within its term. Second, there is no retrospective extension: you cannot be extended backwards after a gap. If your contract is ending, speak to your PI well before the date. Also remember the post is tied to the project itself; many notices say the post is "co-terminus with the project", which means it ends when the project ends even if you have time left on paper.
Age limits: where to find them
The 2024 circular does not set a single age table. The upper age limit is written in each advertisement, and it usually follows the ICMR pattern for the post. In the AIIMS New Delhi project notices of October 2026, for instance, the limits are:
- Project Research Scientist-I (Medical and Non-Medical): 35 years
- Project Research Scientist-II (Medical, MDS field survey): 40 years
- Project Research Scientist-III (Medical): 45 years
- Project Nurse-I: 28 years
- Project Technical Support-I: 25 to 28 years, depending on the notice
These are examples, not a rule; the notice you are applying to is what counts. The guidelines add one useful relaxation in note (h): up to five years of age relaxation may be given, case by case, to deserving candidates who have experience of working in a government research organisation. Reserved-category relaxation follows Government of India rules where the notice says so.
How experience is counted
Many posts ask for "three years' post-qualification experience". The guidelines explain what that means:
- Experience is counted only after the date you completed the minimum essential qualification. Work done during your M.Sc. does not count towards a "PG + 3 years" rule.
- Experience should preferably be from a government organisation.
- Only experience in the relevant field or area needed for that project is considered.
- All qualification certificates must be from a recognised board or university, and community certificates must be issued by authorised government officers.
In practice, keep an experience certificate for every job that shows your joining date, leaving date and the nature of your work. Without it, the selection committee may not count the experience at all.
Two rules PIs can use
Downgrading a post. If no suitable candidate is found, the PI may, with the Head of the Institute's approval, downgrade the post and inform ICMR. This is why a project sometimes re-advertises a PRS-II as a PRS-I a few weeks later.
Specialised staff. Based on project needs, the PI may recruit specialised personnel with equivalent qualifications for a sanctioned position, again with the Head of the Institute's approval and following the guidelines. This is how some notices list a qualification that is not word-for-word in the table but is treated as equivalent.
How to read a project notice in five minutes
- Find the post name and match it to the table above. If the notice says "PRS-II (Non-Medical)", you know the base pay is ₹67,000 + HRA and the minimum is a PG with three years' experience or a PhD.
- Read the field in brackets. A PRS-I "(Life Sciences / Biotechnology)" will not take a physics postgraduate, even though the general rule only says "postgraduate degree".
- Check the age limit and the date it is counted on, usually the last date of application.
- Check the project length and the words "co-terminus". A post in a project ending in four months is a four-month job.
- Note the exact way to apply. AIIMS project notices often use a Google Form; others want a CV by e-mail or a hard copy by post, and some want both. Missing one part can cancel the application.
- Look for "No TA/DA". Most project interviews do not pay travel costs.
Real openings that use these pay levels
The pay table is easy to check against live notices. These openings, listed on our research jobs section, follow it exactly:
- AIIMS New Delhi, Centre for Dental Education and Research: Project Research Scientist-III (Medical) for an MDS holder at ₹93,000 + HRA, the PRS-III (Medical) figure.
- AIIMS New Delhi, Radiation Oncology: PRS-I (Medical) at ₹67,000 + HRA, PRS-I (Non-Medical) at ₹56,000 + HRA, and Project Nurse-I and PTS-I at ₹18,000 + HRA each.
- AIIMS New Delhi, Pathology: PRS-I (Non-Medical) at ₹56,000 + HRA and two PTS-I at ₹18,000 + HRA.
- AIIMS New Delhi, Transplant Immunology: PTS-II at ₹20,000 + HRA.
- Banaras Hindu University: PRS-II (Non-Medical) at ₹67,000 and PTS-III at ₹28,000, each with 20% HRA.
The live list beside this guide is updated as new notices come in, and closed posts drop off automatically.
Is a project post worth it?
For many people, yes, as long as you go in with clear expectations. A project post pays a fixed salary that is competitive for early-career researchers (₹56,000 to ₹93,000 a month for scientist posts), gives you published work and a PI's reference, and counts as research experience for later posts such as PRS-II, PRS-III, PhD admissions and faculty applications. The trade-offs are short contracts, no pension, and the need to look for your next post while the current one is running. Treat each project as a stepping stone, keep every certificate, and keep checking new notices.
Frequently asked questions
What is the salary of Project Research Scientist-I in ICMR projects?
₹67,000 a month plus HRA for the Medical post (MBBS / BVSc / BDS) and ₹56,000 a month plus HRA for the Non-Medical post (postgraduate degree), as per the ICMR guidelines of 18 October 2024.
What is the difference between PRS-I, PRS-II and PRS-III?
They are three levels of the same scientific post. PRS-I needs only the basic degree, PRS-II adds three years' experience or a PhD (or a medical PG for Medical posts), and PRS-III asks for more experience on top of a PG or PhD. Pay rises with each level, from ₹56,000 to ₹78,000 (Non-Medical) and from ₹67,000 to ₹93,000 (Medical).
Can a fresh M.Sc. graduate apply for PRS-II?
Not usually. PRS-II (Non-Medical) needs a postgraduate degree with three years' post-qualification experience, or a PhD. A fresh M.Sc. graduate fits PRS-I (Non-Medical) or Project Technical Support-III, which accepts a postgraduate degree without experience.
What does "HRA as admissible" mean in an ICMR project notice?
It means HRA is paid on top of the fixed pay according to the city and the institute's rules; the guidelines do not fix one percentage. Many notices state it, for example 20% HRA in a BHU notice of October 2026.
How long does an ICMR project post last?
Up to one year at a time, extendable up to three years on project need and performance review, and in exceptional cases up to five years with the Director General's approval. The post also ends when the project ends.
Is there an increment for project staff?
Yes. The guidelines allow a 5% increment on the initial emoluments after every two completed years, subject to a performance review.
Do ICMR project posts have an age limit?
Yes, but it is written in each advertisement rather than in the 2024 circular. Recent AIIMS New Delhi notices use 35 years for PRS-I, 40 for PRS-II and 45 for PRS-III. The guidelines allow up to five years' relaxation, case by case, for experience in a government research organisation.
Are these rules the same for DST, DBT or CSIR projects?
No. This guide covers ICMR's own guidelines. Projects funded by other agencies follow their own norms, so read the pay and qualification lines of each notice carefully.
