Archive status (verified 7 November 2026): CLOSED. This is Department of Health Research (DHR) File No. A.12025/02/2022-HR, issued on 23 August 2024 for two Scientist-D and two Scientist-E posts on deputation (including short-term contract). The final deadline, 9 January 2025, has passed. DHR issued this circular; ICMR is a separate autonomous body administered by DHR. The 2024–25 DHR vacancies must not be confused with independently advertised ICMR Scientist posts in 2026. Consult the official DHR/ICMR vacancy pages for new calls.
Introduction
The Department of Health Research (DHR), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, issued its 23 August 2024 vacancy circular for Scientist-D (two posts) and Scientist-E (two posts) on deputation, including short-term contract. This page documents the original recruitment terms and its subsequent deadline extensions; it is not an invitation to apply.
The notice was addressed to eligible officers serving in government departments, public-sector undertakings, recognised universities, recognised research institutions, autonomous bodies and statutory organisations who satisfied the prescribed regular-service and scientific qualification requirements. Employment in a recognised institution did not, by itself, establish eligibility: applicable cadre, service and forwarding rules also had to be met.
Historical recruitment only: DHR’s circular under File No. A.12025/02/2022-HR originally closed on 24 October 2024, was extended to 25 November 2024, and finally closed on 9 January 2025. The post numbers, rules and pay figures below apply to that expired circular, not automatically to later ICMR recruitment.
Positions Available — 2024 DHR Circular
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Scientist D – 2 Posts
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Scientist E – 2 Posts
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The 2024 circular classified the advertised Scientist-D and Scientist-E posts as General Central Service, Group ‘A’, Gazetted, Non-Ministerial. These were four historical DHR posts, not current ICMR Scientist vacancies.
Pay Scales and Age Limits
| Position | Pay Level | Basic Pay Matrix Range (₹) | Age Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scientist D | Level 12 (7th CPC) | ₹78,800 – ₹2,09,200 | Not exceeding 56 years |
| Scientist E | Level 13 (7th CPC) | ₹1,23,100 – ₹2,15,900 | Not exceeding 56 years |
These are 7th CPC basic-pay matrix ranges, not in-hand salaries or total remuneration. The advertised upper age limit of 56 years for both grades was to be assessed as on the closing date for receipt of applications, as stated in Annexure I of the original DHR circular.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet organizational and educational/experience criteria as outlined below:
For Scientist D
Organizational Requirement
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Holding an analogous post on a regular basis in the parent cadre/department; or
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Having five years of regular service in Level 11 (₹67,700 – ₹2,08,700) or equivalent.
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Educational and Experience Requirement
Candidates must possess one of the following combinations:
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MD/MS/DNB or equivalent with five years of R&D/teaching/working experience.
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MBBS + PhD with at least four years of experience.
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PhD in specified life sciences or allied disciplines with five years of experience.
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Postgraduate degree in relevant disciplines with eight years of research or teaching experience.
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Tenure
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The deputation period ordinarily shall not exceed 4 years, including the immediately preceding deputation in another ex-cadre post as specified in the circular.
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For Scientist E
Organizational Requirement
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Holding an analogous post on a regular basis; or
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Having five years of regular service in Level 12 (₹78,800 – ₹2,09,200) or equivalent.
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Educational and Experience Requirement
Candidates must meet one of the prescribed degree pathways and the experience requirement:
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MD/MS/DNB or recognised equivalent in an eligible discipline, plus seven years of relevant research and development, teaching or working experience from a public-sector or government-recognised institution.
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PhD from a recognised university in a specified discipline, plus seven years of relevant research and development, teaching or working experience from a public-sector or government-recognised institution. The seven-year experience requirement applies to both degree pathways.
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Tenure
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The deputation period ordinarily shall not exceed 5 years, including the immediately preceding deputation in another ex-cadre post as specified in the circular.
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Application Process
For the closed 2024–25 recruitment, applicants were instructed to use the prescribed Annexure-II biodata/application proforma, submit the application in triplicate through the proper channel, and provide the requisite supporting materials. These included complete APARs for the preceding five years (every page attested by an officer not below Under Secretary rank), vigilance, integrity and cadre clearances, an Annexure-III record of major/minor penalties during the preceding ten years, and Annexure-IV certification by the cadre-controlling authority. Advance copies, late applications and applications missing required documents were liable to rejection. The historical address was:
The Under Secretary
Department of Health Research
Room No. 222, 2nd Floor
Indian Red Cross Society Headquarters
1, Red Cross Road
New Delhi – 110001
Historical submission email (closed; do not use for new applications): departmentofhealthresearch@gmail.com
Official deadline chronology: Original circular dated 23 August 2024, with closing date 24 October 2024; extension dated 21 October moved the deadline to 25 November 2024; extension dated 26 November moved it to the final 9 January 2025 deadline. These dates apply solely to DHR File No. A.12025/02/2022-HR. The original and both extensions appear together in the official DHR composite circular. This recruitment is closed.
Why This Opportunity Matters
1. Enhancing Scientific Leadership
The historical notice targeted experienced scientific officers for DHR’s health-research administration and research-related functions.
2. Strengthening the Research Ecosystem
The notice shows the experience and seniority expected for Group A scientific appointments at DHR; it is not evidence of the subsequent recruitment outcome or impact.
3. Flexible Engagement
The posts were advertised on deputation, including short-term contract, subject to the parent employer’s forwarding requirements and the qualifying regular-service criteria.
4. Multidisciplinary Focus
Annexure I specified qualifying medical and scientific disciplines; applicants also needed the listed experience and parent-cadre conditions.
Who Was Eligible for the Historical Recruitment
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Mid-to-Senior Government Officers with experience in health research or public health administration.
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Medical professionals (MD, MS, MBBS + PhD) looking for leadership roles in research policy and strategy.
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Researchers and academicians with substantial contributions in biomedical sciences, epidemiology, or health systems.
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Professionals in autonomous bodies or PSUs seeking to apply their expertise to national-level research initiatives.
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Historical Application Requirements
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Highlight relevant research experience and leadership roles.
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Ensure your application is complete, accurate, and endorsed by the parent department.
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Complete Annexure-II and document the qualifying regular post/service, academic qualifications and experience. Include the mandated five years of duly attested APARs, vigilance/integrity/cadre clearances, ten-year major/minor penalty statement (Annexure III) and cadre-controlling authority certification (Annexure IV). Publications and scientific achievements could be included in the prescribed biodata.
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The original circular required applications before its closing date. This recruitment is now closed.
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Conclusion
This article archives the 2024 DHR Scientist-D/Scientist-E deputation circular and its final January 2025 deadline. Its four vacancies are closed. For current vacancies, consult official DHR notices or the separately maintained ICMR Employment Opportunities portal. A new ICMR advertisement must be evaluated independently; the pay, recruitment route, age and experience criteria of the DHR notice do not automatically carry over.
2024–25 DHR Recruitment Snapshot
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Program Name | Scientist D and Scientist E – Deputation/Short-Term Contract |
| Host Organization | Department of Health Research (DHR), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India |
| Location | New Delhi, India |
| Funded By | Government of India (browse current research jobs separately) |
| Duration | Ordinarily not exceeding 4 years for Scientist D and 5 years for Scientist E, accounting for the immediately preceding deputation period specified in the notice |
| Study Mode | Full-time, on-site |
| Eligibility | Officers from Central/State Governments, PSUs, autonomous bodies, recognized universities, and research institutions |
| Financial Support | Pay Matrix Levels 12 and 13 (as per 7th CPC) |
| Fields of Research | Biomedical sciences, public health, epidemiology, health policy, and allied disciplines |
| Deadline | 9 January 2025 (extended deadline for the 2024 circular; recruitment closed) |
| Official Website | Official DHR Extension Circular |
References
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Official DHR Vacancy Circular and Two Extensions (original 2024 notice plus 2024–25 extensions)
ICMR — Official employment opportunities (separately advertised ICMR roles)
Distinct 2026 recruitment: ICMR-National Institute of NCD Epidemiology (ICMR-NINE) separately advertised Scientist-D recruitment in 2026, with a published application deadline of 16 November 2026. This is not a reopening of DHR’s four-post 2024 circular: check ICMR’s own Scientist-D notice for the separate post categories, direct-recruitment method and its current rules.
CareerAidHub editorial verification: 7 November 2026. The original DHR circular is historical and closed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Under the closed 2024 DHR circular, Scientist-D was a senior Group A scientific post associated with the Department of Health Research. The vacancy notice governed the post’s deputation eligibility rather than providing a detailed, guaranteed duty roster.
The closed DHR Scientist-E post had Level 13 basic-pay matrix range ₹1,23,100–₹2,15,900 under the 7th CPC. These are basic-pay figures, not guaranteed take-home salary; applicable allowances and deductions are separate.
Eligible officers from central/state/UT government bodies, PSUs, recognised universities or research institutions, autonomous bodies and statutory organisations had to satisfy both the qualifying regular-service/analogous-post condition and an accepted scientific qualification/experience pathway.
For the closed DHR Scientist-E deputation recruitment, applicants needed a recognised MD/MS/DNB (or equivalent) or eligible PhD, plus seven years of relevant R&D, teaching or work experience, together with analogous regular service or five years in Level 12 or equivalent.
The historical DHR process required the Annexure-II form in triplicate through the proper channel, with attested APARs and the prescribed clearances, at the notified DHR address and via the historical email. Final deadline: 9 January 2025. Applications are no longer accepted for this circular.
The upper age limit was 56 years for both Scientist-D and Scientist-E, assessed as on the closing date for receipt of applications under the original DHR circular. The final extended deadline was 9 January 2025.
Under the historical DHR circular, the deputation period would ordinarily not exceed four years for Scientist-D and five years for Scientist-E, including any relevant immediately preceding ex-cadre deputation period.
The 2024 notice covered specified government bodies, PSUs, recognised universities, recognised research institutions, autonomous bodies and statutory organisations. There was no blanket exclusion based solely on private management of an institution; eligibility depended on recognition, qualifying regular service or analogous post, and proper-channel/cadre conditions. A private-company employee without those conditions should not assume eligibility.
The 2024–25 DHR application required prescribed Annexure-II biodata in triplicate, complete attested APARs for the previous five years, vigilance, integrity and cadre clearances, a ten-year record of major/minor penalties (Annexure III), and cadre-controlling authority certification (Annexure IV), plus evidence of qualifications and service.
No further application date is provided under the expired DHR File No. A.12025/02/2022-HR. The original deadline was 24 October 2024, extended to 25 November 2024 and finally to 9 January 2025. Check current DHR vacancies or separate ICMR recruitment announcements for new posts.
