IIT Indore Junior Research Fellow Recruitment 2026 - Apply Online

IIT Indore invites applications for Junior Research Fellow (JRF) positions in various research projects across engineering and allied disciplines. The Indian Institute of Technology Indore is a premier technical institution offering research opportunities in cutting-edge areas. Selected candidates will work under faculty supervision on sponsored research projects funded by agencies like DST, DRDO, CSIR, or industry partners. This is a temporary contractual position with the primary objective of facilitating high-quality research and development. JRFs are expected to pursue doctoral studies while contributing to project deliverables. The position offers exposure to advanced research infrastructure and academic environment conducive to innovation and scholarly growth.

Typical / Indicative dates

Typical / Indicative vacancy distribution

Educational Qualification

• Essential: B.E./B.Tech in relevant Engineering discipline (Computer Science, Electronics, Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Chemical, Materials Science, etc.) with minimum 60% marks (55% for SC/ST/PwD)
• Desirable: M.E./M.Tech or equivalent postgraduate degree in relevant specialization
• Mandatory: Valid GATE score or NET/CSIR qualification (as per project requirements)
• Candidates enrolled or willing to enroll for PhD programme preferred

Age Limit

Typical / Indicative age criteria

Age Relaxation Table

Nationality

• Candidates must be Indian citizens
• OCI/PIO cardholders may apply for certain projects subject to funding agency approval

1. Visit the official IIT Indore website (www.iiti.ac.in) and navigate to Careers/Recruitment section
2. Locate the specific JRF project advertisement and read the detailed notification carefully
3. Click on the 'Apply Online' link for the relevant project
4. Register with valid email ID and mobile number to generate login credentials
5. Fill the online application form with personal, educational, and qualification details
6. Upload scanned copies of photograph, signature, educational certificates, GATE/NET scorecard, and caste certificate (if applicable)
7. Pay the application fee through online mode (Net Banking/Credit Card/Debit Card/UPI)
8. Review the filled application form thoroughly before final submission
9. Submit the application and take printout of the confirmation page for future reference
10. Note the application reference number for tracking purposes

Application Fees (Typical / Indicative)

1. Screening of Applications: Initial shortlisting based on educational qualifications, GATE/NET score, relevant experience, and project requirements. Only eligible candidates meeting minimum criteria will be considered.

1. Written Test (if applicable): Subject-specific written examination covering technical knowledge in the relevant engineering domain, research methodology, and analytical abilities. Duration typically 2-3 hours.

1. Technical Presentation/Interview: Shortlisted candidates required to give presentation on their previous research work/project and face interview panel consisting of Principal Investigator and domain experts. Assessment of technical competency, research aptitude, and communication skills.

1. Document Verification: Original certificates verification including educational degrees, mark sheets, GATE/NET scorecard, age proof, caste certificate, and identity documents.

1. Final Selection: Merit list prepared based on combined performance in written test (if conducted) and interview. Project PI makes final recommendation for appointment based on suitability for research work.

Written Test Pattern (if applicable - varies by project)

Negative Marking: Typically 0.25 to 0.33 marks deducted for each wrong answer in MCQ sections.

Interview Pattern

Note: Some projects may conduct only interview without written test. Final selection methodology depends on project requirements.

Core Engineering Subjects

• Fundamentals of relevant engineering discipline (CSE/ECE/Mechanical/Civil/Chemical as applicable)
• Advanced topics in specialization area mentioned in project advertisement
• Mathematical foundations: Linear Algebra, Calculus, Differential Equations, Probability and Statistics
• Numerical methods and computational techniques

Research Methodology

• Basics of research design and planning
• Literature review and citation methods
• Experimental design and data collection
• Statistical analysis and interpretation
• Research ethics and plagiarism
• Technical report writing and presentation skills

Computer Science & IT (for CSE/IT projects)

• Programming languages (C, C++, Python, Java)
• Data structures and algorithms
• Database management systems
• Operating systems and computer networks
• Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
• Software engineering principles

Electronics & Communication (for ECE projects)

• Analog and digital electronics
• Signal processing and communications
• VLSI design and embedded systems
• Microprocessors and microcontrollers
• Control systems and instrumentation
• Electromagnetic theory

Mechanical/Civil Engineering (for relevant projects)

• Solid mechanics and strength of materials
• Thermodynamics and fluid mechanics
• Manufacturing processes/Construction technology
• CAD/CAM and finite element analysis
• Materials science and engineering
• Project management

General Aptitude

• Quantitative aptitude and logical reasoning
• Verbal ability and comprehension
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Current affairs in science and technology

Typical / Indicative fellowship and salary structure

Additional Benefits:

• Medical facilities as per institute norms
• Hostel accommodation (if available) at subsidized rates
• Access to institute library, computing, and laboratory facilities
• Annual increment (typically 3-8% based on project and performance)
• Conference/workshop participation support
• Note: JRF fellowship is tax-exempt under certain conditions as per IT Act provisions

Junior Research Fellows can progress to Senior Research Fellow (SRF) status after 2 years of satisfactory research performance and qualifying assessments, which typically increases fellowship by ₹4,000-7,000 per month. Upon completion of PhD, candidates become eligible for academic positions like Assistant Professor in IITs/NITs/universities or research scientist roles in DRDO, ISRO, CSIR labs, and R&D divisions of leading industries with starting salaries of ₹60,000-₹80,000 per month. The research experience and publications significantly enhance prospects for postdoctoral positions abroad and senior research roles in both academia and industry.

Admit cards for written test/interview are typically released 7-10 days before the scheduled exam date. Shortlisted candidates can download their admit cards from the official IIT Indore website using their application reference number and registered email ID/date of birth. The admit card contains important details including exam venue, reporting time, and candidate instructions. Candidates must carry printout of admit card along with valid photo ID proof to the examination/interview centre. No entry will be permitted without valid admit card.

Results are generally declared within 2-3 weeks after completion of interviews on the official IIT Indore website. Selected candidates are notified via email and official website announcement with further joining instructions. The final merit list displays roll numbers or application IDs of successful candidates. Candidates can check their individual result/scorecard by logging into the application portal. Wait-listed candidates may be considered in case selected candidates decline the offer. Appointment letters are issued to selected candidates after completion of document verification formalities.

Typical / Indicative cutoff ranges: Qualifying cutoff for written test (if conducted) is usually 40-45% for General/EWS, 35-40% for OBC, and 30-35% for SC/ST/PwD categories. Final selection cutoff based on combined written test and interview performance typically ranges between 55-70% for General category, 50-65% for OBC, and 45-60% for SC/ST categories. Actual cutoffs vary significantly based on project requirements, number of applicants, difficulty level of exam, and available positions. GATE/NET qualified candidates with high scores generally have better chances during initial shortlisting stage.

Typical / Indicative exam centres across India:

North: Delhi, Indore, Bhopal, Jaipur, Lucknow, Chandigarh, Dehradun

South: Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Visakhapatnam

East: Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Patna, Ranchi, Guwahati

West: Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Surat, Nagpur, Raipur

Northeast: Guwahati, Shillong, Imphal

Note: For most projects, interviews are conducted only at IIT Indore campus. However, for preliminary written tests (if applicable), multiple centres across major cities may be provided based on candidate distribution.