IIT (ISM) Dhanbad ANRF-Junior Research Fellow Recruitment 2026 - Apply Online

IIT (ISM) Dhanbad invites applications for the position of ANRF-Junior Research Fellow under various research projects funded by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF). This is a temporary contractual position for pursuing research in engineering and technology domains at one of India's premier technical institutes. The position is suitable for candidates holding postgraduate qualifications in Engineering or Technology who wish to pursue advanced research. The fellowship is typically awarded for a duration of 2-3 years, renewable annually based on performance. Selected candidates will work under principal investigators on cutting-edge research projects while also being eligible to pursue doctoral studies. This is an All India level recruitment with opportunities available across various departments of IIT (ISM) Dhanbad.

Important Dates

Note: Exact dates to be announced in the official notification

Vacancy Details

Typical / Indicative

Note: Exact vacancy count varies based on project requirements and will be specified in the official notification. Reservation follows Government of India norms.

Educational Qualification

• Essential: Master's degree (M.Tech/M.E./M.Sc.) in Engineering, Technology or related sciences from a recognized university/institution
• Preferred: First Division with minimum 60% marks or equivalent CGPA (55% for SC/ST/PwD candidates)
• Desirable: Valid GATE/NET/CSIR qualification or equivalent national level test
• Candidates enrolled or registered for Ph.D. may also be considered depending on project requirements

Age Limit

Age Relaxation:

Age calculated as on the last date of application submission

Nationality

• Indian Citizens only
• OCI/PIO cardholders may be considered for specific projects with approval

How to Apply

1. Visit the official website of IIT (ISM) Dhanbad at www.iitism.ac.in
2. Navigate to 'Recruitment' or 'Careers' section and locate the ANRF-JRF notification
3. Read the detailed advertisement and ensure you meet all eligibility criteria
4. Click on 'Apply Online' link for the respective project/position
5. Register with valid email ID and mobile number to receive OTP verification
6. Fill the online application form with personal, educational, and experience details
7. Upload scanned copies of required documents:

• Recent passport-size photograph (50 KB, JPG format)
• Signature (20 KB, JPG format)
• Educational certificates (PDF, max 500 KB each)
• Experience certificates (if applicable)
• Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD)
• GATE/NET scorecard (if applicable)

1. Pay the application fee through online mode (Net Banking/Debit Card/Credit Card/UPI)
2. Submit the application form and take printout of the confirmation page for future reference
3. Note the application number for tracking status

Application Fee

Typical / Indicative

Payment Mode: Online only (Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card, UPI)

Note: Application fee is non-refundable and non-transferable

Selection Procedure

1. Screening of Applications: All submitted applications will be screened based on educational qualifications, GATE/NET scores, and project-specific requirements. Only eligible candidates meeting the minimum criteria will be shortlisted.

1. Written Test/Technical Test (if applicable): Shortlisted candidates may be required to appear for a written test covering fundamental concepts in their respective engineering disciplines, research aptitude, and analytical skills. The test format and syllabus will be communicated to shortlisted candidates.

1. Interview/Presentation: Candidates who clear the written test (if conducted) will be called for personal interview before a selection committee comprising the Principal Investigator and subject experts. Candidates may be required to make a brief presentation on their understanding of the research area and prior academic/research work.

1. Document Verification: Shortlisted candidates after interview must produce original certificates and documents for verification including educational qualifications, caste certificate, GATE/NET scorecard, experience certificates, and identity proof.

1. Medical Fitness: Final selected candidates may need to undergo a medical fitness examination to ensure they are medically fit for the position.

1. Final Selection: Final merit list will be prepared based on academic performance, written test score (if applicable), interview performance, and availability of vacancies. Selected candidates will be informed via email/phone and offered appointment letters.

Note: The selection process may vary based on specific project requirements and will be detailed in the official notification.

Exam Pattern (If Written Test is Conducted)

Written Test (Typical Format)

Marking Scheme:

• Correct Answer: Full marks as indicated
• Incorrect Answer: Negative marking of 0.25 to 0.33 marks per wrong answer
• Unattempted: No marks deducted

Interview Pattern

Note: The actual exam pattern depends on the specific project and principal investigator. Some positions may have only interview-based selection without written test.

Syllabus (Project and Discipline Specific)

The syllabus varies based on the engineering discipline and research project. Below is a representative syllabus covering common areas:

Core Engineering Subjects (Based on Discipline)

#### Mechanical Engineering

• Engineering Mechanics and Strength of Materials
• Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer
• Fluid Mechanics and Machinery
• Manufacturing Processes and Automation
• Machine Design and Industrial Engineering
• CAD/CAM and Finite Element Analysis

#### Electrical Engineering

• Electric Circuits and Network Theory
• Electromagnetic Theory and Applications
• Power Systems and Electrical Machines
• Control Systems and Instrumentation
• Analog and Digital Electronics
• Power Electronics and Drives

#### Electronics & Communication Engineering

• Analog and Digital Communication Systems
• Signal Processing and VLSI Design
• Microprocessors and Embedded Systems
• Electromagnetic Waves and Transmission Lines
• Control Systems and Network Analysis
• Digital Electronics and Computer Architecture

#### Computer Science & Engineering

• Data Structures and Algorithms
• Database Management Systems
• Operating Systems and Computer Networks
• Software Engineering and Programming Languages
• Theory of Computation and Compiler Design
• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

#### Civil Engineering

• Structural Analysis and Design
• Geotechnical Engineering and Foundation Engineering
• Transportation Engineering and Highway Design
• Environmental Engineering and Water Resources
• Construction Management and Estimation
• Surveying and Remote Sensing

Research Methodology

• Research Design and Planning
• Literature Review and Citation Methods
• Data Collection and Analysis Techniques
• Statistical Methods and Hypothesis Testing
• Research Ethics and Publication Standards
• Technical Writing and Presentation Skills

General Aptitude

• Numerical Ability and Quantitative Reasoning
• Logical Reasoning and Analytical Skills
• Verbal Ability and Comprehension
• Data Interpretation and Problem Solving

Note: Candidates should focus on their specific discipline based on the project requirements mentioned in the advertisement.

Fellowship and Remuneration

Typical / Indicative (As per ANRF/DST Norms)

Additional Benefits

• Contingency Grant: ₹20,000 - ₹30,000 per annum for research expenses, books, stationery, travel to conferences
• Annual Increment: After 2 years, fellowship may be upgraded to Senior Research Fellow (SRF) level at ₹35,000 per month
• Medical Facilities: Access to institute medical facilities
• Library and Lab Access: Full access to IIT (ISM) library, laboratories, and research infrastructure
• Publication Support: Financial support for publishing research papers in journals and attending conferences
• No DA/TA: Fellowship positions typically do not receive Dearness Allowance or Transport Allowance

Note: Fellowship amount is as per funding agency norms and may vary based on project budget and candidate qualifications. The above figures are typical for ANRF/DST-funded JRF positions.

Junior Research Fellows at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad have excellent career growth opportunities. After completing 2 years with satisfactory performance and clearing the required assessments, JRFs are typically upgraded to Senior Research Fellow (SRF) position with enhanced fellowship of ₹35,000 per month. JRFs can simultaneously pursue Ph.D. under the same project, leading to a doctoral degree which opens doors to academic positions (Assistant Professor), research scientist roles in DRDO/ISRO/CSIR labs, or senior R&D positions in industry. Many fellows also transition to postdoctoral research positions abroad or in premier Indian institutions after completing their doctorate.

Admit Card Information

If a written test is conducted, admit cards will be released approximately 7-10 days before the examination date. Candidates can download their admit cards from the official IIT (ISM) Dhanbad website by logging in with their application number and date of birth. The admit card will contain details such as candidate name, roll number, examination centre address, reporting time, and important instructions. For interview-only selection, candidates will receive interview call letters via email with the date, time, and venue details. No hard copy will be sent by post, so candidates must regularly check their registered email and the official website.

Result Information

The selection result will be published on the official IIT (ISM) Dhanbad website typically within 2-4 weeks after completion of interviews. Candidates can check their result by visiting the recruitment section and entering their application number or roll number. The result will indicate whether the candidate is selected, waitlisted, or not selected. Selected candidates will receive offer letters via email containing joining instructions, document requirements, and reporting date. The result will also be displayed on the notice board of the concerned department. No separate communication will be sent to unsuccessful candidates, and the decision of the selection committee will be final and binding.

Expected Cutoff Marks

Typical / Indicative

For written test (if conducted), the qualifying cutoff marks are generally around 40-50% for General/EWS category candidates and 35-40% for SC/ST/OBC/PwD candidates. However, the actual cutoff depends on factors such as difficulty level of the test, number of applicants, and vacancies available. For interview-based selection, candidates typically need to score 50-60% marks (50 out of 100) to be considered for final selection. GATE/NET qualified candidates and those with prior research experience often have an advantage. Category-wise cutoff may vary by 5-10% with relaxed standards for reserved categories as per government norms.

Examination Centres

If written test is conducted, examination centres will be available across major cities in India:

North: Delhi, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Lucknow, Patna, Ranchi, Dhanbad

South: Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Visakhapatnam

East: Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Guwahati, Dhanbad

West: Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Nagpur, Indore

Northeast: Guwahati, Shillong, Agartala

Central: Bhopal, Raipur, Varanasi

Note: The final examination centre will be assigned based on candidate preference (subject to availability) and mentioned in the admit card. Interviews are typically conducted at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad campus in Jharkhand. Candidates must arrange their own travel and accommodation for attending the interview.