ICHR JRF Notification 2026: The Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) has released the official notification for the Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) for the academic year 2025-2026. The notification was published on 20th March 2026, inviting applications from eligible candidates registered for a Ph.D. program in historical studies.
As per the official schedule, the online application process has commenced from 20th March 2026. Eligible candidates can submit their applications online through the official ICHR website, www.ichr.ac.in. The last date for online submission is 10th April 2026, and the printout of the filled application form must reach the ICHR office by 17th April 2026.
ICHR Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) 2026: Key Highlights
The ICHR JRF is a prestigious fellowship awarded to promising researchers to pursue their doctoral studies in history. The selection will be based on a two-stage process: an online entrance test (Stage-I) followed by a presentation-cum-interview (Stage-II). Selected fellows will receive a monthly fellowship and an annual contingency grant.
| Organization | Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR), New Delhi |
|---|---|
| Fellowship Name | Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) |
| Academic Year | 2025-2026 |
| Total Fellowships | 80 (subject to reservation for SC, ST & PwD) |
| Notification No. | 01-1/2025-26/JRF Exam/ICHR |
| Application Mode | Online (followed by submission of hard copy) |
| Application Fee | Rs. 500 (Exempted for SC/ST/PwD candidates) |
| Registration Dates | 20th March to 10th April 2026 |
| Selection Process | Stage-I: Online Entrance Test; Stage-II: Presentation-cum-Interview |
| Fellowship Amount | Rs. 17,600/- per month + Rs. 16,500/- per annum (contingency grant) |
ICHR JRF Eligibility Criteria 2026
Candidates applying for the ICHR Junior Research Fellowships must fulfil the following eligibility criteria:
- Educational Qualification: Candidates must have registered for a Ph.D. program in historical studies in a recognized university.
- Registration Certificate: Candidates must possess a valid Ph.D. registration certificate, which will be required at the time of the presentation-cum-interview (Stage-II).
- Application Channel: All applications must be submitted through the proper channel, recommended by the Research Supervisor and forwarded by the Head of the Department/Centre/Principal.
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ICHR JRF Notification 2026 Download PDF
The Indian Council of Historical Research has released a detailed notification for the Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) 2025-2026. The notification contains comprehensive information on eligibility criteria, examination format, syllabus, important dates, application process, and other essential conditions. Candidates are strongly advised to read the detailed notification carefully before filling out the application form.
Download ICHR JRF Notification 2026 PDF
ICHR JRF Important Dates 2026
The ICHR has announced the key dates for the JRF application process and examination. The dates for the online entrance test and the presentation-cum-interview will be notified soon on the official website.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Commences | 20th March 2026 |
| Last Date for Online Submission | 10th April 2026 |
| Last Date for Submission of Printout | 17th April 2026 |
| Admit Card Availability | Before the Examination |
| Stage-I (Online Entrance Test) Date | To be notified soon |
| Stage-II (Presentation-cum-Interview) Date | To be notified soon |
Indian Council of Historical Research JRF Application Process 2026
Candidates who have registered for a Ph.D. program in a recognized university in historical studies are eligible to apply for the ICHR Junior Research Fellowships. The application process is a two-step process involving online submission and sending a hard copy to the ICHR office.
Step-by-step application process:
- Step 1: Visit the official website of the Indian Council of Historical Research: www.ichr.ac.in.
- Step 2: Click on the link for “Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) 2025-2026” or the “Online Application” link.
- Step 3: Register yourself by providing the required basic details. A unique ID number will be generated.
- Step 4: Log in using the credentials and fill out the online application form with all the required personal, educational, and research details. Candidates must choose their area of specialization (Ancient/Medieval/Modern India) at this stage.
- Step 5: Upload scanned copies of your recent photograph, signature, and other required documents.
- Step 6: Pay the application fee of Rs. 500 online. (SC/ST/PwD candidates are exempted from the fee).
- Step 7: Submit the online application form and take a printout of the completed form (with the auto-generated number).
- Step 8: Sign the printout, attach self-attested copies of the required documents (as per the checklist), and send it by post to the following address:
The Member Secretary
Indian Council of Historical Research
35, Ferozeshah Road,
New Delhi – 110001
Note: Submission of the application both online and the printout is mandatory. Hard copies without the unique ID number will not be accepted.
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ICHR JRF Exam Pattern & Syllabus 2026
The selection for the ICHR JRF will be conducted in two stages: an online entrance test (Stage-I) and a presentation-cum-interview (Stage-II). The final merit will be based on the aggregate marks of both stages.
Stage-I: Online Entrance Test
- Format: 100 online objective-type questions.
- Marks: Each question carries 1 mark (Total: 100 marks).
- Negative Marking: None.
- Language: Bilingual (English & Hindi).
- Syllabus: Questions will be based on the area of specialization chosen by the candidate (Ancient Indian History, Medieval Indian History, or Modern Indian History).
Stage-II: Presentation-cum-Interview
- Format: Shortlisted candidates from Stage-I will be called for a presentation followed by an interview.
- Presentation: Candidates must make an 8-10 minute presentation (preferably on PowerPoint) based on their registered Ph.D. research topic.
- Marks: Stage-II carries a maximum of 60 marks.
- Mode: The presentation-cum-interview will be conducted at the ICHR headquarters in New Delhi in hybrid mode.
Indian Council of Historical Research JRF Syllabus Overview
| Unit | Syllabus |
|---|---|
| Unit-I | Ancient Indian History (From Earliest time up to 12th Century): Sources, Pre-history, Indus Civilization, Vedic Culture, Shramana Traditions, Political history of North and South India, Art, Architecture, and Research Methodology. |
| Unit-II | Medieval Indian History: Sources, Delhi Sultanate, Regional Powers, Vijayanagar Empire, Mughal Rule, Marathas, Bhakti & Sufi movements, Economy, Art, Architecture, and Research Methodology. |
| Unit-III | Modern Indian History: Sources, Advent of European Powers, Colonial changes, Resistance movements, Socio-religious reforms, Nationalist activities (1858-1947), Contributions of key personalities, Women in freedom struggle, and Research Methodology. |
ICHR JRF Selection Process & Fellowship Details
Selection Process:
- Stage-I (Online Entrance Test): Candidates appear for the objective-type test. Marks: 100.
- Stage-II (Presentation-cum-Interview): Shortlisted candidates are invited for a presentation and interview. Marks: 60.
- Final Merit: Based on aggregate marks of Stage-I and Stage-II (160 marks total).
Fellowship Details:
- Fellowship Amount: Rs. 17,600/- per month.
- Contingency Grant: Rs. 16,500/- per annum.
- Duration: Two years, extendable by up to one more year under special circumstances.
- Nature: It is a whole-time engagement and cannot be combined with any other work.
FAQs
Ques: What is the full form of ICHR?
Ans: ICHR stands for the Indian Council of Historical Research, an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Education, Government of India.
Ques: What is the total number of Junior Research Fellowships for 2025-2026?
Ans: A total of 80 Junior Research Fellowships are to be awarded for the academic year 2025-2026, applying the usual reservation rules for SC, ST & PwD.
Ques: What is the last date to apply for the ICHR JRF 2026?
Ans: The last date for online submission is 10th April 2026, and the last date for submitting the printout of the application form is 17th April 2026.
Ques: What is the application fee for the ICHR JRF 2026?
Ans: The application fee is Rs. 500. Candidates belonging to SC, ST, and Persons with Disability (PwD) categories are exempted from paying the fee.
Ques: What is the selection process for the ICHR JRF 2026?
Ans: The selection is based on a two-stage process: an online entrance test (Stage-I) followed by a presentation-cum-interview (Stage-II). The final merit is based on the aggregate marks of both stages.
