ICMR Assistant LDCE 2025-26: 17 Posts, Apply by May 4, 2026

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), through its Recruitment & Promotion Cell, has released a circular inviting online applications for the Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) for promotion to the post of Assistant (Pay Level-6). This internal recruitment drive is for eligible Upper Division Clerks (UDCs) working at ICMR Headquarters, covering vacancies for the years 2025 and 2026. A total of 17 Assistant posts are available, with the last date for online application submission being May 4, 2026. This is a significant opportunity for eligible internal candidates to advance their careers within one of India’s premier medical research institutions.

Quick Overview

Vacancy Details

The breakdown of vacancies for the Assistant post under the LDCE quota for the years 2025 and 2026 is as follows:

Note: There shall be a common examination for both vacancy years. Candidates will be considered separately for 2025 & 2026 vacancies based on their eligibility and merit. Unfilled 2025 vacancies will be carried forward to 2026.

Eligibility Criteria

Only regular UDCs working at ICMR Hqrs. are eligible to apply, provided they meet the following criteria:

Educational Qualification

• Minimum three years Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized University/Institute.
• Working knowledge of Computer (MS Office / PowerPoint).

Age Limit & Experience

• Candidates must have completed a minimum of 05 years of regular service in the grade of UDC at ICMR Hqrs.
• For appearing in LDCE 2025 & 2026, candidates must have completed 05 years of qualifying service as on 1st April 2025.
• For appearing in LDCE 2026 only, candidates must have completed 05 years of qualifying service as on 1st April 2026.
• Any period of ad-hoc/officiating appointment will NOT be considered as regular service.

Application Fee

Application fee details are not mentioned in the official notification. Candidates are advised to check the online application portal or subsequent updates on the ICMR website for any fee-related information.

Important Dates

Selection Process

The selection process for the Assistant post through LDCE involves a competitive examination consisting of three modules. Final merit will be prepared based on the marks obtained out of 100.

1. Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE): The examination comprises three modules (Module-I, II & III).
2. Qualifying Marks: Candidates must secure qualifying marks in each module separately. The qualifying marks are 50% for UR category and 40% for SC/ST/PwBD categories.
3. Mandatory Qualification: Qualifying in each module is mandatory. Candidates failing to qualify in Module-I will not have Module-II evaluated. Similarly, failure in Module-II means Module-III will not be evaluated, and failure in Module-III means not being considered for further process.
4. Merit List: Final selection is based on the candidate’s merit position and the availability of vacancies for each vacancy year (2025 & 2026) and category.
5. Tie-Resolution: In case of a tie in marks, the older candidate (based on date of birth) will be placed higher. If the tie persists, the candidate with fewer wrong answers will be placed higher.

Exam Pattern & Syllabus

The LDCE for Assistant post consists of three modules with a total of 100 marks.

Scheme of Examination

Detailed Syllabus

Module-I

• Manual of Office Procedures
• CCS Rules (CCA, Leave, LTC, Conduct etc.)
• GFR (General Financial Rules)
• Pension Rules & NPS Rules
• FR & SR (Fundamental Rules & Supplementary Rules)
• TA/DA & Joining Time rules
• Recruitment/appointment & promotion
• Advances
• Pay fixation
• RTI Act
• Reservation Rules
• Procurement through GeM
• Practice and procedures in Parliament

Module-II

• Noting and Drafting
• Precis Writing

Module-III

• Preparation of Presentation Slide using MS Powerpoint
• Typing and Formatting on MS Word
• Data Entry, Tabulation and Calculations using Formulae on MS Excel

How to Apply

Eligible UDCs must follow these steps to apply for the ICMR Assistant LDCE:

1. Visit the Application Portal: Go to the official ICMR recruitment website: https://recruitment.icmr.org.in/icmr_udc_ldce/index.php/login
2. Register/Login: Complete the online application form as per the detailed instructions provided on the portal.
3. Fill Application Form: Enter all required personal, educational, and service details accurately.
4. Review and Submit: Carefully review all information before final submission of the online application.
5. Download Application Form: After successful online submission, download and take a printout of the filled-in application form.
6. Gather Documents: Collect all necessary documents as specified (though not explicitly listed in this circular, typically educational certificates, service records, etc., are required).
7. Submit to Establishment Section: Submit the printed application form along with the necessary documents to the Establishment Section of ICMR Hqrs.
8. Verification: The Establishment Section will verify the details from service records and obtain vigilance clearance before forwarding the application to the Recruitment & Promotion Cell by May 15, 2026.

Important Links

Job Profile & Career Scope

The Assistant post (Pay Level-6) in ICMR involves crucial administrative and support functions within the organization. Typically, an Assistant’s duties include:

• Handling office correspondence, drafting letters, and maintaining files.
• Assisting in personnel management, recruitment processes, and service matters.
• Processing financial transactions, budgets, and accounts.
• Managing office resources, procurement, and general administration.
• Utilizing computer skills for data entry, report generation, and presentations.

Career growth for an Assistant in a government organization like ICMR is structured. With experience and further departmental examinations, an Assistant can progress to higher administrative roles such as Section Officer, Administrative Officer, and beyond, taking on greater responsibilities and leadership positions within the organization.

Preparation Tips

To excel in the ICMR Assistant LDCE, a strategic approach covering all three modules is essential:

General Strategy

• Understand the Syllabus: Thoroughly go through the detailed syllabus for each module.
• Time Management: Create a study schedule that allocates sufficient time for each subject, especially weaker areas.
• Practice Regularly: Solve previous year’s questions (if available) and practice mock tests to improve speed and accuracy.

Module-wise Tips

• Module-I (MCQs – Manual of Office Procedures, CCS Rules, GFR, etc.): This module requires strong theoretical knowledge. Focus on understanding the rules, acts, and procedures. Make concise notes for quick revision. Use standard government publications and guides for these topics.
• Module-II (Descriptive – Noting, Drafting, Precis Writing): This module tests your writing and analytical skills. Practice writing notes on various administrative scenarios, drafting official letters, and summarizing passages (Precis Writing). Focus on clarity, conciseness, and adherence to official language.
• Module-III (Computer Skills – MS Office): As this is a practical test, hands-on practice is crucial. Regularly practice creating presentations in PowerPoint, typing and formatting documents in MS Word, and performing data entry, tabulation, and calculations in MS Excel. Focus on keyboard shortcuts and common functions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Who is eligible to apply for the ICMR Assistant LDCE?

A: Only regular Upper Division Clerks (UDCs) working at ICMR Hqrs. with a minimum of 5 years of regular service and a Bachelor’s degree are eligible.

Q2: What is the last date to submit the online application?

A: The last date for online application submission is May 4, 2026, by 05:00 PM.

Q3: Is there an application fee for this examination?

A: The official notification does not specify any application fee. Candidates should check the online application portal for details.

Q4: What is the selection process for the Assistant post?

A: The selection is based on a Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) comprising three modules (MCQs, Descriptive, and Computer Skills). Candidates must qualify in each module.

Q5: Where will the examination be conducted?

A: The examination shall be held at New Delhi. The exact date and venue will be intimated in due course.

Q6: What documents are required after submitting the online application?

A: After online submission, candidates must download and print the filled application form and submit it along with necessary documents to the Establishment Section of ICMR Hqrs. for verification.

Q7: Can candidates from other ICMR institutes apply?

A: No, the circular explicitly states that applications are invited from eligible UDCs working at ICMR Hqrs. only.

Q8: What happens if a candidate fails to qualify in Module-I?

A: If a candidate does not qualify in Module-I, their Module-II will not be considered for evaluation, and they will not proceed further in the selection process.

Q9: What are the qualifying marks for the examination?

A: Candidates need to score 50% in each module for the UR category and 40% for SC/ST/PwBD categories to qualify.

Q10: What is the career progression for an Assistant in ICMR?

A: An Assistant can progress to higher administrative roles like Section Officer, Administrative Officer, etc., through further departmental examinations and experience, taking on increased responsibilities within the organization.