The Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India (GOI) has established the National Testing Agency (NTA) as an independent, autonomous, and self-sustained premier testing organization under the Societies Registration Act (1860) for conducting efficient, transparent and international standard tests in order to assess the competency of candidates for admissions to premier higher education institutions. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has been entrusted by the DHR-ICMR, with the task of conducting of Biomedical Research Eligibility Test (BRET) which is a test to determine determining the eligibility of Indian National candidates for the award of junior research fellowship (JRF) through DHR-ICMR.
About DHR-ICMR
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi an apex body in India for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research under Department of Health Research (DHR), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW), is one of the oldest medical research organizations in the world which has completed more than 100 years of its existence. The Governing Council of the ICMR is presided over by the Hon'ble Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare. The ICMR conducts biomedical research through its (i) 27 permanent mission- oriented institutes (Intramural Research) located in different parts of India, which address themselves to research on specific health topics like tuberculosis, leprosy, cholera, diarrhoeal diseases, viral diseases including AIDS, malaria, kala-azar, vector control, nutrition, food & drug toxicology, reproduction, immuno-haematology, oncology, medical statistics, etc. including (ii) Regional Medical Research Centres (RMRC) addressing themselves to regional health problems, as well as aim to strengthen or generate research capabilities in different geographic areas of the country.
Overview about the Program
The Biomedical Research Eligibility Test (BRET) will be held on 31.07.2024 (Tentative Date) for determining the eligibility of Indian National candidates for the award of junior research fellowship (JRF) through DHR-ICMR.
The award of fellowship to the successfully qualified & eligible candidates will depend on their finding placement in a medical college/hospital/university/national laboratory/institution of national importance/ICMR institutes/centres as per the two categories given below:
A. To pursue doctoral degree from UGC-recognized universities/research institutions/ institute of national importance in India.
B. To pursue the doctoral degree from 27 ICMR institutes/centers, where in they will be registered for Ph.D. under the newly established AcSIR-ICMR Faculty of Medical Research.
1. A total of 500 fellowships would be awarded to work in the field of biomedical sciences/health research.
2. The merit list comprising the candidates qualifying test will be made on the basis of their performance in the test and will be declared as per the criteria given above.
3. The candidates selected under this programme of DHR-ICMR 2024 - Biomedical Research Eligibility Test (BRET) would be permitted to enrol themselves for the Ph.D. programme in subject related to biomedical/health research only.
4. SC/ST/OBC/PwBD (Persons with Bench-mark Disabilities) and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) applicants in General category will be given reservation as per Govt. policy guidelines.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualifications
• M.Sc. or equivalent post-graduate (PG) degree (M. Tech/M. Pharma), in life sciences, zoology, botany, biomedical sciences, microbiology, biochemistry, genetics, biotechnology, biophysics, bioinformatics, forensic sciences, environmental sciences, food and nutrition, molecular biology, biological sciences, ecology, immunology, neurosciences, veterinary sciences, nursing, biostatistics, pharmacology, pharmaceutical sciences, public health, social work, with minimum 55% marks in PG test for General/EWS/OBC candidates and 50% for the SC/ST and PwBD candidates.
• A candidate who is appearing/has appeared in the final year (IV/VI Semester whichever is applicable, and final year where semester system is not there) of M.Sc. or equivalent post graduate test during the session (2023-24) can also apply for the test as RA (Result Awaited).
• Such candidates will have to submit the attestation format (given in annexure-I duly certified by the Head of the Department/Institute over his/her signature and official seal/stamp (with address and name) where he/she is appearing in the final year PG test.
• However, such candidates shall be admitted to the Test provisionally and shall be considered eligible for JRF only after they submit the proof of having passed the Master's Degree test with requisite percentage.
Age Limit : The age limit for admission to the eligibility test is 30 years as on last date of the application form i.e. 09.07.2024. (Upper age limit relaxation up to five years in case of candidates belonging to SC/ST, PwBD and female candidates, three years in the case of OBC category).
Declaration : In the event of any ineligibility being detected by DHC-ICMR / NTA at any stage, their candidature will be cancelled and they shall be liable for legal action. NTA does not verify the information provided by the candidates during online registration and hence candidature will be purely provisional subject to the fulfillment of eligibility criteria.
Fee Payable for DHR-ICMR 2024 - Biomedical Research Eligibility Test (BRET)
(Debit/Credit Card/UPI or Internet Banking through any of the payment gateway of ICICI)
General / General-EWS : INR 1800
OBC(NCL)*/SC/ST : INR 1500
PwBD/Third Gender : INR 1200
Note : • An applicant can apply for payment through net-banking/debit/credit card/UPI.
• Service charges of the concerned Bank/ Payment Gateway Integrator, as applicable.
• Applicants are advised to read Payment instructions carefully before paying the application fee.
*OBC (Other Backward Classes)-NCL (Non-Creamy Layer) as per the central list of Other Backward Classes available on the website of National Commission for Backward Classes. The candidates falling in this list may mention OBC in the Category Column.
Mode of Examinations
The Examinations will be conducted in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode. 3.2 Scheme of Test The Test will consist of three parts. All the parts will consist of objective type, multiple choice questions. There will be no break between papers. The subject-wise scheme of examination is as per details below :
• The test will consist of one paper of two hours duration.
• The question paper will be divided into three sections A, B and C as per the syllabus at Annexure-IX.
• All questions in each section are compulsory carrying one mark each.
• Negative marking @0.25 will be made for each of the wrong answer.
• Questions not attempted will be marked zero.
Pattern of Question Papers
Section-A (Aptitude Section) comprising of 50 questions from the following areas:
1. Reading Comprehension: Evaluate comprehension and interpretation skills across diverse fields.
2. Reasoning Ability: Assess deductive reasoning, data interpretation, verbal and non- verbal reasoning.
3. Analytical Ability: Analyze information systematically and logically, interpret data, and apply logical reasoning.
4. Quantitative Ability: Evaluate logical reasoning, numerical analysis, and graphical interpretation.
5. Quantitative comparison: Problem-solving through quantitative comparison and analytical reasoning
Section-B will be having 50 questions pertaining to cross-disciplinary areas and not from any specific domain but related to fundamental knowledge which is common to the topics listed below:
1. Molecular basis of changes occurring in living cells.
2. Cell structure and function including cell communication, signaling, growth, reproduction and differentiation.
3. Basic understanding of physiological processes.
4. Genetic inheritance and genomics
5. Origin of life and evolution
6. Biotechnological processes, techniques and applications
7. Biosafety
8. Bioethics
9. Natural and acquired immune responses
10. Common bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic infections
Section-C would comprise of 50 questions relevant to applied/analytical part of the biological processes from the eleven (11) specific disciplines/subjects as listed below, candidate will have to opt for only for one subject for this section:
1. Microbiology (Bacteriology, Virology, Parasitology, Entomology, Mycology)
2. Biochemistry
3. Biostatistics
4. Veterinary Science/Medicine
5. Public Health
6. Nursing
7. Biotechnology
8. Social Behavioral Sciences (Anthropology, Sociology, Psychology)
9. Nutrition
10. Pharmacology
11. Biological Sciences (Life Sciences, Human Biology, Environmental Sciences, Zoology, Botany)
Important Instructions for Candidates
Candidates are advised to go through instruction printed on Admit Card carefully before going for the Examination and follow them strictly
1. The candidates are advised to read the instructions on the Admit Card carefully and follow them strictly.
2. Candidates MUST bring the following documents on the day of Examination at the test centre. Candidates who do not bring these will not be allowed to appear in the Examination.
i. Print copy of Admit Card downloaded from NTA website.
ii. One passport size photograph (same as uploaded on the Online Application Form) for pasting on the specific space in the attendance sheet at the Centre during the Examination.
iii. Any one of the authorized Govt. photo IDs (must be original, valid and non- expired), viz. School Identity Card/ PAN card/ Driving Licence/ Voter ID/ Passport/ Aadhar Card (With photograph)/ Aadhar Enrolment No/ Ration Card iv. PwD certificate issued by the Competent Authority, if claiming the relaxation under PwD category. If the name has been changed due to events such as marriage, candidatemust show the relevant document at the time of exam. Marriage Certificate/ Divorce/ Decree / Legal Name Change Document.
3. Candidates should not be in possession of any material listed in the list of prohibited material.
4. Candidates are not allowed to carry any baggage inside the Examination Centre. NTA will not be responsible for any belongings stolen or lost at the premises. 5. The candidates shall report at the Examination Centre at the time mentioned on the Admit Card so as to avoid crowding at the Examination Centre.
6. Candidates must reach the test centres on or before the reporting time. Entry of the candidates into centre shall be stopped 30 mins before the start of the Examination.
7. Candidates may note that late entry to the Examination premises is not permitted under any circumstances. NTA shall not be responsible for any delayed arrival of the candidate in reaching the centre due to any reason. Candidates are advised to familiarize themselves with the location of test centre and plan travel time accordingly.
8. Biometric information of all the candidates shall be captured. Identity checks will be made upon arrival at the test centre to ensure that there are no unauthorized candidates appearing for the test. Candidates are required to cooperate with the security personnel for security checks.
9. The candidate must show, on demand, the Admit Card for entry in the Examination room/hall. A candidate who does not possess the valid Admit Card shall not be allowed to enter the Examination Centre.
10. Candidates should take their seat immediately after opening of the Examination hall on their allotted seat. If not they are likely to miss some of the general instructions to be announced in the Examination Rooms / Halls. NTA shall not be responsible for any delay.
11. Any candidate found to have changed room / hall or the seat on his/her own other than allotted would be considered as a case of unfair means and the candidature shall be cancelled and no plea would be accepted.
12. The candidate must sign and paste the photograph on the Attendance Sheet at the appropriate place.
13. The candidate should ensure that the question paper available on the computer is as per the opted Examination indicated in the Admit Card. In case, the subject of question paper is other than the opted Examination, the same may be brought to the notice of the Invigilator concerned.
14. All calculations/writing work are to be done only in the rough sheet provided at the centre in the Examination Room/ Hall and on completion of the test candidates must hand over the rough sheets to the invigilator on duty in the Room/ Hall.
15. No candidate, without the special permission of the Centre Superintendent or the Invigilator concerned, will leave his/ her seat or Examination Room/ Hall until the full duration of the paper is over. Candidates must follow the instructions strictly as instructed by the Centre Superintendent/Invigilators.
16. Please note that only registered candidates will be allowed at the Examination Centre. Friends or relatives accompanying the candidates shall not be allowed entry in the test centre under any circumstances and will not be allowed to contact the candidate while the Examination process is going on.
17. Candidate shall appear at their own cost at the Centre on Date and time as indicated on their Admit Card issued by the NTA. No TA, DA or any accommodation facility will be admissible for appearing the examination.
18. The candidates are to be governed by the Rules and Regulations/Instruction of the NTA with regard to their conduct in the Examination Hall. All cases of unfair means will be dealt with as per rules.
19. Applications of candidates submitting false and fabricated information will be rejected and such candidates will be further debarred from appearing in Examinations conducted by NTA.
20. NTA reserves the right to withdraw permission, granted inadvertently if any, to any candidate who is not eligible to appear in the DHR-ICMR 2024 - Biomedical Research Eligibility Test (BRET) even though the Admit Card had been issued by the NTA.
21. In case of any ambiguity in interpretation of any of the instructions / terms / rules / criteria regarding determination of Eligibility / Conduct of Examination / Registration of Candidates / Information contained therein, the interpretation of the DHR-ICMR/ NTA shall be final and binding.
Online registration and submission of Application Form : 19.06.2024 to 09.07.2024 (up to 11:50 PM)
Last date for successful transaction of Examination fee : 09.07.2024 (up to 11:50 PM)
Correction in the Particulars of Application Form online only : 10.07.2024 to 11.07.2024
Date of Examination Schedule : 31.07.2024 (Tentative)
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