ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Kochi, has opened applications for five Young Professional posts under its National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) project. The call, issued on 23 October 2026, offers one Young Professional-II (YP-II) post at ₹42,000 per month and four Young Professional-I (YP-I) posts at ₹30,000 per month — all purely temporary, contract-based positions at CMFRI, Kochi.
The catch that every applicant must understand first: this is a two-stage process, not a walk-in for everyone. You must email your application by 6 November 2026, and only candidates shortlisted from those applications will be intimated by email and allowed to appear for the offline walk-in interview on 12 November 2026 at 10:00 AM. Turning up at Kochi on 12 November without that shortlisting email will not get you in. Read the full process below before you apply — several small requirements in this notice (the compulsory declarations, the scanned certificates, the relative-declaration rule) can disqualify an otherwise eligible candidate if missed.
Images in this post are illustrations, not photographs of CMFRI or its staff.
Vacancy at a Glance
| Item | Detail (official CMFRI notice, verified 27 October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Institute | ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Kochi |
| Project | National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) |
| Notice | F.No. 3-17/NICRA/2024-25, dated 23.10.2026 |
| Total posts | 5 — YP-II: 1; YP-I: 4 (in three qualification groups: 2 + 1 + 1) |
| Pay | YP-II: Rs. 42,000/month; YP-I: Rs. 30,000/month (consolidated, as per ICAR guidelines) |
| Age limit | 21 to 45 years, with relaxation as per rules (all posts) |
| Place of work | ICAR-CMFRI, Kochi (all posts) |
| Tenure | Purely on contract for one year from joining, or till project termination, whichever is earlier |
| Apply by | Email to nicracmfri22@gmail.com on or before 06.11.2026 |
| Walk-in interview | 12.11.2026 at 10:00 AM, ICAR-CMFRI, Kochi — shortlisted candidates only |
| TA/DA | No TA/DA will be paid for appearing for the interview |
| Status on 27 October 2026 | OPEN — the 6 November 2026 application deadline has not passed |
The Five Posts in Detail
| Post | Posts | Essential qualification | Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Young Professional-II (YP-II) | 1 | Postgraduate in Fisheries Science / Marine Biology / Marine Science / Environmental Science | Rs. 42,000/month |
| Young Professional-I (YP-I) — fisheries group | 2 | Graduate in Fisheries Science / Marine Science / Marine Biology / Zoology / Botany | Rs. 30,000/month |
| Young Professional-I (YP-I) — data group | 1 | Graduate in Statistics / Physics / Computer Science / Zoology | Rs. 30,000/month |
| Young Professional-I (YP-I) — office/field group | 1 | Graduate with experience in office administration and field work | Rs. 30,000/month |
YP-II (1 Post): The Senior Climate Role
The single YP-II post is the senior position in this call, and its essential qualification is a postgraduate degree in Fisheries Science, Marine Biology, Marine Science, or Environmental Science. The work spans fishery and environmental data analysis, laboratory experiments, field experiments, and marine plankton sampling and analysis — in short, the full pipeline from collecting samples at sea to analysing what they mean for a changing climate.
The desirable experience list shows exactly what kind of candidate CMFRI wants here: experience in climate-change-related research, fishery data analysis, statistical modelling and ecological analysis; water and sediment quality analysis and marine plankton identification; fisheries and oceanographic data collection onboard a vessel and handling oceanographic equipment; and scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals or reports. Two personal requirements run through the whole notice and are stated plainly for this post: willingness to travel to various locations for field sampling, and willingness to undertake field sampling during sea-going expeditions. If you are not prepared for sea-going fieldwork, this is not the post for you — no matter how strong your degree is.
YP-I (4 Posts): Three Different Doors In
The four YP-I posts are split into three qualification groups, and applicants should identify which group matches their degree before applying, because the essential qualifications differ sharply.
Group 1 — Fisheries graduates (2 posts)
Essential: a graduate degree in Fisheries Science, Marine Science, Marine Biology, Zoology, or Botany. Desirable: a postgraduate degree in Fisheries Science, Marine Biology, Marine Science, Environmental Science, or Zoology; experience in fish sampling, taxonomy and biology; water and sediment quality analysis and identification of marine plankton and benthos; fisheries and oceanographic data collection onboard a vessel; knowledge of mariculture practices; and prior research-project experience. The work is environmental data collection and analysis, laboratory experiments, and field experiments. This is the natural group for fisheries graduates who have already spent time on sampling and taxonomy.
Group 2 — Data and geospatial graduates (1 post)
Essential: a graduate degree in Statistics, Physics, Computer Science, or Zoology. Desirable: a postgraduate degree in Statistics, Computer Science, Geoinformatics, Environmental Science, or Data Science; knowledge of ecological principles and environmental analysis; working knowledge of GIS and remote sensing tools such as QGIS, ArcGIS, and Google Earth Engine; knowledge of Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications; and proficiency in programming languages. This group is CMFRI’s data-and-tools hire — the candidate who turns field and satellite data into usable analysis. Strong GIS or programming skills are the clearest way to stand out here.
Group 3 — Office administration and field work (1 post)
Essential: a graduate degree with experience in office administration and field work. Desirable: knowledge of computer applications including MS Word, MS Excel, and data entry; work experience in a government or private office in administrative tasks and data entry; experience in identifying marine plankton, water and sediment quality analysis, and statistical software; knowledge of financial documentation, preparation of financial statements, and maintenance of expenditure records; and experience in fieldwork, data collection, and coordination of project activities. The work itself is upkeep of office files, MS Office work, data entry, and field work. This is the only group where administrative and financial-record experience counts as a core strength rather than a bonus.
How to Apply: Six Steps
- Read the official notice first. Download it from the CMFRI career page (cmfri.org.in/career) — the link titled “Recruitment of Young Professional-II (YP-II) and Young Professional-I (YP-I) under the NICRA Project”. Do not rely on summaries alone; the notice’s Annexures I and II are part of the application.
- Fill the application form (Annexure I & II). Complete both annexures, sign the declarations, and keep a copy. The declarations are compulsory for every candidate (see below) — an unsigned or missing declaration is a real risk.
- Scan your original certificates. Scan all original certificates from matriculation onwards, plus your educational and experience supporting documents and your biodata. These scanned copies go with the email application.
- Email everything to nicracmfri22@gmail.com on or before 6 November 2026. Send the filled form (Annexure I & II), the scanned supporting documents, and your biodata to that address. No closing time is stated in the notice, so do not leave it to the last hours of 6 November.
- Watch your email for shortlisting. Shortlisted candidates will be intimated by email. Only those who receive that communication may appear for the walk-in interview. No separate call letter system is described — your inbox is the channel.
- Attend the walk-in if shortlisted. The offline walk-in interview is on 12 November 2026 at 10:00 AM at ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi. Carry one valid ID proof, and a No Objection Certificate from your present employer if you are employed.
Documents and Declarations Checklist — Do Not Skip These
- Scanned original certificates from matriculation onwards — sent to nicracmfri22@gmail.com by 6 November 2026. The notice is explicit: without these certificates, applicants would not be allowed to appear for the interview.
- Annexure-I and Annexure-II declarations, duly signed — compulsory for all candidates, submitted by 6 November 2026.
- Relative declaration (Annexure-II): if any near or distant relative of yours is an employee of ICAR-CMFRI, you must declare their name, designation, nature of duties, and relationship in writing, communicated by post or email to nicracmfri22@gmail.com by 6 November 2026.
- Valid ID proof — to be produced at the time of interview.
- No Objection Certificate — from your present employer, if applicable.
- CGPA/OGPA conversion table — if your marks were issued as CGPA or OGPA, produce the approved conversion table or formula at reporting time, otherwise your candidature will not be considered.
Terms Every Applicant Should Know Before Applying
These positions are purely temporary and contractual. The notice states that selected candidates shall not claim any regular appointment at the institute — the posts are non-regular, time-bound, and co-terminus with the project. The total number of vacancies may also vary depending on project requirements on the date of interview, and the Director of ICAR-CMFRI’s decision is final and binding in all respects. Concealing facts or canvassing in any form leads to disqualification or termination, and the competent authority may terminate the engagement without assigning any reason at any time. None of this is unusual for project posts — but applicants who treat a YP post as a route to a permanent job will be disappointed, and should apply with open eyes.
One more practical warning: no TA/DA is paid for appearing for the interview. Travel to Kochi for the 12 November walk-in is at your own cost, and only after shortlisting. Budget for it before you apply, not after you get the email.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just walk in on 12 November without applying by email? No. Only shortlisted candidates who receive an email communication may appear for the walk-in. The email application by 6 November 2026 is mandatory.
Is the ₹30,000 YP-I pay the same for all four YP-I posts? Yes. All three YP-I groups carry the same emoluments: Rs. 30,000 per month, consolidated, as per ICAR guidelines. Only the YP-II post is higher, at Rs. 42,000 per month.
Which YP-I group should a fisheries graduate apply for? The first group (2 posts), which asks for graduates in Fisheries Science, Marine Science, Marine Biology, Zoology, or Botany. The data group suits Statistics, Physics, Computer Science, or Zoology graduates, and the office/field group suits graduates with office administration and field-work experience.
Is there an application fee? No fee is mentioned in the notice. Applications are by email only.
What if I miss the 6 November deadline? The notice gives no late-application route. Missing it means missing this call entirely — the walk-in on 12 November is only for candidates shortlisted from applications received by the deadline.
Related Fisheries India Coverage
Compare this call with our other recent CMFRI and ICAR openings: CMFRI Hiring 3 Young Professionals — ₹30,000/Month, ICAR-CIFE RA/JRF 2026 — ₹61,000 Pay, Apply by Nov 7, and NBFGR Walk-in Oct 27 — ₹30,000 Ornamental Fish Job. Also see KUFOS Fellowships — ₹13,000/Month for Fisheries PhDs.
Official Sources
- ICAR-CMFRI career page (cmfri.org.in/career) — link “Recruitment of Young Professional-II (YP-II) and Young Professional-I (YP-I) under the NICRA Project” (issue date 23 October 2026, closing date 06 November 2026).
- Official notice PDF: cmfri.org.in/uploads/jobs/career_6adb3f3859701.pdf — F.No. 3-17/NICRA/2024-25, dated 23.10.2026, 9 pages: 5 posts, pay, qualifications, walk-in 12.11.2026 at 10:00 AM, email nicracmfri22@gmail.com, no TA/DA, Annexure-I & II declarations, certificate requirements.
All dates, figures, and requirements in this post are taken from the official CMFRI notice above, verified 27 October 2026. No closing time for 6 November 2026 and no interview hall beyond ICAR-CMFRI, Kochi are stated in the notice, so none is claimed here. Readers should read the full official notice before applying.