The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is a premier organization established to advance medical and biomedical research in India. Initially founded in 1911 as the 'Indian Finance Society,' it was renamed ICMR in 1949 following India's independence.

Significance:
One of ICMR's notable achievements includes collaborating with Bharat Biotech to develop India's first indigenous Covid-19 vaccine, 'Covaxin.' The organization also conducts various research initiatives in partnership with the World Health Organization and 10 other countries.

Main Functions:
Control of infectious and communicable diseases
Establishment of research centers for diseases such as COVID-19, AIDS, leprosy, malaria, and tuberculosis
Addressing nutritional deficiencies
Developing health protection strategies
Enhancing infrastructure and research capabilities in medical colleges, universities, and other research institutes
Establishment of ICMR and non-ICMR research centers
Providing services in fertility control, maternal and child health, and environmental health
Investigating major non-communicable diseases like cancer, cardiovascular diseases, blindness, and diabetes
Institutes:
ICMR operates major clinical and research institutes across India, including the National Center for Disease Information and Research in Bengaluru; National Institute of Environmental Health Research in Bhopal; and the National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research in Noida.
Other notable institutes include the National Institute of Malaria Research in Delhi; National Institute of Epidemiology in Chennai; National Institute of Immunohaematology in Mumbai; and the National Institute for Research on Non-Communicable Diseases in Jodhpur.
The National Institute of Tuberculosis Research and the National Institute of Reproductive and Child Health Research, both in Mumbai, also play significant roles.

Scholarships:
ICMR offers the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) program, providing a monthly stipend of Rs. 31,000 for two years. Additionally, scholarships are available for Short Term Student Scholarships, Senior Research Fellowships (SRF), and Research Associates (RA), among others.

For more details: https://main.icmr.nic.in