
CCRUM Research Officer (Unani) 2026 Guess Paper
CCRUM Research Officer Unani 2026: vacancy count, eligibility, 70-mark exam pattern, interview weight, salary, and a section-wise prep plan.
The Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine released 179 vacancies in June 2026 under Advertisement No. 01/2026. The Research Officer (Unani) post carries only 16 seats, so each mistake in preparation carries a high cost. A candidate who plans by mark weight, not by page count, gains a real edge before the exam date lands.
TL;DR
- CCRUM notified 179 posts across Group A, B, and C. Research Officer (Unani) holds 16 seats in Group A.
- The Group A selection process uses a 70-mark computer-based test (CBT) plus a 30-mark interview.
- Test-prep breakdowns of the notification split the 70-mark paper into 40 marks on the core Unani subject, 20 marks on research methods, and 10 marks on general awareness and computing.
- Pay for a selected Research Officer (Unani) ranges from ₹56,100 to ₹1,77,500 per month.
- The maximum age limit for this post is 40 years, with standard government relaxations for reserved categories.
- CCRUM has not announced the CBT date yet. Candidates must track the official portal for the schedule and admit card.
What the Research Officer (Unani) Post Requires
CCRUM is an autonomous research body under the Ministry of AYUSH. It runs research institutes across India in Unani medicine.
A candidate for Research Officer (Unani) must hold an MD or MS degree in Unani Medicine. The candidate must also hold registration with the NCISM, the CCIM, or a State Unani Register. The post carries an all-India transfer liability. A selected officer can get posted to any CCRUM institute in the country.
Vacancy and Eligibility Snapshot
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total CCRUM vacancies (Advt. 01/2026) | 179 across Group A, B, and C |
| Research Officer (Unani) seats | 16 |
| Qualification | MD/MS in Unani Medicine, registered with NCISM/CCIM or State Register |
| Maximum age | 40 years |
| Age relaxation | 5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC-NCL, 10-15 years for PwBD, per government norms |
| Job liability | All-India, at any CCRUM institute or centre |
This table sets the entry bar. A candidate who does not meet the qualification or age limit should not spend time on this post.
Exam Pattern and Marks Distribution
CCRUM splits its selection process by group. Group B and Group C posts use a 100-mark CBT alone or with a skill test. Group A posts, including Research Officer, use a shorter written paper backed by a heavier interview.
| Stage | Marks | Applies To |
|---|---|---|
| Computer-Based Test (CBT) | 70 | Research Officer and other Group A posts |
| Interview | 30 | Research Officer and other Group A posts |
| Shortlisting ratio for interview | 1:3 to 1:5 | Candidates per vacancy who clear the CBT cutoff |
| Negative marking | -0.25 per wrong answer | All posts except MTS |
| Exam duration | 100 minutes (130 minutes for PwBD candidates with a scribe) | All CBT posts |
The interview holds 30 of 100 total marks. A candidate who ignores interview preparation gives away almost a third of the score before the CBT result even arrives.
Syllabus Breakdown for the 70-Mark Paper
Exam-prep analysts who reviewed the detailed notification break the 70-mark Group A paper into three parts. CCRUM has not published a topic-by-topic PDF beyond this split, so a candidate should treat the exact question count per topic as an estimate, not a fixed rule.
| Section | Marks | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Core subject | 40 | MD/MS-level questions in Unani Medicine specialties |
| Research and ethics | 20 | Research methodology, biostatistics, clinical research, protocol development, Good Clinical Practice, bioethics |
| General section | 10 | General awareness, reasoning, and information technology |
The core subject alone carries more than half the paper. A candidate must give it the largest share of daily study time, not an equal split across all three sections.
Interview Weight and What It Tests
The interview for Research Officer (Unani) carries 30 marks, the same weight as the general section and the research-ethics section of the CBT combined. CCRUM shortlists candidates for interview at a 1:3 to 1:5 ratio against each vacancy.
A candidate should prepare the interview alongside the written paper, not after it. Common interview areas for a research post include the candidate’s postgraduate thesis, published work, applied knowledge of Unani formulations, and awareness of current AYUSH research programs.
Salary and the Cost of the Application
The Research Officer (Unani) post pays between ₹56,100 and ₹1,77,500 per month, under the applicable 7th Central Pay Commission level for Group A research posts. This range places the post above most Group B and Group C posts in the same notification, which explains the higher qualification bar.
The application carries a non-refundable processing fee of ₹500. Candidates in the SC, ST, PwBD, and women categories do not pay the examination fee but must still pay this processing fee. A candidate who needs to correct a submitted form can use the modification window from August 3 to August 5, 2026, for a fee of ₹300 per attempt.
Application Timeline
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Application window opens | July 1, 2026 |
| Application window closes | July 31, 2026, 11:59 PM |
| Form modification window | August 3-5, 2026 |
| CBT date | Not yet announced |
CCRUM has not released the CBT date as of early August 2026. A candidate must check the official site, ccrum.res.in, on a weekly basis instead of relying on any predicted month.
A Mark-Weighted Preparation Plan
A candidate with limited time before the CBT should allocate study hours to match the mark split, not personal comfort with a topic.
- Give the core Unani subject the largest study block, since it alone holds 40 of 70 marks.
- Cover research methodology, biostatistics, and bioethics next. This section holds 20 marks and rewards structured revision over rote memory.
- Finish general awareness, reasoning, and computing last. This section holds only 10 marks and needs shorter, repeated review sessions rather than long study blocks.
- Start interview preparation in parallel with CBT study, since the interview holds 30 of 100 total marks.
- Reread the official Advertisement No. 01/2026 for any post-specific update, since CCRUM may add detail to the syllabus before the CBT date appears.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Do not treat the CCRUM Research Officer paper like a Group B or C clerical paper. The two use different mark structures and different core subjects.
- Do not delay interview preparation until after the CBT result. The 1:3 to 1:5 shortlisting ratio gives limited time between result and interview.
- Do not rely on an unofficial predicted exam month. Confirm the CBT date only from the official CCRUM notice.
- Do not skip the modification window if a form error exists. A rejected form removes a candidate from the entire process.
Common Questions
How many seats does the CCRUM Research Officer (Unani) post carry in 2026? The post carries 16 seats out of the 179 total vacancies in Advertisement No. 01/2026.
What is the CCRUM Research Officer (Unani) salary? The pay range runs from ₹56,100 to ₹1,77,500 per month, before allowances.
Is there negative marking in the CCRUM Research Officer exam? Yes. CCRUM deducts 0.25 marks for each wrong answer in the CBT.
What is the maximum age limit for this post? The maximum age is 40 years, with standard relaxation for reserved categories.
When is the CCRUM Research Officer CBT in 2026? CCRUM has not announced the date. Candidates must track the official website for the schedule and admit card.
What This Means Going Forward
The Research Officer (Unani) post rewards a candidate who studies by mark weight and tracks the official notice board, not general exam rumors. With only 16 seats and a paper that leans heavily on postgraduate subject knowledge, the gap between a selected candidate and a rejected one will likely come down to depth in the core subject and readiness for a 30-mark interview. Candidates should lock their study plan around the confirmed 70-plus-30 structure now and adjust only when CCRUM publishes new detail.