NCCS Call of Applications for PhD program for the August 2026

The National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS), Pune, invites applications from eligible candidates for admission to its Ph.D. program for the August 2026 session.

Applicants who are bonafide Indian citizens, with a consistently strong academic record and a demonstrated commitment to pursuing doctoral research in frontier areas of modern biology, including Cell and Molecular Biology, Structural Biology, Bioinformatics, Systems Biology, Neuroscience, Immunology, Infection Biology, Cancer Biology, and Microbial Ecology, are encouraged to apply. Candidates possessing a postgraduate degree and a valid Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) awarded by CSIR, UGC, DBT (Category I), ICMR, or BINC are eligible to apply.

Applicants who do not hold a fellowship but have qualified the JGEEBILS examination conducted by NCBS/TIFR in December 2025 are also eligible to apply. NCCS will offer a limited number of fellowships to selected candidates from this category.

Eligibility
1. Candidates must possess a postgraduate degree in any branch of science, with a strong interest in pursuing research in modern biology, and must have secured a minimum of 60% marks or an equivalent Grade Point Average (GPA).
• A relaxation of 5% marks will be applicable for candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC categories and persons with disabilities, as per Government of India norms.
2. Candidates must fulfill either of the following criteria :
• Hold a valid fellowship from CSIR, UGC, DBT (Category I), ICMR, or BINC OR o Have appeared in the JGEEBILS examination conducted by NCBS/TIFR in December 2025. Shortlisting for interview will be based on the JGEEBILS cutoff determined by NCCS.

Notes
• Applications must be submitted exclusively through the online portal. Applicants are required to have a Gmail account to complete the application process.
• For technical queries related to the application process, please contact: academics@nccs.res.in with the subject line “Ph.D. Admission Query”. All updates and announcements will be made available on the NCCS website : nccs.res.in/Career/1
• The upper age limit for JRF shall be 28 years as on August 01, 2026. Age relaxation for women and candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC/PWD categories will be in accordance with the Government of India guidelines.
• The terms and conditions pertaining to the fellowship will be according to the funding agency that grants the fellowship. NCCS will not be responsible for providing fellowships except for selected JGEEBILS students.
• Reservations will be in accordance with Government of India guidelines. Applicants from SC/ ST/ OBC/ PWD/ EWS categories must attach a self-attested copy of the relevant certificate with their application and provide the original certificates at the time of joining. This includes SC/ST (caste certificate), OBC (latest non-creamy layer certificate), PWD (PWD certificate), and EWS (income & asset certificate).
• NCCS Ph. D. program is a full-time commitment, and selected candidates may be required to reside on campus. On-campus hostel accommodation is provided to selected students on a first- come, first-served basis.

Candidates qualified only for Lectureship (LS) in CSIR-UGC (NET), DBT (Category II), ICAR or listed under the ICMR Project category are not eligible to apply.

Shortlisting of candidates for the Ph.D. interview will be carried out in accordance with NCCS selection criteria. Please note that submission of an application does not guarantee shortlisting for interview or selection to the Ph.D. program.

SCHEDULE FOR Ph. D. ADMISSIONS, MARCH - 2026 SESSION
Last date for receipt of online applications : 11th May, 2026
Publication of the list of shortlisted candidates invited for an interview on the NCCS website : 21st May, 2026
First round of interview (online) : 8th, 9th & 10th June, 2026
Declaration of result of first round (online) : 10th June, 2026 (7PM)
Final round of interview (online) : 11th & 12th June, 2026
Declaration of result of selected candidates : 22nd June, 2026
Interaction and finalization of guide : To be announced
Last Date for Joining : 3rd August, 2026