NCCS invites applications for admissions to the Ph.D. program of March, 2026

NCCS invites applications from eligible candidates for admissions to the Ph. D. program of March, 2026 session. Eligible applicants, who are bonafide Indian citizens with a consistently strong academic record and a deep commitment to pursuing Ph. D. research in modern biology such as Cell & Molecular Biology, Structural Biology, Bioinformatics, Systems Biology, Neuroscience, Immunology, Infection Biology, Cancer Biology, Microbial Ecology, etc. are encouraged to apply.

Applicants having postgraduate degree and holding a valid Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) from CSIR, UGC, DBT (Category I), ICMR, BINC can apply. Applicants who do not possess a fellowship but have qualified the JGEEBILS examination conducted by NCBS/TIFR in December 2024 are eligible to apply. NCCS will offer a limited number of fellowships to selected JGEEBILS qualified students. However, shortlisted candidates according to NCCS criteria will be invited for Ph. D. interview.

Eligibility
1. Candidate must have a postgraduate degree in any branch of sciences with a strong interest in pursuing research in various areas of modern biology. The candidate should have a minimum of 60% or an equivalent Grade Point Average (GPA) A 5% relaxation in marks will be granted to SC/ST/OBC candidates and persons with disabilities.
2. Candidate must hold a valid fellowship from either CSIR, UGC, DBT (Category I), ICMR, BINC OR Candidates must have appeared in the JGEEBILS examination conducted by NCBS/TIFR in December 2024. Shortlisting of candidates for Interview will be based on their JGEEBILS cut-off score set by NCCS.
Candidates who qualified only for Lectureship (LS) in CSIR-UGC (NET), DBT (Category II) and the ‘Project list of ICMR’ are not eligible to apply.

Notes
• Students are required to submit their applications online. The candidates need to have a Gmail account to fill the online form.
• For any technical inquiries related to the online application process, please contact us at academicsnccs@gmail.com, indicating ‘Ph.D. Admission Query’ as the subject. All future announcements and additional information pertaining to this procedure will be exclusively available on nccs.res.in/Career/1 periodically.
• The upper age limit for JRF shall be 28 years as on March 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 for women and candidates from SC/ ST/ OBC /PWD/ EWS categories 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.

Please note that submitting an application to the NCCS Ph. D. program with the essential qualifications does not guarantee shortlisting for Ph. D. interview or subsequent selection.

SCHEDULE FOR Ph. D. ADMISSIONS, MARCH - 2026 SESSION
Last date for receipt of online applications : DECEMBER 09, 2025
Publication of the list of shortlisted candidates invited for an interview on the NCCS website : DECEMBER 19, 2025
First round of interview (online) : JANUARY 5 TO 7, 2026
Declaration of result of first round (online) : JANUARY 7, 2026 (7 PM)
Final round of interview (online) : JANUARY 8 & 9, 2026
Declaration of result of selected candidates : JANUARY 19, 2026
Interaction and finalization of guide in person : FEBRUARY 9 TO 13, 2026
Last Date for Joining : MARCH 2, 2026

Note : Selected candidates are required to be present at NCCS from February 9 to 13, 2026, to engage in discussions with scientists, finalize their research guide. Accommodation during this period will be provided by NCCS.