Human Resource Development Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Government of India has invited applications from Engineering Postgraduates for admission to DAE (Department of Atomic Energy) Doctoral Fellowship Scheme (DDFS) of BARC for pursuing PhD, commencing in July 2025 under the aegis of HBNI, a Deemed to be University. 

The selected students will be admitted to one of the following Constituent Institutions of HBNI: (i) Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai (ii) Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam (iii) Institute for Plasma Research (IPR), Gandhinagar (iv) Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre (VECC), Kolkata.

Fellowship: The selected students will be awarded Fellowships of Rs. 80,000/- per month and an annual contingency grant of Rs. 60,000/- to meet the PhD related expenses. The fellowship will be provided initially for a period of four years. Continuation of the fellowship is subject to satisfactory performance and review at the end of each year. On satisfactory performance, the tenure of Fellowship will be further extended one more year on the recommendation of competent authority. The total period of the fellowship shall in no case exceed five years. Medical benefits under CHSS are also available for DDFS candidate (research scholar only). Hostel accommodation is mandatory during PhD programme. 

Eligibility: Applicant must be an Indian citizen.  Applicants should possess M.E. /M. Tech./ M.Sc.(Engg)/ Integrated M. Tech degree or equivalent Engineering Postgraduate (PG) degree under the major discipline of Chemical, Computer Science, Electrical, Electronics, Instrumentation, Mechanical, Metallurgy/Material Science & Civil Engineering discipline with minimum 60% Marks. In addition, Applicants must have one of the under graduate (UG) - B. Tech/ B.E./ B. Sc. (Engg) degree or required equivalent engineering degree, as mentioned in the Table-1 of the Information Brochure for DDFS-2025, for the respective DDFS screening discipline in which they want to appear for Online screening examination, with minimum 60% marks. Those awaiting final results and / or appearing in qualifying exam in academic year 2024-2025 will be considered for deciding the DDFS screening marks on the basis of their CGPA up to 2nd semester. Those appearing in the final semester examination of qualifying degree in academic year 2024-25, must have first two semester mark sheets for evaluating the weighted average screening score. 

Age limit: Applicant should have been born on or after August 1, 1997 (Maximum age Limit-28 years for General Category). Age relaxation is applicable up to 3 years in case of Non creamy Other Backward Class applicants, 5 years in case of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe applicants. Max. Age limit for person, who is a Faculty in Engineering Colleges, is 40 years. In case of applicants with disabilities, additional 10 years’ age relaxation, on and over the maximum age limit for the category to which applicants belong, will be provided. Person with physical disability with extent of disability 40% or more will be considered for age relaxation and may be permitted a scribe. 

Selection: Selection is a two-step process: (i) Screening for Selection Interview through online Computer Based Test (CBT) & Post-graduation academic record and (ii) Performance in Selection Interview. Final Selection will be based on Selection Interview merit only. Screening Test is online computer based online test/examination (CBT) of 2 hours’ duration with 100 questions with four choices. A candidate who chooses the correct answer will get 3 marks whereas a candidate who chooses a wrong answer will get -1 (negative) marks. 

Candidates are not permitted to bring a calculator, mobile phone, smart watch, earphone. or any other electronic device inside the Examination Hall. The syllabus for the Online Exam is specific to the B.E. / B. Tech. / B. Sc. (Engineering) of DDFS screening examination discipline of CBT. The questions are intended to assess the basic understanding of subjects in the area of the Engineering exam discipline selected by the candidate. Emphasis would be on the knowledge and problem-solving ability rather than on the memory of the candidate. General English, General Knowledge, General Aptitude etc. are not assessed

Application: Applications can be submitted online at https://www.barcocesexam.in latest by January 26, 2025.

Application Fee for male applicants of General and OBC categories is Rs. 500/-. Woman candidates, candidates belonging to SC/ST, candidates belonging to transgender, and Physically Challenged candidates with extent of disability of 40% or more are exempted from payment of Application Fee.

Those awaiting final results and / or appearing in qualifying exam in academic year 2024- 2025 may also apply provided they must have result up to second semester of PG degree on the day of their online application for evaluating the weighted average screening score. All the academic requirement for the award of qualifying degree must be completed before 15th July 2025. If selected, they will be allowed to join the academic programme. However, retention of these candidates in DDFS programme is subject to submission of final mark sheet/ final certificates of qualifying degree by December 31, 2025.  

Screening Examination (CBT) will be held on 8th & 9th March 2025 and Selection Interviews in June 2025. 

All dates are tentative. Candidates are required to regularly visit https://www.barcocesexam.in for updates.