Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) Training Schools, Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Government of India, has invited applications for the Orientation Course for Engineering Graduates and Science Postgraduates (OCES) 2026 and DAE Graduate Fellowship Scheme for Engineering Graduates (DGFS) 2026.

OCES-2026 is a one-year orientation course for engineering graduates and science postgraduates starting in August 2026 to be conducted at BARC training schools situated in Mumbai and Hyderabad. A Trainee Scientific Officer (TSO), who scores a minimum of 35% in an individual subject and a minimum of 50% aggregate marks on an overall basis on completion of the Training Programme, is declared to have passed the course successfully. On successful completion of the OCES programme, Trainee Scientific Officers (TSOs) will be appointed as Scientific Officers in one of the DAE units or the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board.

Trainee Scientific Officers (TSOs) in engineering disciplines who successfully complete the Training Programme and whose performance meets a minimum eligibility criterion are allowed to enroll for M. Tech. at Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), a deemed-to-be university. Other TSOs may enroll for a Post-Graduate Diploma (PGD) at HBNI and would be issued a PGD certificate if their academic performance is above a specified threshold.

DGFS-2026 is a 2-year fellowship scheme for joining M.Tech., starting in July 2026, in DGFS institutes and specializations as given in the information brochure at https://barcocesexam.in/. The institutes include IITs at Bombay and Madras. After successful completion of one-year course work at the institute, DGFS fellows undertake project work, which is assigned by DAE and supervised jointly by a DAE and the DGFS institute guide. During the M. Tech course, applicants have to be involved in the TA (Teaching Apprenticeship) programme as per the terms and conditions of the DGFS institute. On successful completion of the DGFS programme, placement of DGFS fellows will be either at BARC or IGCAR.

Stipend and allowances during training: OCES TSOs are paid a stipend of Rs. 74,000/- per month during the period of their one-year training programme and a one-time book allowance of Rs. 30,000/-. DGFS fellows are paid a stipend of Rs. 74,000/- per month for two years and reimbursed the tuition fee for M. Tech. They are additionally paid a one-time Contingency Grant of Rs. 60,000/- per annum for 2 years to meet M. Tech. project-related expenses, along with additional funding up to a sum of Rs. 4,00,000/- to purchase equipment/consumables deemed necessary for completion of the M. Tech. project, as per the actual amount paid.

Eligibility: Applicants should be holding a bachelor's/integrated degree in specified disciplines of engineering or an M.Sc. or integrated M.Sc. in specified areas of physics, chemistry, biosciences, geology, or geophysics. Detailed eligibility conditions are given in the information brochure at https://barcocesexam.in/.

Age Limit: The minimum age is 18 years and the maximum age is 26 years as of August 1, 2026. The upper age limit for the OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) category is 29 years, and that for SC/ST, 31 years. Physically challenged persons of all categories are eligible for age relaxation of 10 years. Relaxation in the upper age limit for some other categories is given in the Information Brochure.

Selection to OCES/DGFS-2026 programme is a two-step process: (i) Screening to shortlist candidates on the basis of online exam or GATE score (ii) Selection interviews of the shortlisted candidates.

Online examinations will be conducted on 14th and 15th March 2026, in eight OCES engineering disciplines (mechanical, chemical, metallurgical, electrical, electronics, computer science, instrumentation, and civil) and five science disciplines (physics, chemistry, biosciences, geology, and geophysics) in more than fifty cities spread across India. Details of the examination are given in the Information Brochure.

Under GATE as a screening option, applicants will be screened for a selection interview on the basis of a valid GATE-2024/2025/2026 score in the applicable GATE subject.

Application: Applications can be submitted online at https://www.barcocesexam.in, latest by 21.1.2026. Those awaiting final results and/or appearing in the qualifying exam in the academic year 2025-26 may also apply for the OCES/DGFS-2026 programme.

Application Fee: Application fee is Rs. 500/- for male applicants of the General and OBC categories to be paid online. Female, transgender, candidates belonging to SC/ST, dependents of Defence Personnel Killed in Action (DODPKIA) and physically challenged candidates with an extent of disability of 40% or more are exempted from payment of the application fee.

More details are available at https://www.barcocesexam.in