The Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council - Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (BRIC-RGCB), Poojappura, Thiruvananthapuram-695014—has invited applications for admission to the PhD program in various domains of disease biology, neurobiology, bioinformatics, and plant science for the August 2025 session.

The BRIC-RGCB PhD program is affiliated with the Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), an ‘Institution of National Importance’ providing education, training, and research established by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, under the auspices of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The selected candidates will register for the PhD program with RCB and should follow the guidelines issued by RCB and RGCB for the award of the PhD degree.

Eligibility: Applicant should hold a postgraduate degree in life/agricultural/environmental/veterinary/pharmaceutical/medical sciences or allied subjects (biochemistry/biotechnology/bioinformatics/biophysics/chemistry/microbiology, etc.) with a minimum of 55% marks in aggregate or equivalent grade or an equivalent qualification from a foreign educational institution.

Those who have completed a 4-year (8-semester) bachelor's degree in life/agricultural/environmental/veterinary/pharmaceutical/medical sciences or allied subjects such as biochemistry/biotechnology/bioinformatics/biophysics/chemistry/microbiology, etc with a minimum of 75% aggregate marks or an equivalent grade on a point scale, are also eligible to apply.

A relaxation of 5% of marks (from 55% to 50%), or an equivalent relaxation of grade point, may be allowed for SC, ST, and differently abled candidates.

The applicant should have a valid JRF (UGC/CSIR/ICMR/DBT/DST-INSPIRE or any other nationally competitive fellowship) for 5 years offered by the government.

Age should not exceed 26 years as of August 04, 2025. The upper age limit for SC, ST, and differently abled candidates is 28 years as of August 04, 2025.

Selection: Applicants meeting all the eligibility criteria will be shortlisted for the interview considering the vacancy in specified areas. A list of the shortlisted candidates will be displayed on the RGCB notice board and the website.

Based on the performance in the personal interview to be held at RGCB's main campus in Poojappura, Thiruvananthapuram-695014, applicants will be shortlisted for the final selection. PhD interviews will be held only offline. The guidelines for interviews will be provided to all the shortlisted candidates.

The final selection is based on the outcome of the one-to-one interaction with the faculty scientist.

Details regarding the admission is available at https://www.rgcb.res.in/admission (PhD Admissions August 2025 link).

Application: Application can be submitted online at the link provided at the website by 5 pm on June 12, 2025.

An application fee of Rs. 500/- must be paid online using 'SB Collect' of the State Bank of India through the URL given in the payment stage. SC/ST/EWS/differently abled candidates are exempted from paying the processing fees.

The shortlist will be published on June 19, 2025. Interviews will be on July 07, 08 & 09, 2025. The PhD program commences on August 04, 2025.

Fee: Students admitted to the PhD program will have to pay an administrative fee of Rs. 5000/- per semester for the first ten semesters and Rs. 10,000/- for every semester after. All the students have to pay the RCB administrative fees.

All communications with candidates will be by email only.

In case of any application-related queries, contact: phd.admn@rgcb.res.in

Applicants may check the RGCB website for periodic updates.