Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) Training School, has invited applications from Engineering Graduates and Science Postgraduates for recruitment as Scientific Officers (Group-A post of Government of India) through two training programmes conducted by it.

The scheme is suitable for those who would relish challenges in frontier areas of Science and Technology, who would like to be part of an expanding programme of Nuclear Reactors, Accelerators and Fuel Cycle Technologies, who would enjoy pursuing innovative research in Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Biosciences and Geology.

OCES-2025: This is a One-Year Orientation Course for Engineering Graduates & Science Postgraduates (OCES) starting in August, 2025 to be conducted at BARC Training Schools situated at BARC, Mumbai & AMD, Hyderabad. A Trainee Scientific Officer (TSO), who scores a minimum of 50% aggregate marks on completion of the Training Programme, is declared to have completed 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 Atomic Energy Regulatory Board. Performance of OCES TSOs above a certain threshold at the BARC Training School will entitle them to a Post-Graduate Diploma of Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), a Deemed to be University and could also earn them credits towards M.Tech. / Ph.D. programmes of HBNI.

DGFS-2025: This is a Two-Year DAE Graduate Fellowship Scheme for Engineering Graduates (DGFS) for joining M.Tech., starting in July 2025, in DGFS Institutes and specializations specified in the detailed Notification at https://barcocesexam.in/. Under this scheme, Engineering Graduates who have excelled in the Selection Interviews for the BARC Training Schools’ programme and who have independently secured admission for M.Tech. in DGFS Institutes and specializations as listed in the Notification, are paid stipend and tuition fee to pursue M.Tech. degree while retaining their employment in DAE. After successful completion of one-year course work at the DGFS Institute, Fellows undertake project work, which is assigned by DAE and supervised jointly by a DAE guide and the DGFS Institute guide. During the M. Tech course, Candidates have to serve for TA (Teaching Apperentship) programme as per the rules/ Norms of DGFS institute. On successful completion of M. Tech. programme, they are posted as Scientific Officers in DAE. Allocation of a DGFS Fellow to a DAE unit is done at the beginning of the M.Tech. programme. On joining, they are required to first undertake a four-month Orientation Course for DGFS Fellows (OCDF) at the BARC Training School, Mumbai. Their Placement will be at BARC and IGCAR. DGFS Fellows will get opportunities during the progress of their career, for pursuing Ph.D. through HBNI after joining DAE.

OCES/DGFS Screening discipline will be Mechanical Engineering; Chemical Engineering; Metallurgical Engineering; Electrical Engineering; Electronics Engineering; Computer Science; Instrumentation; Civil Engineering; Physics discipline; Chemistry discipline; Biosciences discipline; Geology discipline. 

Stipend and Allowances: OCES TSOs and DGFS Fellows are paid a stipend of Rs. 74,000/- per month during the period of their Training. Additionally, the OCES TSOs are paid a one-time book allowance of Rs. 30,000/-. DGFS Fellows are reimbursed the tuition fee for M.Tech. programme, one-time Contingency Grant of Rs. 60,000/- per annum for two years and are also paid to meet M.Tech. project related expenses along with additional funding up to a sum of Rs. 4,00,000 under the BRNS Fast Track Project scheme to purchase equipment/ consumables deemed necessary for completion of M.Tech. project, as per actual paid. Boarding and Lodging in DAE or DGFS Institute Hostel during Training/ M. Tech. programme is mandatory for OCES TSOs and DGFS Fellows respectively.

Selected candidates are required to execute an agreement and a personal Indemnity Bond to serve DAE for at least three years after completion of Training. 

Selection Process: Selection to OCES/DGFS-2025 is a two-step process: (i) Screening of candidates, based on their performance in screening channel, followed by (ii) Selection Interview of the screened in candidates. 

Screening Channels: (a) Online Screening Examination to be conducted in eight Engineering OCES disciplines (codes 21-28) and in four Science OCES disciplines (codes 41-43 & 45) at more than fifty cities spread across India. The Online Screening Exam for OCES/DGFS-2025 will be held in March 2025. (b) GATE) Score channel: Candidates, who meets all the eligibility criteria, will be screened in for Selection Interview on the basis of a GATE-2023, GATE-2024 or GATE-2025 score. Cut-off GATE Scores for screening into Selection Interviews will be decided only after the Online Test has concluded (iii) An additional screening option is available for post graduate candidates of Basic Science disciplines (Biosciences, Physics and Chemistry) graduating from CEBS Mumbai & NISER Bhubaneswar. Students graduated/graduating with a Master’s Degree from these institutes in the academic year 2023-2024 / 2024-2025, and whose Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) is greater than or equal to 7.5 on a scale of 10 will be directly screened into the Selection Interview stage, provided they meet all other eligibility requirements of the OCES/DGFS-2025 programme. 

Age limit as on August 1, 2025: Minimum age should be 18 years. Maximum age: General Category – 26; OBC (NCL)-29; SC/ST–31. Some other categories also have relaxation as given in the Notification.  

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

Application Fee: Application Fee is Rs. 500/- for males belonging to General and OBC categories. Women candidates, transgender candidates, candidates belonging to SC/ST category, Dependents of Defense Personnel Killed in Action (DODPKIA) and physically Challenged candidates are exempted from payment of Application Fee. Women are encouraged to apply. Those graduating in the academic year 2024-25 and awaiting final results may also apply provisionally.