The Human Resource Development Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), invites applications from engineering postgraduates for admission to the DAE Doctoral Fellowship Scheme (DDFS) programme of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) for pursuing a PhD, commencing in July 2026 under the aegis of the Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), a deemed-to-be university.

The selected students will be admitted to one of the five Constituent Institutions (CIs) 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 (v Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology (RRCAT), Indore, based on the research proposals received from the various constituents.

The selected students will be awarded Fellowships of Rs. 80,000/- per month and an annual contingency grant of Rs. 60,000/-. 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 Contributory Health Services scheme are also available for DDFS fellows. Hostel accommodation is mandatory during PhD programme.

Eligibility

Applicant must be an Indian citizen holding an M.E./M.Tech./equivalent degree in mechanical, chemical, metallurgical/materials, electrical, electronics, computer, instrumentation, or civil engineering with 60% marks/6.0 CGPA on the scale of 10.0 or equivalent in the M.E./M.Tech./equivalent degree as well as the B.E./B.Tech. Candidates with degrees in IT or MCA are not eligible.

Candidates in the final semester of M.E./M.Tech may also apply, but such candidates, if selected, must provide certificates and mark sheets of their master's degree by December 31, 2026. The candidates who have acquired an M.Tech. after obtaining the M.Sc. degree are not eligible for DDFS-2026 programme.

Age limit

The age limit is 28 years as of August 1, 2026 (the applicant should have been born on or after August 1, 1998, for the general category). The age limit is relaxable by three years for OBC-NCL and by five years for SC/ST applicants. Persons with Disability (with 40% or more disability) of all categories are eligible for an additional age relaxation of 10 years.

Selection is a two-step process. Stage 1 is the Online Screening Examination to be held as a Computed Based Test (CBT) on 14th & 15th March 2026, in 8 DDFS disciplines [Mechanical Engineering (ME), Chemical Engg. (CH), Metallurgical Engineering (MT), Electrical Engineering (EE), Electronics Engineering (EC), Computer Science Engineering (CS), Instrumentation Engg. (IN), Civil Engineering (CE)] at 52 cities spread across India. The duration of the exam will be 2 hours with 100 questions.

Candidates will be shortlisted for a selection interview based on performance in the DDFS screening test as well as on the previous academic record of the qualifying degree. There will be equal weightage for marks obtained in M. Tech. (average of Semester I and Semester-II) and for the marks obtained in the DDFS Screening Examination (CBT). Those awaiting final results and/or appearing in the qualifying exam in the academic year 2025-26 must have results of Semester-1 and Semester-2 in the case of a regular M. Tech. (Semester-8 and Semester-9 in the case of an Integrated M. Tech.) of a qualifying degree. The syllabus for the screening test will be the same as that of BE/B Tech/ B. Sc (Engg) of the concerned DDFS screening discipline.

The list of candidates shortlisted for the selection interview will be posted on the Online Application Portal in April 2026. Selection interviews of shortlisted candidates in all disciplines will be conducted at the BARC Training School, Mumbai. Candidates will have to give a presentation of 10 minutes as per their M. Tech. project during the selection interview. Final selection will be based on the merit of performance in the selection interview only, subject to medical fitness.

Application

Applications can be submitted online at https://www.barcocesexam.in by January 21, 2026. The prospectus is also available here. Application fee is Rs. 500/- for male applicants belonging to the General and OBC categories. Woman, SC/ST, Transgender and physically challenged candidates with an extent of disability of 40% or more are exempted from the payment of the application fee.

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