PhD ADMISSIONS – January 2026
BRIC-RGCB/PhD/2026-I/October 2025
Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, Poojappura, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.
Table of Contents: Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB) PhD Admission 2025-26
Introduction
The Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB) PhD Admission 2025-26 notification has been officially released for the January 2026 session. BRIC-Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (BRIC-RGCB), an institution established by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, under the auspices of UNESCO, is inviting highly motivated and eligible candidates for its prestigious PhD program in various cutting-edge domains of Biotechnology. This program is affiliated with the Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), an “Institution of National Importance.” This is a significant opportunity for aspirants holding a valid national-level junior research fellowship (JRF) to pursue advanced research in a world-class facility that focuses on translational research in life sciences, particularly in disease biology, plant biotechnology, and molecular medicine. Candidates are urged to carefully review all instructions and eligibility requirements as the application process is strictly time-bound and must be completed online before the stipulated deadline to ensure consideration for the personal interview round. See Ongoing PhD 2025-26 AdmissionDisciplines & Vacancies (Scientist-wise) for Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB) PhD Admission 2025-26
Vacancies for the PhD program are available under the guidance of the following Scientists. Candidates are expected to align their research interests with the chosen supervisor. **A total of 17 student vacancies** are available across the listed scientists, all of whom are required to possess a valid national JRF fellowship.| Sl No. | Name of the Scientist | Designation | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | DR. ARUN SANKARADOSS | SCIENTIST C | 1 |
| 2. | DR. DEBANJAN BHOWMIK | SCIENTIST C | 1 |
| 3. | DR. DEVASENA ANATHARAMAN | SCIENTIST F | 2 |
| 4. | DR. DILEEP VASUDEVAN | SCIENTIST F | 1 |
| 5. | DR. JACKSON JAMES | SCIENTIST G | 2 |
| 6. | DR. LIGHTSON N G | SCIENTIST E-I | 1 |
| 7. | DR. MAHENDRAN K R | SCIENTIST E-II | 1 |
| 8. | DR. NAGARJUN NARAYANSWAMY | SCIENTIST C | 1 |
| 9. | DR. PALLABI MITRA | SCIENTIST C | 1 |
| 10. | DR. PARIJAT SENAPATI | SCIENTIST C | 1 |
| 11. | DR. RAJESH CHANDRAMOHANADAS | SCIENTIST E-II | 1 |
| 12. | DR. RAMESH POTHURAJU | SCIENTIST C | 1 |
| 13. | DR. RASHMI MISHRA | SCIENTIST E-II | 1 |
| 14. | DR. RAKESH S LAISHRAM | SCIENTIST F | 1 |
| 15. | DR. TESSY THOMAS MALIEKAL | SCIENTIST E-II | 1 |
| Total Vacancies: | 17 | ||
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Last Date for Receiving the Filled Application | November 14, 2025 (5 PM) |
| Date of Publication of the Shortlisted Candidates | November 18, 2025 |
| Date of Interview (Offline Mode) | December 15, 16 and 17, 2025 |
| Date of Joining Hostel | Before January 04, 2026 |
| Commencement of the PhD Program | January 05, 2026 |
Eligibility Criteria for Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB) PhD Admission 2025-26
The eligibility requirements are stringent and designed to attract candidates with strong academic backgrounds and valid national fellowships. A relaxation of 5% in marks/grade point is available for SC, ST, and differently abled candidates.Minimum Academic Qualifications:
- Post-graduate Degree: A minimum of 60% marks in Life/ Agricultural/ Environmental/ Veterinary/ Pharmaceutical/ Medical Sciences or allied subjects (Biochemistry/Biotechnology/Bioinformatics/Biophysics/Chemistry/Microbiology, etc.) in aggregate.
- OR 4-year Bachelor’s Degree: A minimum of 75% marks in the subjects mentioned above.
Mandatory Fellowship:
- The candidate must have a valid JRF (UGC/ CSIR/ ICMR/ DBT/ DST-INSPIRE or any other nationally competitive fellowship) for 5 years offered by the Government.
Age Limit (as of January 05, 2026):
- General Candidates: Upper age limit should not exceed 26 years.
- SC/ST/Differently Abled Candidates: Upper age limit should not exceed 28 years.
Selection Procedure
The final selection for the PhD program is a multi-stage process designed to evaluate the candidate’s research aptitude and fit with RGCB’s research environment.- Shortlisting: Candidates meeting all the eligibility criteria (including the mandatory JRF) will be shortlisted. The list will be published on the RGCB website on November 18, 2025.
- Personal Interview: The PhD interviews will be held strictly offline at the RGCB Main Campus, Poojappura. Shortlisted candidates will be provided with specific interview guidelines.
- Final Selection: The final merit list will be based on the candidate’s overall performance in the interview, followed by laboratory rotation, and interaction with the faculty scientists.
Application Process for Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB) PhD Admission 2025-26
The application process is entirely online. Candidates must follow the steps below and ensure submission before the deadline.- Online Registration: Register first to create a username and password on the RGCB admission portal.
- Fill Application Form: Log in using the credentials to access and fill the PhD Admission Application Form completely.
- Application Fee Payment: A non-refundable Application Fee of ₹ 500 must be paid online using ‘SB Collect’ of State Bank of India.
- Exemption: SC/ ST/ EWS/ differently abled candidates are exempted from paying the processing fee upon submission of a valid certificate.
- Submission: The completed application, along with all required documents and fee payment receipt (if applicable), must be submitted online by the last date: November 14, 2025 (5 PM). Incomplete applications will be rejected.
Fee Structure
Students admitted to the PhD program are required to pay the following administrative fees:| Duration | RGCB Administrative Fee (Per Semester) | Additional Fee |
|---|---|---|
| First Ten Semesters | ₹ 5,000 | Students must also pay the mandatory RCB administrative fees. |
| Subsequent Semesters | ₹ 10,000 |
Important Note on Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB) PhD Admission 2025-26:
- All official communication regarding the admission process, shortlisting, and interviews will be by email only. Candidates must ensure their registered email address is correct and actively monitored.
- The Interview will be conducted strictly in offline mode; there will be no provision for online or virtual interviews.
- Candidates are requested to regularly check the official RGCB website for periodic updates and notifications.
- For any application-related queries, candidates should contact the dedicated email address: phd.admn@rgcb.res.in.
