Introduction to Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC)

The Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), a unique institute under the wing of Tata Memorial Centre (TMC) and a grant-in-aid institution of the Department of Atomic Energy (Government of India), is inviting applications in the prescribed format for an online examination and the award of JUNIOR RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS [JRF 2026] for its Ph.D. program in Life Sciences. This doctoral program is affiliated with the Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI) (Deemed to be University under section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956).

Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC) is committed to the ‘bench-to-bedside’ mandate, serving as a national center for treatment, research, and education in cancer, promising to translate important discoveries into efficient patient care through an innovative exploration of newer avenues at the interface of fundamental and clinical research. The research programs at ACTREC integrate both fundamental and translational approaches to address critical questions concerning cancer biology, cancer prevention, and disease intervention.

The studies comprehend basic tumor biology and elucidation of myriads of networks involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, metastasis, carcinogenesis, stem cell biology, biochemistry, immunology, cancer genomics, genetics, epigenetics, DNA repair, metabolic reprogramming, pharmacology, and therapy resistance. Furthermore, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC) provides robust infrastructural support and expertise to address challenging research questions, with advanced, state-of-the-art facilities like digital and electron microscopy, animal house, spectroscopy, molecular imaging, flow cytometry, biophysics, structural biology, bioinformatics, and proteomics.

Interested candidates must apply in the prescribed format for the online examination.

Eligibility Criteria for Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC) JRF 2026

Candidates must meet one of the following qualifications:

1. BS(Research) 4-year / (B.S/ B.Sc) Bachelor’s degree: Must be a 4-year/8-semester undergraduate degree including 1 year of research, with a minimum of 75% marks in aggregate or its equivalent CGPA grade.
2. M.Sc./M.Tech./M.V.Sc./M.Pharm./M.D./D.M./M.Ch.: In Applied Biology, Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, Biophysics, Biotechnology, Botany, Life Sciences, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Zoology or related Biological Sciences, Physics, Chemistry, or Mathematics from a recognized University, with $\ge$ 55% aggregate marks.

Important Notes on Eligibility:

• Those awaiting results may also apply.
• As per HBNI guidelines, candidates with less than 55% aggregate marks (or less than 75% for BS(Research)/B.S/B.Sc candidates) cannot be considered for an interview or admission to the program.
• Candidates who have completed a post-graduation course of only ONE year duration are not eligible.
• Final admission into the Ph.D. program is subject to the candidate satisfying HBNI eligibility criteria as mentioned above.
• TMC reserves the right to increase the minimum eligibility criteria in case a large number of applications are received.

Stipend and Facilities at Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC)

Application Procedure and Fee

Candidates are advised to carefully read the instructions before filling the online application on the ACTREC website (https://actrec.gov.in).

• Application Deadline: The online application deadline is December 01, 2025.
• Payment: Application fees must be paid online and are non-refundable.
• Rejection: Forms submitted with incomplete information, without application fees (wherever payable), or without required document uploads will be rejected.
• Fee Exemption: SC/ST/OBC (caste proof required) and physically handicapped candidates with a minimum of 40% disability (disability proof required) are fully exempted from paying fees.
• Application Portal: Please check the official website www.actrec.gov.in for updates on the opening of the APPLICATION PORTAL.

Online Examination Details for Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC)

Eligibility for Direct Interview (Online application for ACTREC JRF 2026 is mandatory)

Candidates are eligible for a direct interview if they meet one of the following conditions:

• Hold valid Junior Research Fellowships awarded after qualifying a national level written entrance test conducted by CSIR/UGC/ICMR/DBT/other recognized agencies and/or recipients of DST-Inspire fellowship.
• Are Qualified Joint Graduate Entrance Examination for Biology and Interdisciplinary Life Sciences (JGEEBILS) candidates who are eligible for the ACTREC Ph.D. program (will be shortlisted and displayed on the ACTREC website in due course of time).

Key Dates for Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC) JRF 2026

The list of JRF projects being offered to Ph.D. students at Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC) will be displayed on the ACTREC website in due course of time. The final list of candidates to be called for interviews will be displayed on the ACTREC website.