Department of Biotechnology (DBT) Junior Research Fellowship is open for Indian students who want to do doctoral research in biotechnology and life sciences. In the 2026 cycle the monthly stipend has been raised to ₹37,000 for the first two years and ₹42,000 for the remaining three years, along with house rent allowance and a research contingency grant.
This is a central fellowship run by the department of biotechnology, ministry of science and technology, government of India. About 275 candidates get selected every year through the Biotechnology Eligibility Test (BET). Since August 2026 the application window for the current cycle is over, but candidates should watch for the merged national exam coming up in the December 2026 cycle.
Junior Research Fellowship 2026 Overview
The DBT Junior Research Fellowship supports students who hold a master's degree in biotechnology or a related life science field and want to complete a full time PhD in India. The fellowship pays a monthly stipend for a total of five years, with the first two years as Junior Research Fellow and the last three years as Senior Research Fellow after a satisfactory progress review.
One of the biggest updates for 2026 is that the separate DBT-BET exam will be merged into the joint CSIR-UGC-DBT-JRF-NET examination starting from the December 2026 cycle. Candidates no longer need to prepare for a standalone BET paper, and the selection will happen through this single combined national test.
Selected candidates can hold the fellowship at any recognised university if they fall in Category I, while Category II holders must join one of the DBT-funded institutes. This is a central scheme, so students from all states can apply, and the benefit is paid directly to the selected candidate's bank account.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Junior Research Fellowship |
| Launched By | Department of Biotechnology |
| Level | Central |
| Beneficiaries | Indian students pursuing PhD in biotechnology |
| Benefit Amount | ₹37,000 to ₹42,000 per month plus HRA |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Nodal Department | Department of Biotechnology |
Benefits
The fellowship gives regular monthly financial support so that students can focus fully on their research without money worries. The stipend amounts for 2026 are given below.
| Duration | Monthly Stipend |
|---|---|
| First two years (Junior Research Fellow) | ₹37,000 |
| Remaining three years (Senior Research Fellow) | ₹42,000 |
On top of the monthly stipend, selected candidates also receive house rent allowance as per the rules of the host institute, an annual research contingency grant of around ₹30,000, and medical help under the fellowship. The JRF to SRF upgrade after two years is based on a satisfactory progress report submitted by the host institute.
Eligibility
The eligibility rules for the 2026 cycle are given below. All candidates need to meet the qualification, marks, age and nationality requirements to take part.
- Candidate must be an Indian citizen.
- Candidate must hold a master's degree in biotechnology or a related life science subject from a recognised university, with at least 60% marks (55% for reserved categories).
- Candidate must qualify the CSIR-UGC-DBT-JRF-NET examination in biotechnology or an allied subject.
- Age must not exceed 28 years for general and EWS candidates. There is age relaxation for SC, ST, OBC, persons with disability and women candidates as per government rules.
- Candidate must be ready to take up full time doctoral research in biotechnology or a related field at a recognised university or research institute within India.
Application Process
The application for the DBT Junior Research Fellowship is fully online. Since the separate BET is being merged into the joint CSIR-UGC-DBT-JRF-NET exam from the December 2026 cycle, the process is explained step by step below.
STEP 1 - Keep a valid GATE or CSIR-UGC NET score ready in biotechnology or an allied subject. This is the main entry point for the new merged examination, so candidates should prepare the application well before the registration window opens.
STEP 2 - Register for the joint CSIR-UGC-DBT-JRF-NET examination when the official notification is released. Registration happens on the official examination portal. Candidates need to create an account, fill in personal and academic details, and upload the required documents.
STEP 3 - After the exam results are declared, shortlisted candidates receive an interview call. During the interview, candidates must discuss their research proposal, their understanding of biotechnology, and their long term career plans with the expert panel.
STEP 4 - The final selection list is published after the interview. Selected candidates get the fellowship after taking PhD admission at a recognised institute. The monthly stipend starts once the host institute confirms the admission and the disbursement process is set up.
Documents Required
Candidates should keep the following documents ready so that the application and verification process goes smoothly.
- Qualifying exam scorecard (GATE or CSIR-UGC NET)
- Detailed research proposal
- Academic transcripts and mark sheets for all degrees
- Scanned copy of a passport size photograph
- Scanned signature
- Documents proving date of birth
- Category certificate, if applicable
- Persons with disability certificate, if applicable
Selection Process
Selection for the Junior Research Fellowship is completely merit based. Candidates are ranked on their score in the combined examination, the quality of their research proposal, and their performance during the expert interview. Around 275 candidates are selected every year, with about 225 in Category I and 50 in Category II.
References
Official DBT-JRF Programme Page
FAQ's
What is the DBT Junior Research Fellowship?
It is a central fellowship funded by the department of biotechnology that gives monthly financial support to Indian students doing doctoral research in biotechnology and life sciences.
Who is eligible to apply for this fellowship?
Indian citizens who hold a master's degree in biotechnology or a related life science subject with at least 60% marks, and who qualify the CSIR-UGC-DBT-JRF-NET examination, can apply. The age limit is 28 years with relaxation for reserved categories.
How much stipend does the fellow get in 2026?
Selected candidates get ₹37,000 per month for the first two years and ₹42,000 per month for the remaining three years, along with house rent allowance and a research contingency grant.
Is the separate BET exam still happening?
From the December 2026 cycle, the separate DBT-BET exam has been merged into the joint CSIR-UGC-DBT-JRF-NET examination. Candidates now apply through this single combined national test.
What documents do I need to submit?
You need your qualifying exam scorecard, a research proposal, academic mark sheets, a passport size photograph, signature, date of birth proof, and category or disability certificates if applicable.
How long does the fellowship last?
The fellowship supports doctoral research for a total duration of five years, split into two years as Junior Research Fellow and three years as Senior Research Fellow.
Where can I check the official details?
Candidates should check the official DBT-JRF programme page for the latest notification, application dates and the institute list. Details are also shared through the official examination portal when the notification is released.