Photo: Diane A. Reid, Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
If you want to do research in biotechnology and life sciences, the DBT Junior Research Fellowship (DBT-JRF) is the biggest opportunity for you. It is a scheme of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), run through the Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB). The scheme has been running since 2004 and supports hundreds of students every year for a PhD. A selected student gets ₹37,000 a month as JRF and later ₹42,000 a month as SRF. The fellowship is for a total of 5 years. Its special feature is that students of biotechnology, life sciences, agricultural sciences and medicine-related subjects can all apply for it.
How much money is given
The DBT-JRF pays as follows.
- JRF: ₹37,000 a month — for the first 2 years.
- SRF: ₹42,000 a month — for the remaining 3 years, after a review.
- HRA — a housing allowance is also given.
- Contingency: ₹30,000 a year — for research expenses.
- Total duration: 5 years — 2 years as JRF and 3 years as SRF.
- Number: 500 fellowships in 2026-27 — under Category-I.
These amounts follow the revised rates from 1 January 2023. Students in Category-II do not get the DBT-JRF fellowship — they can work in DBT-sponsored projects on a NET or GATE-equivalent fellowship.
Who can apply
This fellowship is for students of life sciences and biotechnology.
- Must be an Indian national.
- A Master’s degree in life sciences, biotechnology or a related subject with 55% marks. For SC, ST and PwD students, 50% marks are enough.
- Age not more than 28 years. SC, ST, PwD and women applicants get 5 years of relaxation and OBC applicants get 3 years.
- The applicant must qualify the Joint CSIR-UGC NET in the Life Sciences and Bio-Technology subject (code 703).
- The applicant must join a full-time PhD at a recognised institute in India.
How to apply
From the December 2026 cycle, the DBT BET exam has been merged into the Joint CSIR-UGC NET. There is no separate BET exam for DBT-JRF now — selection happens through the NTA’s CSIR-UGC NET paper in Life Sciences and Bio-Technology (code 703). Applications are made online on the csirnet.nta.nic.in portal. For the December 2026 cycle, applications closed on 5 November 2026 and the exam is scheduled for 19, 22 and 27 December 2026. The NET is held twice a year (June and December), so watch the NTA portal for the next notification. Never pay anyone for applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How much money is given under DBT-JRF? A: ₹37,000 a month as JRF and ₹42,000 a month as SRF, plus HRA and a ₹30,000 yearly contingency. Q2: Which exam do I take for DBT-JRF? A: From December 2026 the BET exam is closed; selection is now through the Joint CSIR-UGC NET (Life Sciences and Bio-Technology, code 703). Q3: What is the age limit? A: Up to 28 years; 5 years of relaxation for SC, ST, PwD and women, and 3 years for OBC. Q4: What is the difference between Category-I and Category-II? A: Category-I gets the DBT-JRF fellowship; Category-II students can work in DBT projects but do not get the fellowship.
Useful links
- NTA CSIR-UGC NET portal: https://csirnet.nta.nic.in/
- DBT official website: https://dbtindia.gov.in/
- DBT-JRF on MyScheme: https://www.myscheme.gov.in/schemes/jrfbio
- Also see the ICMR Junior Research Fellowship: https://www.viksitharyana.com/english/central-government-icmr-junior-research-fellowship-haryana/
- Next Action: see all 726 Central Government schemes — https://www.viksitharyana.com/english/kendra-sarkar-ki-yojnayen-2/
