Pharm'Up 
The National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS) is inviting applications for its Ph.D. program for the March 2026 session. The institute is seeking dedicated Indian citizens with a strong academic background in the life sciences who are interested in pursuing research in modern biology.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Educational Qualification: Hold a postgraduate degree in any branch of science with a minimum of 60% marks or an equivalent GPA. There is a 5% relaxation in marks for SC/ST/OBC/PwD candidates.
- Fellowship/Exam: Applicants must have a valid Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) from a recognized body such as CSIR, UGC, DBT (Category I), ICMR, or BINC. Alternatively, candidates who have qualified for the JGEEBILS examination conducted by NCBS/TIFR in December 2024 are also eligible to apply.
- Age Limit: The upper age limit for JRF is 28 years as of March 1, 2026, with age relaxation as per Government of India guidelines for women and reserved categories.
Note: Candidates who have only qualified for Lectureship (LS) in CSIR-UGC (NET) or DBT (Category II) are not eligible.
Application and Interview Schedule
The entire application process is conducted online. Here are the key dates to remember:
- Last Date for Online Application: December 9, 2025
- Shortlisted Candidates List: December 19, 2025
- First Round of Interview (Online): January 5-7, 2026
- Final Round of Interview (Online): January 8-9, 2026
- Final Result Declaration: January 19, 2026
- Finalization of Guide (In-Person): February 9-13, 2026 (Accommodation will be provided by NCCS.)
- Last Date for Joining: March 2, 2026
Important Notes
- The Ph.D. program is a full-time commitment, and selected candidates may be required to live on campus.
- Submitting an application does not guarantee an interview or final selection.
- All communication regarding the admissions process will be made on the NCCS website. For technical inquiries, you can contact academicsnccs@gmail.com with “Ph.D. Admission Query” in the subject line.
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