DBT-BET Junior Research Fellowship (DBT-JRF)
Department of Biotechnology (DBT) & Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB) · All India
| Scheme Name | DBT-BET Junior Research Fellowship (DBT-JRF) |
| Provided By | Department of Biotechnology (DBT) & Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB) |
| Eligibility Summary | Doctorate · No income limit |
About the Program
The DBT-BET Junior Research Fellowship (DBT-JRF) provides ₹37,000 to ₹42,000 per month plus ₹30,000 annual contingency to top-ranked biotechnology postgraduates pursuing Ph.D. research across recognized universities and national laboratories in India.
Benefits & Financial Support
₹4.7 Lakh+
The DBT-JRF scholarship provides a monthly fellowship of ₹37,000 for the first two years as a Junior Research Fellow (JRF). Upon successful assessment by a three-member committee after two years, the fellowship is upgraded to Senior Research Fellow (SRF) with an enhanced monthly stipend of ₹42,000 for the remaining three years. Additionally, fellows receive an annual contingency grant of ₹30,000. House Rent Allowance (HRA) is also applicable, calculated as 8%, 16%, or 24% of the stipend based on the city classification. The fellowship and contingency grants are released annually to the host institution upon submission of required documents, and then disbursed to the fellow, typically through Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts.
Monthly stipend of ₹37,000 to ₹42,000 + HRA + annual contingency grant of ₹30,000 for up to 5 years of doctoral research in biotechnology.
Note: Must qualify Biotechnology Eligibility Test (BET) in Category-I.
Eligibility Criteria & Income Limit
| Education Level | Doctorate |
| Course / Stream | Relevant courses |
| Minimum Marks | 60% |
| Income Limit | No income bar |
| Category / Caste | All |
| Domicile State | All India |
Mandatory Documents Checklist
- ✓GAT-B / BET Qualifying Scorecard and Category-I Award Letter issued by RCB/NTA
- ✓Master’s Degree or 4-Year B.Tech in Biotechnology/Life Sciences with 60% aggregate (55% for SC/ST/PwD)
- ✓Ph.D. Admission / Registration Offer Letter from an authorized university or national laboratory
- ✓Formal Joining Report countersigned by Guide and Institutional Head
- ✓Aadhaar Card & bank details verified for DBT
- ✓Category certificate (if applicable)
Selection Process
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Candidates are selected based on their performance in the Biotechnology Eligibility Test (BET), a national-level computer-based examination conducted annually by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and the Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB)
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The BET typically consists of a single 3-hour paper with 100 multiple-choice questions (50 compulsory general aptitude/biotechnology and 50 from 150 subject-specific options)
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A negative marking scheme applies for incorrect answers
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Based on BET performance, two categories of merit lists are prepared: Category-I qualifiers (approximately top 275 ranks) are eligible for the DBT-JRF fellowship at any recognized Indian university/institution for PhD research
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Category-II qualifiers (approximately next 100 ranks) are eligible to be appointed in DBT-sponsored projects with a fellowship equivalent to NET/GATE, subject to institutional selection, but do not directly receive the DBT-JRF fellowship.
Renewal Policy
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The total tenure of the fellowship is five years, consisting of two years as a Junior Research Fellow (JRF) and three years as a Senior Research Fellow (SRF)
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The upgrade from JRF to SRF is not automatic
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it requires a satisfactory progress report submitted by the host institute to DBT after the second year, followed by evaluation and approval by a 'Three Member Assessment Committee'
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Annual progress reports in a prescribed format must be submitted within one month after the completion of each financial year through the Guide/Head of the Department
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Non-compliance with timely submission of progress reports can result in the termination of the fellowship
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The fellowship can also be terminated by DBT based on the recommendation of the host institution/university at any time during the tenure.
How to Apply Online
Applications are submitted online via Online. Complete eKYC, upload scanned documents, and submit before the closing date.
- 1Online Registration for BET
* Visit the official NTA-DBT website (https://dbt.nta.ac.in/). * Create a new login by providing your mobile number and email address. * Verify your details via OTP to receive a system-generated Application Number.
- 2Filling the Application Form
* Log in to the portal using your Application Number and password. * Provide all personal and academic details, including marks of your qualifying degree (Master's or equivalent in Biotechnology/Life Sciences or allied disciplines, with a minimum of 60% for General/EWS/OBC and 55% for SC/ST/PwD; for 4-year UG degrees, 75% aggregate applies). * Candidates appearing in their final year examination are eligible but must select 'Appearing' status and may need to upload a declaration from their Head of Department.
- 3Uploading Documents
* Upload a recent passport-sized photograph (typically 10KB-200KB, JPG format, 80% face visible against a white background). * Upload your signature (typically 4KB-30KB, JPG format). * Upload necessary category certificates if applicable.
- 4Selecting Exam Centers and Fee Payment
* Select four preferred cities for the Biotechnology Eligibility Test (BET). * Pay the non-refundable application fee online. For BET 2026, this was ₹1,300 for General/OBC (NCL)/EWS candidates and ₹650 for SC/ST/PwD candidates. * Complete the transaction using Net Banking, UPI, or Credit/Debit card. * Download and print the Confirmation Page for future reference.
- 5
Award Letter Issuance (Post-BET Qualification): * After qualifying the BET (Category I or II), candidates must submit requisite documents on the DBT JRF portal (https://dbtjrf.gov.in) within one year of BET result declaration. * Documents typically include the BET qualification certificate, Master's marksheet, PhD admission letter from a recognized institute, Aadhaar-linked bank account details, and a brief research proposal.
- 6Fellowship Activation
* Once enrolled in a PhD program, candidates need to upload additional documents on the DBT JRF portal (https://dbtjrf.gov.in) for fellowship activation. * Required documents include a Candidate Data Sheet, Candidate Undertaking, Candidate Bank Account Details, HRA Declaration/Hostel Allotment Proof, and Host Institution NEFT/RTGS Electronic Fund Transfer Form, all duly forwarded and stamped by the PhD guide/supervisor. * The fellowship starts from the date of joining the PhD program or the date of issuance of the award letter, whichever is later.
- 7Status Tracking
* Candidates can track the status of their award letter application through the 'Status' tab on the DBT JRF application portal.
Common Questions (FAQs)
What is the tenure and what are the phases of the DBT-JRF fellowship?
The DBT-JRF fellowship has a total tenure of five years. For the first two years, fellows are designated as Junior Research Fellows (JRF) and receive a monthly stipend of ₹37,000. After successfully completing two years and undergoing a satisfactory assessment by a three-member committee, they are promoted to Senior Research Fellow (SRF) for the subsequent three years, with an enhanced monthly stipend of ₹42,000.
What is the difference between Category I and Category II qualification in the BET exam?
Candidates qualifying the Biotechnology Eligibility Test (BET) are categorized into two groups. Category-I qualifiers (typically the top ~275 ranks) are eligible to avail the DBT-JRF fellowship and pursue PhD research at any recognized university or institution across India. Category-II qualifiers (the next ~100 ranks) are eligible to be appointed in DBT-sponsored projects and receive a fellowship equivalent to NET/GATE qualifications, subject to selection through an institutional process. However, Category-II does not guarantee direct fellowship under the DBT-JRF program itself.
How and when is the DBT-JRF fellowship disbursed to the students?
The fellowship and contingency grants are released annually to the host university or institution upon receipt of prescribed documents, including the research fellow's progress report, Utilization Certificate (UC), and Statement of Expenditure (SoE) incurred during the financial year. The funds are then disbursed to the fellow, typically into an Aadhaar-linked bank account. Initial payments might experience delays if the host institution's Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with DBT is new or undergoing renewal; candidates are advised to confirm the MoU status with their institute's PhD office.
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IndiaScholarships.in attempts to provide accurate information manually curated from official sources. Scholarship details, timelines, and eligibility can change without notice as per the provider's discretion. Applying for a scholarship does not guarantee selection. Always verify all information on the official Department of Biotechnology (DBT) & Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB) website before final submission.